I Used the Bible to Clean My Buttocks - Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi

Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi is the convener of the CJMR. In this interview, he leads us through his walk in prison, his salvation story and the "Bible-buttock tale"

 

 

NELOC News: Can we meet you?
Guest: I'm Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi. I was born on August 8, 1963 to a Christian family. My mum was a junior sister to Late Apostle Ayo Babalola, the man whom God used for the revival in Nigeria and Africa in 1930. I was also ordained as Pastor  in Christ Apostolic Church in 1995. I'm happily married with Victoria Mojisola Olujobi, a father of four children, the Director and Coordinator for Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation, a Christian non Governmental Organisation based in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria with focus on the welfare of people languishing in Nigerian Prisons in Awaiting Trial and on Death row without a just cause.


NELOC News: What inspired the CJMR?
Guest: The vision of CJMR was born from my personal experience as an ex inmate who had gone through the process of prison incarceration for six consecutive times in 3 different Prisons in Nigerian. I had my encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ during my detention period for six years in Agodi prison on 16th August, 1989 and I gained my freedom on 3rd of March, 1993 (I was remanded in the prison on 27, January, 1987 on allegations of armed robbery) over an offence I knew nothing about. After my freedom, I decided to proceed to the Bible school but very unfortunately I was turned down because I didn't have school cert. I later opted for another Bible school for Evangelist and Prophets which had no extra condition or requirements other than your calling.  Shortly after I completed my one year training, I was posted to Pastor a church and I was ordained as a Pastor. Two years after my ordination as a Pastor and as Pastor of a church with fast growing number, I heard a voice from the Lord who instructed; "Go back to where I called you to go and bring out others who are still walking in the darkness. For this reason I have caused you to walk in the darkness so that you may bring the captives to the knowledge of saving grace". This was my entry point to the ministry.

At the initial stage I did not have full concept of what the ministry will look like than to go to the prison and preach, but along the line, the purpose of the ministry unfolded itself. I visited prisons and in the cause of my interaction with many of them who were later released, I realised that the same problems that I faced were the same factors responsible for their cycle of incarceration. I decided to provide them a room in my 3 bedroom apartment at the time. I identified their problems and I moved to solve them. In that process, I saw the need to advocate for many of them who had no lawyer. I connect them with some Christian lawyers who offered them free legal services, especially those detained without case files in the Ministry of Justice. I looked for the police officers in charge of the case and I persuaded them to forward the case file to the ministry of Justice for prompt action. For those wrongfully sentenced to death, I re-investigated their stories and connected them with lawyers to file their appeal to the Court of Appeal and even to the Supreme Court until they get their freedom. For those whose cases had gone to the Supreme Court with proven evidence that they are wrongfully convicted, I personally wrote the Governor and the Board of Mercy and they were released


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NNI: What are your achievements so far?
Guest: By the grace of God, CJMR has over 300 beneficiaries that have gone through our Halfway Home and over 200 beneficiaries of our legal intervention. His freedom was made possible as a result of our pressure on the Governor since 2008. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 but our further investigations revealed that the man did not know anything about the death of his girlfriend. We have over 5 people who have been set free from the death row as a result of our intervention.
Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, Convener CJMR

NNI: Is there a Biblical history for human Rights?
Guest: God himself is a Human Rights Activist. God hates injustice as recorded in Proverbs 31: 8-9 "open your mouth and plead the cause of those appointed to death. Isaiah 58: 4-8 also says".... make your voice to be heard in the high Places, let the oppress go free.... You can see that God is a human rights activist. He want people to be fairly treated


NELOC News: What's your greatest challenge sir?
Guest: Challenges of getting adequate funding to mobilise the volunteers. Adequate funding to bring justice to the poor incarcerated. Adequate funding to even pay for the Halfway home which was due since. When you make appeal to the churches you will have little response. My greatest challenges is not money but people who can listen to my ideas so that those ideas will not die, government who will admit that there is error in the court proceeding which the affected poor whose rights have been denied should be given fair compensation. Definitely when you are treading unfamiliar terrain, not many people will like to go far with you. I strongly believe that when we get more individual who can reason that prisoner deserved attention we can have a better justice administrative and poor people can have access to Justice


NELOC News: What do you think about the concept of change sir?
Guest: Change is necessary when the former is no longer relevant and functional. Where old practices no longer bring positive results, there is need for a change. Change of clothes will be possible if a mad man can come to his senses that this cloths is no longer fit for him

NELOC News: How have you managed family with all these? Especially during your detention period?
Guest: I got married after my freedom. I got married on the 13th of December, 1997.


