By abiodun KOMOLAFE
_(Published in THE NATION, Saturday, November 14, 2026)_
As Prophet ‘Funso Akande marks his 70th birthday, I join well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating the Presiding Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ori-Oke Baba Abiye, Ede, Osun State.
Born on November 12, 1956, Akande is the son of the renowned Prophet Samson Oladeji Akande (Baba Abiye), who founded the Prayer Mountain in 1944.
Happily married to Adejoke, an evangelist, and blessed with children, he is an understated, influential and highly respected figure on the frontline of pastoral activities.
In Biblical terms, three score and ten _‘no be wasa.’_ It connotes a journey of resoluteness through the twists and turns of earthly life. The revered prophet has undertaken this journey with fortitude, maintaining unblemished integrity despite the instability that has saturated his environment.
What is commendable about this man of God is his intellectual rigour, theological depth, institutional independence, unusual frankness and moral courage. Over the decades, he has deployed these virtues to consistently uphold the spiritual edification and humanising power of the Bible’s original message. This is particularly noteworthy because, unfortunately, far too many have fallen by the wayside.
In fairness to Akande’s critics who might have been marvelling at his trajectory, moving from a senior management career at Agip Oil during the oil boom to the pulpit is a transition that could only be forged by divine grace. His transformative impact, particularly at Ori-Oke Baba Abiye, cannot be overstated. It is a legacy that has caught the attention of Heaven itself.
Even as a cradle Anglican, I have had the privilege of sitting under Akande’s prophetic ministrations on multiple occasions, and I deeply appreciate his love for the Gospel, his passion for Nigeria, and his prayers for Nigerians. Stemming from a deep admiration born of these experiences, I believe Christians have much to gain from his interpretation of the faith. His calm demeanour, powerful presence, and remarkable generosity make his devotion visible to all. He is a man of few words whose actions serve as an eloquent sermon on practical love.
Like James Cardinal Gibbons, the 9th Archbishop of Baltimore, Akande treats faith as something to be lived openly in the world. Through his work globally, he connects prayer with schooling, community support, and civic responsibility. Consistently, he has shown that Christianity works best when it helps the people around it. The cleric has never shied away from personal interactions when offering help and advice.
Worldwide – including, of course, Nigeria – we live in perilous times that require a return to the foundational testimonies of faith. From poverty to insecurity, from corruption to bad governance, and from systemic apathy to institutional decay, everyone – from the ordinary citizen to the high-ranking official – gets his or her own share. If gold can rust, what chance does iron have?
Christianity is at a crossroads today in Nigeria, with differing interpretations of the faith on offer. Desperate prophecies are hawked about without an ounce of conscience, yet the merchants behind them still boldly claim they are God’s _vuvuzelas._ We always call out politicians for corruption, but what is happening in Christendom is equally troubling. Sadly, too much is based on ephemeral desires, whereas people like Akande place greater emphasis on spirituality, as opposed to the relentless quest for mammon. The clergyman is a welcome throwback to an authentic interpretation of the Bible. His teaching centres on the human ethos and soul; it elevates humanity and makes our journey through existence more fulfilling.
When the Church stays silent on serious issues but turns around to publicly praise wealthy individuals who donate transient things, it only shows the exact same double standard we see in politics. This means that Akande’s preaching and examinations deserve a wider audience, one that, problematically, we may not currently have the wherewithal to achieve. Nevertheless, the obstacle can be overcome if people who strive for a more edifying, humane and compassionate society lend, as they should, a helping hand.
Look at countries that actually transformed: Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew, South Africa under Nelson Mandela, or India under Mahatma Gandhi. They were built on pure patriotic commitment, not religious posturing or ethnic sentiment. If we genuinely want Nigeria to change, the Church should go back and dig deeper into how spirituality can transform – and has transformed – society in a way that elevates the human soul.
These examples include the role of the Church in fighting to end slavery, agitations to end colonialism, as well as the exemplary conduct of men such as Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, the future Pope Saint John Paul II, and Archbishops Desmond Tutu and Trevor Huddleston. They fought against acknowledged manifestations of evil and in favour of modelling society on the parameters of the Christian faith.
Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador not only _“assumed the destiny of the poor”_ but also suffered with those who disappeared, fled their homes, or were tortured. The same can be said for Jaime Cardinal Sin, who became “a decisive catalyst and moral compass” in shifting the Philippines’ trajectory away from dictatorship and back towards a democratic path. As the Archbishop of Manila retired from active ministry on September 15, 2003, he proudly said: _”As I enter a new chapter of my twilight years, I can say with gratitude that I have given my very best to God and country.”_
In Nigeria, especially when the history of June 12 is written by future generations, the remarkable contributions of foremost religious leaders like Olubunmi Okogie, Bolanle Gbonigi, John Onaiyekan, Sunday Mbang, Peter Akinola and Matthew Kukah will be etched in gold. Against threats to their lives, they, alongside other courageous Nigerians, confronted military dictatorship and struck at its very essence. Christianity in Nigeria must return to the ethos reflected in the preaching and mobilisation of these outstanding men of God.
Look around today, and one is tempted to ask: Where is the practical faith, where is the practical Church, and where is the practical politician? Why are the people hungry and angry, and how have we steadily become a decadent and polluted society swimming irresistibly in a dysfunctional economy, a culture of recklessness, and a pattern of hypocrisy? Again, where is Leah Sharibu and what have become of the Church’s efforts at securing justice for Deborah Samuel Yakubu and other victims of religious persecution in Nigeria?
Worse still, it is hard to tell where society’s decay ends and the Church’s failure begins. Did the Church simply drift into the moral mess around it, or did the mess take hold because the Church absconded from its post? Yet, despite these failings, the Church – and genuine faith – can still be a powerful force for national development. When harnessed positively, faith can promote hope, drive economic growth, and serve as a catalyst for social progress and improved quality of life for all citizens.
In the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, _“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”_ It is time the spiritual patriarchs and other leading fathers of faith in Nigeria stepped in to clean up the system. Carrying forward a rich spiritual and moral heritage, Akande is well-positioned to midwife this much-needed renewal. Blessed with academic intelligence, native wisdom, and uncompromising integrity, the septuagenarian is fully capable of showing that a different path is possible.
As he steps into his eighth decade, may the Strength of Israel sustain Prophet Olufunso Timothy Akande as an enduring moral compass in an age adrift!
May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!
Email: ijebuijesa@gmail.com.
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