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Centenary Posthumous Birthday Tribute of a Quintessential Anglican Priest, Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona (August 27, 1924 – August 5, 1983)

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2024

Eric

By Hon. Femi Kehinde

A man’s good deed and impact on the society will certainly outlive him, centuries after his departure. The Nigerian society would forever be kind to its early pathfinders – Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ernest Ikoli, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Anthony Enahoro, Dr. Kofo Abayomi, Sapara Williams, amongst several others. Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona would certainly find a sweet place in the company of these eminent pathfinders and makers of Nigerian history, particularly in Christian evangelism, and most especially in Anglican liturgy and Anglicanism – The faith which he served until he breath his last, on the 5th of August 1983 at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan.

Anglicanism is a church noted in protest. It was founded in 1534 by King Henry VIII Act of Supremacy, which pronounced the church of England independent of the catholic church in Rome. Today, the Anglican church consists of more than 86 million members worldwide in over 165 countries. Collectively, these national churches are known as the Anglican Communion, meaning all are in communion with and recognize the leadership of the Archbishop of the Canterbury.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809 – 31st Dec 1891) was a Clergyman, and the first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa. He also translated the English Bible to Yoruba Language in 1843. He was a pathfinder that brought in the Anglican church, and placed it on a firm ground in Nigeria. Samuel Ajayi Crowther was consecrated Bishop in 1864, with his seat in Lagos.

Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona was born on the 27th of August, 1924 in Ute, Owo Division to Daniel Olupona, a licensed lay reader and Yeye Olupona. Michael was baptized on December 4, 1931 in Ute, and confirmed on March 17, 1945. He married Henrietta Olalonpe (nee Aderemi) on August 14, 1950, and were blessed with Eight (8) children; Taiwo, Kehinde, Idowu, Alaba, Oluwafiropo, Soledemi, Babatunde and Odunayo, out of which four (4) survived him.

He attended St. Stephen’s Primary School in Ute between 1934 and 1939, and continued at Government School, Owo, from 1940 – 1943, and St. John’s College, Owo, where he trained under the late Bishop I. O. C. Okunsanya for Elementary Teachers’ Certificate Examination (1948 – 1949), and later for the Higher Elementary Course, completing Grade III in 1949, and Grade II in 1955. He was subsequently trained at Melville Hall, Ibadan (now Emmanuel College) between 1956 and 1957.

He had a long and varied career.

Michael was Headmaster at several schools in Ondo, including St. Andrews School, Oke-Igbo in 1950, St. Peter’s School from 1954 to 1955. He was named Deacon in December 1957, and preached his first sermon on the 31st of that year. Five months later, in May 1958, he was Priested, and later attained Cannonry on July 13, 1969 in Ondo Diocese. He became Archdeacon on April 19, 1974.

As a Clergyman, he worked in numerous stations; he served as a Vicar in St. Peter’s Church in Ile-Oluji between 1958 and 1966, during which he was sent to England, and had a one year curacy. After his curacy in England, he returned to St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Ile-Oluji. He was in its Vineyard until 1966. He was Vicar and Chairman of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Igbara-Oke District Council, Ondo State (1967 – 1970), and held the same position at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Idanre District Council, Ondo State, from 1970 – 1971.

As a clergyman in Gbongan, he was the Chairman of the Oke-Osun District Council Church, and First Archdeacon of Oke-Osun Archdeaconry. While in Ile-Ife, he was Chairman, Ife District Council, and Archdeaconry at St. Philip’s Church, Ile-Ife, 1975 – 1981. Finally, while he was an Archdeacon at St. David’s Church Kudeti, Ibadan, Oyo State between 1981 and 1983, where he was also the Synod Secretary for the Ibadan Diocese beginning 1980. He was also the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Evangelism, and was one of the founders of Operation Good News. He was also a member of the Bible Society of Nigeria.

Michael was also a member of the Oyo State Health Board, and the Chairman Board of Governors of the following Schools; Yejide Girl’s Grammar School, St. Anne’s Girl’s School, St. David’s Grammar School, and St. Luke’s Teachers Training College, Ibadan.

Additionally, he was a former member of the Board of Governors of other schools, including Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji, Igbara-Oke Grammar School, Olofin Grammar School, Idanre, Gbongan/Ode-Omu Anglican Grammar School, Ife Anglican Grammar School, and Origbo Grammar School, Yakoyo, Ipetumodu, Osun State, and was actively involved in the Boys’ Brigade of Nigeria: as a trained officer, a member of the Executive Council for Oyo, Ogun, and Ondo States, as a member of the National Council of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria.

Venerable Archdeacon Olupona was a man with many special qualities, and has been described by Archbishop Omotayo Olufosoye as a man of prayer and great fortitude; one who believed and taught the faith of the Church as found in the Gospel. He was a man of imagination, able to see and encourage new ways of meeting the needs of his congregation.

A humble man, not puffed up with his own importance, he loved people, “since the love of God must be expressed in a love of God’s Creation and shown in the Joy of it all.” Above all, for his congregation, he was a shepherd of his flock.

Certainly, Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona would in the world beyond find a comfortable place with the pathfinders of Anglicanism in Nigeria – Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Bishop James Johnson, Bishop Phillips, Bishop Oluwole, Bishop Tugwell, Bishop Alexander Babatunde Akinyele, and so many others.