NNI: Can you share your Salvation experience?
Guest: Prior to my encounter, I had opened my mouth to deny the existence of God three times in my life. The first time was when I was much younger, at about 15 years. That afternoon I was in a prayer meeting with my parents. In those days at the CAC, there used to be observations of the hours of prayer. That day we were observing fasting and prayer, I just opened my eyes and I saw my dad sweating, praying, the voice just whispered to my ears "Why do people closed eyes in prayer? You open eye you cannot see God, you want to talk to him you have to close your eyes, don't you see that these people are foolish. Since that day Satan sew the seed of that rebellion thought in my heart. The Second time I was in an operation, it was during the raining and heavy thunder, fear gripped my heart, but after the rain stopped I went away with the goods, as I collected the money, the memory of the event flashed through my mind about three times, I said within me again "is there God? The third time was when I was in the prison. I have been reading the Bible, but I woke up one day to use the book of Revelation to clean my buttock, the reason why was any time I read the book of the Revelation I always have a bad dream, and moreover any questions that often arise in my mind I could not find any answers to those questions, one morning I ended up tearing the book to clean my buttock. After I finished the Revelation I turned on the book of Job, the reason was all the questions God asked Job there was no answer to them, I used the book of job to clean my buttock.

My salvation took place during my detention on August 16, 1989. I have been using the Bible to clean up my buttock because there was nothing to clean, many people used to tear their clothes to clean and many used the Bible to smoke. On 4th of August, 1989 I was still on the toilet while reading through the next chapter of the book of Job 40:1-14 before I used it to clean my buttock. While reading through, my conscience was struck. When those questions were directly to me

    “Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? Let God’s accuser answer.” Job Acknowledges His Limitations. Then Job replied to the LORD. He said: “I must look insignificant to you! How can I answer you? I’m speechless.  I spoke once, but I can’t answer; I tried a second time, but I won’t do so anymore.” The LORD Continues to Interrogate Job.  The LORD answered Job from the wind storm and told him: “Stand up like a man! I’ll ask you some questions, and you give me some answers!  Indeed would you annul my justice and condemn me, just so you can claim that you’re righteous?  Do you have strength like God? Can you create thunder with a sound like he can?”  Can You Save Yourself?  “When you have adorned yourself with exalted majesty, clothed yourself with splendor and dignity, dispensed the fury of your anger, made sure that you have humbled every proud person, stared down and subdued every proud person, trampled the wicked right where they are, buried them in the dust together, and sent them bound to that secret place, then I will applaud you myself! I’ll admit that you can deliver yourself by your own efforts!”

I could not proceed to use the chapter to clean my buttock, but I needed to clean my buttock. So I decided to tear the book of Jude that day and I cleaned my buttock but shortly after that, a strange sickness struck me.

This was the point of my encounter with my maker. I was in a severe pain and headache for 3 days, whenever I want to pray the devil will bring the records of my sins to my memory, I will say within me "this sin is too much to be forgiving" I was Pilling it up in silence, I was in a severe pain and fever all of a sudden I exploded in tears, it was as if I saw the accuser with the records of my sin by my left side and I was standing before the judge waiting for the verdict but all of a sudden I busted into prayer asking Jesus to forgive me, the Bible says "though we do not know how to pray but the spirit interceding for us with groaning which cannot be explained"

You know I was in a cell with over 100 lucked up inmates, some of them came to me to comfort me, some were making jest of me but along the lines I slept off, that was around 2 pm and I woke up around 4 pm during the final counting, it was the noise of the crossing iron bar that woke me up but I couldn't get up to go out to be counted, when the wader came in he tab me to ensure I was not dead, I can hear someone telling him that "he is sick,". But before I was interrupted from my sleeping I had a dream I was in a class room, I saw a handwriting of the black board with these words

"Job - Jehovah
Jude - Jehovah
John - Jehovah - Jesus"

I was meditating on the dream before the warder came in to wake me up. When I lay again in meditation on the dream on what it meant, I came to sense that these three books are the books that I used to clean my buttocks. Then I heard a spirit conversing with my soul- The voice of the spirit in my soul.

What is the Alphabet letter that starts the name, Job?, I responded "J"
What is the name of God?, I responded "Jehovah"

In the same way he asked of the Alphabet of Jude and John in the same way I responded. The voice in a gentle manner asked me" what is the Alphabet letter that started with the name of Jesus? I said "J" all of a sudden my sense of understanding opened and I heard the gentle voice that said to me "there is no finger behind these books than the hand of I, Jehovah, Jesus"

The evening of the 16th of August, 1989 was the evening of my encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. That night, I slept and I had a dream of seeing Jesus full of the circle of the moon, in the morning the man sitting by my side and a very good friend named Denis called me, he said he had a dream, as he narrated his dream lo and behold it was the same dream that I had. Subsequently, I had another dream where I saw the angels of God formed Jesus in every direction of heaven. Often time my common dream of fellowship in heaven is always on Friday night / Saturday morning.
This is my story of Salvation. Thanks for the refreshing of memories.

