In 2011 when I eventually surrendered my life to Christ, God ordered my steps divinely into redemption Ministries Abuja. Such was the divine orchestration that I eventually saw the ministry as my family, school of sound teaching and place of refuge.
I remember that sometime after that, a prayer alter was raised , that God should spare the life of the General Overseer of the ministry ( that I just became a member), who at that time was seriously Ill.
I joined my faith with that of others and we prayed earnestly, but my prayer point was specific, and it was, that God who called the man whose ministry touched my life this much, and I have observed divine changes in my life, also with all the great and might things God wrought through his hands, that I have heard, I told God that it can never be his time to go, until I feed by myself and grow at his feet. Such was the peace and assurance I had to that prayer point of mine, and God gave us victory.
Then you came to visit in Abuja church, amidst the greatness that preceded your name, we all came to welcome you and thanked God with you. That was one of the happiest moment of my life. I saw with my own eyes answers to our prayers. Glory to God!!!
I remember that night, you called me aside and told me “Doctor, you should be my friend, do you have my number?”, I replied “No sir!” Then you took my phone and punched your number on my phone. From then, we never became friends, you became my FATHER and I became one of your many sons.
After that I have heard many life turning and changing messages about Father’s blessing, about Jephthah, about not taking the anointing for granted… Daddy, you fed me, you fed me so well.
Your humility cannot be compared to any other’s, yet, at that, you were still a symbol of greatness.
When you were in Abuja, your messages, especially the one on Thanksgiving, how it is our responsibility to remember God’s goodness towards us, how everyday is a gift and God gives us daily benefits. I remembered how God has been good to us, how he has spared us from death (you made reference to it in the message, that you and I can never forget God’s goodness in a hurry). I felt a very strong connection with you, on that day. I became eternally thankful that God gave me a front row to hear at your feet.
Such was the grace that God gave me to benefit from you, that you ministered at my special thanksgiving, for God’s goodness over my family, and you dedicated our house in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Daddy, that settled it for me. I never go to bed with any fear in my heart.
I am glad that I was able to see you the week before your passing, when I travelled to Nigeria, from Burkina Faso, for a brief visit. I am glad that I was privileged to help with shaving your beards on that day, how we joked about your looking younger and the grace of God upon you that radiates with glory.
Daddy, this your sun has set early, this cloud has gone dark quite early, your candle has been blown out in the wind. But we have an assurance in Christ, that we cannot love you more than your maker, and you will live live long in our hearts.
I am eternally grateful to God for the opportunity, I will cry, I will shed tears, but I will do these with hope in the Lord.
I love you from the first minute we met, and I love you till death, I will keep loving you in my hearth, and will never forget your instructions.
Reverend Stephen Akinola, your legacies will never die. We will take the triumphant militancy of Christ to the uttermost part of the earth.
6th June, 2021, a day never to forget, as long as Jesus tarries!
Amen!!!
Dr Adeoye M. Olusegun (MBBS, MScPH)
Project Coordinator,
Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project (REDISSE)
West Africa Health Organization (WAHO)