Come September 26, 2021, Reverend Mother Olive Sulola Adejobi would clock 94; but her physique , gait and sharp memory clearly belie that age, stupefying all who come across her. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, the Iporo-Ake, Abeokuta-born wife of the late Primate Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi, of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) shares fond memories of her youth, marriage to her husband, who passed on exactly 30 years ago today; and how they traversed West Africa and Europe spreading the tentacles of the Aladura Church.
You are almost a century old, Mama. Tell us a bit about your background.
I am Reverend Mother Olive Sulola Adejobi. I was born in Iporo- Ake, Abeokuta. My father was a businessman trading in cocoa and palm kernel and my mother was a full-time housewife but was also engaged in tie and dye business. She was known as Iya Alaaro (The woman who uses native dyes on fabrics). Both of them were committed Christians and staunch Anglicans. I have raised many children. Some are mine and some belong to other people. I also have many grand and great-grandchildren. We were four siblings. My mother had three girls and a boy. Now, we’re three siblings, because we lost a sister.
What are your fond memories of youth? How did you meet your late husband, Primate Emmanuel Owoade Adeleke Adejobi?
I came to Lagos to stay with my late brother, Mr. Ibikunle John, who lived in Oko -Awo. I attended the prestigious Queens College, in Yaba, Lagos. It is very instructive to note that I joined my late elder brother in attending The Church of the Lord (Aladura) whilst I stayed with his family. Over time, I was introduced to my late husband by my brother during our visit to the Church of the Lord (Aladura) at No 3 Adams Street, Lagos. At that time, when your family sees anyone they’d like you to marry, they just introduced you to them and that’s it. That was what happened in my case as well. He was a young, fine and handsome man. Then, I was working in one of the Post Office savings banks at Lafiaji, Lagos. One of my elder sisters was also a member of Church of the Lord (Aladura) Yaba. To God be the glory, we in April, 1948 started the journey of life together.
First, we travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where the first white garment church was pioneered. Then and even now, Sierra Leoneans call white garment church ‘the Adejobi Church’. We also travelled to Ghana, and later to the United Kingdom, where the first white garment church was pioneered in London, Liverpool and Birmingham. He also pioneered many churches in Nigeria.
My husband was a student at the Bible Training Institute (BTI) in Glasgow, Scotland for three years, where he was awarded a Diploma in Theology. I also attended the Institute for Bible Training for a period of one year. In London, we had some pioneering members who worked tirelessly with us. Reverend Yaw Baokye, Deaconess Margaret Edet, Reverend Samuel Olusanya and Late Reverend Enang.
With your husband traveling the world to plant churches, how did you cope with raising the children?
We had our first five children in Sierra Leone. My children lived with us and attended school with us until we returned to Lagos, Nigeria. I had other children; and with the help of family and close relations, I was able to cope with bringing them up when we travelled to the United Kingdom. I had a lot of help from my late husband whenever he was around and not on missionary journeys. He was a good father and spiritual head of our home. There was discipline and plenty of love and affection. We both placed emphasis on good behaviour, high moral standards, good education, faith in God, love for each other and others outside our family.
I also had a lot of help from the church members. One of them was an old woman called Mama Riddle and one of her daughters, who was a nurse who delivered me of most of my children. A lot of people in Sierra Leone were helpful because I was a stranger in their midst; they looked after me like their own daughter. From there, we went to the United Kingdom. I also gave birth to a son in London. Although, it was tough from the start, as people didn’t want to hear of a church like Aladura at that time but we met with the grace and favour of God on all sides, through which we pioneered several churches across different countries.
The churches you and your husband pioneered, are they still in existence?
