Feature
USC @ 70: How The Journey Started 70 Years Ago
The United Spiritual Church (Cathedral), Abeokuta was founded in October, 1952 with the Spiritual Church of Christ as its name. The story of the founding of the Church with its growth and sustenance cannot be clearly told without a reference to the spiritual calling of the late Most Revd (Dr) Samuel Christopher Ọládìran Ṣópẹ́ìn, J.P. reverently called Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn.
In 1944, as young as he was then, he heard the voice of God, for the first time, when he was visiting one of his friends, Jonathan Olúwọlé Adéjàre at Òkè-Ìgbórè. Consequent happenings made his elder sister, Mrs Joanah Mọ́rìnọ́lá Oyègúnlẹ̀ take him to Revd Prophet Samuel Afọlábí Adéníyì at Òkè-Ìjeùn, Abẹ́òkúta. Revd Adéníyì ordained him as a Prophet in 1947, but in spite of the spiritual training he had received, he did not want to be a Prophet, especially an Aláàdúrà Prophet. He therefore stopped attending the prayer meeting at Òkè-Ìjeùn. This he attributed to the low esteem people attached to the Aláàdúrà denomination at that time, and the fact that he was a civil servant.
An elder, the late Chief J.S. Ṣódiípọ̀, who later became the Bàbá Ìjọ of Saint John (Anglican) Church, Ìgbèìn, Abẹ́òkúta, informed him of a prayer group at Ìgbèìn and advised him to join the group. The prayer group grew to an extent that some elders in the church feared that the group might paralyse the church. It was therefore barred from using the premises of the church. This led to the dispersal of the members of the prayer group. That notwithstanding, some of the members, now led by Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn, decided to stay together and continue their activities at Òkè-Ẹri, Abẹ́òkúta. Among these members were Madam Marian Ṣówẹ̀mímọ́, Chief (Mrs) C.O. Akinọlá, Chief Mrs O.A. Taylor, Mrs C.O. Wickeiffe, Mrs Olú Ṣópẹ́ìn (Màmá Ẹlẹ́ẹ̀kọ), Madam Modúpẹ́ Ọṣọ́, Apostle Ọlájídé Ṣówẹ̀mímọ́, Apostle Olúsọjí Bámgbóṣé , Elder D.O. Agbedimu , Apostle H.O. Ògúnrẹ̀mí and Archdeacon J.S.T. Bamjoko.

Even though Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn still felt reluctant to be a spiritual leader, the advice of his right hand spiritual son, Apostle Olúsọjí Bámgbóṣé, prompted him to face the realities of his spiritual calling, as the membership of the group continued to get larger. In October, 1952, Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn formally founded the Spiritual Church of Christ, Abẹ́òkúta. The first church building was of mat wall.
This development made Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn resubmit himself for a serious spiritual training. His first spiritual father, Revd Prophet Sunday Afọlábí Adéníyì personally took him to the late Papa (Dr) Abbiessaliem Samuel Ṣómóyè at Dàda Èrúkútẹ̀ Village.
In his address of welcome at Àpàkílà on Saturday, 6th July, 1996, Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn said, inter alia, “It has become compulsory for me to run a church because one is now founded, and I must not run away from members again. I must come to terms with stark reality, therefore, l had to go back to Revd Apostle Afọlábí who, after upbrading and encouraging me, literally took me by hand to his own Spiritual Leader and Father, Dr Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè.”
In the same address, Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn said, “We now come to Àpàkílà…. Evangelist Ọdẹ́yínká brought the Church here, and he was the first to donate his own land before we began to buy.”

Dr Ṣómóyè, fondly called Bàba Dàda, was the founder of The Church of the Lord of Israel and he was also the spiritual father of the late Dr Josiah Olúnọ́wọ̀ Ọṣìítẹ̀lú who became the founder of The Church of the Lord (Aláàdúrà) with its headquarters in Ògèrè-Rẹ́mọ in Ogun State. The Spiritual Church of Christ had been founded before Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn became a spiritual student of Papa (Dr) Ṣómóyè. Bàbá Dàda is generally believed to be the founder of the Aláàdúrà denomination, as far back as 1920. In its 1964 Harvest Programme, the Spiritual Church of Christ identified Bàbá Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè as the Superintendent General, Spiritual Head and Founder of the then All Aladura Christian Organisation, with Apostle H.S. Afọlábí Adéníyì as the Head of the Abẹ́òkúta Division.
Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn was ordained as a Revd Prophet on Sunday, 8th September, 1963 and as an Apostle in 1966, both by Papa (Dr) Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè.
