Traffic and Security
Brief Overview
The conceptualization and the eventual establishment of the Traffic and Security Department, C.A.C, Oke Igbala, Ketu District Coordinating Council (DCC) Headquarters Lagos was by the initiative and guidance of Pastor J. A. Adelakun (aka Baba Ayewa). He conceived this idea and got the department established in the 1998.
The establishment of the ‘One Hour With God’ weekly prayer meeting a year earlier attracted a large turnout of worshippers. The prayer meeting takes place every Tuesday. The massive presence of the attendees resulted in the fill-up of the auditorium and the overflow facilities around the auditorium. To address the logistic challenges arising from the mammoth crowd of worshippers, Pastor J.A. Adelakun established the Traffic and Security Department. The essence is to ensure effective monitoring and control of the congregation within and outside the auditorium while the program is on. Secondly, the new department was also designated to control the heavy traffic that usually build up (every Tuesday) immediately after the service.
The establishment of the ‘One Hour With God’ weekly prayer meeting a year earlier attracted a large turnout of worshippers. The prayer meeting takes place every Tuesday. The massive presence of the attendees resulted in the fill-up of the auditorium and the overflow facilities around the auditorium. To address the logistic challenges arising from the mammoth crowd of worshippers, Pastor J.A. Adelakun established the Traffic and Security Department. The essence is to ensure effective monitoring and control of the congregation within and outside the auditorium while the program is on. Secondly, the new department was also designated to control the heavy traffic that usually build up (every Tuesday) immediately after the service.
Traffic and Security Department at C.A.C Oke-Igbala, Ketu
Ever since then, the department has begun to grow (physically and spiritually), and it has been performing wonderfully well. With the increasing relevance of the department, its roles and responsibilities have been extended to Sunday services, big programmes like revivals, 7-day annual vigil, 24-hour annual programme, and other sundry Church programmes.
This department is also saddled with the responsibility of contracting the services of external security for the Church subject to the Board’s approval.
The first officially appointed coordinator by the Board of Elders of the Church was Elder J. O. Odunola and he was later succeeded by Elder Bosun Ajayi At the expiration of Elder Ajayi’s tenure, Elder Segun Olatunji was appointed by the Board of Elders to lead the department.
One of the bold initiatives embarked upon by the current leadership was the inclusion of female security personnel from the members of the Church into the team. The traffic and security department could boast of 43 very active and agile male and female members.
The advent of the Federal Special Marshal in the Church
The Special Marshal, a volunteer unit under the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), was introduced into the Church by the department in 2003.
The introduction of the Special Marshal unit of the FRSC became imperative because of the recalcitrant and unruly conduct of the motorists and commercial bike riders (aka Okada riders). This bad behaviour was more rampant, particularly after the popular “One Hour With God” held every Tuesday in the Church. Following the strategic importance of having the FRSC’s presence in the traffic corridor, the Special Marshal Unit 27, C·A·C. Oke-lgbala Ketu DCC Headquarters was established.
The Special Marshal Unit of the Church has membership drawn from diverse bases from Churches within and outside C.A.C Ketu DCC. Pastor M.O. Yusuff, (the first C.A.C. Ketu DCC Chairman, and the maiden C.A.C. Akinyele Regional Chairman), Pastor S. A. Adedayo the present (C.A.C. Akinyele Regional Chairman), Pastor Afolabi (C.A.C. Seminary Coordinator) are some of the very active members among other prominent and active members in the unit. The unit remains one of the best and most revered units in Lagos State Command of the FRSC today. The activity of the Unit is being ably managed by its coordinator, S. M. Lucky P. Bello.