religion
Making of Ooni Ogunwusi: The Facts!
By Olawale Olaleye
Some folks had challenged me earlier today to put out my facts as far as the emergence of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II is concerned and I’m doing just that now. From a few of the responses on the thread of my previous posts, it’s evident that the truth had been lost in the mix, either by design or default. But I’ll see to it now and set it straight.
In a concise form, I’d try as much as possible to reveal some of the untold stories of the emergence of the Ooni, with the hope that those, who had disagreed with me, would come out with their own facts, not necessarily agreeing with me.
I’d like to start by admitting that, Oba Ogunwusi as the 51st Ooni of Ife, was definitely ordained by God, and not any man, else enough efforts were made to frustrate his emergence. However, it was a destiny fulfilled through the instrumentality of certain individuals, but certainly not the Ifa Eko or Lion of Bourdilon as many delightfully believed.
For the record, Ile-Ife has four ruling houses, and I will list them with the respective predecessors to the current Oba. They are, Ooni Ademiluyi from the Lafogido rulling house; Ooni Aderemi, from Oshikola rulling House; Ooni Sijuade from the Ogboru rulling House and of course, the incumbent, Ooni Ogunwusi, from the Giesi rulling House.
Thus, following the passing of Ooni Okunade Sijuade, in July of 2015, Ile-Ife was literally thrown into a frenzy and turmoil, as the selection of a successor had elicited the interest of Lagos political leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had an agenda to install his friend, Prince Dipo Eludoyin. But the prince was not interested and refused to be dragged into the tussle for the Obaship. In fact, he left for London, just to be out of sight.
Not satisfied, Tinubu went on to poach Prince Ayedun, a former commissioner in former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s cabinet. That too was not to fly, because of the more intricate dimensions to the choice of the new Ooni, which would not ignore the standard process.
Mindful of the fact that the selection of the new Ooni was to come from the rotational system gazetted by the government of the late Chief Bola Ige in 1980, it would be nearly impossible to bypass the Giesi ruling house. That one factor, unfortunately, stood against all the machinations of Tinubu known to disrespect rules and process in everything.
With the Gazette, the Giesi rulling house was next to produce the new Ooni but Tinubu, as he is known to do with his other choices, wanted to politicise this renowned Yoruba tradition for his own political interests and gains. Whatever they were! But the Ife people resisted any such moves and his plot was subsequently exposed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who would naturally stand in opposition camp with Tinubu.
At this point, Obasanjo, a close friend to the leader of the Giesi rulling house, Professor Adeyemi Aderibigbe, a 95-year old former Deputy Minister of Defence to the then Defence Minister Ribadu (father of Nuhu Ribadu), took it up upon himself to salvage the Yoruba culture and tradition.
Having had a full knowledge of Tinubu’s moves to compromise the process, Obasanjo made a call to Aso Rock and told Professor Aderibigbe to go and report Tinubu’s efforts at truncating the traditional process of selecting the new Oba by its 16 Kingmakers to the president, Muhammadu Buhari. Of course, Baba Iyabo facilitated the appointment, even though the professor too has a rich network at the seat of power.
Incidentally, and perhaps, by providence, on the day Professor Aderibigbe got to the Villa, he was ushered into a waiting area and behold, Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande were already seated, also waiting to meet with the president.
After about 10 minutes, President Buhari walked in and immediately elected to speak with the oldest man first, whom he knew from his previous cabinet as Head of State.
Typical of old men, who have nothing to lose, Professor Aderibigbe wasted no time to expose Tinubu’s plans in the presence of the President and Baba Akande and the President immediately turned to Asiwaju for response and reason for his involvement since this was an Osun matter and not Lagos State.
Obviously not expecting such an attack, Tinubu was clearly cornered and immediately backed down on his mission to install the new Ooni. The president’s intervention needed no further clarification.
Meanwhile, it is true that the Elegushi had earlier taken the Ooni to Tinubu before his eventual emergence, in the hope that he would buy into the idea, but Tinubu’s mind was already made up on the person he wanted as the new Ooni and that visit was just a formality. It was of no consequence. Oba Ogunwusi was the preferred choice, allegedly tipped for the throne even by the late Ooni.