In July, 1967, twelve churches held a meeting where a decision was taken to come together under one umbrella with one name. The meeting was held with Senior Apostle E.S. Olúgbénró (Bàbá Ògúnṣẹ̀yẹ) as the Superintendent, Apostle S.C.O. Ṣópẹ́ìn (Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn) as the Chairman, and Pastor J. Adé Ìlúpéjú, Bro J.A. Ọ̀sányìpéjú and Evang J.S. Ọ̀ṣọbà as Joint Secretaries. Among the names suggested for the unification were The Church of the First Born, The Church of Divine Light and Holy Ghost Church. On Page 5 of a report on why they chose United Spiritual Church Organisation, it was stated that every church that believed in vision, prophecy and the efficacy of prayer was generally known as a spiritual church. The Spiritual Church of Christ was chosen to be the headquarters of the new formation. On Saturday, 16th September, 1967, the inaugural service of the Organisation was held at the Centenary Hall, Aké, Abẹ́òkúta.
Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn’s spiritual father, Pa (Dr) Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè, became the Spritual Father of the Organisation. The first objective of the Organisation, as stated in the Administrative Secretary’s Annual Report for 1968, was “to show clearly that our Spiritual Father, Abbies Samuel Ṣómóyè, was the first to preach the advent of the Holy Spirit in Nigeria for our salvation from the evils of this world, precisely in the year 1920.” Bàbá Bámgbóșé, who was then Captain General S.O. Bámgbóșé, was the Administrative Secretary.
In that report, our Bàbá Akínbámi, who is now the Senior Superintendent of USC, was duly recognised and eulogised for the choir’s presentation of a play titled Ọlọ́run kan l’ó tọ́ ká sìn at the Ẹ̀gbá Christian Chiefs’ Hall in Abẹ́òkúta. He was the first Choir Master and Organist of the Organisation. Other people mentioned and praised in the report were “Bishop-elect Ayégbìrọ́jú,” the Treasurer; “Pastor-elect Ọ̀sányìnpéjú,” the Financial Secretary; “Pastor General Ìlúpéjú,” the Assistant Secretary and “Apostle-elect Peter Olútáyọ̀ of Òkè Ìtòkú 1.” Apostle-elect Ìlọ̀rí and Reverend-elect Akíṣọlá were acknowledged for their “selfless service in the organisation and the actual training of the ‘followers,’ as they are officially known.”
The Organisation had its first annual mount from 15th to 21st September, 1968. Its first joint baptism took place at Ṣòkòrì River on Sunday, 22nd September, 1968 when eighty-six (86) people were baptised. The report states, “We must congratulate the Very Revd Apostle S.C.O. Ṣópẹ́ìn, the celebrant, for the strength to accomplish this great task.”
The Organisation continued to grow, Most Revd E.S. Olúgbénró became the Superintendent General and Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn became the Senior Apostle. At a point in time, the name of the organisation became United Spiritual Church Nigeria. Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn became the second Superintendent General on Sunday, 25th September, 1977 after the death of Bàbá Olúgbénró.
As the organisation continued to grow, some administrative issues made the founding churches to revert to their former names or take up new names. With this, the association formed in 1967 became functionally defunct. However, Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn’s church, founded in 1952, was the only one that retained and sustained the United Spiritual Church as the name of his own church which had started having its own direct branches while some other new churches were joining his under the same name. The United Spiritual Church of today is firmly rooted in the Spiritual Church of Christ founded in 1952. It is to the glory of God that the former churches too have also continued to grow. It is a thing of great joy, for the propagation of the Gospel, that the United Spiritual Church is up till today in a very good fraternal relationship with these churches. Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn was installed as the first Primate of the United Spiritual Church on Saturday, 15th September, 1990.
In October, 1992, the United Spiritual Church elaborately celebrated its 40th Anniversary. The late Elder (Engineer) M.A. Adéogùn was the Chairman of the Anniversary Committee. Rt Revd E.O.O. Akíọdé, the then Bishop of the African Church, Ẹgba Diocese, gave the sermon. Pictures of Bàbá Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè, Bàbá E.S. Olúgbénró and Bàbá S.C.O. Ṣópẹ́ìn, with the group photograph of the Anniversary Committee were on the pages of the anniversary programme. Our ever agile and active father, Bàbá J.E.O. Akínbámi was the Secretary General. “Revd J.S. Ṣósànyà and Evangelist J.O. Pópóọlá” were joint secretaries of the 40th Anniversary Committee.
Bàbá Abbiessaliem Ṣómóyè is up till today held in high esteem by the United Spiritual Church. In 2001, the Army of Christ Society of the Cathedral visited Bàba Dàda’s church, otherwise known as the Stone Church, and featured it in a documentary titled The Church. The Cathedral had at a time invited one of Bàbá Ṣómóyè’s sons and gave him the honour to address the congregation.
