African Church marks 125th anniversary, unveils new logo - Punch Newspapers

The African Church Nigeria has unveiled activities, a logo, and a theme for its 125th anniversary, vowing to preserve its heritage for generations yet unborn. The Primate, His Eminence Augustine Odufuwa, unveiled them at a news conference recently in Lagos, saying the anniversary would celebrate 125 years of faith, sacrifice, service, and divine preservation. “Today, we do more than unveil a logo or announce a programme. We open a new chapter in a story that God began 125 years ago. “One hundred and twenty-five years have witnessed changing generations, societies and circumstances, yet remained anchored in Christ’s Gospel. Our testimony is simple: God has been faithful,” he said. Odufuwa said the church’s history was woven into Nigeria’s religious and social history and expressed gratitude to the founding fathers and mothers for their faith, courage and sacrifices. He said the anniversary theme was “125 Years of Grace: A Future Unfolding,” from Isaiah 43:19. “The theme deliberately joins remembrance with expectation. The first part is our testimony. The second is our mandate. “We celebrate what God has done, but we refuse to believe that our greatest days are behind us. Grace brought us here; grace must lead us forward. “The next chapter requires a church faithful to Scripture, conscious of its heritage and responsive to its times,” he said. The Primate said the church must preserve its heritage while embracing necessary reforms and innovations. He stressed the need to prepare young people to shape the church’s future. “Our young people must not merely inherit our history; they must be equipped to shape the next chapter. “This is why the programme has been designed not as a single-day ceremony. It is a season of remembrance, renewal, evangelism, service and celebration,” he said. Odufuwa said activities would include a 40-day countdown campaign from September 4 to October 12, featuring historical facts, interviews, podcasts, documentaries, digital engagements and prayer videos. According to him, historical activities would include a national Bible and history quiz and a historical essay competition for younger generations. The Primate said the quiz would culminate physically in Ibadan on October 12, while three outstanding essays would receive recognition during the Founders’ Day thanksgiving service. Odufuwa said national evangelism and community-impact activities would also feature prominently, including crusades, hospital and prison ministries, school outreach, and community service projects. He said provinces and dioceses would participate in an exchange of pulpits on October 4. Family accuses LASUTH of negligence over accident victim’s death Boxers battle for three titles at De Lads’ showdown NUT slams FG over King’s College concession According to him, the initiative would strengthen fellowship and reaffirm the church’s shared mission. The Primate said the main celebration would be held on October 13, featuring a thanksgiving service, goodwill messages, awards, anniversary cake cutting and the launch of legacy projects. Odufuwa said the anniversary season would conclude on October 18 across the church’s parishes worldwide, with a uniform thanksgiving liturgy and anniversary sermon. He added that special offerings would support the church’s legacy projects. The Primate appealed to the media to help document and promote the church’s history. “Do not merely report this milestone. Help us tell its story. “We invite the Nigerian media to become partners in documenting and interpreting the journey of the African Church. Tell the story of our founders. Explore our history,” he said. Odufuwa also spoke on insecurity, saying the situation could have become uncontrollable without the church’s prayers. “Insecurity in Nigeria is in transit; it will be forgotten soon,” he assured. The Primate called for a more inclusive and community-based approach to security across the country. “We cannot leave it in the hands of government alone; all hands must be on deck. The church should strengthen peace-building and continue contributing to efforts toward a safer and more peaceful society,” he said. The incoming Lay President, Debo Oduguwa, said the church’s founding fathers not only pursued soul-winning but also established schools and hospitals to meet the needs of their immediate environment. Oduguwa said the founders faced numerous challenges but weathered all storms to make the church impactful. “Our founding fathers did not merely pursue soul-winning; they also established schools and hospitals to cater for the needs of their immediate environment. Despite the numerous challenges they faced, they weathered all storms to make the church impactful,” he said. He noted that although the church had maintained its non-partisan stance in politics, the government and relevant stakeholders, including the church, must rise to address the nation’s security challenges. Chairperson of the 125th Founders’ Day Anniversary Planning Committee of The African Church, Elder Gladys Obajulaiye, urged the media to partner with the church in preserving its 125-year history and Christian heritage. She said the anniversary was designed not merely as a series of ceremonies but as a season of remembrance, renewal, service, fellowship and legacy, urging Nigerians to reflect on the church’s journey of faith, sacrifice and service. The African Church will mark its 125th Founders’ Day Anniversary on October 13, 2026. Felix Oloyede

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