Oh Yes! My husband was a prophet for more than 50 years and Primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) for 30 years. Apart from pioneering churches, he founded the Aladura Comprehensive High School in Anthony Village, Lagos. The Aladura Theological Institute (ATI) was for those competent to study in English. We also had another arm called Prophets and Prophetesses Training Institute (PPTI) for those who did their studies in Yoruba language. After my husband passed away, the seminary was renamed Adejobi Memorial Theological Seminary (AMTS) by his successor, the late Primate Olusegun Oshitelu in his honour. My husband commissioned the building of the Cathedral of the Church of the Lord Aladura at Ogere- Remo. He was the first president of the Nigeria Association of Aladura Church (NAAC). He took the Church of the Lord Aladura, other African churches, and church leaders like Desmond Tutu, to the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva and sat as a high-ranking member of the World Council of Churches’ Central Working Committee. The late founder and first primate of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) Late Josiah Olunowo Oshitelu, who was also his mentor, pronounced him his successor and anointed him Primate before his death. He was later anointed Primate by Papa Dada. When Primate Oshitelu pronounced my husband successor, he said: “Adejobi’s light was the sun, Oshitelu’s light was the star.” And so the day broke with my husband and it was a good day. My husband came to put the Church of the Lord (Aladura) on the map of the world. He dined with and prayed for Presidents and Kings. The likes of President Tolbert of Liberia, Siaka Stevens and John Momoh of Sierra Leone, and the Ashante Ehene of Ghana. In Nigeria, notable amongst others are the Alaafin of Oyo, and the late Ooni Sijuwade, the former attorney general of Nigeria; Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, HO Davies and the Mobolaji Johnsons’ who came to him for prayers and counsel.
With a great sense of pride, modesty, and dignity, my husband, Primate Adejobi was, unequivocally, one of Africa’s greatest unsung heroes. He was a great man and indeed the shining star of the church of the Lord (Aladura).
What was the reception of Aladura church like in a white man’s land like the UK?
You know we had pioneered churches in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone; and so some of those members had travelled to the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. As soon they heard we were in London, it marked the beginning of the Church of the Lord Aladura in the United Kingdom. The church started from the home of one of our converts, a Ghanaian man called Mr Odonkor, who lived with his family on 8 Shipka Road, Ballam in SouthWest London. When members increased and his house couldn’t contain us anymore, we started renting premises, spaces of other orthodox churches all over SouthWest, SouthEast and North London before God finally bought us the church building at 25, Surrey Square in South East of London. The money was donated and fully paid for by the late Reverend Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu. We also bought another building in Liverpool and Birmingham. During his lifetime, branches were established in Tooting and Battersea in Southwest London, Caledonia Road in North London, West borne Park in West London, Erith, Kent and Liverpool. Today in the UK and other parts of Europe, you have a multitude of white garment and black/African-led churches. My husband led a 12-man delegation to the United States of America, were he had revivals and Ecumenical services.
Did you have White members?
Not at the beginning. But later, we had some who came and became our members. In fact, some of them even married our members.
Thirty years on, how have you weathered the storm without your husband?
It was very tough, very lonely and very difficult; because I was left alone to care for our children and look after the welfare of the church members. By the grace of God and His help, I have weathered the storm. Even after Papa’s death, I managed to pioneer the Church of the Lord Aladura in Ikeja. That was how much God has been with me. I was also made the Lord Rector of the AMTS at Anthony. The Church of the Lord Aladura at Anthony was pioneered by Papa in 1970 and God’s promise to build His church continues to be true for us. He also named the Church at Anthony village, Church of Antioch. I have been in charge as Reverend Mother and General Overseer since he was called to rest in May 1991. The land for the church at Anthony was donated by Reverend Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu.
What’s the particular thing you remember about him?
When he was alive, we always had a full, open house because he loved people and loved having people around him, especially at meal times. He never enjoyed eating alone, so I was always in the kitchen cooking and entertaining. Together, we trained and counselled our children to be God-fearing, and to be the best at what they do.
What plans are in place to celebrate your husband’s 30th memorial anniversary?
He was called-to-rest on the 17th May 1991. This year, there would be a befitting thanksgiving service in the church at Anthony Village, Lagos in his honour. Because of the pandemic, attendance would be restricted and people will be encouraged to view the service on zoom.
Are you still marching on with your late husband’s legacy, or do you feel otherwise?