The United Spiritual Church has been serving as the Lord’s vineyard where Christian labourers work for their Master, Jesus the Christ, and where non-believers have the grace to meet the Lord. Members of USC generally, are usually active in notable Christian organisations at various levels. Some had held and some are still holding front-line offices in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Organisation of Africa Instituted Churches (OAIC), the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) and YMCA Youth Wing.
Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn himself had held the following offices, among many others: (1) Chairman, Abẹ́òkúta Fellowship of Christian Ministers, 1986-1990. (2) Vice Chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria, Ogun State, 1980-1989. (3) Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State, 1993-1995. (4) Chairman, Ogun State Government House Chapel. (5) Patron, OAIC Western Zone. (6) Leader of the Ogun State Government delegation to the Holy Land (Jerusalem), 1994 & 1995. The honour and respect Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn brought to the Aláàdúrà denomination heartened the Organisation of Africa Instituted Churches, Ogun State Chapter to decorate him as the first Father of the Garment. He was awarded Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in September, 1990 by Staton University, Florida in the United States of America (USA).
The charisma Bàbá Ṣópẹ́ìn built through his self-discipline and self-education made him attractive to leaders of other Christian denominations and blocs in and outside Abẹ́òkúta. At various times he was invited to synods, conferences, seminars and other occasions to deliver papers. It is a good thing that even after his death, some ministers in the Church have been receiving similar invitations.
Most Revd Joseph Àkánbí Adégbìtẹ̀ became the second Primate on Saturday, 28th June, 2003 while Most Revd (Dr) Julius Olúmùyíwá Ògúnṣẹ̀yẹ was installed as the third Primate on Saturday, 4th June, 2016. Most Revd Ògúnṣẹ̀yẹ was for many years, the Treasurer of USC. He had also been previously given the honourary title of Bàbá Orí Òkè before he became the Primate.


Revd Ap. J.E.O. Akínbámi is the Senior Superintendent and he is the Superintendent of Abẹ́òkúta Division 1. Revd Ap. S.O. Akíṣọlá was the Superintendent of Abẹ́òkúta before Abẹ́òkúta was split. Revd Ap. S.O. Adébẹ́ṣin was the first Superintendent of Abẹ́òkúta Division 2, followed by Revd Ap. A. Ṣórúnkẹ́. Revd Ap. E.O. Okuboye is the present Superintendent of the Division. Revd Ap. S.O. Fọ́lọ́runṣọ́ is the Superintendent of Abẹ́òkúta Division 3. Revd Ap. J.A. Adégbìtẹ̀ was the first Superintendent of Lagos/Yewa Division. He later became the Senior Superintendent, and Revd Ap. M.O. Ọṣinaike then became the Superintendent of the Division. Revd Ap. M.O. Ọṣinaike later became the first Superintendent of Rẹ́mọ Division. He voluntarily stepped down, and he is now a Patron of the Church. Revd Ap. J.A. Mákindé is the Superintendent of Lagos/Yewa Division while Revd Ap. Revd Ap. S.O. Ọnanẹyẹ is the Superintendent of Rẹ́mọ Division. Revd Ap. Ẹrinoṣo is a Patron of the Church, but he also presently acts as the Superintendent of Arárọ̀mí/Ọbáfẹ́mi Division. Revd Ap. J.S. Ṣósànyà was the first Superintendent of the Cathedral. Revd Ap. J.O. Ọbadimu is the incumbent Superintendent of the Cathedral. Revd Ap. Adefala was the first Superintendent of Ìjẹ̀bú Division.
His Royal Majesty, Ọba Samuel Adéṣínà Gbádébọ̀ II (the Aláké of Ẹ̀gbáland) was the first Leader General of USC, followed by Apostle J.O. Adéògún, and Revd Ap. S.O. Adébẹ́ṣin was the third. The office was renamed the Lay President. Elder (Engineer) M.A. Adéògún became the first Lay President. He was succeeded by Evangelist S. Olúdáre while the present Lay President is Elder O.O. Akíọdé.
Màmá Esther Olútókí Adégbìtẹ̀ was the first Ìyá Aláàdúrà Gbogbogbò, occupying the office now is Màmá Felicia Fọláṣadé Șópẹ́ìn.
Revd Ap. J.E.O. Akínbámi was the first Secretary General, an office he held meritoriously for many years. He voluntarily stepped down, and thereafter, Revd Ap. S.A. Ọ̀ṣọkò took over the responsibilities of the office. His tenure was however brief as he also voluntarily resigned from the office. Revd Ap. B.O. Sànyàólú is currently serving in that office. Revd Ap. Lekan Ọṣinaike is the Financial Secretary while CB (Mrs) Folúwakẹ́ Ọ̀rẹ́kọ̀yà is the Treasurer. Revd. Ap. Ebenezer Coker is the Assistant Secretary General.
