A former Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Chief Abayomi Akeremale, has been installed as the Majekobaje of Methodist Church in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The honour was bestowed on him at a church service, during which he also celebrated and offered thanks to God for his successful retirement from the Nigeria Police Force.
The two-fold celebration attracted dignitaries, including political office holders, traditional rulers, former and serving police officers, family members, friends and associates from all walks of life.
Akeremale, who is also a lawyer, thanked God for sparing his life throughout his 34-year career in the police. He also thanked the leadership of the church for honouring him with the title of Majekobaje.
He described the police career as a challenging one. But he thanked God that he started and completed it meritoriously.
He expressed joy that he did not die in service and that he was not disgraced out of it. He also thanked God for the title conferred on him by the church, which to him, was like the icing on the cake of his successful completion of his police career.
While thanking the church leadership and dignitaries who came to grace the occasion, Akeremale promised that he would put in his best in carrying out the responsibilities attached to his new title.
In his sermon, Archbishop of Igbobini Diocese, Most Rev. Amos Akindeko, said Akeremale had many reasons to thank God, especially for coming out alive of the dangerous police career. According to him reminded him that not all his classmates that started primary or secondary schools or even the police career with him were still alive.
The cleric said to remain alive from birth till the completion of his career was enough reason for the ex-police chief to thank God.
Referring to the biblical examples of David, who was fond of always thanking God, Akindeko admonished everyone at the church to always praise God, an act which he said would always attract more divine blessings.
He also urged the congregation to emulate the account of the Hebrew lads Shadrack, Messack and Abednego, who opted to praise God irrespective of what lay ahead.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is an institution riddled with challenges, yet Akeremale is able to carve a niche for himself and came out of it “unscathed”.
The cleric hinted that part of the reasons the ex-cop was considered worthy of the Majekobaje title was his virtuous qualities as a honest, trustworthy and dedicated policeman.
He thanked and prayed for the traditional rulers, among whom were, Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba M. Obatuga; the Ahaba of Ajagba, Oba Matthew Adesayo, and a host of others present at the service, for peace to continue to reign in their respective domains.