Archbishop Omolaja Olorunwo, the primate and founder of the Olorunwo Cathedral Church of Cherubim and Seraphim (Inc), will be buried on September 17, 2021, in Lagos, the church has disclosed.
The church and family, which disclosed this at a press conference at its headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos, on Tuesday, said the burial would be a week-long celebration of the life and legacy of the popular Christian leader.
The cleric, popularly referred to as the grand commander of Christian faith of the African Church of Nigeria, died on September 2, 2021, a month after celebrating his 85th birthday.
According to Venerable Omolayo Olorunwo, the Church Provost, who addressed journalists on behalf of the church, said the burial activities will begin with a service of songs and all-night praise on Wednesday, 15th September, 2021, followed by a candle light procession, lying-in-state and wake-keeping on Thursday, 16th September, 2021 before interment on September 17. The events will hold at the Church auditorium in Ifako Gbagada, Lagos.
His Life and Times
According to Venerable Olorunwo “Our father who slept in the Lord was an architect by profession before the divine call by God to the Vineyard in full service to work for God.
Primate Olorunwo was born on Monday 27th August, 1936 in Yobo, Ifo District Council, Abeokuta South Local Government to Pa Taiwo Atanda Opalola Olorunwo of Fadubi Compund, Owu-Totoro, Abeokuta (Olowu Oduru) and Mrs. A. ldowu Olorunwo (nee Opeagbe) of Igbin Ojo, lgbeyin, Abeokuta (Omosikiti Omo Arogba).
Primate Olorunwo led the Olorunwo Cathedral Church of Cherubim & Seraphim for over 55 years.
“He was called into God’s Ministry as far back as 1946 at the tender age of 10. He had a miraculous encounter with nature in the form of a snake wrapping itself round his right hand while trying to dig for cricket at night near his father’s house, as it was usual for the children of those days. In this scary and frightening circumstance, Prophet Sunday Akintobi, Head of C & S, Agbala Imole, Ifo (Alias Bobanowo Olorun Ha), who was living close to Primate’s compound came out upon being called by the Paternal Grandmother to assist them. The Prophet then prayed for him. After the prayer, the snake disentangled from his wrist and crawled away without inflicting any injury on him. The Prophet thereafter saw a vision and told the gathering that the young Omolaja would become a great Prophet of God in the C & S Church and he was beckoned to join the church immediately. The Prophet also gave prophecies that he was going to be his parent’s only male child. The grandmother later corroborated this prediction that she was told something similar by a soothsayer when Primate’s father was a young man that he would have only one male child who should be properly cared for as the child would be a special child of destiny who will do mighty works of healing and through whom God would perform lots of miracles. To confirm this, a particular mark would be on a certain part of his body. However this has been kept secret since then.
“In submission to the prophecy, he joined the C & S Church in the same year 1946 under the renowned Late Prophet Akintobi. He progressed as a very active member of the C & S Church. Eight years later, he was ordained an Aladura and subsequently elevated to the position of a leader.
Between 1945 and 1958, he attended African Primary School, Yobo and the Secondary School, Ifo, for his Primary and Secondary Education. He later moved to Lagos to continue his education. He attended Yaba Trade Centre to study Architecture and Yaba College of Technology between 1959 and 1965. He was ordained a Prophet in 1963.
He started working with Shell Company, Shell Installation Apapa in 1966. He grew in spiritual power and wisdom and was directed by the Holy Spirit to establish a C & S Church (Aladura) which he did on the 26th November, 1966 at 30, Hughes Avenue, Alagomeji, Yaba in one big sitting room. The Church was named Oke-Igbala C & S Church. He was also directed by the Holy Spirit to stop working with Shell Company, Shell Installation Apapa which he did in 1968. Thereafter, he became a Full Time Prophet of God. Though, he had lots of tribulations as the first Church he erected was pulled down after two years of existence. He was later to find the church on ground after he returned from a seven day prayer from Olorunkole Mountain in Ibadan. He was undaunted and later moved to another site at 146, Clifford Street, Alagomeji, Yaba in 1968. After this feat, he was ordained in Apostle in 1970, he became a Senior Apostle in 1975, a Most Senior Apostle in 1976 and untimately a Special Apostle in 1979. The church eventually had to vacate the new site at Clifford Street for a swampy area at Abule-Ijesha, Basua Estate, off Fola – Agoro Road. During this time, the Church lost many members due to the incessant relocation of the church from one location to another.
“However, there are a few steadfast and loyal members who remained with the Church through thick and thin till date. The name of the church was later changed to Olorunwo Cathedral Church of C & S (lnc) in 1970 after a Church General Meeting with Late Gen. Kehinde Sho-Silver. Eventually, the present abode was developed while church activities were held at Fola Agoro, Abule Ijesha, throughout the period of construction.
“Since then, the church has witnessed an era of stability and progress till it came to the “Promised Land”. The present church was completed through the Grace of God and was dedicated to the Glory of God on the 26th November, 1983. The occasion was chaired by late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola with Late Dele Giwa. The church has grown with branches. On the same day, the founder was enthroned and ordained as Archbishop, Primate, Spiritual Father and Head of the Church by the C & S Council at a most solemn ceremony which was presided over by Most Gen. Superintendent C.O.S Benson on behalf of the United C & S Council.
The Primate lived a happily married life with Rev. Mother K. B. Olorunwo and blessed with children and grandchildren.
“The cleric has served in so many prominent committees, including the Owu Conflict Reconciliation Committee as Chairman set up in Ibogun Olaogun at a well-attended meeting by Owu High Chiefs, Owu sons and daughters, with the then president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is also the Balogun of Owu, in person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the then Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alongside the then Secretary of Ogun State Government, Chief Sharafadeen Ishola, and gentle men of the press. The 10 member committee held the meeting for six (6) months during which the tension in Owu Land considerably abated. Indeed, the success of the Owu Conflict Reconciliation Committee gave the descendants a soft landing in Owu. Glory be to God.
He has several awards and honors for his great contributions to the religious growth in Ogun State, Lagos State and Nigeria at large. He was installed as: Grand Patron of the Christian Faith, 1st “Ba’Adua of Owu Kingdom, 1st Ba’Adua of Egba land. Member Board of Trustee: Bible College and Secondary Schools. We indeed hold firm in the word that “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope, we have hope and know that our father lives on and we shall meet at the time of reckoning.” – 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18.