The Cathedral
The second church building of the Cathedral, built of blocks, was completed on 5th December, 1959. The third and present church building had its foundation laid in 1969 and the building was dedicated on Saturday, 31st October, 1981. Members of the Building Committee for the present church were Apostle H.O. Ògúnrẹ̀mí, Bàbá Ìjọ S.O. Ṣóbọ̀wàlé (Joint Chairmen), Evang J.O. Ọbadimu (Secretary), Elder S.O. Adébẹ́ṣin, (Asst Sec.), Ìyá Ìjọ Ṣówẹ̀mímọ́, Apostle S.O. Akíṣọlá, Revd Prophet J.S. Ọṣọbà, Leader General J.O. Adéògún, Leader J.T. Èsúrúoṣó, Captain S.O. Ògúntóyìnbó, Evang A.O. Ṣóyọḿbọ̀, Elder D. O. Agbedimu, Bro S.O. Olúdáre, Mother-in-Israel E. Ṣópẹ́ìn, Sister E.A. Sànyàólú (Màma Túndé Ìbarà), Sister D. Ẹrinọla and Sister E. Bánkọ́lé.
The five doors of the church were formally opened by the then Aláké of Ẹgbaland, Ọba Oyebade Lipẹde, Chief Olúṣẹ̀san Ṣólùádé (the then Executive Deputy Governor of Ogun State), Chief Ṣódọlámú Sànyàólú (the then Balógun of Ẹ̀gbá), Chief E.K. Ọdẹ́yẹmí (the then Balógun of Ẹ̀gbá Christians) and the Rt Revd J.S. Adéníyì (a retired Bishop of the then Ẹ̀gbá/Ẹ̀gbádò Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)).
The past Bàbá Ìjọ of the Cathedral were Pa S.O. Ṣóbọ̀wàlé, Elder D.O. Àgbédìímú and Elder Adéyíńká-Ògúndìran. The past Ìyá Ìjọ were Madam Marian Ṣówẹ̀mímọ́, Madam Modúpẹ́ Ọṣọ́ and Madam Emily Bánkọ́lé. Revd Mother Esther Olúrẹ̀mí Ọlábọ̀dé Ṣópẹ́ìn (Màmá Ẹlẹ́ẹ̀kọ) was the first Mother-in-Israel while Revd Mother Grace Àbíkẹ́ Ṣópẹ́ìn (Màma Bísí) is the present Mother-in-Israel. Madam C.A. Akinọlá was the first Lady Captain. Madam Olúfúnkẹ́ Fadimu was the first and so far the only Ayaba Sheba. Prophetess C.O. Ọṣífẹjọ́ was the first Prophetess. She was ordained on 9th November, 1963 by Senior Apostle Samuel Afọlábí Adéníyì.
The first set of male Cross Bearers, ordained on 8th November, 1963 were Brothers Abel Adépìtàn, Samuel Kuṣimọ, Joseph Fọ́lọ́runṣọ́, O. Olúsanjọ́, A.O. Adéọ̀ṣun, E. Șóbándé, Jídé Ọ̀ṣọlà, D.O. Agbedimu, J.O. Ọbadimu and S.A. Akínrólé.
Elder Olúfẹ́mi Julius Ọdúnlámì is the incumbent Bàbá Ìjọ while Revd Mother Eunice Àjọkẹ́ Baiyewu is the incumbent Ìyá Ìjọ.
Revd Apostle James Ṣómóyè Ṣósànyà was the first Superintendent of the Cathedral while the incumbent, Revd Apostle Joel Olúkúnlé Ọbadimu is the second, and he was installed on Saturday, 26th March, 2016. Revd Apostle Simeon Ọlálékè Ṣópẹ́ìn is the Vicar and Deputy Superintendent of the Cathedral. Revd Apostle Adéolúwa Akíṣọlá is unanimously identified as the Youth Pastor of the Cathedral. He is also the Vicar of Òkè-Ẹ̀rí Aṣérò Branch.
The choir of the United Spiritual Church (Cathedral) was formally inaugurated in 1960. The initiative came from Prophet Omodeli, an Edo man who got to the Church through Venerable J.S. Ọ̀ṣọbà. The first set of choristers include Sister Grace Ọláyínká Ọ̀ṣọbà, Mrs E.O. Ṣópẹ́ìn (Màma Ẹlẹ́ẹ̀kọ), Mrs F.F. Ṣópẹ́ìn (Màma Túndé), Mrs A. Akínṣílé, Mrs E.A. Akíṣọlá (Màmá Onífùfú), Mrs E.A. Èsúrúoṣó and Sister Roseline Adéọ̀sun among others.