 

NELOC News: Thank you for your time sir. What would you love to say to inspire young people out there?
Guest: Aren't you inspired with all these?  The youth should put themselves under the instructions of their parents and they must learn to be contended with what they have

How Hobeei, Social-Tech Initiative Reduces Inequality Using Waste

HoBeei is a Tech and Social business with the aim of reducing inequality using waste. This web app makes it easy for people to Freecycle by connecting people with unwanted items to those who need them. By doing so, the ultimate goal is achieved through improved savings by encouraging reuse and responsible consumption which benefits the environment and promote social responsibility. Hobeei's mission is to achieve resource redistribution in the most fun and exciting way which will encourage as many people to reduce hoarding and freecycle items as soon as they no longer have use for them.

 

As a web-based social commerce platform that aims to contribute to the growth of society by minimising wastes, improving savings, and instigating a sense of social responsibility among people, the idea is to create an online market where people like you can give away their products for reuse instead of dumping them so that there will be minimal product wastage, better management of resources, and a greater growth of society.

Hobeei facilitates free recycling of products with the help of an in-built bidding system. It helps users to create colonies, join colonies of other people, list products for sale, create product lists, explore various products, and a lot more. Users can also place bids on products they wish or want to purchase. To do this, users need online credits and tokens called Buzzes (BZS). It’s a type of virtual currency that can be purchased using real money and with online payments. You can also use tokens to get items! See how to earn BZS. Upon Sign up, a user gets 1,500 BZS for free and bid for items you need from others! The highest buzzer wins and you get your BZS back when you don't win! 

 Read: How Prospa is Helping Nigerian Brand Open Corporate Businesses for Free

Users also get more BZS when people bid on items you have given away. You can buy buzzes when needed with much as 2,500 BZS with ₦150 only. Alternatively, you can win buzzes when you refer your friends to use Hobeei.

To use Hobeei, you have to create an account here. while you can also use it without registration, the usage rights will be limited and you’ll need to register with the app to avail full rights.

Hobeei runs with a team of volunteers who lead the Freecycle revolution. This team includes natural givers, people who havve personally or have seen others struggle to afford items that others hoard and people who are tired of seeing items disposed of that could have been fixed and reused by others. To the team, it is a process and solution of resource redistribution. They also believe that Hobeei's duty is to solve the inequality gap using waste.

The Freecycle Revolution happens when People need what others no longer use. Hobeei stands to bridge the gap by connecting both ends. One way through which they do this is through its sharing economy which helps users to share items you no longer need with others and get better things you need in return! 

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

Hobeei also ensures Less Hoarding and gives more space for users. This is because you can give away items as soon as you no longer need them. For collectors, it improves your Smart Savings culture as With Hobeei, you improve savings! This is because you wouldn't buy when you can get items at almost no cost.

Finally, in accordance with eco-friendly innovation, Hobeei is helping users become Eco-concsious and  eco-friendly. This is because people understand the value in re-using items to sustain our environment.

 

Because of my Past, People see me as Imperfect - Fatoye Temitope

Fatoye Temitope, a recent graduate of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, shares her story and her call to give hope to individuals who have a hurting past. in this interview with NELOC News International, she describes the positions of perfection and imperfection.


 
NNI: Can we meet you? Guest: I am Fatoye Temitope Seun and I am the visionary of Getting Past Your Past Magazine. I am from Osun State, and a Law Graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University.
NNI: What is GPYP all about?
Guest: GPYP is an organization called to show God's Love to the brokenhearted. We have been called to show that out of the Broken pieces of your life, the Lord can make an edifice of hope through using the non fictional stories of people who have been in one mess or the other and how they were able to get  a message out of it.

NNI: How has managing GPYP been since inception?
Guest: Although GPYP is still young - about 1 year plus, it has been sweet so far because I just see myself as a mighty tool in God's hands. I do what he wants me to do concerning GPYP. All the managerial instructions comes from Him. I only do what he has concluded.  

NNI: What has been your greatest challenge?
Guest: I had the greatest challenge when preparing for the conference. The challenge came up due to funds until when I got the wisdom (from my mentor) on how to get funds for God ordained programmes.

NNI: Being a student, how have you combined studies with ministry?

Guest: God has helped me by providing strength when I feel so tired and weak. Apart from that, there is wisdom in planning my day and my time. So ministry never disturbed my studies nor my studies affect ministry.

Read: OAU Final Year Student sentenced to Jail for Cybercrime

NNI: What is your general view on Sexual Abuse in the society?

Guest: Sexual abuse is a bad omen for any society where it prevails. Every one of us need to stand up against it with everything we've got. We also need to stand by the victims and help them out of the trauma. Let's Join Hands to fight against Sexual Abuse in our society.

NNI: How well has GPYP helped the society?
Guest: GPYP has helped the society in different areas.

1. Making people who have been victims of circumstances (abuse, mistakes) in the past or still going through them see more to themselves (by making them see Hope in Christ) using the stories of people who had gone through same and the steps they took in getting past it. This is done by the Mess and Message segment of the magazine.

