The Catholic Diocese of Oyo, through its Justice Development and Peace Movement recently recorded another landmark with the commissioning and blessing of a modern 55-unit variety shopping complex located in Oyo town. Built by the JDPM, the shopping/office complex was blessed by His Lordship, Most Rev Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese penultimate week. Located along Mabolaje Street, Oyo, Oyo State, the event was well attended by Priests, Religious, Church and State dignitaries, men and women of substance among other well-wishers. In his address at the commissioning, Bishop Badejo expressed gratitude to God on the completion of the complex. Congratulating, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adeleke, Coordinator of JDPM and the entire staff for their dedication and hard work, he noted that the shopping complex is another success they have achieved, not for themselves but for the Church of God and the people who would use the facility, irrespective of tribe or faith.
The Prelate reminded everyone that the Church always intervenes in the matters that benefit everyone through her social outreach organs like the JDPM and others. He said the new shopping complex is a typical example of giving life to the Social Doctrine and responsibility of the Catholic Church in the society. Bishop Badejo urged other religious and civil organizations to emulate the JDPM in developmental projects, to ease the hardship of the populace and fast track development of the society. The Bishop, Legal holder of JDPM, Oyo Diocese, blessed the complex, performed the ceremonial cutting of tape and in company with other priests, sprinkled Holy Water on shops, offices and other facilities in the complex. The Coordinator of JDPM, Fr. Gabriel Adeleke, welcomed everyone to the historic event. He specially thanked the Bishop for his unflinching support for JDPM.
He noted that the Multi-million naira project is not only about the money or profit to be realized from the complex but the transformation of society, enhancement of human dignity and right to work, as well as spreading the Gospel and making positive social impact through the modern technology compliant complex. Rev. Fr. Lawrence Oke, whose communications outfit handled the electrification and ICT jobs in the complex, informed the guests that the facility is built and equipped with state-of-theart internet solutions and that prompt maintenance services would be carried out by competent staff. Goodwill messages were delivered by Very Rev. Francis Oladiipo, Vicar General of the Diocese, Monsignors Dominic Ajayi and Emmanuel Bolaji Yakubu from Ekiti and Oyo Dioceses respectively.
Representatives of the Priests, Religious, Church societies commended the JDPM Coordinator and staff on the achievement, and spoke on the sustainability of the complex, while Hon. Dele Adigun a friend of the JDPM and Oyo Diocese from Ibadan Archdiocese congratulated all on behalf of friends of the Diocese. He urged other Justice Peace and Development missions in the Church to borrow a leaf from the JDPM. He appealed to prospective users on maintenance of the facilities in the complex and promised to continue to support such progressive initiatives wherever he can. The elated guests, including Laity Council representatives, the youths, the Catholic Women Organization and well-wishers took a tour of the comp
