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Light a Candle
BIOGRAPHY OF EMMANUEL BAANU ABOLARIN Birth Late Pa Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin was born in 1945 to the family of Late Abolarin Kolawole Arinde Bankole in Arandun, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State. His middle name “Baanu” is a Yoruba name given to him as result of the circumstances surrounding his birth. His parents for many years looked forward to giving birth to a male child for a long period of time and God granted the parents this request and gave them a baby boy. After some time, this boy died at an early age and His mother conceived again, and gave birth to a baby girl. This made the parents to be very troubled and worrisome because they had earlier given birth to three girls. His Great Grandmother was not happy that his mother was only given birth to girls. The Grandmother said, if the womb of her daughter-in-law was only filled with girls, then his son should proceed to have another wife. So, his mother seems to be ignored by other family members, because she was unable to give birth to a boy. To the glory of God, the mother went around the town even to the King’s Palace for an assistance and to help plead with his Grandmother and his Father not to marry another wife. The Grandmother was very authoritative to the extent that no one can reverse her decisions. The elders and the King assisted to plead with the Grandmother and his Father. To the glory of God, the next conception was a boy. His mother now said, “bi aanu mi ba se Olorun, ko ni je ki eleyi ku o”. This is translated as “if God will have mercy, this boy will not die young”. This is what brought about his middle name shortened to “Baanu”. Education He started formal education in 1955, at St. Felix Catholic School, Faforiji, Abajesa, near Ile-Ife in Osun State. He continued his education at the Anglican United School, Arandun. Immediately after his arrival in Ado-Odo, he enrolled for distance learning with National School of Salesmanship, Stockport, England and School of Psychology, Cheshire, England. He then earned diplomas in 1972 after the successful completion of these studies. Becoming a Christian His parents took him to his uncle by name Aaron Ayanda in Abajesa who was a member of Cherubim and Seraphim Church. His father was a famous traditionalist at that time, while his mother was a successful trader. The father was well known as a famous traditionalist up to Lagos. The King of Lagos then conferred a chieftaincy title “Erinmido of Lagos” on his Father. When the Father then returned to Arandun, the King of Arandun (Alaran of Arandun) also conferred another chieftaincy title “Petu of Alaran of Arandun” on his Father. Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin left Abajesa in 1956 and returned to Arandun. While in Arandun, he lived with his eldest sibling (Mama Sara). This sibling stood as a parent for all other siblings, however she was married to an Imam. As a result of him living with Mama Sara, he was enrolled in a Muslim school where he started learning and practicing the Muslim religion. He was not comfortable with this school because, there was no mercy there at all. He was beaten every time that the scars remained on his body. In 1962, he was among the founding members of Arandun Muslim Students Association. Same year, while on his way to the market, in a place called Agbode (close to the Palace), a preacher by name called Samu was preaching the gospel at Agbode. The preaching on that day was about two servants of God. One servant died and rose up on the third day, ascended to heaven and siting at the right-hand side of God and pleading with God for the people of the world. The second servant died and since the servant has been buried, has not risen (still in the grave). The preacher now asked this question “that among these two servants, who do you think is able to stand before God as an advocate for human beings – the one that is still in the grave or the one that is sitting on the right-hand side of God?” The preacher also said that the one that is n the right-hand side of God is pleading for us (humans). However, humans are the ones pleading for the one that is in the grave, to which no one is sure that God will accept the plea. From that day, Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin was convinced that it is the living servant that can serve as an advocate for human beings before God. This preaching pricked his heart to the extent that from that day he changed his mind to become a Christian. In 1962, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin accompanied his brother-in-law (to be) by the name Enoch Adewumi to Anglican Church, Arandun. Since then, he developed passion and love for singing. He became a member of the Choir. Arrival in Ado-Odo In search for green pasture, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin traveled all the way from Arandun in Kwara State to Ado-Odo, Ogun State with the consent of his father to learn buying and selling under Late Mathew Ibiwoye Ogunyebi (a.k.a. Aroboto). He continued worshipping with the Anglican Church when he arrived in Ado-Odo in 1966. He was also a member of the Choir and was given opportunity to present sermons. In 1974, his boss sent Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin on an errand to go and buy Akara to eat with pap very early in the morning. On his way to buy the Akara, he came across a paper on the floor, and he picked up the paper. This paper was Sunday Times. In this paper there was an advertisement on “World Bible School Free Correspondence