C&S launches surveillance training to boost church security

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The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim has announced plans to commence formal surveillance and security-awareness training for members of its Army of Salvation Band as part of efforts to strengthen security in churches amid growing threats.

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The General Leader of the band, Victoria Adesioye, disclosed this on Saturday at the flag-off of the centenary celebrations of the Army of Salvation Band, themed “Be Ye Ambassadors of Christ,” held at the church’s International Headquarters in Ojokoro, Lagos State.

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Adesioye said the training programme would be introduced before the grand finale of the band’s 100th anniversary celebrations, adding that every person who joins the Army of Salvation would undergo formal training.

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She stressed that the programme would not involve firearms or combat training but would focus on surveillance and security awareness.

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She said, “This year, we are starting a training programme for all Army of Salvation members to beef up our activities.

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“We found out that there are growing security risks and growing challenges all over the churches. We are not teaching them how to shoot guns or how to fight. It is strictly surveillance and security perception.

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“Everyone who joins the Army of Salvation will go through formal training. So, the board will start formal training. The training will come up before the grand finale of the anniversary.”

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Adesioye said the initiative was in line with the organisation’s original mandate of providing order, discipline and service within the church while adapting to emerging challenges.

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She explained that the Army of Salvation Band was established in 1926 through the pioneering ministry of the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase.

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According to him, the organisation was not established simply as a group of uniformed men and women, but as an instrument of order, discipline, service and spiritual commitment within the church.

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She said the founding members made significant sacrifices to support Orimolade’s evangelistic activities across Nigeria.

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“From those humble beginnings, our fathers who came before us carried the flag with courage, conviction and unwavering dedication. They served when it was difficult. They sacrificed their comfort for the advancement of the work of God, supporting our founder in the work of evangelism across Nigeria,” Adesioye said.

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She noted that the Army of Salvation had remained relevant to the church’s activities by maintaining order during worship services and major gatherings, while also supporting processions, evangelistic activities, and other programmes.

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Adesioye commended the leaders, senior officers, officers and members of the organisation for their sacrifices, resilience and determination to preserve the institution over the past century.

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She urged members to preserve the values of unity and discipline that had sustained the organisation while embracing innovation to meet contemporary challenges.

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“Remember always that you are carrying a flag that is one hundred years old. You are not merely serving yourselves. You are custodians of a legacy,” he said.

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Adesioye also charged officers to represent Christ through their conduct, discipline, integrity, service and compassion, both within and outside the church.

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She said the next century should produce an Army of Salvation that was stronger in faith, deeper in discipline, broader in service and more relevant to the challenges of a changing world.

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“We must honour our heritage by embracing innovation. We must preserve the values handed down to us by our founding fathers while remaining open to transformation that will enable the Band to serve God and humanity more effectively in the years ahead,” she said.

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She urged members and the public to participate in the programmes lined up for the centenary, saying the anniversary should serve as an opportunity to celebrate the organisation’s heritage, honour its pioneers and renew its commitment to faith, discipline, service, unity and godly influence.

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The event also featured the official unveiling of the band’s logo by the vice spiritual leader of the church, John Oladapo.

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The highlight of the centenary celebration will feature a seminar and workshop, a parade rally, and the grand finale.

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The Secretary General of the church, Prof Iyiomo Oyetakin, said those who carried the values of the Army of Salvation up until the present time still maintain them.

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“That is what The Eternal Sacred Order is so distinct. The value that the church will never negotiate is the value that stands with the uniform of the band.

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“The church has been preaching to the country to be law-abiding and desist from acts that would lead to its disintegration and acts that would lead to insecurity. We respect the constitution of the country, and the Army of Salvation is a part of the church,” he said.

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