2. We have been able to counsel so many people on how to get out of the bondage of the past and we have exposed them to the healing processes. 


NNI: What are your regrets?
Guest: My regret is that I yielded late to the call and passion to Start Getting Past your past magazine.

NNI: Funding for Organisations is usually a problem. How have you managed funds as an organisation?
Guest: Concerning funds, it has always been done by faith and prayers to see where the resources are. Apart from Faith, personal funds, gifts from my parents and seeds from friends and readers of the magazine have also helped in funding the organization.

NNI: Earlier this year, you organised your debut superb conference, inviting many big names. How were you able to pull through?
Guest: Hmm.. All I can say is God. He made the conference a success with the gift of men He gave unto me. The conference happened just like a surprise. I am still surprised the Conference held. To be candid, a day before the conference we were about cancelling it but God surprised I and my team

NNI: What do you think of team management?
Guest: Actually, Team Management is difficult because you have to make your members see what you see. You have to make your team know that you are all together in "this" course and make them do the task they are given... It's a great task but with God's wisdom, prayers (putting their hearts into God's hands), showing them love and reminding them about what they have been called into, it becomes easier.

NNI: How has your past affected your current relationships with people? 

Guest: My past has affected my relationship with people positively due to the fact that after making people know about my past, they now see me as someone who is not perfect like them, someone who has also gone through what they are going through or they have gone through. So, they tend to come to me, open up and seek counsel without being ashamed. My past has also helped me to love people more and see beyond their actions or attitudes.

NNI: What advice will you give to other similar organisations and the public? 

Guest: My advice to similar organisations is to never relent in their course. Many lives depend on us so, let's join hands.  To the public,  "Don't be ashamed to open up and seek counsel about what you are going through, We are here for You. Don't die in silence. Speak out!"

Living Like the Celebrities you follow is a Big Mistake - Ike Nathaniel

Nathaniel Ike, UBA and Itel Ambassador and 2018 Osun Campus King (culture and tourism) shares his thoughts on our life interview series.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I'm Nathaniel Ike, a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm a brand influencer and  entrepreneur who has tried luck in many enterprises before now - from photography, graphics and web design and sale of customized necklaces (jewelries). I never had the intention of being an influencer from the start. My business (photography) led me to being an influencer.

NNI: How did Social Media Influencing begin for you?
Guest: Photography was a hobby for me. At the time, my outlet was Agozyke Photo world, but it is now rebranded as Da Fotographie world. It was while I was looking for customers and promoters for my business that I started the "influencing thing" I did it mainly to grow my business. When I founded OAU Trends, it wasn't for the whole community at first, but for my business. When it became something that people started to reckon with, I had no choice than to make it more open to the community.

NNI: How has the entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: The entrepreneurship journey hasn't been easy. Starting up a business and familiarizing myself with the new environment (school) then gave me lots of concerns. I worked under someone while in Port Harcourt before I gained admission. I got all exposures there. I started OAU Trends to support my business before it eventually grew even beyond my expectations. Thinking of how to satisfy customers could also prove difficult. I did bespoke necklace business in 200 level in school  just to make as a side hustle. And It hasn't been easy, but with hard work and diligence, God has been faithful.

NNI: In managing multiple businesses while as a student, how did you manage your time and balance academics and extra curricular activities?

Guest: Joggling businesses with school work was really tasking. Sometimes I would have tests the next morning and still run deliveries during the day. I had to make up for it by reading overnight while I satisfy my customers. I'm not an outdoor person- most people don't know though. I stay indoors most times, so I barely engage in extra curricular activities.

NNI: What is your worst business experience?

Guest: My worst business experience was in 100 level. I tried to train some persons in photography and spent a lot to make the training a success- publicity (printed handbills and all) and even rented a projector. Sadly only 2 people showed up and I made a huge loss. It was a really devastating experience, though that didn't stop me from moving ahead.

NNI: You are a brand ambassador to major companies, how have you managed influence?

Guest: I have been and I currently am a brand ambassador to many companies, mostly within Osun State. I don't see it as a big deal. Anyone can do it. I see it as you trying to network and get opportunities for yourself and future. Also in the past,  I've trained people on the tips that  could help them in becoming brand ambassadors for any company around. Infact, I am currently writing a book on that which will be published soon. It's a work in progress. I don't think being a brand ambassador is made for some particular set of individuals. It's just about you being qualified - an expertise in a field, online presence and the readiness to serve. Of course, while working with brands,  people will  want to relate with you and you'd make a lot of friends. I just see it as everyone trying to help themselves.
 

 

NNI: On Youth Development and growth in Nigeria, do you think we are making progress?
Guest: I feel we are not making progress at all. Most youths today have a poor mentality about life, seeing the fact that you drive a car or spend money lavishly as success. This is why most youths are desperate to make money at all costs and some eventually go into horrible and dubious things.

