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Tag: Odukoya

  • Who is Dixon Odukoya?

    Who is Dixon Odukoya?

    The name Adekunle Dixon Odukoya might not quickly ring a bell in the public relations circle but at the mention of Lionhead, many PR practitioners will quickly point you in the direction of Chain Reaction Africa’s Senior Consultant on Strategy and Insights.

    Lionhead is a creative brand strategist with many years of experience across the industry having participated, supported, and helped build different brand strategies for successful brands across Nigeria.

    He heads the Insight and Strategy team of the Israel Jaiye Opayemi-owned Chain Reactions Africa.

    Odukoya’s experience in developing and ensuring consistent and effective brand message, strategy and communications roadmaps for clients has set him miles apart from many of his peers in the industry.

    His career path has seen him traverse LTC Advertising, Money Talks International Exchange, Zenith Bank, USP Brand Management, and Marketing Mix amongst others before arriving at Chain Reaction Africa.

    Read Also; Badboytimz: How Asa’s music influenced my craft

    Unassuming and quite eloquent, he led the insight and strategy team of Chain Reactions Africa. This brilliant forward-thinker, analyses current market data and trends, understands customer behaviour, and uses data and information to develop marketing strategies that raise brand awareness, drive customer growth and improve a brand’s positioning.

    Adekunle holds a second-class upper degree in Economics from Lagos State University and a National Diploma in Accountancy from The Yaba College of Technology.

    He is a Chartered Marketer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Nigeria, and holds a Bloomberg Media Executive Certificate in Financial Journalism and Analysis, as well as a PRCAN Certificate in Digital PR.

    His extensive work experience in integrated marketing communications includes advertising, brand management, strategic public relations and reputation management; digital marketing, copy and script writing, and documentary production.

  • Okonkwo installs Jimmy, Tolu Odukoya at Fountain of life

    Okonkwo installs Jimmy, Tolu Odukoya at Fountain of life

    It was a moment of soul-lifting service as the new Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, and the Assistant Senior Pastor, Pastor. Mrs Tolu Odukoya were installed yesterday at the church headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos.

     The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo presided over the installation as leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) led by its President, Bishop Wale Oke were on ground to witness the historic succession of the church.

     It will be recalled that in 1992, Bishop Mike Okonkwo sent forth the late Pastor Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya to start the Fountain of Life Church, Lagos. They were pastors at TREM and served God faithfully in his vineyard IT was a moment of soul-lifting service as the new Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, and the Assistant Senior Pastor, Pastor. Mrs Tolu Odukoya were installed yesterday at the church headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Read Also: My emergence as pastor has scriptural backing – Jimmy Odukoya

     The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo presided over the installation as leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) led by its President, Bishop Wale Oke were on ground to witness the historic succession of the church.

     It will be recalled that in 1992, Bishop Mike Okonkwo sent forth the late Pastor Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya to start the Fountain of Life Church, Lagos. They were pastors at TREM and served God faithfully in his vineyard

  • My emergence as pastor has scriptural backing – Jimmy Odukoya

    My emergence as pastor has scriptural backing – Jimmy Odukoya

    Jimmy Odukoya, the new senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church (TFOLC), said his appointment follows a scriptural precedent.

    He takes over from his father, Taiwo Odukoya, who passed away and was named as the senior pastor during a church service on September 17.

    The late Taiwo Odukoya had already shared his succession plan with the Board of Trustees members, according to Pastor Rotimi Okpaise.

    Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board.

    His ascent has however been greeted with fierce criticisms in regards to his ‘body build’, acting profession and hairstyle.

    The star “Woman King” star actor in a recent interview with BBC Pidgin emphasised that he could back up all of his deeds with scriptures

    He said: “God has called me into this new season of my life. This new position is a big responsibility. All of my focus is here (on the church). As for my dreads, most people don’t know I can back up everything I do with scripture.

    “If you say I’m wrong to keep my hair as a pastor, I can tell you that God told Samson not to cut his hair in the Bible. That means long hair is not a bad thing.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Actor Jimmy Odukoya named senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church

    “Also, if you say the pastor is keeping beard, I can tell you that the Bible says that when Jesus was tortured, they pulled hair from his face.

    “If you say this pastor is putting on earrings, I can tell you that in the book of Exodus, when the children of Israel got out of Egypt and wanted to do golden calf, they collected jewelry, rings, and earrings from their sons and daughters.

