The Ondo State Chapter of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has re-elected Primate Dr. Eri Ademisokun Turton-Onibode as its State Chairman for another three-year term.

The church also returned its General Secretary, Special Apostle/Prophet/PRO J.O. Ogundele, while other new executive members were elected to steer the affairs of the organisation in the state.

The election was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and supervised by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the church, led by its Chairman, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) S.A.O. Adeoye, alongside the Secretary-General, Senior Apostle Tayo Ajose, and other national officers.

The exercise took place at the State Secretariat of the Unification Church, Success Gate C&S Christ Church International Incorporated, Primate Ade Ademisokun Turton (Onibode) Street, Akure, with delegates drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state participating in the voting process.

Other elected officers include Supt. Apostle Oluwasina Adeniran as Vice Chairman, Central; Special Apostle E.S. Balogun, Vice Chairman, North; Rev. Apostle Kayode Mafia, Vice Chairman, South; Rev. Canon Bolarinwa Olaopa, Assistant Secretary I; Mother-in-Israel Deborah Omotoso, Assistant Secretary II; Captain Mother Christiana Ogunfeyimi, Treasurer; and Primate Oluwasina Olagundoye, Financial Secretary.

Others are Special Apostle Afolabi Ogunleye, Assistant Financial Secretary; Pastor Olakunle Martins, Chief Public Relations Officer; Deacon Tope Fayehun, Public Relations Officer; Mother-in-Israel Margaret Ilesanmi, Chief Welfare Officer; Prophet Oluwamayiwa Omojesu, Welfare Officer II; Bishop Samson Akintomide, Auditor I; Prophet Ruth Adeniyi, Chief Whip; Apostle Ogunleye Ilugbenga, Organising Secretary I; and Prophet Timothy Atolagbe, Organising Secretary II.

Speaking after the election, the NEC Chairman, Most Rev. (Dr.) Adeoye, commended the outgoing executive for what he described as remarkable achievements during its first tenure.

Adeoye said the national leadership had closely monitored the developmental strides recorded by the Ondo State chapter and expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the leadership to the growth of the church.

«“The little time the leadership has spent in office has produced visible results. We at the National Headquarters are pleased with the progress recorded and urge the newly elected executive to sustain the momentum and pursue greater development of the Unification in Ondo State,” he said.»

In his acceptance speech, Turton-Onibode thanked members for renewing their confidence in his leadership and pledged to consolidate the achievements recorded during his first tenure.

The re-elected chairman said that before the present administration assumed office, the Ondo State chapter lacked physical and spiritual visibility, was indebted to the national body for six years and had limited participation in national activities.

He said his administration subsequently embarked on statewide tours of the 18 local government areas, visited constituent churches, established the State Council of Elders, inaugurated various organs and wings of the church, and strengthened the organisational structure of the state chapter.

Turton-Onibode disclosed that the Women Wing was inaugurated in January 2024, while outstanding debts owed by the women body to the national headquarters were fully settled.

He added that 12 of the 18 local government chapters had so far been inaugurated, while a broad-based youth executive was also inaugurated after internal challenges were resolved through the intervention of the national leadership.

The chairman further said the state's Brigade had been successfully reconciled with the executive council, paving the way for Ondo State's active participation in the recent national elections after almost a decade of inactivity and indebtedness.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to sanitise the Council of Prophetesses through the proper enumeration of genuine prophets and prophetesses, stressing that the leadership remained committed to protecting the integrity of the church and discouraging practices inconsistent with its doctrine.

According to him, aggressive evangelism through radio, television and social media has significantly improved the visibility of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church in Ondo State, resulting in increased participation by constituent church entities and greater recognition by the state government.

Turton-Onibode said the chapter also successfully organised the church's centenary celebration, embarked on spiritual visits to significant historical sites associated with the founding fathers of the church, upgraded the state chapter to Grade A status, established an official bank account and secured the formal designation of the Success Gate Secretariat in Akure as the official headquarters of the Ondo State Chapter.

He further revealed that the administration had cleared all outstanding local and national financial obligations inherited from previous administrations, including debts owed by the state chapter, the Good Women Congress and the Militia Brigade.

The chairman disclosed that the chapter currently has a credit balance of over ₦4.3 million, describing the achievement as a demonstration of prudent financial management.

He assured members that the newly inaugurated executive would continue to strengthen unity, promote evangelism, deepen accountability and pursue initiatives aimed at advancing the mission and growth of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church in Ondo State.