By Sam Eyoboka and Olayinka Latona

FOR two memorable days, children aged between five and 20 years from across the country gathered at the sprawling Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for a time of refreshing away from pure academic endeavours.

From as far away as Maiduguri in Borno State, Umugbu-Awka in Anambra State, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nsitibom in Akwa Ibom State, Kaduna and Jos in Plateau State they took time off their studies for the 13th annual Redeemer’s Day, where they freely interacted with fellow students from other parts of the country and had a good time with the leadership of the Christ the Redeemer’s School Management, CRSM, proprietors of their different schools located across the nation.

It was a carnival of sort as the young lads used the occasion to felicitate with the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who recently turned 70 years old.

They presented miniature canoes, garlands, plastic fishes, and all manner of gifts and composed songs, poetry and freely thrilled the celebrant who also was patient to endure, sometimes their childish nuances, as he sat to savour the different presentations by the young minds throughout the two-day event titled; ‘A new Dawn’.

The evening preceding the celebration, according to one of the pupils, Pastor Adeboye entered the dormitory and sat on one of the available seats and took dinner out of the meal prepared for the children, and quite naturally some of the young lads were too stunned even to take their meal.

The event proper which took place at the open field of the host school, Redeemer’s High School, Redemption Camp, featured variety of children related events including the lighting of the unity torch, march past, callisthenic displays, tributes, play lets, speeches, poetry, games, sports, a novelty match, presentation of awards and of course an amazing synchronized lighting display piercing the serene night at the camp to the delight of the children.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, G.O, RCCG

In her opening speech, the chair person of CRSM, and vice president (education), RCCG, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye said the 13th anniversary is unique as it also provided the platform to “celebrate our visioner, grand patron and daddy, Daddy G.O. who just turned 70. We thank you, Sir for your all-round support and pray that the good Lord will grant you many years of excellent health, fruitful and joyous service to Him and all humanity in Jesus’ name.”

She pledged that the mission would continue to improve on “our physical structures, academic standard, moral instruction and the spiritual well being of our children, the teachers and administrators. The training and retraining of our teachers and administrators will continue on a regular basis.”

Mrs. Adeboye urged parents to draw closer to their children, stressing “nothing can replace parental love especially in this modern generation. They need you. Stay close to them and bring them up in the way of the Lord.”

According to her, the CRSM will continue to provide support to all the schools in the training of teachers, infrastructural development and maintenance of standards, pointing out that during the current academic session, “we shall focus on the provision of books to the schools, intensify training and step up standards. We are currently carrying out a survey to determine all the vial books required by our children with a view to buying and distributing them to the schools.”

She also used the occasion to appeal to state governments across the country to assist the mission, saying “some of our schools need better access roads and other public utilities. May I take this opportunity to ask for the help of our host state governments in the repair or construction of roads to make for easy access to these citadels of learning. A better operating environment where the schools are not overburdened with all kinds of levies and fees would also be greatly appreciated.”

It was a new dawn indeed for 70 indigent students as the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye doled out a cheque of N20 million to cover their tuition and boarding fees for the next one year.

The man of God, who recently marked his 70th birthday in very modest way, said the donation was part of his dream to see every Nigerian child educated and fulfill their destinies without any financial hindrance. The presentation marked the highpoint of the 13th Redeemer’s Day for schools established and run by the church amidst encomiums from wives of two governors.

The wife of Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and her Delta State counterpart who was represented by the wife of the state Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mrs. Stella Macualay extolled the virtues of Pastor Adeboye, both of whom prayed for long life for Pastor Adeboye.

Handing over the cheque, Pastor Adeboye, who easily became the toast of the celebration, used the occasion to identify with the pupils and students of the mission schools from across the country shaking hands with all the 70 beneficiaries.

CRSM is the church’s organ entrusted with the establishment and operation of schools and currently has 110 nursery/primary schools and more than 20 secondary schools in different parts of the country.