Celestial Church In Badagry Region Holds Awhangbahun Pre- Festival Press Conference

… Wants Awhangbahun compulsory in the Church musical-chain

In order to bring back the wonders of the sacred drumbeat called “Awhangbahun” in Ogu language as a doctrine divinely constituted at the inception of Celestial Church of Christ through its founder, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa (of blessed memory), the leadership of the Awhangbahun festival in Badagry Region of Lagos State on Saturday, 15th June, 2024 held a pre-festival conference to inform and sensitize members of the church and the general public worldwide to its forthcoming celebration of the maiden edition of the festival slated between July 25-27, 2024 in Badagry Kingdom.

The organisers of the pre-festival conference, a steering committee led by Superior Senior Woleader, Babatunde Olaide Mesewaku and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture in his address to the press at the regional headquarters of the church, Rev. P. H. Ajoseh Memorial Cathedral, Sowhe Mother Parish, Badagry stated that the celebration of the orchestra, Awhangbahun is not a Badagry, Lagos or Nigeria programme, but Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide programme approved by The Pastor, His Eminence, Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, and that the spiritual essence of hosting the forthcoming festival is to address the erosion of the sacred drumbeat in the church, so as to make it useful for humanity once again as witnessed during the inception of church by its founder, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa (of blessed memory).

According to Woleader Olaide Mesewaku, “But important as the orchestra is, its place in the doctrinal ethos of Celestial Church of Christ in the contemporary world has been overtly eroded to the precipice of extinction.
Hence, the institutionalization of Awhangbahun festival to re-engineer the resuscitation and reintegration of Awhangbahun orchestra back into the doctrinal ethos of Celestial Church of Christ globally.”

Mesewaku while speaking on behalf of the group said that the group under The Pastor’s directive wants the inculcation of Awhangbahun to be made compulsory in the Church musical-chain. He revealed the theme of the maiden edition of the festival as, AWHANGBAHUN FESTIVAL: PRESERVING THE ETHOS AND TENETS OF CELESTIAL HERITAGE.

He emphasized the remarkable benefits of the Awhangbahun festival international as a festival of victory and conquest, and is expected to draw more than ten thousand people from far and near, converging in Badagry for religious tourism. He used the moment to also highlight the programmes for the three days event as follows:

DAY ONE: Unveiling of Awhangbahun festival by his Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa after which a victory and praises procession will go round the entire Badagry. The first day will terminate with Awhangbahun Night Vigil/Revival

DAY TWO: Symposium on etymology and the existential essence of Awhangbahun. The evening will witness Awhangbahun musical Night Concert where various invited churches both within and outside Nigeria will display their creativity and expertise on Awhangbahun musical performance.

DAY THREE: The Grand Finale where our Mass Choir of 250 choristers will mount the stage for a command music performance and our guest artist Jonny Suru from Benin Republic will also perform. Prizes and awards will be presented to the best seven choir performances including spiritual exhibition and consultation that will run from 25th – 27th for those seeking deliverance, victory and blessings.

In the goodwill message of the Ogun State Superintendent, Venerable Superior Evangelist Joseph Talon described the drum as a mystery of Celestial Church of Christ with unsearchable powers to deliver victims from bondage and suppress witchcrafts. He urged the organizers to sustain the zeal with good spirit and love for one another.

Likewise, the Regional Head of the Church, Venerable Superior Evangelist, Olusiji Olajide in his remarks advised worshippers to always obey the voice of God, as the secret of achieving success in any endeavour is God. He expressed satisfaction with the success recorded since the introduction of the festival.

Many other dignitaries at the event were other shepherds who provided responses to various questions from the press.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of the festival website, www.awhangbahunfestival.com to increase public participation and partnership for the event.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Media Committee, Senior Evangelist Louis Gabriel Whenayon welcomed the press, dignitaries and other members of the church to the event, informing the press about the importance of the festival coming up in July 25-27, 2024.

Reuben Hopo
Asst. Secretary/Member,
Media Team of Awhangbahun Festival Internationa