•The Story Of Their Age-Long Relationship
One of the anointed men of God and one whom Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu holds in high esteem and does not joke with is the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, MFM Pastor, Daniel Olukoya.
Not many people know that Governor Sanwoolu is a staunch member of this Fire Ministry, he is just not a member but an active one. With his amiable wife, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwoolu and family, they are all not new in this ministry.
Governor Sanwo-Olu and Pastor Olukoya have really come a long way together, Sanwo-Olu Olukoya has been a member of the church even before he became the governor. For those who don’t know, Governor Sanwoolu is one of the people who is very close to Daddy G.O. Saying He is Governor Sanwoolu’s spiritual father is simply stating the obvious because the word around is that Governor Sanwo-Olu never embarks on anything without the backing and prayers of Pastor Olukoya. In all he is Governor Sanwo-Olu’s spiritual father.
Before his inauguration as the governor, Gov. Sanwoolu and his wife used to attend the MFM branch on the Lekki axis of Lagos but now, the governor and his wife attend services at the international headquarters of MFM at Onike, Yaba. Despite the very busy itinerary of the governor of Lagos, he finds time to attend major church services at the MFM headquarters.
On several occasions has the governor and his wife been spotted at the ‘Power Must Change Hands’ programme of the Pentecostal church which before now took place at the MFM Prayer City ground along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Despite being the number one citizen of the state, the governor conducts himself properly without a number of policemen around him. The programme usually attracts over 80, 000 people which should be a security concern for the governor and his wife but its usually a calm atmosphere with everyone going about their spiritual activities including the governor.
Lagos has in recent years not witnessed a governor committed to church activities like him. The founder of the church, Dr. Olukoya is always pleased to recognise the presence of the number one citizen of the state governor and his wife with the governor standing and waving his hands to the usual delight of the congregation. At one of the many important programmes he attends, the church gave out awards to students who bagged First Class Honours from universities in Nigeria and beyond with over 300 of them converging at the Prayer City to receive their reward. Governor Sanwoolu and his wife alongside the wife of the MFM Founder, Pastor Shade Olukoya gave out the awards to the recipients. Governor Sanwoolu was also joined on stage by His Excellency, the Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State. While the process of giving out the awards took close to two hours the governors were on their feet shaking the recipients and posing for photographs with them.
It is pretty much obvious that despite the busy schedules of a governor or a high ranking official of a state, you can still keep up with matters of spiritual engagements like we see of the Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. As part of his commitment and being enthusiastic the things of God, hardly will you not find him singing, dancing with all joy at all programmes. He has been seen severally dancing at all the church’s important occassion that at a time, Pastor Olukoya even posted the video where he was dancing with a particular set of music ministers known as the beulah_quartet at a book launch.
In a society like ours where a lot of premium is placed on the religious leaning of our public office holders, it is only natural that many would be curious to know how deeply religious Governor Babajide is, being a Christian.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and wife are very regular members of the church who are always involved in the church’s many activities. And they are also one of its most dependable financial backbones. In fact, it is said that Sanwo –Olu is one of the top executives of the church’s organizing committee, a position that only members with a passion to constantly giving to God and helping the church grow can occupy. Before now, only a few members knew Sanwo-Olu and wife closely in the church. “They had no airs about them,” said our source, “what often gave them away was the fact that you could tell they were exceedingly comfortable people from the cars they drove to the clothes they wore. A few people also knew the governor and father of four wonderful children is a top shot of the Lagos State Government where he was the Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Company, a government-owned set up which oversees urban and housing development in Lagos State. It was only a couple of months after when he won the Lagos APC primary and emerged the party’s flag bearer in 2019 for gubernatorial elections that many suddenly began to recognize the face.
The church was very supportive of him when he was to become the governor. Infact the church prayer committee led prayers up for him then. Governor Sanwoolu also enjoyed the backings of Pastor Olukoya when he was vying for the governorship seat, that at a particular Sunday Service, Pastor Olukoya charged the congregation to take charge of their lives, He charged all members to always take the lead and not let illiterate people rule over christians who have dominion to take on power and empower themselves and the public. He revealed that members and christians as a whole should take on leadership positions in their different callings and areas of specialization. He also urged members to atleast belong to a party where their vote will count and collectively have a voice that there is enough membership strength to support any Christian members vying for any political post in the country.
At the inauguration and swearing in of the Governor in 2019, it was Pastor Olukoya who conducted the service to the admiration of all, and also there was a special thanksgiving service for the Governor at the church.
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