Course” and wrote to an address in the United States of America. He decided that after earning diploma in the non-spiritual education, he would like to also earn a diploma in spiritual (biblical) education. As a result, he wrote a letter to the address contained in the advertisement. Immediately after receiving the letter in the United States, the World Bible School sent a number of correspondence courses to him, which he received via the post office. Since he was still worshipping with Anglican Church, he used the lessons learnt from the World Bible School to present many sermons. Some people in the Anglican Church then asked him if he had enrolled in a Bible School as what he was teaching was very new to them. Marriage He was already married and started giving birth prior to becoming a member of the Church of Christ. In 1972, his only choice of a life partner after a 3-day fasting and prayer was that the partner must have interest in reading, teaching and doing what the Bible says. One day, he went to Lagos, wrote a letter including four bible passages and attached a copy of his photo to Racheal Alarape Adewumi, who was a fashion designing apprentice in Osogbo at that time. In her response sent via the post office, Racheal Alarape Adewumi responded to him with two Bible passages and her photo. This means that his prayer was answered with respect to his choice (gege se gege). In 1972, Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin travelled with the photo he received via the post office, to Osogbo. Upon arrival at No. 138 Station Road, Osogbo, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin brought out the photo, she had seen him ahead. When they saw each other, they both burst into laughter. Racheal Alarape Adewumi told Emmanuel Abolarin that, she would need to complete her apprenticeship before marriage. So, Racheal Alarape completed her apprenticeship on the 3rd November 1973. He got married on the 17th February 1974 to Racheal Alarape Abolarin (Nee Adewumi). Baptism into the Church of Christ After completing a number of the World Bible School courses, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin was asked if he was ready to be baptized and if he was not aware of any Church of Christ around Ado-Odo. There was no radio teaching and physical teaching except for the World Bible School correspondence course. Since there was no Church of Christ nearer to Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin, the World Bible School sent him an address of Church of Christ at Itire, 3A Ademuyiwa Street, Lawanson, Lagos, that he will meet those that will assist him to be baptized into the Church of Christ. On the 28th August 1975, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin travelled to Lagos. He met Brother Bobby Dixson, Brother Sunday Ekanem, as well as other brothers in the Church. After listening to their teaching, he was asked the question “are you ready to be baptized”. He immediately indicated his willingness to be baptized into the Church of Christ and was baptized on the 28th August 1975. As his passion, loved to share God’s words and teach songs wherever he found himself. To continue the propagation of the gospel, Brother A.A. Olaleye brought some brethren from Church of Christ, Surulere, Lagos to Ado-Odo to preach the gospel. As these brothers were speaking in English, he was interpreting in Yoruba to enable the audience to have an understanding of the content of the teachings. He continued with the gifts of singing and teaching till his last breath. Church of Christ, Arandun In his desire to ensure that people in his township (Arandun) hear the gospel of Christ, Late Emmanuel Baanu Abolarin in 1978 mobilized 98 brethren from the West including Brother Paul I. Akinwale (Preacher, Ado-Odo CoC), Brother Fadairo in Lagos, Brother Simeon Ogunbunmi, Brother Anthony A. Olaleye, Brother Majekodunmi, and some other brothers from the Church of Christ, Surulere to Arandun. These brethren were transported to Arandun using Molue, Bolekaja and other vehicles. Since then, the Church has started and has continued to grow in Arandun, Kwara State. Brother M.O. Johnson was the one that gave them Yoruba hymn books, thus facilitated singing in Yoruba language. Gospel Tracts and Lessons He has contributed to a number of tracks. Some of these include: • Let us read the holy books • What must I do to be saved • Steps to Salvation Business in Ado-Odo He was the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Bolarin Stores and Bolarin Investment Company Limited, Ado-Odo in Ogun State. He extended his businesses to some neighboring towns like Seme Boarder, Badagry, Idi-Iroko, Owode Yewa, Owode Apa, Imeko Afon to mention few. Community Service Following his love for education, he served as Parents Teachers Association Chairman and member in St. Stephen’s Comprehensive High School, Ado-Odo, Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo and Methodist Central School I, Ado-Odo, Ogun State and he was also a PTA Executive Member of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and also served at in various capacities in both State and National levels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ouPBfEauZI ORIKI Omo alomi logba, omo Kolawole Omo Arinde onifa inu iwe, Baba Ibidun Omo awebi owo, omo Olajumoke Omo ai duro kini nife ooni, Omo ai bere kini nife oore Kog a, ko bere ni won nkini n’Ife OOtolu Omo agbaba owo re mo Eru jeje nife oore Abu Olufe abomo ehin abuolufe Itu won ntogo leruku ni Oba Mode tupo Jesu Omo feni sepo ni bi Iresa ninu, Omo wole otupo ni ya Mode lara Omo nma yowo, omo egboke ni Mode
