LAUTECH holds thanksgiving prayer session as VC, staff celebrate end of abduction ordeal
The
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on
Tuesday held an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session to appreciate
God for the safe rescue of the spouses of two members of staff and
other victims abducted by kidnappers in Orire Local Government Area of
Oyo State.
The gathering
was attended by principal officers of the institution, including the
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu; Registrar, Mrs
Olayinka Olanike Balogun; Bursar, Mr Kehinde Olusegun Olatokun;
Librarian, Professor Adefunke Sarah Ebijuwa; Deans, Heads of Departments, clerics and other members of staff.
Prof.
Kalilu expressed gratitude to God for His mercy and faithfulness,
saying the university community gathered as Christians, Muslims and
people of other faiths to offer thanksgiving and pray for continued
peace, security and divine protection over LAUTECH, Ogbomosoland, Oyo
State and Nigeria.
He
noted that the kidnapping incident became more personal when it was
discovered that the families of two members of staff were among those
affected.
"We thank God
that we are all here. What happened about two months ago was indeed
traumatic. It was a rude shock from which the university community did
not recover until yesterday (Monday) evening, when family members and
relatives of the rescued kidnap victims saw them in person. Until that
moment, the case was not closed.
"Today,
we want to thank God for His faithfulness. We hoped that these people
would come back to us alive, and He made it possible. We are here to
offer our appreciation and thanksgiving to God Almighty," he said.
In his reflection, the University Chaplain, Pastor David Olawuyi, described the occasion as a celebration of God's faithfulness.
Drawing
from Psalm 124, read by Pastor (Mrs.) Christianah Adepoju, he encouraged
the affected families, particularly Professor Wole Alamu, to continue
trusting in God.
Mr Isiaka Adeleke Muhammed, the Chief Imam of State Hospital, Ogbomoso, and a member of staff of LAUTECH, also offered words of encouragement, while Mr Abdullahi
Tijani recited relevant passages from the Holy Qur'an.
Special prayers were offered for the released victims, focusing on healing, restoration and emotional recovery.
Prayers
were also offered for the university community, seeking protection,
academic excellence, unity and progress. Similar prayers were said for
Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria, with supplications for lasting
peace, security, wisdom for leaders, and an end to kidnapping and other
security challenges.
Professor
Wole Alamu, Dean of LAUTECH’s Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources
and husband of the school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, received a
thunderous ovation as he spoke on behalf of the affected families.
Professor
Alamu expressed gratitude to God and the university community,
especially the Vice-Chancellor, for their prayers and support throughout
the ordeal.
He
acknowledged that the experience was deeply traumatic but said God
remained faithful and brought his family through the difficult period
safely.
"We thank God it has ended in praise," he remarked.
Delivering
the vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Olanike Balogun,
appreciated members of staff for their impressive turnout despite the
short notice.
She
commended the Vice-Chancellor for his exemplary leadership and thanked
everyone who stood in prayer throughout the challenging period, noting
that God's intervention came at the appointed time.
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