    “Anybody can do what they want. A personal opinion is different from saying something is sinful. You should not use your own personal opinion to judge me,” he said.

    Besides being a clergyman and a father of two, Jimmy, the first son of the family, is also an actor, model, musician and motivational speaker.

  • Friends, family celebrate, bid Odukoya farewell

    Friends, family celebrate, bid Odukoya farewell

    Friends and family members of the late Founder of the Fountain of Life Church (FOLC) Lagos, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, on Saturday celebrated and bade farewell to the preacher as he was laid to rest.

    The event, spiced up with solemn renditions by the church choir, afforded people opportunity to testify to the good works of the respected pastor.

    Bishop David Abioye of the Living Faith Church, Lagos, in his sermon, admonished people to draw closer to God to make eternity, just as Odukoya had done.

    Abioye described the late preacher as a man of strong character whose practical Christ life had depopulated hell by winning souls to God’s kingdom.

    He said that the development of a personal character with God, as exemplified by Odukoya, could help people to discard sinful lifestyle that alienates one from God.

    Read Also: Okonkwo, Ashimolowo, Abioye, others bid Odukoya farewell

    According to him, Odukoya started and ended well in the heavenly race.

    “The multitude at this funeral cannot come to pay their last respect to the deceased if not that he positively impacted their lives.

    “We are celebrating and mourning the exit of God’s General because his life and good name which he maintained to the end tells a lot of the man whom God blessed, and he made good of the blessing to change mankind,” he said.

    Abioye advised people to turn to God, saying anyone that does not have salvation is a “living fool” destined to eternal damnation.

    Speaking at the event, Mrs Yewande Jacob, a member of the church, said that the congregants knew that their pastor had gone to heaven, which was the reason that, instead of mourning, they celebrated him.

    Jacob, described the late preacher as a mentor, teacher and counselor, who taught younger ones how best to relate with the opposite sex without compromising Christian values as singles.

    She said that as a philanthropist, the pastor aided many families both within and outside the church, with many indigent students under his scholarship.

    Jacob said that, though he had gone, the Lord of hosts that he served would keep the church going with a fresh anointing to steer worshippers.

    Also speaking at the event, son of the late Odukoya, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, said that his father planned as if he would live forever but lived as if he would not see tomorrow.

    Jimmy said that his father was, and still remained a role model who maximised his lifespan to acquire lasting glory.

    According to him, he lived for others and invested in people’s lives, therefore, his legacy would remain indelible in the minds of people.

    The young Odukoya thanked the faithful for their support, and urged people to look and work toward eternity where his father had gone to.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the remains of the pastor was interned at a private cemetery in Lagos.

    Odukoya died on Aug. 7 in the United States of America, at the age of 67.

  • Okonkwo, Ashimolowo, Abioye, others bid Odukoya farewell

    Okonkwo, Ashimolowo, Abioye, others bid Odukoya farewell

    Bishop David Abioye of the Living Faith Church has described the founder of Fountain of Life Church Lagos Pastor Taiwo Odukoya as a man who would be remembered for his good name, character and works. 

    He spoke at the funeral service for Odukoya at the church’s auditorium in Ilupeju Lagos.  

    Pastor Odukoya was 67. He died in the United States on 7 August after brief illness. 

    Quoting from  Ecclesiastes, Bishop said: “The name of a man represents his recognition and we all saw that in late pastor Odukoya when he was alive.”  

    He said the late cleric’s church will not die because he was a vessel to bring forth the church of God and the church of God can’t die. 

    Abioye said: “The church will stand. despite his demise. He was a God’s vessel to build His Church and there is no fear. Death is an appointment everyone will keep. When our time comes, it doesn’t require your view. No matter who you are. But before then, it is important to prepare before embarking on that journey of no return.”  

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Pastor Taiwo Odukoya laid to rest

    In attendance were Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway Church UK; Bishop Mike Okonkwo of the The Redeemed Evangelical Mission(TREM); wife of former Vice President Dolapo Osibanjo and Pastor Mrs. Ifeanyi Adefarasin, among others. 

    Over 16,000 participants joined the funeral service online.

    The church announced the interment is a private one for only guests.

    Odukoya is survived by five children and six grandchildren. 

  • Tears, tight security as Pastor Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Tears, tight security as Pastor Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Security on Friday was beefed up at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos as the funeral rites of the late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya commenced with a service of songs and night of tributes.

    Odukoya passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2023, in the United States of America, at the age of 67.

    He was survived by five children, and six grand-children.