Venerable Archdeacon Michael Alatake Olupona was survived by Prof. Jacob Kehinde Olupona, Mrs. Soledemi Jaiyeola (Nee Olupona), Barr. Babatunde Olupona, Mrs. Odunayo Aina (Nee Olupona), and grandchildren.

May his humble soul continually find peaceful repose with the Lord, Amen.

Hon. (Barr.) Femi Kehinde, legal practitioner and former member House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja 1999 – 2003, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Olaoluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State.

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New Platform, Same People-Oriented Agenda: Abimboye Declares Support for Gov Adeleke

Published

47 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Eric

Media executive and politician, Michael Babatunde Abimboye, popularly known as Omo Ajonbadi, has thrown his full weight behind the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke, following the Governor’s historic adoption of the Accord Party as his new political platform.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Abimboye described the Governor’s decision as courageous, strategic, and people-driven, noting that it reflects a leadership style firmly anchored in the collective will and aspirations of the people of Osun State.

According to him, the move signals a renewed commitment to inclusive governance, grassroots development, and policies that place the welfare of citizens above partisan considerations. He emphasized that the Governor’s political direction aligns with the yearnings of ordinary Osun people for continuity, stability, and sustained development.

Abimboye further reaffirmed his total solidarity with Governor Adeleke and declared his readiness to mobilize support at the grassroots level ahead of the forthcoming re-election. He expressed confidence that the yellow identity of the Accord Party symbolizes unity, progress, and victory for the state.

He added that Osun’s future remains promising when leadership listens to the people and citizens stand resolutely behind a shared vision of growth and transformation.

The statement concluded with a note of optimism, describing the new political journey as a pathway to accelerated development and stronger democratic participation across the state.

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Insecurity: Act Decisively As You Did in Benin Republic, ADC Chides Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Eric

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate the same speed and firmness he showed while responding to the recent coup attempt in the Benin Republic, in tackling the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.

The party said the government’s rapid deployment of support to the neighbouring country sharply contrasts with its slow and inconsistent approach to confronting banditry, terrorism and violent crime that continue to devastate communities nationwide.

On Sunday, a group of soldiers announced a takeover of the government in the Francophone West African country.

Hours later, the Benin Republic presidency said President Patrice Talon was safe, adding that the “regular” army was regaining control.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also assisted the Beninese government by carrying out combat air patrols around Cotonou, the Benin Republic.

In a statement on Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary, ADC, urged the federal government to show similar decisiveness in tackling insurgency, banditry, and violent crime across Nigeria.

Abdullahi said the government’s ability to act quickly abroad highlights its slow and haphazard response to domestic insecurity, which is devastating communities.

He also expressed concern about democratic reversals in the West African region and stressed that the best safeguard for democracy is good governance anchored on improved livelihoods and tolerance for opposition.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic following the announcement of a coup attempt.

“We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood. However, the government must align this intervention with the legal provisions of our Constitution.

“While the unilateral action taken by the President might have been expedient, it still requires ratification by the National Assembly for military deployment outside Nigeria,” the statement read.

The ADC spokesperson questioned why Nigeria failed to act swiftly in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was at risk.

He added that the government’s rapid response abroad raises concerns about its handling of domestic insecurity.

“Consistency in our mode of operations, especially in foreign interventions, is essential for any country that seeks to lead the sub-region on democracy and stability.

“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has it failed to act with similar urgency at home? Banditry, terrorism, and violent crime continue to hold communities hostage, displace families, abduct children, and parade themselves openly,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that defending democracy begins with protecting Nigerian lives, restoring security, and rebuilding trust between citizens and the state.

“The best safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful by improving citizens’ lives and allowing opposition and alternative voices to thrive,” he said.

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Governor Adeleke Celebrates First Lady, Titilola Adebusola Adeleke @60

Published

1 day ago

December 9, 2025

Eric

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has celebrated his wife, the First Lady, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adebusola Adeleke, as she marks her 60th birthday, describing her as “a pillar of support and a symbol of discipline and morality”.

In a birthday message he personally signed, the governor recalled with nostalgia how the bonding started and how the good Lord blessed the relationship with innumerable achievements and successes , noting that “ the first lady stands for all that a man wants in a woman as to discipline, self control, courtesy among others.

While praising her humility, respect for fellow human beings and capacity to manage people, the governor commended the first lady for her consistent perseverance, her passionate support for the family and her huge contributions to his development and progress in all facets of life.

“My dear wife, you have always been there for me in rough and good times. You are a strong pillar of support who strengthens me in all spheres of life. You remain a paragon of beauty, self control and discipline in your private and public conduct.

“Ever since we met, you have demonstrated your deep love and affection for me. And in the last few decades, your contributions to the family growth and successes cannot be under-estimated. Your day is therefore blessed as you are a blessing to countless beings on this earth.

“As you mark your day in good health and strong heart, I pray to the Almighty God to continue to strengthen, protect and prosper you in all your endeavours. Together, we have been winning. I know and pray that we shall continue to win together.

“As you clock 60 today, I pray for more wisdom and strength as you contribute your own quota to the development of the family and our dear state. You are an indispensable partner as we paddle the canoe of the state ship for good governance.

“My dear wife, I truly love you and I say happy blessed birthday”