Apostle (Dr) S.O. Bámgbóṣé donated the first organ, a bellow organ, to the Church in 1963. The second organ, an acoustic, was donated by Apostle S.O. Adébẹ̀ṣin in 1977. The Church itself purchased an electronic organ in 1983. Keyboards had been donated to the Church at different times by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of the Church and the children of a former Lay President of USC, Elder M.A. Adéògún. Many other individuals, societies and families have continued making donations of different kinds and in different forms to the Church. Revd Apostle Adébẹ́ṣin attained the office of the Leader General of the United Spiritual Church and later became the Superintendent for Division II.
Revd Sunday Ṣóbándé was the first organist of the Church. Others at various times were Pa Gabriel Olumuyiwa Ògúndípẹ̀, Pa Ajíṣafẹ̀ More, Pa Rẹ̀mí Shyllon, Revd Apostle J.E.O. Akínbámi, Venerable J.S. Ọ̀ṣọbà, Revd Apostle S.O. Ọdúnlámì, C/B Yẹmí Ọdẹ̀dìran, Revd Apostle Túndé Sànyàólú and Revd Káyọ̀dé Ṣópẹ́ìn.
Bàbá Akínbámi is the Senior Superintendent of USC, he is the founder of the Òkè-Ìléwó (Abẹ́òkúta) Branch of USC, and for many years he was the Secretary General of USC. He was a staunch member of the Cathedral’s YMCA. C /B Yẹmí Ọdẹ̀dìran is now the Diocesan Organist of Ẹ̀gbá Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Pa Gabriel Olumuyiwa Ògúndípẹ̀ was an uncle of Revd Apostle E.O. Okuboye who was a former Vicar of USC branches at Òkè-Ìjẹmọ̀ and Balẹ́kàn at different times, and for many years, he was the Financial Secretary of USC. Bàbá Okuboye is the present Superintendent of USC Division II.
With Revd Káyọ̀dé Ṣópẹ́ìn as the Chief Organist, others had acted and some are still acting as organists in the Church. Here we have Revd Prophet Fẹ́mi Ọláyọrí, Pastor Ṣeun Ṣópẹ́ìn, C/B Dàpọ̀ Adébẹ́ṣin, Revd Káyọ̀dé Ọláyọrí, Brother Lékan Oyedele, Revd Ṣeun Okuboye, Brother Dáre Ọ̀rẹ́nẹ́yẹ and Brother Dèjì Ṣópẹ́ìn.
Revd Apostle J.E.O. Akínbámi, Prophet Adéẹ̀kọ́, Revd Apostle S.O. Adébẹ̀ṣin and C/B Yẹmí Ọdẹ̀dìran were past choirmasters. Ọdẹ̀dìran’s era was of a great transformation for the choir. Revd Káyọ̀dé Ṣópẹ́ìn who is the current choirmaster has continued to build fine structures on the foundation.
Past Assistant Choirmasters (ACMs) were Revd Prophet Fẹ́mi Ọláyọrí, Pastor Túndé Akíṣọlá, Revd Ṣeun Okuboye, Revd Káyọ̀dé Ọláyọrí and Deacon Ṣeun Ọmọ́lànà. The present ACM is Deaconess Adetonike Okuboye, who is the first female ACM. The incumbent Primate is the first and current Drum Mayor of the choir. The longest serving members of the choir as of today are Revd Káyọ̀dé Ṣópẹ́ìn, Revd Káyọ̀dé Ọláyọrí and Revd Káyọ̀dé Ọbadimu. All the present members of the choir are recognised for their dedication and selfless service. Their beautiful compositions and renditions continue to add inestimable value to the image of the Church.
The choir produced its first record, Jésù Ṣeun, in 1989. Revd Lékan Ṣópẹ́ìn played a prominent role here. The second record was Ìròyìn Ayọ̀, produced in 2003. Unlimited Praise which was the third was produced in 2013.
On Page 14 of a publication to mark the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Ẹ̀gbá Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in 2001, the Association of Organists, Choirmasters and Choristers had this to say about the choir: “One of (if not) the most exciting choir in Ẹgbaland today is the choir of the United Spiritual Church (Cathedral), Òkè-Ẹri… It is a joy to watch this white garment robed choir sing. The totality of the body and soul of every chorister is put into singing and it is little wonder that the listener is often transported into a heavenly sphere.” That page also carried a photograph of the choir.