    At the service of songs, an ocean of tributes, tears flowed freely from clerics, colleagues, and mentees who praised the clergyman for the roles he played in various lives.

    His former classmates from St. Paul’s College (now known as Kufena College, Wusasa) Zaria, paid glowing tributes to Odukoya.

    Mr. Ade Ogunaike who led Odukoya’s classmates said: “Death leaves a heartache, so hard to forget. We’ve so much to be thankful for on his behalf. We consider the numerous investments he has made in the lives of many people.”

    Odukoya will be laid to rest today.

    On Sunday, a thanksgiving service will be held at the church to signal the end of the funeral.

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Tears, tight security as Pastor Taiwo Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Dignitaries including Dolapo, the wife of the immediate past Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Rev. Sam Adeyemi, Peterson Okopi, others were in attendance at the service of songs.

    The Nation observed that there was heavy security presence at the church premises Friday evening.

    The preacher’s death comes less than two years after his 47-year-old South African wife, Nomthi Odukoya, died. She died in November 2021 after a two-year battle with cancer.

    They were married for 11 years and had two children.

    He married Nomthi after his first wife Bimbo died in the ill-fated Sosoliso plane crash in 2005.

    His union with Bimbo produced three children, including Jimmy — the star of Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie.

    In December 2021, the pastor also lost his twin sister, Kehinde Hassan, to cancer complications.

  • Tears, tight security as Late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Tears, tight security as Late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Security on Friday was beefed up at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos as the funeral rites of Late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya commenced with a service of songs and night of tributes.

    Odukoya passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2023, in the United States of America, at the age of 67.

    He was survived by five children, and six grand-children. 

    At the service of songs, ocean of tributes, tears flowed freely from clerics, colleagues, mentees who praised the clergyman for the roles he performed in various lives.

    His former classmates from St. Paul’s College (now known as Kufena College, Wusasa) Zaria, paid glowing tributes to Odukoya.

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Tears, tight security as Pastor Taiwo Odukoya’s funeral rites begin

    Mr. Ade Ogunaike who led Odukoya’s classmates said: “Death leaves a heart ache, so hard to forget. We’ve so much to be thankful for on his behalf. We consider the numerous investments he has made in the lives of many people.”

    Odukoya will be laid to rest tomorrow, September 9.

    On Sunday, a thanksgiving service will be held at the church to signal the end of the funeral.

    Dignitaries including Dolapo, the wife of the immediate past Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Rev. Sam Adeyemi, Peterson Okopi, others are in attendance at the service of songs. 

    The Nation observed that there was heavy security presence at the church premises Friday evening.

    The preacher’s death comes less than two years after his 47-year-old South African wife, Nomthi Odukoya, died in November 2021 after a two-year battle with cancer. 

    They were married for 11 years and had two children. 

    He married Nomthi after his first wife Bimbo died in the ill-fated Sosoliso plane crash in 2005. 

    His union with Bimbo produced three children, including Jimmy — the star of Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie. 

    In December 2021, the pastor also lost his twin sister, Kehinde Hassan, from cancer complications.

  • Grace Springs declares 31% surplus, hails Odukoya

    Grace Springs Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society has promised to sustain its profitability in 2019 following a surplus of N16, 651, 016 in 2018, which was 31% increase compared to the N12, 716,919 declared in the previous year.

    President of the Cooperative Society, Pastor Kunle Arologun, disclosed this at the society’s 6th Annual General Meeting at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    In his speech read by the General Secretary of the society, Pastor Abiodun Soderu, Arologun attributed the success story to the support of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, the church administration and all member of the cooperative society for their continued support.

    “In our journey since inception from 2012 to date we have witnessed a growth in membership to 1,300 with a resultant effect on our Savings, Incomes and dividends amounts.

    “Our 2018 surplus of N16, 651,016 is a 31% increase over the previous year’s N12, 716, 919,” he stressed.

    He charged members to continue to support the management to ensure profitability through increased membership, savings and profitable wealth creation initiatives.

    “We will work hard to expand investment and welfare options and opportunities in order to meet the daily expanding welfare needs of our membership,” he said.

    Also addressing members at the AGM, Abimbola Kolawole, who represented the Lagos state Director of Cooperative Services, Zulikha Olufunmilayo Ibraheem, told members to see the society as their own and also work tirelessly for its growth.

    He lauded the excos and members for a good outing despite the socio-economic hindrances, describing a Co-operative society as an autonomous and voluntary association of individuals who come together with the objective of owning common property, and prompting the economic interest of its members.

