THE gong will sound once again at Rev. Chris Okotie’s Household of God Church, Oregun, Dec-ember 12, as the pastor-politician celebrates the 20th anniversary of the GRACE programme, with his congre-gation.

Rev. Okotie launched the GRACE programme in 1990 as a charity, to give succour to charitable organizations that tend to orphans, the physi-cally challenged and the like; and since then the church, has been making annual cash donations to four organizat-ions, namely, Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, Sunshine Founda-tion, The Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, and the Strong Tower Mission. Each now receives N500,000.

GRACE, the acronym for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense, is the pastor’s way of extending the love of Christ to the less privileged. A complimentary programme, KARIS was launched in 1996 as an annual award to distinguished Nigerians, who have rendered invaluable service to the nation.

This award is subsumed in the GRACE programme, and has, so far been given to 13 famous Nigerians including Prof. Chike Obi, D.I.G Chris Omoeben (rtd), Taiwo Akinwunmi, designer of the national flag, late world feather weight boxing champion, Hogan Kid Bassey, labour leader/nationalist, Chief Michael Imoudu, female activist, Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo, Hajia Gambo Sawaba, late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Mallam Aminu Kano among others.

The KARIS award now carr-ies a prize of N1,000,000.00, up from N500, 000. This year’s award goes to late legal luminary and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehin-mi. Gani’s post humous award will be given at the GRACE Night at a colourful ceremony where two governors, Segun Mimiko of Ondo State, the recipient’s home state, and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos are the co-special guests of honour.

A former president of the NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, will be the chairman of the occasion.