Our amiable father, Revd Apostle M.O. Ọ̀ṣínáìké had served as the Superintendent for both USC Yewa/Lagos and USC Rẹ́mọ Divisions at different times. He is the founder of USC Ire-Ákárí Ayétòrò and USC Rẹ́mọ. He is a Patron of USC. He was an active member of the Cathedral’s Unity Society.
The efforts and the leadership qualities of the following ministers and elders, with all those already mentioned, have essentially contributed to the growth and the sustenance of the Church: Revd Apostle S.A. Ọ̀ṣọkò,Revd Apostle Ṣotunde, Revd Apostle Ogunlẹyẹ, Apostle A.O. Adéjìmí, Revd Apostle Ayẹni, Revd Apostle E.A. Adekunle (Vicar of USC Ṣàjẹ́), Revd Apostle Akin Ṣópẹ́ìn (Vicar of USC Balẹ́kàn), Revd Samson Akíṣọlá (Vicar of USC Ọlọrunṣogo), Revd S.A. Bayewu, Revd Ap. Olu Akinrole, Revd Apostle A. Ṣórúnkẹ́, Revd Apostle Àlàbí Akínjọbí, Revd B.A. Ọlọnade, Apostle H.O. Sanyaolu (Baba Mẹta), Pastor S.O. Ọrẹnẹyẹ, Evangelist Popoọla, Elder Popoọla, Apostle E. Ṣóbándé who founded USC Ṣódùbí, Apostle E.O. Ògúndàíró who founded USC Ìjẹmọ̀, and Revd Apostle Tanimọwo, who later founded Ọ̀nà Àrà Spiritual Church.
Others include Elders J.S. Kuṣimọ, S.A. Kuṣimọ, E.O. Ọṣọla, S.O. Ọṣọla, R.O. Olufunlayọ, A.O. Olufunlayọ, Iṣọla Ọbadimu, M.O. Akínbámi, S.O. Ọṣọla, S.O. Ọdunọla, P.B. Ṣogoye, E.A. Dipẹolu, G.O. Olusanjọ, J.A. Ọjẹtọla, J. Mẹṣioye, E.A. Ọṣinfẹjọ, Arẹmu Oyedele, Alani Adebayọ, O. Adediran, I.A. Bodude, G. Ogunjimi, J.O. Awosanya, M. Odutade, J. Kodaolu, A.O. Ogunnaike, I. Olatunbọsun, J.A. Odumusu, E. Ṣomọrin, E. Oke, E.O. Adeyẹmi, E.A. Ọṣifẹjọ, D.A. Ọlatunji, E.A. Ọnakọya, A. Adenuga, W.O.A. Bamidele, E.A. Akiọde, O. Thomas, E.O. Ilọri, Julius Ariyibi, Moses Odumosu, S.A. Babarinsa and A. Odegbaro, with many other men and women.
All other present and past members of the Church, both young and old, are greatly valued for their various developmental contributions to the sustenance of the Church. The collectives in the Church cannot be forgotten. The sacrifices and the commitments of the following are duly recognised and fully appreciated: all the societies in the Church, the MIC, the Good Women, the Choir, the Youth Assembly, the Children’s Church, the Bible Quiz Group, the Ushers, the Sunday School Teachers, the Prayer Warriors, the Sanctuary Keepers, the Church Committee and all other committees.
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Experts Call On Dangote To Bring Down Price Of His Cement As Marketers Play Fast Ones On Builders

Ever since the bombshell dropped by BUA Group Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu that he was bringing down the price of cement there has been clamour for the reduction of Dangote Cement price. This is because he controls the larger share of the market and if BUA can bring the price down, there is no reason why other major stakeholders cannot do same.
Rather than take a cue, react to what BUA has done, Dangote has unfortunately kept quiet with a view to maximizing on the price disparity.
Unconfirmed reports claim that cement dealers as well as distributors have been rebagging BUA Cement and selling it as Dangote Cement thereby making the BUA brand unavailable. This according to our findings is to ensure that they make more profit from the current situation.
Investigations also revealed that some of the marketers have been claiming that they have not had supplies from BUA cement and so they cannot sell at the new rates.
Our findings however negate this. What we see in all these are attempts by marketers to make unnecessary gains at the expense of the common man.
Nigerians from all walks of life have been calling upon Dangote to adjust his own price to reflect the new reality. His refusal is giving the marketers and distributors the leeway to rebag and sell BUA products as if they are his own at exorbitant price to Nigerians and he’s making huge profit at the expense of Nigerians.
Only yesterday, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, REDAN joined many stakeholders to urge Dangote to bring down the price of his own product so as to reduce the burden on Nigerians.