It is heartbreaking that an individual who spent 4-5 years in school and earned a degree- B.sc or B.A goes back home only to be employed by those who didn't go to school. This is mainly because most youths lack skills, they have this fantasy of a job awaiting them meanwhile we all know there are no jobs anywhere in the country. 

I see the need to making provision for the youths to learn one or two skills, it would really help them. The essence of going to school is to get learned and being skillful and being learned gives you an edge over others. Karl Marx said practice without theory is blind and theory without practice is barren. The Nigerian educational system is mainly theoretical I must say.

NNI: The Social Media has great influence on youths- positive and negative. How do you think one can make good use of Social Media?

Guest: I think social media has both positive and negative influence on youths, but it depends on what you as a person wants. We watch the lifestyle of some celebrities and try to emulate them. I see social media as an entirely different world that is vague and fake. If you base your life on the celebrities you follow or are fond of , then you are  making a big mistake.

Everyone tries to look like a god and look perfect on social media. We need to understand that most of the things we see on social media are not real but exaggerated, everything is for the gram like they usually say and everyone wants to shine.

On the positive side, a lot of opportunities are on social media but it would be open to you only if you are looking for them. Most of the deals I got are from social media. For example, I applied for the UBA ambassadorship via social media. You need to figure out what you want. Who you follow also matters. Things on social media aren't really the way we take them to be and trying to emulate them could mislead you. Another benefit of social media is that it gives you opportunity to showcase your talent and business for free, I mean it's a platform for the talented ones to showcase their talents and also they can build a fan base from there as well.

NNI: You run a Non- Governmental Organisation. How do you give back to the society?

Guest: The aim of my NGO (Nathaniel Ike Foundation) is to reach out to the youths. This is in line with goals 1, 4, 8 and 9 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), we aim to empower generations professionally and skillfully, thereby becoming valuable wherever they find themselves. Our core concern is for those who are in school. The fact that you are in school means you should be better than those who didn't go to school because of the privilege you have. But the reverse is the case most times. Someone out of school is in business and making money while the other in school is just learning. While it's good to learn, the need for skillfulness in this age cannot be over emphasized. That is one of the key areas my NGO aims to address. We wish to bring up an initiative that will provide for experts in various fields to come and train students in various tertiary institutions for free. Fields like tailoring, web designing, photography and so on. But we obviously can't do this alone. We need funds and support I must say to make this a reality. A lot of people have interests in a lot of things but they feel school is holding them down. But there should be need for them to know that with time management and determination they can train and equip themselves to be exemplary in any  field of interest  they like. Also, most of us (Youths) don't know what we want. We jump around, trying different things and not mastering any. Don't get me wrong, it is possible to love a lot of things and do all these things at once. But most of us only jump around doing these different things because we see some of our mates doing them and making it, not because we really love what we are doing. How about we start doing things because we love them and be masters in whatever we choose to do? In summary I wish to support youths in tertiary institutions to achieve their dreams in the vocational aspect as well as educational.

NNI: Do you see yourself as a celebrity or an influencer?

Guest: Haba! I have never seen myself as a celebrity. I see myself as an influencer instead. I influence people to be better - entrepreneurs especially by connecting them with the right customers. It is not proper to live on mere hypes.. just get results and help others get theirs.

And as an influencer, my vision is to help entrepreneurs  & business owners (both young  and old) boost their sales by getting lead engagements and connecting them to potential customers.

NNI: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Guest: In the next 5 years, I hope to have made impact on a lot of people with my NGO. I hope to have been successful by then- being successful to me isn't measured by what you have in your bank account, but how much impacts that are being made. Very importantly, I want to see myself settling down, that is setting up my family and also go into real estate management. That's one field I'd like to explore but I'm still looking forward to that.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Guest: My advice to the young ones is to be positive in whatsoever you want to do. Never compare yourself with anyone.  Do what's right  to you without concern for criticisms, they are actually bound to come because if no one is talking about you then you are nobody.  Don't let SETBACK let you down. SETBACK is just a preparation for a COMEBACK.

We all are bound to face challenges at one point in time - definitely it's just a process and it cannot remain for too long. Very importantly, don't follow the crowd, be outstanding and have a creative mind. Make decisions that would affect you positively.  Be a positive influence. If you're a tailor, be unique learn more and more and bring up new designs. Be creative and innovative in your ways, don't just follow trends.

NNI: Thank you very much for your time.

Guest: Thank you very much.

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Celebrates 120th Posthumous Birthday

Joseph Ayo Babalola who was born on 25th April 1904 and died on the 26th of July 1959 was the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called Aladura in Nigeria. He was credited with special healing powers and the anointing of the Holyspirit.

In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a schism in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Bablola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalistic activities until his death. The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center was built at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was first called in 1928.

