1st remembrance: Tribute to Baba Aladura Pastor J.B. Opatola, founder and G. O. of C&S Otun Iwa Mimo Church

1^st remembrance: Tribute to Baba Aladura Pastor J.B. Opatola, founder and G. O. of C&S Otun Iwa Mimo Church

Source: Family

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Baba Aladura, Pastor John Babatunde Opatola, was born in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, to the family of Late Pa Emmanuel Toye Opatola and Madam Comfort Adunni Opatola of Latinmogun, compound, Ogbomoso on 31″ October, 1944. His father was a trader while Mama was a full-time house-wife.

Our father in the Lord started his primary education from Katcha-Bida, Niger state. In the year 1953, he came back to Ogbomoso to complete his primary education at Oke-Elerin Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in the year 1958. Thereafter, he left for Baptist Day School, Minna, Niger state, where he obtained his Primary ‘Seven’ Education in the year 1960. At that time, northern primary education system was different from that of the western Nigeria where you end in primary six and proceed to the Modern School). He later proceeded to Baptist Boy’s High School, Shaki Oyo state.

He had a brief period assisting his uncle Deacon lge who is a trader and tailor before he was later admitted as a student of Shaki Baptist Boys High School in the year 1964. The name of the school was later changed to Baptist High School (B.H.S) in 1968. As a student, he was very prominent in leadership activities and vibrant in championing justice and fair play; and because of the confidence reposed in him he was made the Food Prefect-knowing very well that he would not compromise the above quality in him with anything sub-standard. Our father in the Lord in his secondary school days belonged to the Dramatic Society. He was also a very active, top-notcher of the school Musical Society.

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There is an adage that “The morning shows the day-so also childhood shows manhood”. He was very articulate as a member of The Students’ Christian Movement. He left the B.H.S in the year 1968.

He definitely could have taken music as a career, judging from his standard of performance and love for music while at school.

He started his working career with the Council of Legal Education Nig. Law School, Internal Audit Department, Victoria Island Lagos in 1969.

In the year 1977, he got married to S/M/I/I Pastor Prophetess E.A. Opatola (Nee Adedokun). The marriage is blessed with three children, namely Oluwabukola, Oluwakemi and Oluwafunmilayo.

He later left the employment of the Nigeria Law School for Leventis Motors (Head Office), Apapa as a Store-Keeper. All the while he was a member of the Baptist denomination and also a socialite.

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Our Father in the Lord decided to leave ‘Salary Work’ as it was often called, and settled for business life. He has every reason to be grateful to God for the decision because he met God’s favour in his business undertakings.

The ambition to search for a better way to worship prompted him to leave his former doctrine and embrace the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the year 1977 and started worshipping in a C&S Church. He realized that he was still not in the proper place, he therefore left and started worshiping at the C&S Movement Church, K1… 4, Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Surulere (Ayo ni o) in the year 1981.

He had a Diploma Correspondence Course in Business English from Business Training Limited, Seven dale House, 7 Dale Street, Manchester, England with Distinction in the year 1984.

He completed full Cadet Course on Leadership, Supervision & Management organized by the Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, under the auspices of the University of Lagos in the year 1989. This is a career in itself. He got to the level of Zonal Officer but he dropped this for the great call which began in the year 1990.

Through God’s design, he had earlier enrolled as a student of the C&S Theological Seminary and Bible School in the year 1987 and completed the course in 1989 with the award of Diploma in Theology.

He did not rest on his oars after the Diploma Course, he was qualified to be admitted as a student of C&S College of Divinity, Ayoni Campus, Surulere, Lagos-Nigeria. He obtained his Bachelor of Art (Min), (B.A. Ministry in 1990).

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THE CALL

It was not revealed to any man but from the fore-going, one could deduce that our omnipotent Father was preparing an “Instrument of Honour” for his divine use. So, precisely, sometimes in August 1990, during a family devotion, God revealed through M/I/I Pastor Prophetess F. A. Opatola that the house should be consecrated for three days and that a vigil should be observed the third day. This was done by the members of the household which comprised seven male participants himself inclusive. Other subsequent divine instructions were religiously obeyed. A detailed step by step emancipation of what is now Otun Iwa Mimo Church (of which he is the General Overseer), was published during the tenth anniversary of the Church in the year 2003, captioned “Wonderful Birth of a Church.” All along, nobody knew that the omniscient God was planning a church. God appointed him to lead his church right from the fellowship stage which was formally started in his residence at No.103 now 95, Olatunji Street, Ojota, in the year 1991 with 12 adult worshipers.

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In March 1993, God’s intention was clearly revealed by informing the fellowship group that it was not going to be a mere fellowship but a church! God even gave the name of the Church as ‘Cherubim & Seraphim Otun Iwa Mimo”.

The Journey has been rugged as satan does not rest but woe has continued to be satan’s portion at every point in time.

Baba Aladura Pastor J. B. Opatola (The General Overseer of the C&S Otun Iwa Mimo Church), is always optimistic and can never be found in a depressed mood. Our Father in the Lord could be tough on obstacles when championing a progressive cause. He believes in having the best for the Lord at all times. His greatest strength is his faith in the Lord who never fails. Our Father in the Lord was a source of joy and inspiration to all members of the C&S Otun Iwa Mimo Church here at the Headquarters, and in all our branches home and abroad.

Happy celebration of a fulfilled life, well spent and we want to say that this is a life worthy of emulation.

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