The Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rev. James Odedeji, has been honoured with an award by the Africa Choral Music for promoting choral and gospel music excellence around the World.

Receiving the award at a musical concert in Lome, Togo, Bishop Odedeji, who urged Christians to appreciate the place of praises in worship, commended the Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church (BACMAC) choir for representing the Diocese in the music festival.

He urged youths to devote their leisure time to music which he said could serve as a tool for peace-building, peace-making, and reconciliation between ethnic groups and faiths in West Africa.

The cleric noted that Anglicans appreciate songs, hymns, worship, and praises, which are inspiring and uplift souls.

The Bishop further pledged his continued support for youth empowerment and growth, saying the feat attained in the festival would be reflected in next year’s synod.

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Odedeji, however, appreciated the vicar of Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church, Taiwo Olupitan, for his encouragement towards the success of the festival.

The Bishop also thanked the Music Director of BACMAC, Sir Kelechi Agu who led the choir to Togo for the festival for “his commitment, hard work and doggedness in the service of God”, stressing that he “is a replica of his late father whose service in the house of God is commendable.”

Bishop Odedeji, therefore, expressed the readiness of the Diocese to host the church music festival’s first edition in Africa next month.

The musical concert which was organised by the Africa Choral Music tagged Africa Sings, had in attendance choirs from 15 African countries with five states from Nigeria, including the choir of BACMAC from the Diocese of Lagos West.

The Star