The Christ Apostolic Church has not died along with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1959. In fact it has grown rapidly over the years, with many churches under the Christ Apostolic Church name but each church with a specific branch name. The Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university located in Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide is named after him, located at the place where he says he was called by God in 1928.

He was the first prophet God used to lead a great revival in Nigeria after the raising of a 10 years old boy in 1930.

He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, a church that metamorphosed from a prayer group popularly called Egbe Aladura in Nigeria.

The Aladura Movement nucleated at Ijebu-Ode in 1918. Babalola was endowed with healing powers.

Joseph Ayodele Babalola was born of Yoruba parents, David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi on April 25, 1904 who belonged to the Anglican Church. The family lived at Odo-Owa, a small town about ninety kilometres from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was the Ba ba Ijo (“church father”) of the C.M.S. Church at Odo-Owa.On January 18, 1914, young Babalola was taken by his brother M. 0. Rotimi, a Sunday school teacher in the C.M.S. Church at Ilofa, who later took him to Osogbo.
Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five at All Saints’ School, Osogbo. However, he quit school when he decided to learn a trade and became a motor mechanic apprentice. Again, he did not continue long in this vocation before joining the Public Works Department (PWD). He was among the road workers who constructed the road from Igbara-Oke to Ilesa, working as a steam roller driver.

Babalola’s was a specific and personal call. Babalola’s strange experience started on the night of September 25th, 1928 when he suddenly became restless and could not sleep. This went on for a week and he had no inkling of the causes of such a strange experience. The climax came one day when he was, as usual, working on the Ilesa-Igbara-Oke road. Suddenly the steam roller’s engine stopped to his utter amazement. There was no visible mechanical problem, and Joseph became confused and perplexed. He was in this state of confusion when a great voice “like the sound of many waters” called him three times. The voice was loud and clear and it told him that he would die if he refused to heed the divine call to go into the world and preach. Babalola did not want to listen to this voice and he responded like many of the Biblical prophets, who, when they were called out by Yahweh as prophets, did not normally yield to the first call. So, Babalola gave in only after he had received the assurance of divine guidance.

To answer the call, he had to resign his appointment with the Public Works Department. Mr. Fergusson, the head of his unit, tried to dissuade him from resigning but the young man was bent on going on the Lord’s mission. The same voice came to Joseph a second time asking him to fast for seven days. The experience led him to a personal retreat in the home of Joseph Fapounda a Christian leader in Christ Missionary Society in Ipetu Ijesa in Ogun State Nigeria.

In a vision he had, Jesus appeared to him in a white robe along with a very tall man who revealed that it was this Jesus who asked me to speak with you. The man in a dazzling robe spoke at length about the mission he was to embark upon. The man also told him of the persecutions he would face and at the same time assured him of God’s protection and victory. A hand prayer bell was given to Babalola as a symbol. He was told that the sound of the bell would always drive away evil spirits. He was also given a bottle of “life- giving water” to heal all manners of sickness. Consequently, wherever and whenever he prayed into water for therapeutic purposes, effective healing was procured for those who drank the water. Thus, Babalola became a prophet and a man with extraordinary powers.

   

Actress Nkechi Blessing Celebrates Ooni Of Ife On Seventh Coronation Anniversary

Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing, has celebrated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on his seventh year as a monarch.

The actress shared a picture she took with the Ooni at his palace via her Instagram account on Wednesday.

She showered prayers on Ooni saying, "Happy 7th year anniversary Kabiesi, His imperial Majesty, Ooni Babatunde Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja the second #ooniadimulaife. May your reign continue to be fruitful on the ancestral throne. Thank you for all that you do for me and everyone far and wide. May God bless you abundantly 🙏🏻”

 

Oba Ogunwusi was crowned on December 7, 2015.

 Ondomind 

Sophia Momodu Apologises For Celebrating Daughter's Dad, Davido, On 30th Birthday

Sophia Momodu, the mother of singer Davido’s first child, Imade, has apologised publicly for a birthday post she made on her daughter's behalf to mark his birthday.

She issued the apology via Imade’s Instagram account on Tuesday.

This comes after fans slammed her for being insensitive after posting a photo of Davido carrying Ifeanyi, who died last month on her daughter's Instagram account to wish him a happy birthday.

She wrote, “l realise that the earlier post may come across as insensitive and I sincerely apologise as that was not the intention. Imade deeply loves her father and all her siblings, and as a mother, I’m doing my best to guide her through the difficult emotion of grief from the loss of her brother whilst trying to celebrate her father’s birthday. 

I ask for your consideration and hope that you all can be understanding during these times. Thank you, Sophia Momodu.”

Davido, who is still mourning the death of his son, Ifeanyi, turned 30 on Monday.

