Tributes as Primate Olabayo marks 42 years of ministry

AMIDST an outpour of tributes at the second yearly Theophilus Oluwasanu Olabayo Colloquium and 42nd anniversary in the prophetic ministry, the Primate of Christ Evangelical Church of Yahweh (ECWA), who has been nick-named “Prophet of Doom” because of his perceived negative predictions, has again prophesied last weekend that the already shifted but much anticipated 2015 general elections will not take place.

He said that the politicians are simply wasting the nation’s resources in the name of campaign for nothing, adding that God will take over the affairs of the nation.

The prophet, who many have attested to his many accurate predictions in the past, revealed that he had prophesied most of what the country is currently experiencing now and this wouldn’t be an exception.

Among the predictions attributed to him, are his prediction of unprecedented spending in this year’s election which he noted was published in The Guardian newspaper of last year, and a recent one that the February 14, 2015 election would not hold, which eventually didn’t hold.

At the event well attended by friends both within and outside the ministry, Olabayo, however, noted that even though the elections will not hold, there would be minimal anarchy in the land, but that in it all, God would raise a messiah and usher in a new Nigeria.

Meanwhile, at the colloquium with the theme: Prophets: Conceptions and Misconceptions, Roles and Responsibilities, many speakers who spoke had many kind words and testimonies to give to the prophet who will clock 70 next year.

According to the chairman of the occasion, a Professor of English and Literature at the University of Benin, poet and freelance journalist, Prof. Anthony Afejuku, described Olabayo as the only “virtuous prophet” in Nigeria who he knew by reputation before meeting him in person.

Stating that there are so many fake prophets in the country whose aim is to drain the people’s pockets and blood, he said that the primate is the one prophet who aims at the “eye of the bull” and gets it. He pointed out that Nigerians despise him because of familiarity, adding that people who call him names do so at their own peril.

He said: “Everything he prophesies comes to pass. Because he is with us, we don’t know his value. Elsewhere, they will be celebrating him as the spiritual father of the country. He has always been there for us but we don’t take him serious. He is the most powerful prophet who other prophets in the land copy.”

Afejuku further revealed that scholars in higher institutions in the country are writing PhD theses on the primate’s prophecies, an action which he noted substantiates the authenticity of his prophecies.

Delivering a lecture titled: “Prophecies: Conceptions and Misconceptions, Roles and responsibilities” by the Bishop Theologian, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Dean, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Rt. Rev Prof. Dapo Asaju described as unfortunate, Nigerians’ non-appreciation of what they have in Primate Olabayo.

He revealed that at one of the conferences of Anglican bishops held at Agbrha-Ator in Delta State, the Primate of Uganda mounted the podium and started speaking about the prophesies of Primate Olabayo.

Asaju lamented that the prophetic ministry of today suffers in the world. He noted that while prophets are not strange people and prophesies not unusual, they are tools given to man by God to guide his affairs. He described them as people that has other eyes and with ability to see beyond the ordinary.

The Anglican cleric finally heaped praises on Olabayo describing him as a man of truth, courageous, friend of all and “a prophet God; one in Africa and not only Nigeria.”

In his anniversary message, Primate Olabayo noted that it has not been a smooth journey in the past 42 years of his ministry. He, however, thanked the Almighty for His mercies and favour throughout the years.

“In my 42 years of ministry, I have seen a number of things and experienced a lot, too. Like the prophets of old, God has kindled the fire in my bones and I am a man who have seen affliction by the reason of the rod. It has been years of rare sacrifice, commitment, devotion and extravagant love for my God, to this ministry, the Evangelical Church of Yahweh, and to my generation.”

“Glory be to God who has brought me into ministry and called me to the prophetic office and given me the mandate to be a prophet to my generation. Though unworthy as a human, He made me worthy and honoured. What a privilege to be given such a great ministry. I am humbled, yet, I thank the Almighty God,” he said.