While commending Abdul Samad Rabiu for bringing down the price of cement to 3,500 naira, REDAN President, Dr Aliyu Wamakko who is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Jedo investment challenged Aliko Dangote and others in the cement business to emulate BUA.
“We in REDAN commend Abdul Samad Rabiu for his integrity, his tenacity and for being a fairly business person, and for that reason we call on other gladiators in the built industry that produce’s building materials to follow suit, somebody like Dangote and the rest of the people producing cement and other building materials in the country .
Many more groups are clamouring for same.
Building experts believe that if DANGOTE does not act on this, it simply means he doesn’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart and the industry will be plagued with crisis soon. A situation where two major players are selling virtually the same products at such different prices will ultimately play into the hands of unscrupulous distributors who will try to maximize by selling the cheaper ones at a costly price to make more profit, they added.
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Interswitch One Africa Music Fest 2023: Harmonizing Generations and Rhythms

For weeks, the world held its breath as it anticipated the biggest music fest in Africa, the Interswitch One Africa Music Fest, powered by Quickteller, the leading consumer digital payments platform.
The show has, over the years remained a hallmark of the harmonization of African sounds and rhythms, bringing together voices from the various parts of the African continent to thrill attendees. To demonstrate the fest’s global appeal, not only were electrifying performances delivered by African acts, but globally renowned artistes were also on ground to light up the stage.
Unveiling a resounding testament to the universal appeal of African music, the One Africa Music Fest stands tall as an amplified platform, projecting empowering melodies from the heart of the continent onto the worldwide stage, captivating hearts, and uniting cultures.
Attendees of the fest bobbed their heads, bounced on their feet, and sang along as their favorite acts took center stage, delivering memorable experiences. The theme “GenZ vs OGS” took center stage, weaving a captivating narrative that transcended generations.
This year’s edition of the music fest brought together a captivating fusion of talents spanning across different eras. On one hand, attendees were treated to the iconic sounds of the early 2000s, affectionately known as the OGs, who took them down memory lane with their timeless hits. On the other hand, the stage sizzled with the fresh energy of GenZ artistes, infusing the event with their modern flair and trendsetting vibes.
This fusion was a testament to the timelessness of music, nurturing unity across generations and its ability to shape the cultural landscape of Africa and beyond.
The Interswitch One Africa Music Fest has once again woven the melodies of Africa into a harmonious masterpiece, powered by the Quickteller platform. As the music fades and the echoes of applause settle, the impact of this fest reverberates far beyond the event itself.
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Africa’s Richest Man Allegedly Got a Fistful Of Dollars In Nigerian Currency Squeeze

As Nigeria grapples with a foreign exchange crisis, one person stands out in the scramble to obtain hard currency: Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.
When the government restricted the supply of dollars in June 2015 to prop up the value of the Nigerian naira, firms owned by Dangote landed a healthy share of dollars available at the cheap official rate, a study by Reuters shows.
Reuters examined foreign currency transactions made during an 11-week period in March to May this year. Over that time, Dangote businesses were able to buy at least $161 million in hard currency from the central bank. That was around nine percent of all the hard currency the bank sold over the period. In a single week in March, one dollar in every eight went to Dangote companies. There is not enough data to see how that stacks up with the companies’ share of foreign trade.
Compared with buying dollars on the more expensive unofficial market, though, Dangote companies benefited to the tune of about $100 million.
The wrangling for dollars highlights Dangote’s pivotal role as Africa’s biggest economy tries to diversify away from oil.
Over the past year, Nigeria pegged its currency, the naira, to the U.S. dollar at an official rate of 197-199 naira. The central bank doled out dollars at the official rate to companies it deemed strategic to the Nigerian economy. Until June 20, when the bank abandoned the peg, anyone else had to pay a lot more on the black market.
Small businesses complained that the foreign exchange restrictions were forcing them out of business. Frank Jacobs, president of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, said that the majority of manufacturers – 2,000 of them – had been unable to source raw materials because they could not obtain dollars to pay for imports. Up to 100 firms either shut completely or cut production, he said. “The large companies have better clout.”
Dangote’s purchases were entirely legal, and some economists say the 59-year-old deserved such special treatment because he has promised to build a much-needed oil refinery. He also has a track record helping Nigeria become more self-sufficient in cement and food.
Dangote Group, the parent firm, declined to comment. Dangote Cement said it had received enough dollars. “We believe that we are being treated fairly and we do not receive preferential treatment,” Chief Financial Officer Brian Egan said by email.
The central bank did not respond to written requests for comment.
Reuters’ calculations are based on foreign exchange purchase data which the Nigerian government required banks to publish. Reuters examined every transaction that Dangote’s companies made between March 1 and May 13. One newspaper, This Day, calculated a weekly total of all the published official transactions. Reuters used this total to analyze Dangote’s share.
