• He Was Outstanding As A General Of The Cross — PFN
• Olutola Was Indomitable, A Trailblazer And A Stabilizer — CAN
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, are commiserating with The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) over the death of its former President and Territorial Chairman, Lagos, Western and Northern Areas (LAWNA), Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola, who passed on, last Wednesday, at the age of 90.
The two umbrella Christian bodies described the late Pastor Olutola as a great solider of Christ, who served the Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) faithfully.
Speaking with The Guardian on phone, the Publicity Secretary of PFN, Bishop Emmah Isong conveyed the PFN’s National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke’s goodwill message to the church and the family saying: “Baba was a very dedicated man of God, who served the Apostolic Church Nigeria meritoriously. He was a faithful solider of Christ, both as a leader and the President of the Apostolic Church Nigeria. Our President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke and the entire Pentecostal commiserate with Baba’s family and the entire Apostolic Church Nigeria on this great loss.”
Recalling his encounter with the late Olutola, Bishop Isong said: “I personally knew him, he had come to Calabar on several missions, he was like a father to me. He was the one that buried the late Pastor Eyo Edet Okon, who was also the National President of the Apostolic Church Nigeria. I have an Apostolic background before we started our church…so Baba’s role as President of TACN was worthy, as he presided over the church in righteousness and integrity before handing it over. He has gone to be with the Lord at the ripe age and of course, having accomplished so much, as a solider and general of the cross.”
The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Stephen Adegbite, described the late pastor as an indomitable personality, a juggernaut, trailblazer and a stabilizer, adding that Olutola’s contributions both in his own church and in the Christian community cannot be forgotten.
“In the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), we cannot forget him in a hurry because of his contributions both in his own church and also in the Christian community, especially in Lagos where he personally intervened in CAN’s leadership crisis. The crisis had lingered for more than two decades. Baba Olutola contributed immensely to the resolution of that crisis and we can say about him that indeed he is a true Israelite in whom there is no guile.
“We can only pray that his soul continues to rest in peace and perpetual light will continue to shine upon him and the good Lord will be with the Apostolic Church and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“The last time I saw him was in December at the induction of the new territorial chairman for LAWNA. We were there together, hugged each other and he prayed for me. I never knew that will be the last time I will see him. We did a lot together to ensure we have peace in Lagos State. He is somebody to be celebrated today, tomorrow and always and the Christian community has lost a great man of God, a giant and general in the army of Christ. May the good Lord be with those he left behind.”
The Guardian gathered that the late Pastor Olutola, who died at his Magodo, Lagos residence, on February 14, 2024, hailed from Ilesha in Osun State. Before his retirement in 2017 at the age 84, he held several positions in the church. Apart from his theological training at The Apostolic Church International Bible College, Pastor Olutola was also a Harvard University trained Pastor, among others.
His marriage to the late Deaconess Apeke Olanrewaju Olutola produced children and grand children.
