…as congregation celebrates en masse in Warri

By Olayinka Latona

WARRI, Delta State — The President of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Brother Felix Ekundayo Adedokun, has raised alarm over what he described as a growing wave of ungodliness, injustice and violence in society, calling on leaders at all levels to govern with integrity and the fear of God.

Adedokun spoke during the grand finale of the church’s eight-day Feast of Tabernacles at its Salem City headquarters in Warri, where thousands of worshippers gathered for the annual celebration.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Passing the Time of Our Sojourning Here in Fear,” the GKS president lamented the worsening social crises across the world and their direct impact on Nigeria. He identified authoritarianism, irreligiosity, ethno-religious nationalism and organised crime as destructive forces fuelling violence and insecurity.

According to him, these trends have resulted in widespread loss of lives, destruction of communities, displacement of families and deepening poverty. He also criticised what he described as the failure of justice systems, alongside rising insensitivity, greed, selfishness and bigotry in society.

Adedokun urged government officials and other authorities to prioritise peace, justice and the general wellbeing of citizens rather than short-term material gains. “All peoples must spend the brief period we have to live on earth in the fear of God, which means abstaining from all appearance of evil,” he said.

Earlier in the celebration, GKS members, including youths and children, took part in the traditional Feast of Tabernacles procession through major streets in Warri. Dressed in diverse traditional attires representing various ethnic groups, the worshippers danced and displayed placards bearing the names of states and tribes, accompanied by security personnel, from Salem City and back to the headquarters.

Elderly members were also given special attention through the Concern for Aged Members (CONFAM), a charitable arm of the church dedicated to members aged 70 years and above. The National Chairman of CONFAM, Brother Gideon Okandeji, alongside the National Secretary, Brother Tennyson Ukpethu, said the group provides care through regular visits, fellowship and support.

“We fill the space that their children ought to fill because at that age, many of their children are not around,” Okandeji explained, adding that aged members from across the country are hosted during the Feast of Tabernacles.

The event attracted traditional rulers and dignitaries, including the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Kingsley Emakpo Orereh, Igbi II, government officials and other notable guests.

Other highlights of the celebration included the empowerment of indigent women with over N11 million by the GKS Women Fellowship and the unveiling of a new gallery phase at Saint Urhobo Square, which expanded seating capacity by 2,500.

Founded in 1934, the God’s Kingdom Society is an international Christian organisation that has observed the Feast of Tabernacles annually since 1935.