Typical of what could be likened to a case of having risen from grass to grace, Special Apostle Taiwo Akinsola otherwise known as “Omo Baba Woli Ni Ilasa” has had his fair share of the murderous conditionalities known to be associated with a humble background. But his upbringing in a Christian home would later make all the difference, as he chose to take solace in God who turned things around for him. In this interview with Seraph Dayo Oyewo and Seraph Daniel Ajayi, the renowned cleric who is the General Overseer of Alpha Et Omega Church of Christ Aladura Worldwide speaks on his journey so far in the ministry and how he has been able to carve a niche for himself in the media profession.
Excerpts…
Can you brief us on your journey into the ministry?
I’ve been in and out until God arrested me permanently because I was born into a Christian family. My father was a Prophet and a founder. He became a Christian and joined C&S in 1935 and all his Children were born into Christianity so I wouldn’t say I never knew Christ. I’ve known Christ from the beginning of my life, that’s why I said I’ve been in and out. Actually, carnal work took me away from the line until Christ ministered to me. My father called me in 2000 (though I was ordained in 1982 as a pastor but I’ve been in and out). Though since 1982, I’ve been working seriously in the house of God and God has done many wonders through me, delivered many people including the blind through my prayers. My father sent for my other siblings and me in 2000 (he was 100 yrs old at that time). He said he was old and he wanted one of us to continue from where he stopped. We took over the same year and he died in the year 2010 and I was made the general overseer of all the branches of the church (and we have over 100 branches all over the world)
How deep did that past deviate you from this great assignment you are in sir?
When I look at my past, it’s just like what Paul Tao said when he was ministering. He said something about being a Nonentity to an identity. I changed from being a Nonentity to an Identity. My past was terrible in that I used to drink, smoke and I really suffered. I came from a poor background and we used to go out with our mother as beggars at Ojuwoye market in Mushin. The beggar of those days is now somebody to reckon with now. Even the chairman of the community consults me and at times, I’m also consulted before the chairman for the community is chosen. That’s to tell how much God has given me a great identity. The past wasn’t easy but despite that past, I was in prayers because I had no one to help except God. I didn’t have rich relatives but I have God. That’s the only legacy my father has left for everyone of us – Christ. We grew up with the knowledge of being in Christ and being strong in prayers, and it has made me to be somebody to reckon with.
Can you tell us about your journey in the broadcasting world sir?
My journey to being a broadcaster is very funny. When I was young, I was always mimicking “Dira jíjẹ dídùn”. Í loved the way he reads when casting news so I told my twin brother to sit in front of me and watch me as though he’s watching a Television. Then I’d pick a paper and start mimicking “Dira jíjẹ dídùn”, after which I’d ask my brother if I looked or sounded like him. I never knew I was going to work in Radio Nigeria or NTA. When I looked at my future and it was as though there was nothing for me, I resulted in prayers. The amazing thing is that the person who brought the letter of interview to me was a strange person that I had never met before. I didn’t apply for any job in Radio Nigeria but the person came to where I was on Friday, November 14,1980 (after the person has checked me in church). He said the interview was going to hold on Monday, November 17, 1980 at Ikoyi. In fact, he had to give me the description of the place as I didn’t know the place. Before then, like I said earlier, I went into fasting and prayers. For about 9 years, I did dry fasting 3 times in a week because my future wasn’t looking bright to me which made me go into prayers. I went for the interview and I started working that same day. That was how things turned around for good. As a broadcaster, I don’t have anyone that I learnt from. My teacher then was the pulpit. I was my Father’s interpreter whenever he was preaching and I usually read bible for him as well so when I went for the audition, I was able to flow without any hitch. I have been broadcasting for 39years now and that’s where I’ve met great people like Paul Tao, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, our father Adelakun Ayewa, Dele Abiodun, Shina Peters and several other people.
With respect to you meeting people, there was a picture that surfaced on Internet where you met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, can you tell us about it sir?
That’s God at work. I was invited by the Vice President for an interview with him so I went to Abuja with some of my colleagues.
Was there any time you made an advance request for an appointment with him sir?
Not at all. I was invited.
Looking at your journey so far as well as your success in broadcasting and in the ministry, what has life taught you so far?
Life has taught me to be close to God. If you aren’t close to God and you are making it, you are just on holiday. You will still suffer for it someday. Also, life has taught me to be good to people because you don’t know where you will meet them in the future. I meet different people in and outside Nigeria because of my profession. Life has also taught me to be humble, prayerful and be nice to everyone you get to meet and I’m enjoying it. How God connects me with great people, I really can’t explain, people like Obasanjo, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, governors in Lagos state from Tinubu till date and Oba Akiolu. I also met Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi the same way and she communicates with me on regular basis. In fact, we travelled to different countries together without me paying a dime. She has also blessed me with money on several occasions. That’s why I said if you are close to God, the devil cannot limit you. Rather, you will go above him.
What do you think about C&S Church sir, concerning the new things that are coming up including the move for New Seraph?
C&S is moving. For instance, take a look at the altar of this church, it is very neat and it’s without any deny. That’s where C&S is going. Most of the youths that have left the church are coming back. Also, take a look at the efforts of Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, she’s propagating C&S everywhere in the world. We’re part of United Nations now. We have a meeting with United Nations in August. That’s an indication that we are moving. We’ve been relegated though we caused it because there was no unity in the past but now, unity has come. That’s why people like Paul Tao, Ayewa and Tope Alabi could come to C&S for ministration. They were not born as C&S members but they saw that C&S is changing and it’s becoming more acceptable to people. Also, the founder of the Church we are in presently was born in C&S, he’s a son of a Prophet and he’s a PHD holder. C&S Church is not for illiterates. The Church is filled with Influential and Important personalities.
Was there anything the elders have done to correct the abnormalities in the Church sir?
We’re doing it everyday. It’s an ongoing process and that’s why we are bringing every sects in C&S together which wasn’t like that in the past.
What efforts are you making to get those that are not yet seeing the light informed?
We are on social media now and for those that are not on social media, we take evangelism to the communities. We organise crusade regularly and we advertise the crusades on the Radio. For example, the Shiloh festival we came for, the advertisement has been on air for about 3 weeks before the program. The regular adverts will also register the name of the church in their minds and this will also cause them to have change of mind and orientation as regards the church. Also, we picked different people from various communities that will be traveling with us to Jerusalem in July. Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi is funding the trip (May God bless her). She’s a wonderful woman. She’s sponsoring over 200 people and the elders different C&S churches will be going with some of their church members.
We noticed whenever you go for programmes, you are always with your wife and considering the fact that most ministers go out alone, we’ll like to know why you go out with your wife sir.
There’s a wrong notion people have about ministers in C&S and CCC churches which is that they normally have many wives. This has also caused our youths to move out of the churches as they don’t want to worship under a Pastor that has several wives. However, I’m one of the several exceptions which is why I go out with my wife. Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi also goes out with her husband. I noticed yesterday that some elders are beginning to imitate me as they introduced me to their wives too. There was a place I went to without my wife, the first question I was asked when I got there was where my wife was. My going out to programs with my wife is to show people that a minister and his wife are in the same ministry and if God calls you, he also calls your wife. When God called Abraham, he told him to pick his wife, and not him alone. I go with my wife whenever I’m invited for ministration as well as parties. That shows that you are responsible as a leader.
Seraph Dayo Oyewo. A Journalist/Social Entrepreneur. He loves meeting new people. Favourite Hymn: Ji Okan mi dide layo
