How Eminent Personalities Honoured Gbenga Daniel’s Father at Abraham’s Tabernacle

Ronke Kehinde/

A galaxy of eminent personalities, including Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Christian leaders, about 20 royal fathers, and several political big wigs came under one roof on Sunday to honour a man who dedicated his life to the service of God for 66 years, from 1945 to 2011 when he joined his ancestors.

The place was Abraham’s Tabernacle (Baptist International Worship Centre) along Oba Erinwola Awolesi Road, GRA, Sagamu, in Ogun State. The event was the 15^th Annual New Year Thanksgiving/Memorial Service in honour of the late father of the former governor of the state, Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel, Most Rev. Abraham Adebola Daniel.

The congregation was treated to a spiritual cocktail of scripture readings, benediction, soul sanctifying sermons and exhortations from a revered preacher amid interludes of Seraphic renditions by several choir groups espousing the theme of the service called “Songs of Dominion”.

The exhortation was done by the President, Association of Methodist Brigade, Rt Reverend Job Osuolale Gboyega Ohu.

There was something good for everyone as Rt. Rev. Ohu rationed heavenly blessings among men and women who had to dramatically shout three waves of hallelujahs without anyone saying it three times.

It started with women shouting hallelujah that reached a crescendo with a louder one from men, then a collective shout of hallelujah that raised the roof.  

The congregation was also treated to a video clip entitled ‘Life of Impact’ revealing how the late Most Rev. Adebola Daniel touched lives while serving God, and there was a congregational quiz session handled by Prof Soji Adejumo.

In the colourful congregation was the Odole of O’dua, Sir Kessington Adebutu; the Christian Women Leader in Ogun State, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; the Primate of TCLA Worldwide, Most Rev. (Dr) R.O. Ositelu; former Deputy Governor in Ogun State, Alhaja Salimot Badru; Senator Femi Okunronmu; Media and Communications gurus, Chief Yemi Ogunbiyi and Dare Babarinsa.

The star-studded officiating ministers included the Archbishop of Lagos ECC Province/Bishop Remo Anglican Diocese Most Rev. Dr M. O. Fape; the Methodist Bishop of Remo Central, Rt. Rev. J. O. Akinola; the Methodist Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rt. Rev. J. M. B. Ibikunle; the Presbyterian – Rt. Rev A.O. Ayodele; the Bishop of Ijebu Southwest Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. B.R.F. Ogunbanwo; Primate Bisi Ademosu (Odogbolu), Most Rev. Dr Paul Onanuga of First African Church; the Head of CAC Remo District Coordinating Council – Pastor Williams Akingbade; President, Ogun Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr Adewale Oyeniyi, the Ogun State CAN Chairman, Bishop Akin Akinsanya; Rev. Richard Oladele (CAN Chairman, Ijebu); and Super Apostle A. Sanyaolu, the National Officer OAIC.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the late Pa Abraham Daniel had been a clergyman since 1945. Prior to that, he had established one of the most flourishing printing and typewriting companies then known as Irewolede Typing and Printing Institute in Ibadan. He was called into the Ministry; joining The Church of the Lord Aladura in Ogere with the late Dr J. O. Ositelu. In the process, he pioneered several churches spanning the length and breadth of Nigeria including Benin City, Warri, Sapele, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Idogo, Ifo, Abeokuta across the West African sub-region in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia where he became a great compatriot of the then President Williams Tubman of Liberia.

Most Rev Daniel had always told little Justus that he was a special child of circumstances and that he would not die until Justus built a church edifice. He insisted that his children could join any denomination once it is a Christian Church of God.

Justus Daniel attended Baptist Boys High School in Abeokuta, where he became the school Organist and later the school Chaplain. He was also briefly the Officiating Student Pastor of Ilugun Baptist Church even as a student in BBHS. He was later made Asiwaju of Remo Christian, while the late Matriarch, Mama HID Awolowo was the Asiwaju Obinrin of Remo Christians.

Abraham’s Tabernacle was officially dedicated on Sunday, May 22, 2011, in thanksgiving to God for the successful completion of his eight years tenure as Governor of Ogun State. That was the only occasion when Pa Daniel worshipped at the Tabernacle. He died peacefully in his sleep eight months after at the age of 95.

The Abraham Tabernacle was later handed over to the Nigerian Baptist Convention as the Baptist International Worship Centre.

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