•What She Told CityPeople
In the next few weeks, Prophetess Arewa Deborah Gbolasere Oshoffa will be 50. She is one of the children of late Papa Pastor Rev. S.B.J Oshoffa, the Prophet & Founder of the Celestial Church of Christ. She is also the Founder of TABITHA Foundation (a Deborah Oshoffa Initiative).
As part of activities marking her 50th Birthday she is starting what she has called Juvenile Harvest. Sutana for 300 children, 50 Parishes & 6 Children per parish.
She is the MD/CEO of Iya Amidu Stores & Fabrics. She is the sister to Ven. Sup. Evangelist Olatosho Oshoffa. She recently spoke to City People Publisher SEYE KEHINDE about her forthcoming 50th Birthday.
Congratulations on your forthcoming 50th birthday.How do you feel?
Thank you Sir .. I feel indebted to God for his Mercies and the Greatest gift which is Life..Life has been challenging but God has been faithful…
What are the lessons life has taught you at 50?
Life has taught me what will be will be.. We make efforts in everything in Life but God alone perfects them. Life has taught me there is always alight at the end of the tunnel.. Easy does it.. I have learnt friends and even loved ones can become your enemies in the twinkle of an eye. Life has shown me I can be who I want to be no matter what comes my way. I have learnt to trust God more… I have lost many things but God has given me more.
How are you celebrating it?
I will be having a Thanksgiving service in church and a party to celebrate it.
As an Oshoffa,you carry a big Grace.How has it helped you and your siblings?
I didn’t know my father’s worth until I got into Primary school..The school I was in insisted they wanted my father should come to an occasion.My headmistress told ‘me I am lucky to have a father like mine. I didn’t know him much because I was in primary school from nursery school.Being an Oshoffa has given me in particular edges in several places, From my primary school ,to my secondary school , infact throughput my life. I remember when I got admitted into Federal Government Girls college Langtang.plateau state, Jos. When I got to school , everyone was looking out for the Oshoffa daughter .I was loved.. senior students who were celestial church members dotted on me till they passed out. When I got to JS3. I didn’t feel I was a junior student. They made junior life so easy for me, the name has made me very cautious of what I represent.The name made it easy for me to break terrains in the church coupled with my gifts.
Tell us about your siblings….
I have 7 siblings as an Oshoffa but my mother had 2 children before she married my dad.. So she gave me 3 Men,4 Women who are my best gifts as siblings. Jacob Oshoffa, Olayinka Oshoffa, Tosho Oshoffa, Olayemi Oshoffa Osho, Racheal Oshoffa Salako and Comfort Oshoffa Sobodu. I have not been able to have friends because my mother built us around ourselves. We became friends to ourselves .
Apart from my siblings, I must mention that my father built a bond in his family and despite being a polygamous home, you never know the difference I have the best relationship with all my step mothers and step siblings. Infact I have never called them my step mothers, I just grew up believing I have many mothers. Same thing with my father’s other children.
My best friends till date till today are those i call my father’s princesses..When we were growing up, we were 4 that our ages were close so my dad called us his princesses. We were the eldest in Nigeria.
Myself,, Yemi Oshiffa, Reginah Oshoffa and the eldest Funmilayo Oshoffa. They made growing up so easy for me. I had the best childhood because of them
Let me take you back. Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Porto-Novo the capital of RPB on 25th May 1973 . .I was in Porto-Novo till 1979 when my father moved finally to Nigeria
Tell us about Daddy Oshoffa.What sort of a person was he?
Our father..We called him Papa.Permit ‘me to say he was the greatest gift of God to Africa in the 19TH Century.He was not just a founder of CCC , he was used by God in a way no man has been used in Africa.
One of the dead he rose from death through the Grace of God is still alive. His miracles were real yet he didn’t believe in publicity.
He was humble, jovial, friendly and the best father in the world.
I call him my first love, I searched for him in everyman I loved but none like my dad. He was protective, disciplined and provided all we needed .He loved education, taught us morals which has helped us so much in life. I love the way he pulled his nose while he spoke .The children bonded more with our father than our ‘mothers.. He planted love in his family and despite all challenges we still come together as one.
We used to sit by him and shared jokes.. told us to always remember the child of whom we were. He gave all to CCC…he was dedicated and trustworthy ..38 years after his death, his soes are still too big for anyone to fit in .papa was a lover of peace..you can’t fight my daddy, he will find ways to reach out to you. You can gossip to my daddy, he will ask you to wait till the person you reported comes around, then you will repeat yourself. I Miss him everyday of my life.. He left us too early..life was difficult after he left but we thank God for today..Did I forget to say my daddy was handsome?
Which schools did you attend and courses?
My primary school was Mate nursery and primary school in Ketu Alapere, Secondary school Federal Government Girls college Langtang in Plateau state..I got admitted to Ogun State Polythenic Abeokuta but I couldn’t go for some reasons beyond my control. Later on I went to bible school to equip myself . I am also a graduate of the institute for Marriage and Family Afairs TIMFA and also a professional caterer till I stopped recently to go into full time business ,
What business do you do?
I am into business of imports and exports. I have a shop, I deal in Church items and gifts. I also have a company that handles Drinks at parties..
I reopened my late Mothers shop and rebranded it, all registered under SEROSH Ventures
What role do you play in the CCC church ???
I am a prophetess in CCC, a certified mentor, and a counsellor.. I go to parishes where I am invited to enlighten youths about the church.. teach them about Christ. I am an advocate for proper dressing in my church CCC and a promoter of undiluted tenets and doctrines of our dear church.
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