There is a Bible passage which says: “If you see a man who is diligent at his work, such a man will stand before the kings and no mean men.”

This statement captures the celebration of the 50 years of Pastor (now) Bishop Oluseun Adeoye and his wife, Modupe: fulfilled lives of purpose. Adeoye, fondly called ‘Seun Adeoye’ by his admirers, is a journalist by profession and activist/trade unionist and cleric by calling. He was consecrated as Bishop of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM), Rehoboth Arena, on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the premises of the church on Oba Road, Okinni. The event took place three days after Adeoye clocked 50 years on earth on February 24, 2016.

In the word of Martin Luther King (Jnr), “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable …. Every step towards the goal requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

Today, we have gone through the memory lane to analyse the man of impeccable character as Seun Adeoye has made history with the past and present; and he made history for the future generation. History and posterity would record his journalism service positively. At the peak of his career in journalism, he is a symbol of humility, epitome of hard work, courage, honesty, dedication to duty, sincerity of purpose, self-discipline and selfless service to humanity.

As he began his journalism career under the military era, Adeoye became critical of oppression, and revolutionary in his own right. His revulsion against injustice influenced his attitude in media practice, which those who came across him could attest to this fact for over two and half decades. Adeoye bestrode Nigeria’s fourth estate of the realm like a colossus. Adeoye’s contribution to the progress, growth and development of Nigeria Media sector are gargantuan: with his commitment to defence and promotion of human rights, social justice and rule of law. Even, during the military era, when not a few Journalists blew muted trumpets, Adeoye through his pen, always roared like a lion in his virulent attack against the rule of might in the land.

It is against this background that Bishop Adeoye was appointed Director, Media and Strategy of an Osun State-based civil society organisation, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS), the organisation that has become the ‘voice of voiceless’ in the state. His approach to issues of national and state importance and interactions within the society is devoid of unwarranted aggression, frivolities and prejudice. This temperate attitude of Bishop Adeoye is not a surprise to some of us, considering his journalism experience – till this present moment – which knows no fear and has never been cowed down. Adeoye has never hidden his sadness and frustration over the intolerable level of corruption in our society.

Like all humans, Bishop Adeoye was influenced by his environment. Born into relative humble family and with a humble beginning, he carved a niche for himself in journalism and other callings. He was born on February 24, 1966 into the family of Chief Adeoye Ojo and Mrs Susanah Adeoye – at Erinja in the present Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. He attended Christ African Church Primary School, Erinja-Orile. Thereafter, he proceeded to Baptist High School, Ilaro and Anwar-ul-Islam College, Agege, Lagos State for his Higher School Certificate. Later, he got admission to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in 1986 where he bagged Bachelor of Science in political science in 1989. He did his one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps, at Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, then in the old Bauchi State, between 1990 and 1991 as an administrative officer.

His foray into journalism was inspired by his passion for selfless service to humanity. Seun joined The Guardian Newspaper Limited in 1992 as a reporter. He worked on several beats, including education, internal affairs, police affairs, defence, aviation, and so on. Given his zeal to work as a bold and investigative reporter, he was transferred to Ogun State as a correspondent. This position made him to have close contact with many prominent Nigerians, such as late Dr Tai Solarin, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief MKO Abiola and Prof Adebayo Adedeji, who was the former Secretary of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), among others. From Ogun State, he also worked as the newspaper’s correspondent in Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti and Osun states.

In the course of his media career, Seun was elected chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, Ekiti State (1997-1998); chairman, NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Osun State (2000–2006) and chairman, Osun State Council of the NUJ (2006–2009). He had several awards to his credit, including Best Journalist of the Year (1998) by National Conscience Party (NCP); Best Journalist of the Year (1999) by NUJ, Osun State Council and Best Editor of the year (2009) by Osun Forum. After a successful reportorial career, in 2007, Adeoye voluntarily resigned from The Guardian and joined the Guild of Publishers by establishing a local tabloid popularly known as Osun Mail. It covered every nook and cranny of Osun State. Later it expanded its operations and changed its name to West Mail newspaper, which covered the South-western states including Kwara State. He also served as Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.

