A detailed explanation has been provided regarding the falseness of the petition filed against V/S/E Shola Solomon Odusolu (JP), Whose CCC Clergy File Number is 0566. the Shepherd-in-Charge of CCC Rumuola Parish 1 in Port Harcourt, River State. This clarification stems from a profound account given by the shepherd (and as further confirmed from some members and records of documents), who has dedicated his life to the Church since his early days as the Shepherd-in-Charge of CCC Igbara-Odo Ekiti Parish in 1986.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
It has been revealed that CCC Rumuola Parish 1 in Port Harcourt ,sometimes in 2023 specifically requested the shepherdship guidance of V/S/E Odusolu, who has served in various states across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Following a pastoral declaration to assume his duties at the Parish, V/S/E Odusolu began his service in 2023 with a steadfast commitment to furthering the evangelistic mission of the church.
THE GENESIS OF CRISIS.
The shepherd initiated a full-scale restoration for the Parish and all parishes in the South-South region. It was confirmed that before V/S/E Odusolu assumed duty at CCC Rumuola Parish 1 in Port Harcourt, the Parish had a 21-member Elders Council that managed the administrative system, including the Parochial Committee.
An intense meeting was held to review the function of the Elder Council. The review was conducted solely by the Elders Council, who decided to reduce the number of members to 7. The rationale behind this decision was that many members of the Council had passed away, while others were not actively participating in Parish events.
The 7-member Elder Council then met with the Shepherd to present their resolution. V/S/E Odusolu being an experienced shepherd, requested to meet with all the 21 members. The meeting confirmed that the decision to reduce the number of members was unanimous. The Shepherd then approved the newly constituted 7-member Council. However, the removed members of the Council launched a negative campaign against the Shepherd.
THE PARISH COMMITTEE CRISIS.
Upon assuming his duties at the Parish, V/S/E Odusolu encountered a well-established Parochial Committee. According to the Church Constitution, the Parochial Committee operated independently, without interference from the shepherd. However, a faction within the Parish began to question the long tenure of the Committee members, who had held their positions for many years.
Under mounting pressure, the Chairman of the Parochial Committee ultimately submitted his resignation letter in an effort to restore peace within the Parish. The departure of the Chairman had a negative impact on the Committee’s functionality, leading the shepherd to establish an interim committee to oversee Parish affairs while the process of appointing a new Parochial Committee was underway.
The installed chairman of the interim committee excused himself out of the committee and this led the vice chairman parading acts as the chairman of the interim committee.
Unfortunately, the interim committee’s Chairman and Secretary introduced ideas that deviated from the Parish’s mission. Their negative attitudes and actions hindered the appointment of a permanent Parochial Committee to manage the administrative affairs of the Parish effectively.
TRANSFER SAGA
As Power vested on the Pastor, the Pastor exercised his authority to announce the transfer of V/S/E Odusolu from his current station to Ijero Cathedral Parish 1 in Ekiti State.
V/S/E Odusolu, an experienced Shepherd who has served in various parishes including CCC Sabo Sagamu, CCC Odogbolu Parish I & II, CCC Omo Alaade Alafia, CCC Odogbolu II, CCC Igbara-Odo Ekiti, CCC Ikole-Ekiti Parish 3, CCC Ona-Ara Parish 1, CCC Iberekodo Parish Abeokuta, CCC Apata Ayeraye Ijebu- Jesa, CCC Modekeke Parish 1, CCC Choba Parish Port Harcourt, CCC Army Barrack Parish Lokoja, CCC Amakohia Parish Oweri, CCC Emmanuel Cathedral Dutse Alhaji Ext Abuja, CCC Ejigbo Parish 1 Lagos, set to continue his Shepherdship journey at CCC Ijero Cathedral Parish 1 in Ekiti State.
Upon his arrival at the new Parish, a discussion arose regarding the transfer letter of the current Shepherd, who had not yet received it. In light of this, CCC Ijero Cathedral Parish requested that V/S/E Odusolu wait until the transfer letter matter is resolved. V/S/E Odusolu promptly informed the Pastor’s Office of the situation and was advised to return to his previous parish while awaiting further instructions.
V/S/E ODUSOLU BACK TO CCC RUMUOLA PARISH, P/H RIVER STATE.
V/S/E Odusolu returned to CCC Rumuola Parish in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as per the Pastor’s instructions. However, upon his return, two members of the interim committee, the Chairman and Secretary went against the Pastor’s directive. They claimed that V/S/E Odusolu deliberately refused to resume at CCC Ijero Cathedral Parish 1, falsely stating that the venerable claimed the Parish did not meet his standards.
These two individuals wrote a petition to the Pastor based on false and defamatory claims and shared it on various social media platforms of Celestial Church of Christ. They specifically said in their letters has shared on the media that V/S/E Odusolu wants to remain in Parish 1 ph so as to quickly dissolve their interim leadership. However, the general congregation, who are familiar with V/S/E Odusolu’s character, reached out to him to seek clarification on the situation. Additionally, the remaining five members of the interim committee distanced themselves from the malicious plan to conspire against their shepherd.
ELDERS COUNCIL WROTE THE PASTOR
The Elder Council of the Parish recently corresponded with His Eminence Rev EMF Oshoffa in an effort to address the ongoing unrest within the Parish. The Council sought to inform the Pastor of the current situation and offer potential solutions to resolve the crisis. They expressed their support for V/S/E Odusolu to continue serving as their Shepherd, reassuring the Pastor of their acceptance of his leadership.
Additionally, an interim committee also reached out to the Pastor to dispel any negative information surrounding V/S/E Odusolu and reaffirm the Parish’s desire for him to remain in his role.
INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
In response to the unrest, the Pastor has initiated a primary investigation by establishing a committee from his office. This committee will visit CCC Rumuola Parish 1 in Port Harcourt, River State on the 14th July 2024 to engage with all parties involved, investigate the underlying issues and provide a comprehensive report to the Pastor for further action.
Overall, the Parish and the entire celestial membership are interested and committed to addressing the challenges at hand and working towards a resolution that will benefit the entire parish and Celestial Church of Christ.
