After over 40 years of being on the pulpit, Founder of The Redeemed Christian Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, would join the octogenarian league without slowing down on spiritual and humanitarian impacts, writes Sunday Oguntola, Online Editor.
The Christian community is buzzing with excitement over the much-anticipated 80th birthday of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo. The respected cleric is much loved for service and dedication to humanity and the body of Christ. He clocks 80 on September 6, 2025.
Activities marking the milestone began with a free eye test and cataract surgery at the Eye Foundation, Ikorodu, Lagos, last week. No fewer than 1,400 persons registered online for the outreach, with 871 screened. Of the total screened, 280 had cataract, for which many underwent free surgeries. Not less than 548 reading glasses were doled out to facilitate better vision.
This approach aligns with Okonkwo’s commitment to contribute towards community well-being and human development. Rather than roll out the drums, the preacher chooses his birthday every year to touch lives and impact society.
One of such initiatives is the Mike Okonkwo annual lecture. The theme of the series this year is: ‘The Nigeria of Our Dream: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder.’ The lecture will be delivered by former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on September 4, while Major-General Ike Nwachukwu will be the chairman. It is held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The lecture has become a veritable platform to discuss issues and cross-fertilise ideas on how to move the nation forward. Prominent Nigerians have interrogated issues as guest speakers such as: Chief Mike Ozekome, who spoke on ‘The Christian, The Constitution and Politics’ (2000); ‘Righteousness in Governance,’ by Monsignor Obiora Francis Ike (2001); ‘Investing in the Nigerian Youth: Rescue to a Wasting Generations,” by Prof Itse Sagay for 2002; ‘Consumer Protection, the Right of Every Nigerian,” by Chief Mike Ozekome (2003); ‘Securing the Nigerian Future: Improving the Standards of Education,’ Prof Jegede Olugbemiro (2004) and ‘Building Leaders for Tomorrow a Collective Responsibility,” by Prof Tam David-West.
Others are: ‘The Rule of Law and Executive lawlessness,” by the late Prof Jadesola Akande (2006); ‘Political Office and Governance: for Gain or Service,” by Prof Alaba Ogunsanwo (2007); ‘Role of Judiciary in Sustenance of Democracy,” by Prof Ilochi Okafor (2008); ‘Global Economic Trend: The alternatives for Nigeria,” by Prof Anya O. Anya (2009); ‘Nigeria @ 50: Its Leadership, Development and the Future,’ by Maj-Gen Ishola Williams (rtd) – 2010; ‘Survival of Nigerian State: Political and Economic Implications,’ by the late Chief Luguard Aminiwu (2011); ‘Dependence of Nigeria Economy on Crude Oil any alternatives?’ by Prof Anya .O. Anya (2012); ‘Overcoming Nigerian Security Challenges,” by Dr Kalu Idika Kalu (2013);
Others are: ‘Catalyst for a Stable and United Nigeria, by Prof. Akin Oyebode (2014) and ‘The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Governance,’ by Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (2015); For 2016: ‘The State of the Nigeria Nation: Redefining our values,’ by Gbenga Sesan and Mr Frank Nweke II; ‘Made in Nigeria Products: The Vehicle for Sustainable Development,’ by Dr Nike Akande – 2017; ‘Nigeria’s Unity: Matter Arising, ‘Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) – by 2018; ‘Justice as an instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation Building,’ by Mr Femi Falana (SAN) 2019; in 2020 and 2021 the lecture was not held due to COVID-19 pandemic; ‘Nigeria a country at war against itself: The Problems; The solutions and the way Forward,’ by Prof. Anya O. Anya – 2022; ‘Nigerianisation of Nigerians: A Look Inward,’ by Prof Mike Ezekhome (SAN) – 2023; ‘Nigeria’s pathways: Diagnosis and the ‘rescriptions” (2024).
The lecture series has offered suggestions and solutions on the myriad of challenges facing the nation. They serve as Okonkwo’s constant interrogation of national challenges and the appropriate ways to respond to them.
The Mike Okonkwo Football Tournament is another intervention of the preacher to engage youths creatively through sports for national development. Thirty-six male teams and eight female counterparts are participating in the grassroots football event, which began at the Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS) National Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos, on June 14, 2025. The finals of the competition are scheduled for Saturday, 30th August, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.
Speaking during the kick-off of the tournament in its 20th edition, chairman of the main organising committee, Deacon Malachy Ndubuzor, said: ”This year’s competition is significant because it will be used to celebrate the servant of God who has joined the octogenarian club and also mark 20 years since we started the competition.
”As you can see, apart from using the tournament to foster relationships among the youths, we also teach them the rudiments of the game. Before the commencement of this year’s event, we tutored the goalkeepers on the new FIFA rule concerning how many seconds they’re allowed to hold the ball to avoid a sanction by the referee.”
Ndubuzor while expressing happiness that the competition has come of age with teams from outside Lagos participating, added:” It’s a thing of joy that the tournament that started in the Church’s backyard with some branches has grown to accommodate teams from all over Lagos and this year, we’re having teams from Ogun State which is evidence of its acceptability.
“We also introduced Booth and Bible, which is aimed at evangelising the youths, making them not to lose sight of God, as well as teaching them the importance of coming closer to God and also making the Bible their daily companion.”
The tournament has produced many winning teams with players moving on to academies in their quest for stardom, following the platform offered through the competition. Many players have also been discovered, going on to make their marks in the world of soccer through the vision of the cleric.
The Mike Okonkwo annual national secondary schools essay competition has become a clearing house for budding academic talents and geniuses. It was driven by his passion for quality education and improved scholarship, as well as the development of the younger ones and enhancing writing creativity through discourse on topical socio-economic and political issues for national questions and development.
Speaking with The Nation on why he instituted the competition, he said: “Part of the objectives of the competition is to nurture critical thinking and analytical skills in students as a means to prepare them adequately for the competitive world, as well as to contribute towards raising the standard of education in Nigeria.
“It is gratifying that feedback from participating schools and students has shown and proved that the competition has continued to achieve its objective of inculcating the habit of hard work, improved studying habits and reading culture, development of creative writing skills among Nigerian students, as well as stimulating knowledge.”
“When one looks back and listens to some of the testimonies and feedback we received from the participants and particularly the winners, one is satisfied that the objectives of the competition are being achieved.
“The poor, but brilliant pupils are getting university scholarships through the initiative and there is one of the past winners who was also offered a scholarship by Oxford University in the United Kingdom for his Master’s Degree after he completed his first degree under the full scholarship offered him by Mike Okonkwo Educational & Youth Initiative (MOEYI) as champion of one of the editions of the competition. “I strongly believe we are getting a good result, and this has continued to strengthen our faith in the competition.”
The first prize winner for 2025 is expected to receive a cash prize of N1m, a laptop, and a plaque, while the winning student’s school will also receive a desktop computer and a trophy.
The first runner-up will receive N600,000, a laptop, and a plaque, while the school will be awarded a desktop computer. The second runner-up will be awarded N400,000, a laptop, and a plaque, with the school also receiving a desktop computer.
They would be awarded at the Annual Mike Okonkwo Lecture with Osinbajo delivering the keynote address. Okonkwo, who said he is not tired at 80, pledged he would continue to serve God and humanity as long as he is alive.
”There is no other alternative. Serving God is all that counts for me. I cannot serve anyone or anything else. Being useful for humanity is a direct consequence of serving God. That is the whole essence of my being. Serving God and humanity has become all I know how to do,” he said.
