To write a tribute about the life and times of Apostle Chaplain Steven Debo Olagunju about this time in the past came at a time it is least expected.
Days before his sudden death we were together in a meeting where we had a very passionate discussion that could be likened to a father-son talk or a mentor and mentee chat.
At the meeting, specifically speaking of Virgin Prayer and Ministerial Fellowship, a highly respected weekly meeting of ministers of God that believe strongly in the power and efficacy of prayer, led by Rev. Dr. Ezekiel Abatan, yours sincerely and Baba Olagunju had engaged in two tier level talk.
The first was initiated by Baba Olagunju himself. He had collected a copy of PTL News as usual, reading the cover he discovered a story published on one of his long term friend, in person of Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Oludayitan, the General Overseer of New Creature Evangelical Ministry which has its headquarters in Apapa and Prayer Camp along Lagos-Badagry Express way.
Dr. Oludayitan gave up his ghost in October this year at 76 years.
On seeing the story Apostle Olagunju asked what happened to him, and I confirmed that Rev. Oludayitan was late. He asked me when it happened and I told him the little I knew about Rev. Oludayitan’s death. He then replied back by telling me to let him know when he would be buried.
He also asked about his Church, New Creature Evangelical Ministries, I told him the Church was doing well as the late leader successfully passed the baton of leadership to another generation. New Creature appointed a new General Overseer in person of Rev. Dr. Peter Dotun Alinyoh to succeed his master at the last Convention of the Church held in march 2024, having Dr. Bola Are as guest music minister and top associates of Dr. Oludayitan as witnesses.
Then the second leg of the discussion took place when Baba was about to leave the premises of the meeting.
I was the person to kick start the discussion. I told Baba how we would organize our annual New Year interview featuring in the annual Gilgal Convention of the Church. He replied me by telling me that he was not part of the convention committee, of which I replied that I knew and I also reminded him that our interview has nothing to do with the Committee.
Apostle Olagunju is a cheerful giver, and anytime I went for such an interview Baba would definitely appreciate me in return. Most times he would ask me if I came with my car or I took commercial bus. If I brought my car, he would give me money for fuel, and if I came by commercial vehicle, he would give me transport fare, and the latter is always more than the latter.
I told him how it would be uneasy for me to come on the first Sunday of the year to conduct the interview, noting that it would be too close to the convention, and for a burial programme of two of close leaders to me, I explained how I could be too busy to meet up. I therefore proposed to come around Christmas holiday, he offered me freedom to choose when to come.
When I tried to let him know that my appointment with him would likely come up during the Christmas holiday, his response was “until then”, and the then never came.
That was the kind of a father he was to me. I was always very free with him.
After the meeting, I also walked up to Baba to tell him that I was going to Isolo area, the direction which he was going. Baba has his Church in Isolo. Jokingly I told Baba Olagunju that I would join him in his car and stood behind him as his Aid de Camp. Baba replied me that he did not need an ADC, but I was free to join him if I saw him going. I later told him I was not ready to go as I was waiting to see some other people, and off he left with his vehicle.
Fast forward, I was in my Ikeji Ile home on Saturday November 30 when I received a message. The message was very short and direct. It read, Pa Olagunju of Virgin Prayer Fellowship slept in the Lord today. I replied, “Which Olagunju?”, the message replied back, “Baba Anointed Christ Power.”
I was very busy where I was, I was preparing for a radio talk at Vicinity FM, Ikeji Ile, I just waved off the rude information.
When I came back to Lagos, still very busy and I couldn’t confirm the reality of the sad news. Now on Monday I made some contacts to some names I knew I had on my phone at Anointed Christ Power, none of them picked my call, I then hoped to meet other ministers of God at Virgin Prayer Fellowship the following day.
Before then, a flyer had been released by the church via Facebook through which the death and burial plans of Apostle Steven Debo Olagunju has been spread out. That was where the reality dawned on me.
Now that Baba Olagunju has gone the way of his forefathers, what is left is what we will remember him for.
To me Baba Olagunju was a father and a role model. I see him as a leader and an encourager. He always encouraged me in the PTL News’s project. He would always tell me to be steadfast and remain strong. He commended me when the newspaper went from black and white to full colour.
I can say that I moved with Baba Olagunju for more than 25 years of 30 years of existence of PTL News, covering his church’s annual Convention every year. So much that I need no invitation to publish the Annual Gilgal Convention of the church.
Besides, I was also with him at his home base, Ejigbo, Osun State, when we went for the burial of his mother. PTL News was also with him at the church when he celebrated his 70th birthday. He was also a beneficiary of PTL News’s Award for Excellence in Christian Service.
I believe strongly that Baba Olagunju will always be remembered for his good works. He was very generous and kind, he was full of wisdom, very gentle and loving always. He always accorded me the honour he gave to his associates and fellow ministers of God. I always had unfettered access to him either by phone or direct visit.
I know many others also have similar relationship with him. What we can say for now is that the good Lord rests his precious soul in peace. May the Lord he served also continue to strengthen the Church and ministry he left behind. I also pray the Lord fills the void his absence has created in Virgin Prayer Fellowship.
Read Also https://ptlnewsonline.com/apostle-stephen-debo-olagunju-75-a-tribute/
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