BREAKING! BREAKING!! BREAKING!!! WE SHOULD EMBRACE GOD OF PROPHETS, APOSTLES EARLY IN LIFE-PRINCE HAMZAT.

By Leo Ezekiel

Speaking to the members of the fourth estate of the realm at the official book launch and posthumous birthday in honour of the African Church Nigeria and Overseas Chief of founders the Executive Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, South West Nigeria Prince Usaman Akanbi Hamzat States that they should embrace God of Prophets and Apostles early in life adding that Late Chief Jacob Kehinde Coker did embrace God of Love and Peace early in his lifetime. Furthermore he states that the Late Chief Coker was only 35years old when he pragmatically and assiduously founded African Church when he and about 800 of them did leave Church Missionary Society (CMS) because of unresolved infractions averring that the present day youths should really, really, really be objectively involved in the schemes of every day of effective operations of enhancing the wellbeing of humanity.

He adds that all and sundry should of a truth embrace God of Heavens and Earth for His uncommon blessings. He adds that the citizens are facing extreme challenging times that they should be patient with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu concurring that by the grace of God the heavy economic slowness shall be a thing of the past. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline the Bishop of Ifako Diocese, African Church RT, Rev. Isaac Akin Falana states that he is really, really, really gladdened that he is largely part of the official book launch and posthumous birthday of Late Chief Coker as the memories of Late Chief Coker still run with him and other members of the African Church.

Speaking further, he said that there has been heavy sacrifices made to put the event together as the whole event has uncommonly recorded great successes adding that Late Chief Coker played a pivotal roles in making sure that African Church in Nigeria and overseas came to be. Furthermore, he avers that there has been erroneous impressions that African Church is established because of polygamy that was not allowed at the CMS adding that it was not the sole reasons of establishing the African Church, but, rather the African Church came into being as a result of disdainful treatments melted to Africans. 

He avers that CMS did bring Christianity and they were running the administration as at that time Bishop Thurgwell was in charge of the CMS in Nigeria as he states an African Bishop Nathaniel Johnson who was consecrated bishop in London, also he was the Vicar of St. Paul Anglican Church Breadfruit Street, Lagos Island and there after he was made the bishop of Niger which comprises Nigeria and other nations.

Furthermore, he states that Bishop Johnson went on a tour of Niger areas but, very sadly while he was on a tour he noted that another, Rev was brought and his name was Rev. James Johnson, through Bishop Nathaniel Johnson and Rev. James Johnson (bearing the same surnames were not related) because Rev. James Johnson was an European. He says that when Rev. Johnson was brought down to Nigeria that there was a Church Council who did take decisions where they told the Sister of Bishop Johnson to vacate her apartment where their personal effects were taken out in the opens. 

He says that immediately the Church saw that, they protested at the wrongful removal of the personal effects of Bishop Johnson who was on a tour on behalf of the Church, but, Bishop Thurgwell who was the head of the Church took the pleas of the protesters to the Council, again, he submits that they were told that they have taken their decisions and properties have been removed out of the apartment, that they would never rescind their earlier decisions. He avers that when Bishop Thurgwell informed the protesters that the council had ruled and anyone who was not in tandem with the council rules could leave the Church.

He avers that Late Chief Coker was peoples warden at the St. Paul Anglican Church, Breadfruit said (TO YOUR TENT, O ISRAEL) and about 800 of them went to Rose Cottage his house on the 13^th October 1901 where they started a fellowship at his house thinking that the CMS would come back for them, but, when the CMS did not extend a hand of fellowship to Late Chief Coker and his brothers and Sisters and that was how African Church started to the glory of God. 

Late Chief Coker was not a poor man because he had Plots of Lands in the whole of Ifako and Agege were in his hands, he was a young man of 35 years old, he had all that he needed, he was not a beggar, at that time people were coming to his farm and he did teach them how to produce Cocoa and other produce and after One (1) year he would give them Cocoa seedlings to go and plant and as well begin their business.

He was a man who empowered several persons and many became millionaires under his watch. He concurs that he is happy to be part of those celebrating the great icon of 158 years.

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline one of the grandsons of Late Chief Coker. Engr. Afolabi Olalekan Coker states that time and space shall dwarf him if he continues to reel out all the objective qualities his grandfather possessed while he lived for 79 years old of this planet earth, adding that they the descendants of him are always thankful to God for giving them such as vessel of human builder while he was alive. He thanks all and sundry that have contributed to the official book launch and posthumous birthday of his grandfather.

The author of the book is Annette Adeoba. Several other Speakers did speak with kind words on behalf of Late Chief Coker.

The Chairman book launch committee and as well as Vice Lay President Elect Ifako Diocese Ogunlaye Lawrence Sunday did deliver a well worded welcome address titled “THE PURPOSE OF OUR GATHERING TO THE AUDIENCE”