In the period Reuters analyzed, the average black market rate was around 320, according to AbokiFX, a Lagos financial company. The difference against the official rate equated to about 20 billion naira ($101 million).
Charles Robertson, global chief economist at Renaissance Capital in London, said Dangote got more hard currency than other firms because his plan to build a refinery will help the government end fuel imports, which cost Nigeria some $6 billion annually.
“A lot of drain on the foreign exchange is from the need to buy imported fuel,” he said. “Getting the refinery going will require a lot of investment and imported goods.
“He’s got a track record here. He did it with flour. He did it with cement and now the idea is he does it with the oil refinery … He is trusted. You no longer need to rely on foreigners, Nigerians can do it themselves.”
“FRENZIED PURSUIT”
The collapse in the oil price has hit Nigeria’s revenues hard, pushing it into its worst economic crisis for decades. Crude oil and gas revenues bring in 90 percent of its foreign currency earnings and fund 70 percent of the state budget. At the same time as collecting lower revenues from crude oil sales, Nigeria has also had to spend billions importing refined products because it lacks refining capacity.
Africa’s biggest economy contracted for the first time in at least 12 years in the first quarter of this year, and state governments are struggling to pay public servants. After the central bank abandoned the currency peg, the naira tumbled 30 percent against the dollar in a single day.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who was elected to office in March last year, has made it a priority to fund investments which can help make the country more self-sufficient in everything from food to energy. Buhari often uses the slogan, “We must produce what we eat.” Last month, he said the central bank would give firms which helped to diversify the economy “incentives,” without saying what that meant. Buhari’s office declined to comment for this story.
Buhari backed central bank plans to adopt a more flexible foreign exchange policy. But he long resisted devaluing the official naira rate. In a speech last month, he said, “we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency is predicated on a strong economy.”
Atedo Peterside, chairman of Lagos-based Stanbic Bank, told a conference in February that the peg had guaranteed “huge windfall incomes” to those lucky enough to get dollars allocated at the official rate. Some speculators would buy dollars at the official rate and sell them for a quick profit on the parallel market.
“Most investors here are currently caught in a frenzied pursuit of the cheapest available dollars,” he said. “The difference between losing this game and winning it can be as high as a mind-boggling 50 per cent.”
In January, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele said the bank would assist the Dangote Group to access foreign exchange to facilitate its refinery project, which will be the country’s first private oil refinery and is due by 2018. Emefiele also said the bank would help companies that boost local food production.
Muda Yusuf, a spokesman for the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, said the central bank’s allocation of hard currency gave businesses only 20 percent of what they needed to operate. Even state oil firm NNPC had to ask big international oil firms for loans worth $200 million to fund fuel imports, according its Managing Director, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.
In a February interview Dangote’s brother Sani Dangote, Group Vice President, said the firm was not getting 100 percent of its foreign exchange needs. “We’re getting some amount to make sure the industries keep going,” he said, adding that the firm’s sugar refinery was running at 60 percent capacity.
But Dangote, whose businesses refine sugar and produce cement and mill flour, continued to expand. He pushed ahead with plans to build the $12 billion oil refinery, a gas pipeline across West Africa, a tomato plant and farms in Nigeria to produce one million tonnes of rice.
Reuters’ analysis shows that about 80 percent of Dangote’s dollar purchases during the 11-week period were for the import of equipment and raw materials for his agricultural, sugar, cement and food companies.
POLITICAL CURRENCY
Technically, commercial banks decided how to allocate dollars. But executives at import firms say the central bank played a big part.
Competition among industrial bosses for the central bank’s attention was on display in April at the funeral of Governor Emefiele’s mother. Dozens of business leaders attended the service, including Dangote and the CEOs of most big banks. Business leaders, dressed in traditional robes, left their bodyguards behind as they crammed into the small town of Agbor deep in the Niger Delta.
Since founding his business in the 1970s, Dangote has been close to a series of presidents, both military and elected. He was an economic adviser to Buhari’s predecessor Go
odluck Jonathan, who ruled from 2010 to 2015.
Although Dangote built his business under Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party, he also had links with the opposition. On election night in 2015, when Buhari ousted Jonathan, a smiling Dangote was pictured next to Buhari at a house in Abuja as results came in.
Moses Ochonu, a Nigerian-born African history professor at Vanderbilt University in the United States, has criticized Dangote for having outsized power in the Nigerian economy. But he says Dangote also creates jobs. “People are willing to give him the benefit,” he said. “He’s contributing a lot to the economy.”
Story Culled From (Reuters)
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