Emotions As Lagos Govt Honours Dismissed Chaplain After Ambode Controversy

Emotions ran high at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, as the Lagos State Government honoured a former presiding Chaplain of the chapel, Venerable Femi Taiwo.

The congregation, consisting of church members, family, friends and well wishers of the cleric, sang songs after songs as they celebrated the occasion.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, who was joined by top officials of the ministry, presented a gift to Taiwo on behalf of the government.

It was learnt that the special service, which held for about 30 minutes, was kept under wraps, as many church members were not informed.

In May 2017, Taiwo, his wife and their two children were evicted from the vicarage after being given 24 hours notice to quit by Lagos State government.

Church members contributed money to buy cooking utensils for the family, as a new accommodation was sought for them.

Taiwo had been accused of not according the wife of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Bolanle, preference and recognition during an anointing service.

Bolanle, with her entourage, was reported to have stormed out of the Sunday service in a fit of rage.

Efforts by women leaders in the church to persuade them to stay on were said to have been rebuffed.

Shortly after they left, the priest was served a dismissal letter by the governing council of the chapel.

The incident had generated outrage from Nigerians, who criticised the former governor and his wife for humiliating the former chaplain.

The head of the African Church, Ifako Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi, who seconded the cleric to the chapel, had said Bolanle committed a sacrilege.