Ondomind 

Singer, Chinko Ekun, Shares How He Became Homeless In 2020

Nigerian singer, Oladipo Emmanuel aka Chinko Ekun, has shared the story of how he became homeless and depressed in 2020.He shared his testimony in a video shared by the pastor of Harvester’s Church, Bolaji Idowu, via his Instagram account on Saturday.

 

 

Chinko Ekun, who was signed to Olamide's YBNL record label, stated that he lost his record deal in 2020 and his boss reclaimed the house and cars that were given to him by the management, leaving him homeless and having to squat with one of his friends, Aloma.

 

“Skip to 2020 I lost my record deal, I had an issue with my record label boss. He was so mad and said that I should leave the house. I became homeless," he said.

 

He went further to say that his girlfriend left him at the time which landed him on the hospital bed.

 

Chinko Ekun pointed that the situation made him depressed to the point where he considered suicide and that he went to Elegushi beach in Lagos, where he demanded God change in his situation.

 

“One day I went to Elegushi Beach and thought to myself, abi kin be si inu omi ni? (should I jump into the water?). I started threatening God that if I bow to another god, na him cause am o."

 

He said that three months after the incident, he got two endorsement deals, got an apartment, and bought the exact car that had been taken from him when he lost the previous endorsement deal.

 

"In like three months, I was able to record some new songs. I got my two endorsement deals from some companies, then I started getting some shows till I was able to get my new apartment and some properties."

 Ondomind 

Scientia: Why Your Bottle Sweats

If you ever visit the refrigerator lay and pick out a very chilled bottle of drink, leave it for a while and then return, you would notice that the bottle begins to shed drops around it.

Sweating Bottle- Image Source: Google

In another case, if after a warm bath, you glance at the mirror to behold your beautiful face., leave the dressing room to look  more exotic and return to a second glance at the mirror, its surface becomes
unclear and while trying to clean, the hands get wet, then you have met condensation.

Condensation is the the process by which water vapor  in the air is changed into liquid water. In other words the warm air in the air were cooled by cold soft drink also the warm water vapor
from my body were cooled by the cold mirror surface.

This same phenomenon is the reason behind cloud formation.

Corps Member, Ilori Deborah Sets Covid-19 Standards, Preaches Safety Measures

The impact of Coronavirus in the last few months has cut across all sectors and for many, it is a battle for survival. To survive, the safety measures prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Centre for the Control of Diseases (NCDC) should be properly followed. This is however not the case for many rural parts of Nigeria where there is little or no access to good water supply, sanitisers and nose masks amongst others. The absence of these health essentials leave the habitants with no option but to remain vulnerable to this virus.

This is why Ilori Ayotola Deborah, a serving corps member who is passionate about selfless service to humanity, decided to move across various communities within the FCT, to sensitize, teach, on different goals of the SDGs most importantly during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ayotola visited communities, markets, schools, primary health centres, religious, places and IDP camps for sensitization, while donating relief materials to the communities with the help of benevolent individuals. On visits to IDP camps, she also taught women to make liquid hand wash and sanitizers, and empowered them financially to buy the chemicals for production. Ayotola further taught the children, gave food to children and women in the IDP and organised a medical outreach at the IDP camp.

According to Ilori Deborah, ''I went with a doctor who held the session. I saw women and children who were extremely vulnerable, and I went out of my way to write to different individuals, and organisation, for financial support with the approval of the NYSC. I got turned down in many places but some benevolent individuals supported me massively. I really appreciate them.''

Watch Video on Youtube

To curb the spread of COVID-19, Ayootola also decided to preach hand washing, the cheapest and easily accessible way to curb the spread of Covid-19. As the sharing of common taps can increase the spread of Covid-19 in communities, she decided to create a foot operated handwashing apparatus for 10 communities within the FCT, with the approval of the NYSC. 

The project was commissioned by the NYSC FCT state coordinator, Hajiya Walida Siddique Isah, a woman who is best described as a mother, because for her supportive role.

In a chat with NELOC News, Ilori Deborah, who is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, thanked the NYSC scheme for the opportunity to create impact and expressed willingness to contribute more, as she is open to collaborations, partnership and support from Federal, State, Local government, and international organisations. 

   

Dellasdiary Launches Maendeleo Africa, Aims to Impact African Youths

Why you should enroll for Maendeleo Africa

The Dellasdiary foundation is a non-governmental organization that caters for the needs of children, teenagers and the less privileged. It does this through several projects all year round. These projects include Clothe a child, Feed A Hundred, Job Up, Children Christmas Party, Valentine's Outreach , Brand A Child. A new TV series that addresses situations children encounter in our society is a new project embarked on. Job up has been rebranded into a fellowship to accommodate and impact more Youths in Africa. The theme for this year is 'Maendeleo Africa'

Maendeleo has its origin in Swahili and it means Development. The fellowship is a virtual one that aims at bringing up youths who want to be change makers in our continent as volunteers or NGO owners. It spans for 6 to 8 weeks. It basically seeks for the personal development of participants who would in turn develop their respective communities.

