Life and Education:
Rev. Dr. Olawole Alabi Ogunmola was born in Mopa, Kogi State-Nigeria, on the 20th of September 1961, to the family of late Rev. Dr. Stephen Bayode and Madam Abigail Ebun Ogunmola of Oke-Ase Compound, Ilawe Obbo- Aiyegunle, Kwara State. He was the sixth out of eight children.
He earned his O’ Level from ECWA Secondary School, Igbaja in 1978, graduated from Kwara State College of Technology (SBS) in 1980, proceeded to the University of Ilorin and majored in Zoology in 1984, furthering in Fisheries and Resource Management for his Master’s Degree at University of Ibadan in 1986. In 1996, Rev. Olawole earned a Post graduate Diploma in Theology (PGDT) from Jos Ecwa Theological Seminary (JETS). Other Certifications include Certificate in Fisheries Management: Perspectives Information in 2000 and Co-Mgt from the International Centre for Agriculture-Wageningen Netherland in 2004, Certificate in Tools for Fisheries Co-Mgt from the International Centre for Agriculture-Wageningen Netherland in the same year and Doctor of Ministry from UMCA Theological College, Ilorin in 2010.
Rev. Olawole began his working Career as a Teacher at ECWA Girls’ Secondary School in Omu-Aran, Kwara State in 1981, moved on to become a Scientific Officer, Sheda Research Centre-Abuja in 1986 and then a Fisheries Officer, Agric Department- MFCT, Abuja in 1987. In 1989, he served as a Senior fisheries Officer, to later become a Principal Fisheries Officer in 1993. In 1996, he became the Assistant Chief Fisheries Officer and in 1999, the Chief Fisheries Officer. In 2002, he served as the Assistant Director Fisheries & Head of Fisheries FCT in the same year.
In May 2006, Rev. Olawole heard and yielded to ministerial calling and resigned from Civil Service. Despite the Permanent Secretary’s advice NOT to retire as he was entitled to pension and gratuity, ECWA insisted he must before launching into Full Time Ministry. His brave decision was against the norm.
Marriage and Family.
On December 16 1989, Rev. Olawole got married to his heartthrob- Comfort Oluwatoyin Ogunmola (Nee Babafemi), who he had courted over the span of six years and they are blessed with five wonderful children. Despite his very demanding schedule, Olawale found a balance between Ministerial work and healthy family life. He is revered for being a present husband, father, brother and uncle, who continually made family a key priority. In the very words of many, he was these and much more to everybody. His hobbies included writing, sport activities, farming, visiting, attending meetings and travelling. He visited countries like Ethiopia, Gambia, Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, Egypt, UK, USA, South Africa, Rome, Turkey and the UAE.
He is survived by his wife, children, brothers, sisters and extended family.
Ministry:
Having received the Lord Jesus Christ in October 1975 and baptised, he received his pastoral calling in 1996, Licensed in 2002 and Ordained in 2006, Olawole began his Ministerial work serving as a Travelling Secretary with Fellowship of Christian Students during (FCS) during his NYSC in 1984. He proceeded to serve as the Leader, ECWA Students Ministry, UI Campus in 1985 and then an Elders’ Board Member, ECWA Church, Inalende- Ibandan, Oyo State in the same year. In 1986, he served as the Pioneer Leader of the Youth Fellowship at ECWA Wuse II, later to be a member of the Elders’ Board in 1993.
Rev. Olawole proceeded to becoming a tent making pastor at ECWA Central area in 2000. In 2006, he became the Minister-in-Charge at ECWA Central Area. He moved on to become a Member, FCT CAN Committee in 2007, Board Member-ECWA Staff School-Kagoro in 2009, Local Overseer- Garki LCC in 2010, Board Member-ECWA widows’ School-Zonkwa in 2017, Board Member JETS-Abuja Centre in 2017 and Board Member, ECWA Theological Seminary-K agoro in 2018. Until his death, Olawole was serving as the Minister-in-Charge, ECWA Goodnews Maitama.
Publications:
Olawole published the following books:
- The Need of The Hour (1984)
- Pond Management Techniques-Extension Manual (1989)
- The Making of a Minister (1993)
- The Question of Eternity (1996)
- The Last Item (2003)
- The Church of God and The Need For Growth (2005)
- God’s Pattern of Marriage- Part 1 (2005)
Including several articles.
CONCLUSION:
During his life time, he was actively involved in various Christian groups and activities relocating to missions and evangelism, such as Obbo Christian Fellowship, Associate Fellowship of Christian Students (AFCS) Bible Society of Nigeria, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, and International (FGBMI) Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) of ECWA, Widows (Orphans) Fellowship, amongst others.
Olawole lived his life to serve God and humanity sacrificially and selflessly. He was a friend of all. May we all live to fulfil God’s purpose in our life time, Amen.
