The name Late Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola needs little or no introduction in the Christian community and the world at large. He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
He was indeed a prophet and a man endowed with extraordinary power from the Holy Spirit. He was known for spending several hours, days, and even weeks in prayer and thanksgiving to God. While alive, he performed many signs and wonders through the use of water, his staff, and his bell—so much so that, to this day, his name and legacy still speak for him.
His ministry on earth lasted just 30 years, yet within that time, his works left an indelible mark in the history of Christianity. However, despite the significance of his ministry, little is known about his children.
Like many other men of God, Apostle Babalola married. In 1935, he wed his late wife, Deaconess Dorcas Babalola, who, until her death, served as the Iya Ijo (Mother of the Church) of Christ Apostolic Church, Okesa, Ilesa, Osun State. Their marriage was blessed with two successful daughters who, to this day, have continued in their father’s footsteps.
Deaconess Wura Oginni currently serves as the Iya Ijo of CAC Okesa, Ilesa, Osun State, while Lady Evangelist Keji Adeniyi was a banker and businesswoman before becoming an evangelist. Both women reside in Ilesa, Osun State.
Though much was not known about his daughters until recently. While Deaconess Wura Oginni is the Iya Ijo C.A.C (Christ Apostolic Church) Okesa, Ilesa Osun state. Lady/ Evang. Keji Adeniyi was a banker cum businesswoman before she became an Evangelist. They both reside in Ilesa, Osun state.
DEACONESS WURA OGINNI
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| DEACONESS WURA OGINNI Late Apostle Ayodele Babalola's First Daughter |
Deaconess Wura Oginni is the first child of the late Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, the founder and first General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide. She was born on 29 June 1941 in Efon-Alaye, seven years after her parents’ marriage.
She attended St. Stephen’s Primary School, Erekesan, in Efon-Alaye. After completing her primary education, she began her teaching career at just 14 years old. From her first salary in 1955, she bought a white cloth for her father. Although Apostle Babalola did not place much emphasis on formal education, Wura proceeded to CAC Teacher’s Training College, Efon-Alaye, Ekiti State, from 1956 to 1957.
She was 18 years old when her father passed away, fulfilling the prophecy that his ministry would last only 30 years on earth. After his death, she attended another Teacher’s Training College in Asaba, Warri State, between 1960 and 1961. In 1962, she moved to Ilesa, Osun State, to continue her teaching career while serving as a member of CAC Okesa, Ilesa.
In 1963, she travelled to Great Britain, where she studied Food and Nutrition (Ounje Asaraloro). After eight years abroad, she returned to Nigeria determined to change her profession, but, unable to secure a job in her new field, she went back to teaching. She taught at the Divisional Teacher’s Training College, Ayetoro, before joining the Federal Government as a teacher at the Teachers’ Training Institute, Maiduguri, Borno State, in 1974.
After seven years in Maiduguri, she returned to Ilesa, where she taught in higher institutions until her retirement in 2001. She married into the Oginni family of Ilesa at the age of 27, and the marriage was blessed with three sons: Dr. Dimeji Oginni and Dr. Leye Oginni (both based in Britain) and Mr. Niyi Oginni (based in Abuja). Following her mother’s passing, Deaconess Wura Oginni became the Iya Ijo of CAC Okesa, Ilesa. She is also a proud grandmother.
LADY EVANG. APEKE KEJI ADENIYI
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| Lady Evangelist Apeke Keji Adeniyi |
Lady Evangelist Apeke Keji Adeniyi (née Babalola) is the youngest child of the late Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola. She was born on 27 May 1947 in Efon-Alaye, Ekiti State. She attended St. Stephen’s and St. Joseph’s Schools, both in Efon-Alaye. She was only 12 years old when her father died.
She later attended Babalola Memorial Girls’ Grammar School, Ilesa, from 1961 to 1967. Upon graduation, she worked at Co-operative Bank in Ibadan before being transferred to the Co-operative Bank branch in Ife, Osun State. That same year, she married Elder Adeniyi at the age of 21.
In 1973, she resigned from the banking sector to establish her own business in Ile-Ife, Osun State. She lived in Ife for many years before relocating with her husband to Ilesa in 2000. While in Ilesa, she attended Methodist Church, Otapete.
In 1996, she earned a degree in Theology from the John Wesley Theological Seminary and has since been actively serving as a Lady Evangelist in God’s vineyard. Her marriage is blessed with three children—two sons living abroad (one in Britain, the other in Ghana) and one daughter residing in Nigeria. She is also a grandmother.