ALIFE, TIMES & LEGACY OF PASTOR JOSEPH ADENOLA AKINSANYA •A loving father, Shepherd, steward and man of faith- 1931-2021~Starimagenews.com

PASTOR JOSEPH ADENOLA AKINSANYA

GENEALOGY
Papa was born on January 3, 1931 to his father; Pa. Daniel Afolorunso Akinsanya who was a Livestock trader and Butcherman. He buys and transport Cattles from the core Northern region of Nigeria to the south. He had some Hausa Fulani herders on his retainership to support his business of cattle husbanding and rearing. He owns a few abattoirs within the Ilugun metropolis for slaughtering, apportioning and the retail distribution of Cows at the respective weekly market days. His grandfather was Chief Adam Akinsanya who was the Provincial leader (Baale) of Ibido; one of the communities in Odosenbora. The name of his grandmother (Father’s mother) was Madam Poroye who was a native of Odosimadegun. She was the first wife of Chief Adams Akinsanya. His mother’s name was Madam Comfort Adebowale Akinsanya; a native of Odosugbawa in Atan, Ijebu. She was fondly called “Iya Ologi”. She died in August 2007 at the age of 102years and was survived by two (2) eminent sons: Pastor Joseph Adenola Akinsanya and Mr. Christopher Taiwo Onabanjo.

Early Years
Papa started school in 1944 and had the standard six education at Ilugun Central School, Imuroko in Atan Local Government area which was completed in 1951. He later proceeded to learn native tailoring from 1952 to 1955. In order to raise enough money to establish his tailoring business and buy the requisite equipment to support his dream, he took up a paid employment at Apoje Farm Settlement called Western Nigeria Development Corporation between 1956 and 1960. The corporation had a well-developed farm estate for the following plantations: Cocoa, Oil Palm, Banana, Plantain, Pineapples etc. He worked within the Cocoa Nursery Unit for four (4) years. There he was trained on how to bud Cocoa seedlings and nurture till it gets to planting into the field. He later relocated to Lagos and got employed at Nigerian Breweries, Iganmu from 1961 to 1964 where he worked as an Electrical Apprentice under a Chief Engineer; Mr. Geace, an Indian national. He left the organization when his boss relocated from Nigeria to Mundu, Indonesia. He enjoyed immense support and trust from his boss who offered to take him along to Indonesia but he declined the offer because of his love for his wife who at that time was yet to have a child. He later joined Bata Shoe Company (now FAMAD), Ojota, Lagos from 1965 to 1979 where he served in various managerial capacities until his retirement.

FAITH
Papa met Christ through his friend; Mr. Adesanya (a former Police Officer) who came along with Pastor H. A. Ogunsan to his house at No. 20, Okesuna Street, Shomolu, Lagos. They preached Christ to him and invited him to their church: The True Apostolic Church (West Africa). Initially, he was reluctant to change from his membership of Christ Anglican Church, Odosenbora where he was christened. In consideration of this request, he posed three (3) request of faith to God, like the biblical Gideon. He promised to follow Christ till the end if all the conditions were met. Firstly, was his age long sickness (Yellow fever) and the others. But to his amazement all the three (3) conditions were each sorted within three (3) days.

He began his journey to follow Christ afterwards. He was baptized on 21st October 1962 by Pastor H. A. Ariyo; the founder of The True Apostolic Church (West Africa). The fellowship started at Olasode Street, Apata, Shomolu but due to membership inconsistency, the parish was later relocated to No. 27, Bajulaiye Compound, Shomolu, Lagos. He moved forward in his Christian walk and was ordained an Elder of the church in 1968. There arose a dispute in the church between the youth congress and the elders in the church which borders on evangelism and uprightness. This anomaly caused a disintegration which led to the emergence of the New Creation Gospel Church led by Pastor M. O. Ogunsan as the General Overseer and Pastor H. O. Ogunsan as the Deputy General Overseer, for which he (Papa) contributed his quotas.

Papa was ordained a Pastor in 1986 by Rev. Melder (USA) along with others such as: Pastor H. A. Ogunsan, Pastor Abimbola Agusu etc. At first, he served as a part-time Pastor for over seven (7) years and later became a full-time Pastor in 1990. Shomolu Assembly has had many shepherds such as: Pastor Adegbayibi, Pastor Adejoboye, Pastor Lebi, Pastor Adetifa, Pastor Bada and Pastor Israel Ogundipe. But following Pastor Israel Ogundipe’s resignation on 30th September 1984, the Holy Spirit directed Papa to step forward into leading the flock. During his tenor, Shomolu Assembly grew in leaps and bounds with over 500 congregants until he was seconded to the supreme council of the church. He was ably assisted by the following committed and dedicated men of God: Pastor Stephen Ojo Bello, Pastor Isaac Oyanameh, Pastor H. B. Amusan and Pastor H. A. Ogunsan (In Supervisory). The Revivalists & guest ministers were: Pastor Gbenga Adekanye, Pastor Dapo Ojo (General Overseer, Be Prepared), Pastor Adesegun, Pastor Abimbola Agusu and Pastor Ola Oriyomi.

Papa administered the construction of the current Shomolu Assembly auditorium through direct labor, reorganize and strengthen the choir for effective ministration, instituted the faithful men and good women society for unity and cordiality among brethren, spearheaded the evangelistic move from street to street campaign of the gospel, regular visitation to ailing members, establishment of prayer support base through rotational night vigils (Monday to Friday) and prayer chains. He was ably assisted by his wife; Deaconess Dorcas Adunni Akinsanya with prophetic unction and had acted as midwife to birth over 200 new babies without any casualties.

Papa was a strong man of faith with audacious believe in Christ Jesus and in the power of prayer. He lived and believed wholly in divine health as he often says “1960 ni Phensic wo enu mi gbeyin”. He believed there is nothing impossible for God. He believed that with faith you can speak to your mountains and it will move. He is ever ready and always willing to share his faith with everyone around, be it Christians or non-Christians. Under his ministration, God had consistently confirmed his words with deliverance, signs and wonders. Many families had been strengthened and delivered by the touch of God.

MARRIAGE
Papa was married to his heartrob; Deaconess Dorcas Adunni Akinsanya in 1957. She is a daughter of Sir Sakaniyawo from Isowe village. They had initial delays on child bearing for about eight (8) years but soon God answered their prayers. Their union was fruitful and blessed with resourceful men, diligent women and lovely grandchildren among whom are: Mr. Olusegun Akinsanya, Mr. Olugbenga Adenola, Mr. Olusesan Akinsanya, Mr. Olukayode Akinsanya, Mrs. Taiwo Ajala, Mr. Kehinde Akinsanya and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Odinaka. They both had lived happily together as one indivisible family until on the 9th April 2021 when Papa answered the call to be with his maker. All the children were trained in the way of Jesus Christ our savior.

Papa slept in the Lord aged 90years (ninety year) plus on Friday 9th April 2021 at about 5:15am when he breath his last.