He had a passion to point people to the way of salvation. His purpose was to lead his children and all who came to him to Christ. This was his legacy, and I will continue with this till I die.
How’s the church soldering on without your husband?
When he was alive, we established two theological seminaries in Anthony Village, Lagos for ministers and people who wanted to be trained. The church is moving on because it was founded on Christ the Solid Rock. I’m retired now, and most of my time is spent at the Anthony branch attending to members who need prayers, advice and counselling. When I’m able, I attend services and when I do not go, the members come home to see me. Of course, everybody puts on their face mask and keep their social distances. You now I’m an old woman now. There is never a dull moment, because people always come for prayers, to seek advice and guidance.
Recall that your late husband in 1984 predicted that Nigeria’s leadership crisis will subsist until a woman becomes President. To date, no woman has come to power. Do you see Nigeria being ruled by a woman in the next 10-20 years?
My husband was a man truly called and used by God. Yes, he gave that prophecy one year during the Taborrah and I believe the word of God always come to pass. We may not know when this prophecy will be fulfilled, but the word of God does not return to Him void.
At 94, you still move with the gait of a young woman not affected by age; what’s your secret formula? What are the kinds of foods you eat; how do you start your day?
There is no secret whatsoever. At times we go without food while preaching, fasting, and doing church work. We sometimes even forget to eat because we get so busy. I hardly fast these days; I also sleep well, eat well and enjoy the company of my children, my family and church members. They make me feel happy and well. Besides, for my age, I think I have enjoyed good health.
Looking back, what would you have done differently?
I would have loved to be a nurse. I liked the profession a lot, especially working with children. I would have loved to work at the Massey Street Children’s Hospital in Lagos Island. I remember that one of my children had an accident and was admitted there. I stayed back even though this wasn’t allowed; I just found it difficult to leave my child alone in the hospital. So, whenever the doctors were around, I would leave the ward. However, the nurses allowed me because I used to help them a lot. I would have loved to be a nurse but my father said no. When I was growing up, you did as you were told by your parents. What they said was final. So I worked in the Accounts section of the Post Office where we entered ledgers and dockets. But I didn’t like the job at all.
What’s your advice to the younger generation?
Bringing up and training children now is very different from when I was growing up. So, a lot of parents need to adjust to so many of the changes. Nowadays, they have to go to work. They find themselves compelled to leave their children either in a nursery, daycare or with house helps. That was not the case when I was growing up. Parents or close family members were sole careers. We didn’t have strangers caring for our children. This is the case now and it can sometimes lead to abuse. I would like to encourage modern day parents to train their children to know right from wrong, have good moral values, and give them good education. We also need to train our children to know God. This work is not for parents alone; it’s also for teachers and everyone who cares for children.
I understand you stay awake late into the midnight praying for four hours at a stretch. How do you get the strength to still do that given your old age?
When you are used to doing something for a long time, it becomes a habit. Sometimes when I feel sleepy, the spirit wakes me up to pray.
Comparing marriages of your time and now, what do you think has changed?
In my time, when you got married your, parents taught you to respect the family of your husband and treat them as your own parents. Now, a lot of couples want to have their own space. In those days, you often find yourself living with your family, but now you have to look after your child yourself. In our time, the man is seen as the head of the home and what he says stands. Even though women have always had the influence, they make the men believe they are the ones taking the decision. Modern couples enjoy gadgets and technology and so it makes their lives easier.
What was parenting like for you and your husband, considering your movement from one country to another, pioneering churches?
It wasn’t easy. My daughters stayed with my senior sister. My sons stayed with another senior sister who had a boarding school in Surulere. One of my daughters was in the boarding school, and during the holidays stayed with my mother. Jointly, we took responsibility for the training of our children. We normally discussed issues with regards to any problems and we agreed on what stands we took. We always had a united front in the discipline, training and caring of our children.
What do you wish to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for bringing my children to know the Lord and for the fact that we pointed the way of salvation to those who came to the church. Through me, some of my own family actually became members of the Church of the Lord Aladura and through them, others joined the church. I want to be remembered for pointing those that God had put within my reach to Christ.