Seun got married to his heartthrob, Modupe, who is also marking her 50th birthday. She is a winsome wife, marvellous mother, humane and blessed with a fertile mind and a moving spirit. Modupe is the magnificent matriarch of the Adeoye family. She is also an entrepreneur and matched every call to duty with increasing energy and untiring devotion. Mama Adeoye, as she is fondly called, is not only an obedient wife, she is also a woman of substance, compassion, integrity, honesty, hard work, faith and very deep thinker. A firm woman, but noble, full of charm, grace, beauty and her intellect combined with her unique resilience made her a unique woman. The marriage is blessed with two girls –Temidayo, Oluwatosin and a boy, Paul.

Spiritually, Seun Adeoye met the Lord and became a born-again child of God in 1991, through a 12-year-old girl. Due to his total commitment to God’s work, he was ordained as a Deacon in 1993 by Bishop Jacob Akeredolu of Christ Followers Mission (CFM), Lagos. By 1994, he was elected as general secretary of the church, and by 1995 he was ordained as a pastor.

His transfer to several states of the South-west was used by him as an opportunity to establish branches of the church in the states where he served. But in 2000, through God’s divine directive, Seun Adeoye founded Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM). Today, the church has its National Headquarters at Rehoboth Arena, Oba Road, Okiini, with some branches outside Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

In July 2014, the Liberty International College of Bishops elected him as a bishop during its June 2014 congress; and he was on January 3, 2016 officially pronounced as bishop-designate during a special church service.

Adeoye is a member of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), a special member of Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), an executive member of Nigeria Evangelical Mission Association (NEMA) in Osun State and a member of Coalition of Friends in the Ministry (COFEM). He is an author, with three books to his credit. These are: Another Life (published), Bundles of Joyand The Seven Days of God (yet to be published).

More so, according to Vince Lombardi, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” This has been proven by Bishop Adeoye’s astuteness, sagacity, doggedness and resilience, tenacity and translucent patriotism. All of these have at one time or the other been challenged by the vagaries of media practice. But like a titan, he has always surmounted all the odds that spring up in his paths. It is not a surprise then that most of the upcoming media practitioners are looking up to him to drink from his wealth of journalism experience.

At the core, his philosophy revolves around the imperatives of leadership as the most fundamental factor in positive change. He detests immoral leadership, dishonesty, indiscipline, slothfulness and excuses. That his 50th birthday and consecration as Bishop of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry, coincide with the period of intense soul-searching and considerable loss of faith in the national journey to provide a dramatic background to his full expression on ideas of leadership. His passionate belief that leadership or lack of it, determines the human condition and can lift humanity from ignorance, bias, socio-political and economic regression to genuine national progress.

By his superlative stewardship so far, Adeoye may have broken the jinx and altered the belief or, better still, shifted the point of reference to cleric of clerics, as a band of self-serving jingoists who pay little stock to service to humanity. He is in the same shoe of revolutionary clerics with Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi of Yoruba Unity Forum, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu of ancient Oyo city, Bishop Matthew Kukah and host of others.

For now, landmarks of Adeoye’s laudable achievements as presiding Pastor of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry over the years are deeply rooted in the annals of time. This has earned him the present elevation to a bishop. So also is his commitment towards bringing about change in its entire ramification, which distinguished him as the new face of leadership. To many, he is the quintessential anchor, a source of joy to his admirers, a cleric’s of cleric, a pace-setter among his peers; one who has proved himself as a beacon of hope and shining light in an era stepped in rudderless leadership.

At every stage, only the resilience, courage and unwavering commitment to the ideals of openness, which defines the leadership style of Bishop Adeoye, could have surmounted the avalanche of challenges on the way of the apostle of change. We believe that upon this elevation, Bishop Adeoye, as a journalist of deep learning and conviction, would use the opportunity to win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

We are using this medium to salute his resonant voice in and out of season and in matters of great and small. We also cherish Adeoye’s industry, courage, and keen sense of fairness and justice, which have earned him goodwill beyond measure.

We pray that the years ahead will enrich and preserve your legacy and bring you and the members of your family greater joy, peace and happiness.

•Comrade Sulaiman, Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS). Photo shows Bishop Seun Adeoye.

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