Maendeleo Africa would be an intensive training and successful candidates get to embark on a journey of Self discovery. They get to be trained and skilled up as volunteers for Global change. Candidates get to meet like minds that are passionate about the society and share ideas and network. These individuals will be skilled up on how to be a volunteer and run an NGO. They would also learn on branding and emotional intelligence in respect to leadership.

The fellowship is totally free and only 50 slots available. Application ends on the 15th of May, 2020. Selection process starts afterwards and selected candidates gets a mail in that regard. The training commences on the 1st of June and ends towards the end of July. To apply, click on the link below.

http://bit.ly/MaendeleoAfrica01

NELOC Media Publish Pidgin Magazine, Seeks to Promote Pure Pidgin Content

World over, pidgin English varies in the nature of people who speak it and how they do. On Friday, NELOC Media, publishers of the Gbedu Magazine unveiled the maiden edition of her basic pidgin magazine project. The pidgin magazine was published to celebrate and promote the existence of pidgin language in Nigeria and across the world.

According to the production team, the magazine editor, explained that  subsequent editions would cover exclusive pidgin stories and journalism in native pidgin. He also expressed the need for writers and arts inclined individuals to join in coming editions. The producers further disclosed intentions to engage disruptive pidgin contents covering fashion, music and lifestyle amongst others.

Gbedu, hosts columns and story series like the Corporate Beggar,  Naija No dey carry last, pidgin proverbs and as well, a pidgin biography featuring an individual who has promoted pidgin while exploring creativity in arts. expected to follow a series of other 

You can download Gbedu by clicking here

Dellasdiary set to host Children Christmas Party

It is that season of the year with high expectations from all and sundry. The mixed feeling of economic issues and yet, the need to enjoy the festivities give rise to many outdoor and fun events. Children, especially the less privileged, are not left out as they find a major place in these events. It is in the light of this that the Dellasdiary Movement is set to host a Children Christmas Party.

The Dellasdiary Movement is a Non-Governmental Organisation that focuses on less privileged children and individuals in the society.

This Image is Copyrighted

The Children Christmas Party is a yearly programme of the Dellasdiary Movement where less privileged children are gathered to mingle and celebrate the end of the year. The children are also encouraged, advised and prayed with for the coming year and the future.

READ ALSO: International Witchcraft Conference set to hold in Enugu, Nigeria

According to the organisation's public media release, this is the fourth edition of the children's party. Over the years, the Christmas party has received over 1000 children in attendance.

The theme for this year is: Love and Hope. It seeks to resonate in the heart of the children and attendees, a feeling of love as well as hope for the coming year and the future. 

The Children Christmas Party is scheduled to hold on the 23rd of December, 2019 in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Read Also: Numerous NGOs exist due to Government's Laxity- Interview with Bolu Okunlola

Ifelaw Bags Best Faculty Award, Scoops 15 Individual Categories

The Law Students' Society, O. A. U had overtime shown spirit of excellence in all spheres . In the same bend, on the 2nd of August 2018, the IFELAW Society has it is fondly called, proved that once again.

Observant minds would  agree that the university  community has  been flurried for some weeks now due to the just concluded OAU AWARDS hosted by HOTINC. The nominees of several categories having gone through  several voting processes ranging from  online votings to the offline  balloting.

This year, IFELAW had in record peck of her members  nominated for different categories and also Faculty of  Law  nominated under the  "BEST FACULTY" category.

Interesting  to record that the "Outstanding  Faculty President"  category  was also clinched by the president  of the Law Students' Society, Mr Adedigba Daniel.

Law students, in their usual spirit of unity supported all the nominees from the faculty in all the voting processes and even came out en masse on the day of the award to elicit optimal  support  and motivation.

FACULTY OF LAW WON "THE BEST FACULTY" and  14 individual  categories  were won by the law students nomimees.

Categories such as: 

• Law - Best Faculty
• Prima Strata - Best Club
• Adedigba Daniel Cortez - Outstanding President
• Easy man  - Most Influential Male
• G1 - Political Icon
• Koye LAdele Mofehintoluwa - Best Writer
• Abass Oyeyemi (Bazzman) - Student Blogger
• Frizzy - Student Poet
• Dj Miles - Best DJ
• Alaska - Best Clothier
• Anu - Face of OAU female
• Lexy - Most Fashionable Male
• Amupitan Caleb - Best Class Governor
• Rotimi - Best Comedian
• Gambit - Rookie Male
• Alphaglam - Best make-up  Artist 

After accomplishing such a feat, what comes next is celebration from all law students.We feel elated as we celebrate with those who went forward and made us proud, we are inspirted with the sensation of unity and oneness and we feel the pride of  belonging to IFELAW.

Once again,  we say huge  congratulations to all the winners. GOD BLESS IFELAW.