Christ the King Catholic Church Expands Mercy Praise Concert with Grants, Skills Training for Oniba Residents
By Temidayo Anthony
Residents around the Oniba axis of Lagos are set to experience a blend of worship and community empowerment as Christ the King Catholic Church announces its annual praise concert alongside a skills acquisition programme.
Speaking ahead of the event, in an interview on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1fm the Chairman of the organising committee Mercy praise Hillary Opala, said the initiative aims to both uplift spiritually and empower economically.
According to him the programme now in its seventh edition is a yearly praise concert that brings together gospel ministers from within Lagos and beyond for an extended session of worship and thanksgiving.
The event, held on the Sunday after Easter in line with the Catholic celebration of Mercy Sunday, will feature a six-hour non-stop praise experience.
“We have different gospel ministers, including saxophonists and traditional drama groups. It’s strictly praise and worship for six hours,” he stated.
Beyond the concert, organisers are also rolling out a skills acquisition initiative scheduled for March 28/29th 2026. The programme is designed to equip participants with practical vocational skills while providing financial support to outstanding trainees.
Okpala revealed that participants will be trained in multiple trades, including catering and shoemaking, among other skills aimed at fostering entrepreneurship.
A major highlight of the initiative is the award of grants to top-performing participants. According to Lorine Okpala committee adviser trainees will be assessed during the programme, with the best in each skill category selected for financial support. “In between the praise sessions, we identify the best participants from each training class and present them with grants to help them start their own small-scale businesses,” she said.
The selection process, she added, is based on participants’ performance, commitment, and demonstrated readiness to apply the skills acquired during the training.
Organisers noted that the outreach reflects the church’s commitment to putting faith into action by addressing real societal needs.
“It is a way for the church to give back to society helping individuals become better Christians and more independent people. When people are empowered, they contribute positively to the wider community,” Opala stated.
The initiative is particularly targeted at residents in Oniba area, where many young people are engaged in business activities but have limited access to higher education opportunities.
By focusing on vocational skills and providing startup support, the church hopes to create sustainable livelihoods and inspire long-term economic growth within the community.
The programme is open to the general public, with invitations extended to individuals seeking both spiritual enrichment and practical empowerment.
