• Winners’ Chapel International Leeds has teamed up with Afrikindness to introduce a protective training pack
• The move aimed to improve child protection within African and faith-based communities
• The training package has been developed in collaboration with safeguarding experts from Voluntary Action Leeds and is tailored to meet the unique needs of African and faith-based communities
• Winners’ Chapel International Leeds, under the leadership of Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan, has demonstrated a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of children

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Bishop David Oyedepo‘s Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel International Leeds, led by Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan, has demonstrated a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of children.

Winners’ Chapel Leeds, Group Launch Safeguarding Training Pack

This is because it partnered with Afrikindness, to create a specialist safeguarding training package, aimed at safeguarding children in faith-based settings.

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The initiative was launched during a workshop attended by over 110 parents and leaders from various faith communities.

What you should know about the training package

In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Saturday 23 November, the training package was developed in collaboration with safeguarding experts from Voluntary Action Leeds and is tailored to meet the unique needs of African and faith-based communities.

The content adapts Leeds Safeguarding Board guidelines to better reflect the reality of African congregations. Fits the cultural and spiritual realities of these congregations.

“This training package is essential to equip our communities with the necessary tools to protect our children,” said Deaconess Olufunmilola Olaniyi-Alabi, the lead trainer behind the initiative.

“Security is not just about compliance; it requires our collective awareness and proactive action to protect our most vulnerable members.”

The Lord Mayor of Leeds supported the initiative

At the same time, the initiative received strong support from prominent figures, including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councilor Abigail Marshall Katung, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between faith communities and civic institutions to protect children.

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In her keynote speech, she said:

“The security extends outside the walls of the houses. When faith communities join families and civic institutions, our collective strengths ensure that no child is left without support. We all have a responsibility to protect and care for our children.”

In addition, Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan of Winners’ Chapel International Leeds highlighted the church’s commitment to child safety.

“We are dedicated to maintaining the safety and well-being of all children in our parish and beyond,” he said.

The man of God also introduced the church’s designated protection lines, highlighting their important role in the implementation of thorough protection practices.

Echoing similar sentiments, the CEO of Afrikindness, Bunmi Owolabi, urged faith leaders to uphold moral standards.

“A church should be a safe and sacred place dedicated to instilling moral values ​​and positively impacting communities,” she remarked.

The workshop, sponsored by the National Lottery Community Fund, attracted diverse participants, including representatives from several faiths such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

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The growing need for protection in faith-based communities

Legit.ng understand that the workshop dealt with important issues including child abuse, domestic abuse and forced marriage.

Parents and leaders shared personal experiences and exposed this neglect or ignorance Can often put children at risk while participants left with a better understanding of how to identify signs of harm and create safer environments for children in their care.

Moving forward, Afrikindness, a continuing professional development (CPD), announced plans to offer this vital training free of charge to nominated faith leaders. The organization aims to provide these leaders with the knowledge and skills to uphold child protection standards within their respective congregations.

Through this ground-breaking initiative, Afrikindness and Winners’ Chapel International Leeds are leading the way in protecting practice in faith settings and fostering a legacy of care and protection for future generations.

Read more about Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel here:

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Oyedepo prays for Abioye as he retires

In another development, Legit.ng reported it Bishop David Oyedepo sent out Bishop Abioye with prayers as he retired from Living Faith Church Worldwide.

Oyedepo released word of blessings at Abioye during his service on Friday, October 18.

Abioye’s retirement is based on the rules of the mandate, which is the liberation commission’s constitution or operational manual.

Source: Legit.ng