    He said co-operative must be built in such a way that there was autonomy and independence, adding that there must be training in all planned co-operative activities, while part of the profit must be set aside for education, training and information.

    Soderu noted that it is only by working jointly on the principle of mutual benefits that members of the society can fight exploitation and secure a place in society.

    He stated that co-operative makes life worth living and simple as it provides succor to those in need of assistance, adding that the central purpose for which co-operative exists was to meet the common needs and aspirations of its members.

    While presenting the financial report for 2018, Financial Secretary of the Cooperative Society, Cecilia Asoka said: “There are many honest people among us who will make good the credit granted them, even when they have left. But there are some that we are still struggling to recover their loans.

    “This informs the strict rules which she said are to “protect ourselves.”

    She said the Cooperative is determined to remain “viable and prudent” so as to “bring financial succor to our teeming members, friends and families.”

  • Yuletide: FRSC to deploy 485 personnel, 1,200 special marshals in Edo

    Yuletide: FRSC to deploy 485 personnel, 1,200 special marshals in Edo

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday said it would deploy 485 personnel and 1,200 special marshals in various highways in Edo to ensure safety during the Yuletide.

    Mr Samuel Odukoya, the Edo Sector Commander, said this during the flag-off of the `Ember’ months campaign tagged “Right to Life on the Highway is Not Negotiable’’ held in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo.

    “We have 485 officers and 1,200 special marshals that will be on patrol in strategic routes within the various commands and units of our zone in Edo.

    “The volume of vehicles that ply our roads are so enormous that we need to be proactive to ensure the roads are safer for the people during this festivity,” he said.

    Odukoya, who advised motorists to always plan their journey to reduce accidents, urged them to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on any trip.

    “We are here today to tell the people especially the drivers that this year, it is operation zero tolerance accident.

    “You have to be very careful on the highway, obey the traffic regulations, ensure that your vehicles are in good condition,” he said.

    Odukoya said that the command’s officers had embarked on a full-scale enforcement to curb dangerous driving, overtaking and use of phone while driving as well as speed limit violation and overloading.

    Earlier, Mr Moses Bature, the FRSC unit commander in Auchi, said the campaign was geared toward educating the public on safe driving during and after the `ember’ months.

    “Our gathering today is to see how we can obtain safer roads and fuller lives on our highway which is collective responsibility of FRSC and our relevant stakeholders with a view to restore sanity on our roads.

    “Right to life is not negotiable on the highway and can only be achieved when we collectively come together to fight the menace that bedevil our highway,’’ he said.

    Bature said that the unit had put measures in place for special intervention patrol as part of effort to drastically reduce spate of road crashes during the yuletide.

    “As the year comes to an end, we passionately appeal to all road users to ensure they comply with traffic laws and maintain their vehicle while plying the road,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Odukoya’s wife’s NGO campaigns against bullying

    Funda Wazi foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by wife of senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Pastor (Mrs.) Nomthi Odukoya, has concluded an art and poem competition to raise awareness on bullying among children.

    Tagged Project F.A.P.E, hundreds of pupils in Lagos primary schools participated in the competition.

    Coordinator of the foundation Mrs. Abisola Soneye said the competition was to further involve children in the eradication of bullying, a stand founder of the NGO Pastor Nomthi Odukoya also reiterated.

    She said bullies think being bigger than others is why they bully.

    Odukoya explained the NGO wants kids to be involved in the fight against bully, stating the competition was to empower them to stand up to bullies.

    The judges for the competition included Contemporary Painter and Artist: Emeka Ilechukwu, one of Nigeria’s leading performance poets and writers Efe Paul Azino.

    Others were Senior Brand Manger of Nigeria’s pioneer innovation institute (FIILM); Seun Shobo and Nollywood’s leading actor Femi Jacobs.

    Ambassadors to the foundation Hon. Desmond Elliot and Channels News presenter, Ms. Amarachi Ubani also lent their voices against bullying.

    Ubani led the kids to declare the pledge against bullying as composed by the foundation for them.

    Adetayo Fajemisin of Halcyon Int’l School won the art category while Ibrahim Ezekiel of Baruwa Primary School won in the poem category, which he read to the listening pleasure of the audience.

    Both winners received laptops for the efforts.

    Ten consolation prizes were given in both categories while four runners-up were also given UNICEF and Funda Wazi branded school bags.