ICM4C Hosts National Soiree During Independence Day Celebrations

Christ Embassy is a ministry that not only believes in meeting the spiritual needs of the world, but also the material needs of those unable to fend for themselves. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the ministry's founder and president, is especially passionate about investing in the next generation. He lives by the mantra "every child is your child" and firmly believes that the way to give ourselves and our children a secure, prosperous future is by taking care of children who cannot fend for themselves. This is how he puts it: "We have a divine responsibility to God, to the Church and the society to reach children in our inner cities; if we don't educate them, they will be the source of danger in fifteen years' time."

This is the ideology that drove the creation of InnerCity Mission for Children, a faith-based NGO that aims to free disadvantaged children from the deadly cycle of poverty. Besides providing them with meals, clean water and healthcare, ICM4C aims to give them the knowledge they need to fend for themselves by offering them the chance to go to school. Instead of roaming the streets, these children can get educated and become responsible contributors in the society. To date ICM4C provides more than 10,000 children in Nigeria with free meals and free education. In order to sustain its activities, the organization depends on a network of volunteers and partners who give of themselves and their substance.

To increase awareness of its activities and broaden its support base, ICM4C has a calendar full of exciting events. One of these was the first InnerCity Mission National Soiree which was made to coincide with the recent Independence Day celebrations in Nigeria. It was a colorful event in which the country's cultural diversity was proudly displayed as children and ICM4C staff arraigned themselves in traditional garments from different parts of the country. The cultural diversity was also represented in culinary delights from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Another important part of the Soirée was the symbolic re-enactment of the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of the flag of the newly independent Nigeria like it was first done 52 years ago. In opening the event, Lagos Zone 5 RON 2015 Chairman, Deaconess Mary Yarere expressed her pride in how blessed Nigeria is. She also acknowledged the efforts of ICM4C in ensuring the country has a bright future.