•He Told MFM Pastor’s Late Gran MumThat OLUKOYA Would Be GREAT
•Many Years Before He Was Born
It was a glorious celebration of life for Mama Janet Olukoya, nee Kuti, the late mother of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry, Pastor Olukoya, who passed on to glory at a very ripe age of 95. In mama’s lifetime, she was a mother and grandmother loved by all especially the entire members of the MFM family. No wonder her burial was celebrated amid funfare as many from across the world gathered to give her their last respect. Mama Janet Olukoya passed on to glory as she died peacefully in her sleep in the wee hours of March 31, 2019, which was exactly the date Pastor Olukoya’s father died 25 years earlier. The late Mama Janet was a fervent worshipper, a prayer warrior, and a member of Elders’ Group of the MFM church.
Among many important dignitaries who sent in their condolences and those who graced the ceremony were Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Pastor EA Adeboye, The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, The Christian Association of Nigeria, The Bible Society of Nigeria, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, Governor Udom Emmanuel, Lagos First lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo Olu, Lagos former First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola and many others.
Mama Janet Olukoya’s eternal journey to mother earth started in Ondo State where she hailed from. Mama’s internment was a private family affair and the family held a Celebration of Life Crusade for her on June 15, at the Ondo Civic Centre, Ondo. Following was a three-day activity of events which started with a Service of Songs by 4:00 p.m on August 27 at the Ilupeju Playground, Lagos. A Celebration of Life programme was held at MFM headquarters, Onike, Yaba, Lagos, by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29 followed by a city-wide deliverance crusade at Sheperd Hill Church, Obanikoro on Friday, August 30th.
Late Mama Janet Olukoya’s is survived by Pastor Daniel Olukoya and Mrs Funmilayo Olowoake with many grandchildren. In madam Janet’s lifetime, she was fulfilled despite that she had a very humble beginning yet she had a son who is known globally and whom God is using in transforming the world. No wonder her life history was a very iconic one, and this is a testament to the powerful tributes written by her children to celebrate her.
Her biography reads “The passing unto glory of a loved one, especially a Mother in Israel who has affected lives globally by virtue of her quiet disposition, her self effacing nature and as a result of the fact that she is a mother in a million; One who has bequeathed to the world a prodigy by the grace of God, to the entire globe. Words may prove inadequate to celebrate such a wonderful mother and an amazon when it comes to the global history of Christianity. It is, indeed, true that Mother Is Gold. The impact of a woman of substance, a mother and a torchbearer cannot be quantified. But the words of a writer is, indeed, apt “Death is the harvest time, we reap the fruit we have sown during our lifetime.” No wonder, the timeless words of the scriptures remain evergreen here: Number 23: 10 – Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his’’ On her Prophetic destiny, ‘’Mama spent her lifetime sowing seeds quietly. We are, therefore, at the threshold of a global harvest of souls. Mama has given the world a seed that has made an impact on the world. In 1956, Mama’s own mother (the G.O’s grandma) met a notable leader in the Christ Apostolic Church. Grandma knelt and asked the prophet to pray for her. Mama was dazed when the prophet said “ Please get up. You are the one to pray for me. I am not worthy to lay hands on you and pronounce the kind of blessings you desire. But, let me tell you. Your seed will be raised up by God to trigger the fire of global revival. The seed that God will bring to the world through you will have an unprecedented impact on the entire globe.” His glory will be greater than mine.
The grandma of the General Overseer, Dr. Olukoya, did not really understand what the prophet was saying. In 1957, Mama Janet Olukoya, indeed, gave birth to that seed. Dr. Olukoya, who was born according to the prophetic utterance. With the passage of time, the grandma of the C. O. knew that the birth of his grandson was the fulfillment of the prophecy. She knew that a prophet had been born. Today, we have witnessed the fulfillment of the prophecy that was given over sixty years ago. It is noteworthy that Mama, the G.O’s mother, kept her chastity till the day she got married when she was above age thirty. Mama got married to Pastor Amos Olukoya, who was also a Police Officer. Pa. Amos Olukoya has, indeed, gone to be with the Lord in glory.
Madam Janet Olukoya had zero tolerance for prayerlessness and iniquity. She was steadfast in her Christian faith. She remained a portrait of a godly mother. Today, we miss the compassion of Mama. We cannot forget her words of exhortation and encouragement.
We shall always Miss Mama’s gracious comportment, her firm disposition, her caring compassion and her unwavering passion for revival and the salvation of souls.
Indeed, Mama was a vibrant soul: one who literally lit up, wherever she went. Though Mama was quiet and self-effacing in her lifetime, her influence had remained unforgettable. Mama was brought up with traditional values and learnt the skills of her era; cooking, sewing, knitting and homemaking. Above all, Mama was passionate about prayer. Mama taught her children the virtues of honesty, integrity and sincerity. Mama loved hymns. Her favorite hymn was: We are never, never weary of the grand old song. “Glory to God hallelujah. “Mama in her younger years loved dry fasting. She was patient, kind-hearted and caring. She did not only care about her children, but she also loved all the children in her neighborhood and in the larger family. Mama’s legacy lives on today’’.
Above all, Mama had an extraordinary ability to make all who came in contact with her to love prayer and righteousness. Mama had a great passion for the care of her son Daniel, and her daughter, Funmi. In her final years on earth, she loved her grandchildren with passion. Mama was, indeed, a mother in Israel. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Adieu, Mama.
Her firstborn, Pastor DK Olukoya, also revealed his mum’s love for her children, He wrote: “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”. Mama Ondo as she is fondly called would forever live in our hearts and would certainly be sorely missed. She was industrious, strong, discerning, compassionate and humorous. She did not joke with church services. Mama was an enigma. Her resolute spirit is worthy of emulation. During her last days on earth, she became even friendlier. There are plenty of lessons to learn from her eventful life. Writing about these will take a whole book. There are, however, 2 events that remain indelible in my memory and touched a chord in my heart anytime I remember. Our family was poor. Mama was determined that her children would not starve. She got out early in the morning at 5 am to get on a queue in a fish depot that opened at 9 am in order to get fish to sell to feed her children. One day in the course of this routine she was kidnapped. She was mysteriously set free by divine intervention. Through the illumination of the torchlight, they noticed she had Ondo tribal marks. One of them screamed, let her go, “she has Ondo tribal marks”. This happened in the early ’60s. The second episode was when she picked up a toilet roll factory job and almost lost body parts in the factory. All in the bid to ensure that her children were well looked after. She was, indeed, a perfect example of ‘sweet mother”. I give glory to God for the kind of life that she lived’’.
Madam Janet Olukoya was raised from the Kutiyinu family and attended Orimolade Primary school, Ondo State. Her father was Chief Imam Salami Ogundibinu Kutiyinu, while mama was born by Madam Kutiyinu, a prophetess, in her own rights. She was an avid church planter. She single-handedly planted nine churches in Ondo State, Nigeria’’.About mama’s great virtues, “Mama remains an inspiration to all till today. Mama took a lot of grit, grace, and fervency from her mother. Her mother, of blessed memory, was an ally of Apostle Babalola. Madam Janet Olukoya is also survived by her immediate younger sister, Ma Beatrice Omosola Kutiyinu and her younger brother, Pa. Amos Kutiyinu (J.P).
–TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI
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