By Ajao Stephen
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Tuesday held an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session to appreciate God for the safe rescue of the spouses of two members of staff and other victims abducted by kidnappers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The gathering was attended by principal officers of the institution, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu; Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Olanike Balogun; Bursar, Mr Kehinde Olusegun Olatokun; Librarian, Professor Adefunke Sarah Ebijuwa; deans, heads of departments, clerics and other members of staff.
Prof. Kalilu expressed gratitude to God for His mercy and faithfulness, saying the university community gathered as Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths to offer thanksgiving and pray for continued peace, security and divine protection over LAUTECH, Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria.
He noted that the kidnapping incident became more personal when it was discovered that the families of two members of staff were among those affected.
“We thank God that we are all here. What happened about two months ago was indeed traumatic. It was a rude shock from which the university community did not recover until yesterday (Monday) evening, when family members and relatives of the rescued kidnap victims saw them in person. Until that moment, the case was not closed.
“Today, we want to thank God for His faithfulness. We hoped that these people would come back to us alive, and He made it possible. We are here to offer our appreciation and thanksgiving to God Almighty,” he said.
In his reflection, the University Chaplain, Pastor David Olawuyi, described the occasion as a celebration of God’s faithfulness.
Drawing from Psalm 124, read by Pastor (Mrs.) Christianah Adepoju, he encouraged the affected families, particularly Professor Wole Alamu, to continue trusting in God.
Mr Isiaka Adeleke Muhammed, the Chief Imam of State Hospital, Ogbomoso, and a member of staff of LAUTECH, also offered words of encouragement, while Mr Abdullahi Tijani recited relevant passages from the Holy Qur’an.
Special prayers were offered for the released victims, focusing on healing, restoration and emotional recovery.
Prayers were also offered for the university community, seeking protection, academic excellence, unity and progress. Similar prayers were said for Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria, with supplications for lasting peace, security, wisdom for leaders, and an end to kidnapping and other security challenges.
Professor Wole Alamu, Dean of LAUTECH’s Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and husband of the school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, received a thunderous ovation as he spoke on behalf of the affected families.
Professor Alamu expressed gratitude to God and the university community, especially the Vice-Chancellor, for their prayers and support throughout the ordeal.
He acknowledged that the experience was deeply traumatic but said God remained faithful and brought his family through the difficult period safely.
“We thank God it has ended in praise,” he remarked.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mrs Olayinka Olanike Balogun, appreciated members of staff for their impressive turnout despite the short notice.
She commended the Vice-Chancellor for his exemplary leadership and thanked everyone who stood in prayer throughout the challenging period, noting that God’s intervention came at the appointed time.
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