INTERVIEW: I hold marathon prayers, fast for my daughter – Weightlifter Adijat’s mother

Tobi Akeke

Adijat Adenike Olarinoye, a weightlifter and member of the Fountain of Freedom C&S Church (Itedo Omnira) won the first gold medal for Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth games in Birmingham. She recorded a total of 203kg in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event which is a new Commonwealth Games record. Her mother, Mrs. Silifat Olarinoye, in this interview with Acts of Seraphs talks about how excitement, as well as her role in Adijat’s sporting career. Excerpts…

How did you oblige to your daughters’s choice of weightlifting among other types of sports?
Adijat had been doing sport since she was a child and I have always been encouraging and supporting her. The same thing I did when she chose weightlifting.

The habit of self-discipline is required in any sporting career, how were you able to help her sustain this as a mother?
I could not bear it initially, but I later got used to it. I was told not to engage her in things that could affect her sporting career. One of her coaches had told me to always attend to her needs, including laundry and other things that could prevent her from going to trainings. So, I do all I was asked to do. Anything she wants is what I also want, she has my total support. As she is, she rarely eat cooked foods, even during competitions. She has her specific diet, and I make sure I prepare them for her. Sometimes she makes fun of my diligence in keeping up with her diet.

How did you get to know about of her success, did you watch it live?
Taju used to be the one who share the news with me, but he is late now. I took him like my own son, in fact everyone thought I was the one who gave birth to him because I have a son who bears the name too. So, he was always the one who would sit up late at night to watch her compete on Tv. He was always the first person to share the good news with me. So I have been used to that style. But it was our prophet that broke the news to me this time around. It was later that I watched it, including the ones that were published on Seraph news platforms.

And how did you react to the news?
I waited for the pastor to call me of which he did immediately she won, and I shouted for joy. I stormed out of the house and ran to church, danced and worshipped the God of Itedo Ominira. I thanked the prophet, and I thanked the church members who have always helped me in prayers. In fact, it was the happiest day in my life. I am glad she has ties with the C&S church. I was very glad. It is a thing of joy for me.

When was her first international outing?
That was when she attended a competition in Morocco; it was her first trip out of Nigeria. She won at the competition and the news of her victory at that competition also went viral. 

How did she celebrate the feat?
Khadija is the type who never jokes with her God. She is always grateful and faithful with her tithes. She got back from Morocco and she went for thanksgiving at the church. The Pastor encouraged her to keep going and for the second time, she traveled to Europe and won a medal, the whole church danced and rejoiced with her when she came for thanksgiving.  She also won another medal in Kenya.
Of all her records in the past, what makes this different to you?
This is different because it is the highest level of medal she had ever won. We learnt that it was quite hard for anyone to achieve such record. What also makes it different was how we prepared for the competition. We held marathon prayers and fasting, including vigils. Besides, I am grateful to the God of C&S because there were many battles, but God made us prevail. 

Was there any time you got discouraged or almost asked her to quit?
I must confess that it was God who brought her this far. God understands best. I may have played some roles, but God understands best. Because when it didn’t seem rosy and the journey was a bit rough; especially when she almost gave up, God has been her consolation. She used to have injuries, and it could sometimes be on her hand or leg. Sometimes, she complained of her struggle to lift a weight which often falls off her hand, and we ended up massaging her body, making sure there were no dislocations. And if it’s a medicine, we would make sure we check it well before she uses it. Honestly, when these complaints start, it gets me worried and I always pray to God to heal her, since it has to do with her career.

We learnt that you represent her at different occasions. Could you tell us more about this?
Whenever she is not to around, she asks me to represent her at interviews or meetings. Even when she was invited for a talk with Governor Babanjide Sanwo-Olu, I was the one who represented her. What amuses me most about the God in C&S was how the pastor told me prophetically that I would have an handshake with Governor Sanwo-Olu. I laughed, and thought he was joking. That day, I was invited to the stadium, and when we got there, I was redirected down to Alausa where I met the governor. I got back and I went to see the pastor and told him what didn’t look like a prophecy had come to pass and I thanked the God of Itedo Ominira. 

You are obviously from a Muslim family, how come you attend a C&S Church?
The late Tajudeen was the one who brought her to this church, they would come to church and visit the pastor who would pray and encourage them. She later became a member of the church. In fact, there’s no where she would go to any competition without her garments. She led me into joining too. Meanwhile, I was a Muslim. She made me realize it did not affect me since we all called the same God. So, I thought about it and that was how I joined. Indeed, the spirit of God leads the church. Even when people try to criticize me and accuse me of poke nosing, I usually call their bluff. My prayers are always answered in C&S and I am grateful.


So what has changed since you joined the church?
I joined and I became committed such that, if I have anything bothering me and I kneel before the church’s altar and I pray to the God of Itedo Ominira, over my daughter’s career, my family, they are always answered. This is why I would always respect the C&S church. If I’m asked to go on a fast or to bring water for whatever prayer to be performed, the Lord always answer. Even down to her competitions.

What would be your advise for other parents whose children are also striving to make a name for themselves in sports?

My advise is that they should really prepare. They must be ready to spend. Sometimes, they may not be paid and the parent must provide the money they would need. For Khadija, I’ve had to give her #1,200 everyday for her trip to and fro for a very long time. I would prepare her meal. Parents must be ready for whatever it takes. Sometimes it isn’t that easy, and we may not even ask before they give us. I did not for once let her go. I made money available for her as she needs it.

The Spiritual Head of Fountain of Freedom C&S Church, Prophet Oluyinka Durosinmi also has this to say……

 Could you walk us through your role as her spiritual father starting from when you first learnt that she was a sportswoman?

Glory to God. Firstly, may Tajudeen Giwa continue to rest in the lord. He was a member of Itedo Ominira. He was a coach to Adijat and he served the Lord fervently during his short stay on earth. Anytime they had a tournament, he would bring to me as their coach to pray for them. I knew them through sport. Gradually, they all began to attend our services, and of them all, just three permanently stayed and became a member of the church. Also, as their pastor, I take it upon myself to pray for my church members every night. I have never missed a night since I made it a responsibility. I would pray for their lives and works. They also do not joke with the things of God. If there’s anything that troubles their heart as regards this sport, they call me, and I pray for them. 

What can you say about her commitment in the church?
In Adijat’s case, she willingly chose to join the choir and she has been performing excellently well. Another thing about her is that she makes my prayers on her an easy task because she has faith. I also would extend much gratitude to her mother. Her efforts over her children are applaudable. If every mother were like her, their children’s lives would be of great essence. I particularly do appraise her in church. Adijat believes so much in God and doesn’t joke during services. She plays “shekere” and when she’s about to go for any competition, she comes to me with prayer requests and we pray together. 

Being the first person to hear the good news, how did you feel?

I feel very fulfilled and happy. If staying up so late to pray for my members that the lord should grant them great testimonies and this happens then it’s a dream come true. Even before I called her mother, I had received countless calls from my church members about the good news. Meanwhile, her mother has been calling to check how it was going before I broke the news to her. It is very rare to find a mother like her who stands steadfast in her position as a mother. We were all happy. We got to church the next day being a Sunday and did a special thanksgiving. The whole church was very happy and it was a great time. She is one who never jokes with her tithe either at home or away and certainly, the lord does not disappoint commitments like that.