Besides, Aregbesola too had been receiving calls from prominent people, who prevailed on him not to disrupt a process already known to tradition. He was said to have squealed to his leader, that there might be crisis in Ile-Ife if he altered the process and urged that things be left as they were, because he was on the ground as governor.
Of course, that’s Tinubu for you. When Hon. Abike Dabiri and others took Hon. Mulikat Adeola to him in 2011 as the choice candidate for speaker, House of Representatives, how did that visit change the fact that he later had a deal with the other side and conceded the slot of the South-west to the north for purely selfish reasons, even after he had given his word to Mulikat.
Therefore, for those who did not know what the facts are, stop the falsehood. Tinubu did not support the Ooni, let alone make him one. He has no stake whatsoever in his Obaship. Pure and simple!
Apostle Johnson Suleman: Firebrand of Faith, Prophet to the Nations, Voice to a Generation
By Femi Oyewale
In the beginning, there was just one man with a burning vision. Today, that man has become a global force whose voice thunders across continents, whose prayers ignite miracles, and whose mission is transforming destinies worldwide. He is Apostle Johnson Suleman, the fiery Restoration Apostle, the humanitarian preacher, and the global trailblazer reshaping the Christian faith for a new generation.
From Auchi to the World
Born in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, Apostle Suleman’s rise from humble beginnings to international prominence is nothing short of remarkable. What started as a divine calling has now evolved into a global mandate, reaching millions through Omega Fire Ministries International (OFM).
His story is the classic tale of vision meeting conviction—of a man who dared to believe God not just for himself, but for nations. From a modest congregation, OFM has spread like wildfire, with branches in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.
The Man & The Mission
To know Suleman is to understand passion—passion for God, for people, and transformation. He lives by one mantra: populate Heaven, depopulate Hell.
His pulpit is a battlefield, his voice a trumpet, his words a sword. Through his fiery sermons, prophetic declarations, and healing crusades, countless men and women testify of divine encounters—cancers healed, destinies restored, impossibilities overturned.
But beyond the pulpit lies the heart of a humanitarian. Suleman’s mission has always extended beyond preaching. He funds scholarships for the underprivileged, empowers widows with homes, sets up businesses for struggling families, and supports countless orphans. In times of crisis, he has sent relief materials across regions, proving that true ministry is not only heard—it is seen.
The Impact
Step into one of his crusades, and the atmosphere tells its own story. Stadiums overflow. Multitudes gather, hungry for hope. From London to Houston, Dubai to Johannesburg, crowds testify to healings, deliverance, and restoration.
Through Celebration TV and other digital platforms, Suleman’s voice penetrates homes, villages, and cities, giving access to millions who may never step into a physical church. His boldness in confronting social ills and speaking truth to power has also established him as a fearless voice beyond the church walls.
The Global Moves
Apostle Suleman is not just a Nigerian voice—he is a global phenomenon. His recent international crusades draw audiences in their tens of thousands, breaking barriers of race, culture, and language.
From prophesying to presidents to laying hands on ordinary citizens, his message is universal: God still speaks, God still heals, God still restores.
Each global tour solidifies his place as one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 21st century. He is as comfortable commanding a crowd in Chicago as he is in Accra, as bold in Paris as he is in Abuja.
The Legacy in Motion
Apostle Johnson Suleman is more than a preacher—he is a movement. A man consumed by vision, driven by compassion, and equipped with an anointing that refuses to be confined by borders.
From Auchi to America, from pulpits to palaces, from widows to world leaders, his impact is undeniable. And as the Restoration Apostle continues to blaze trails across nations, one thing is certain: his legacy is still unfolding, and his global moves have only just begun.
Apostle Suleman Heals Super Falcons Player, Nkor Blessing, of One-Year Leg Injury
An international female footballer formerly with the Nigerian Super Falcons national team, Nkor Blessing, has testified that she was healed of a 12 months-old leg injury by God’s power through the anointing power of Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide.
Blessing’s testimony was announced by the wife of the servant of God, Reverend (Dr.) Lizzy Suleman, during the ‘My Time Has Come’ healing programme at the ministry’s national headquarters
The female footballer’s joy and renewed passion were conspicuous as she stood before the large congregation to tell her recovery story. While expressing confidence of returning to active play after the one year setback, Blessing recalled during the testimony that the incident happened without contact with a fellow player while she was with the Turkish Gaziantep Asya Spor.
The star footballer was signed on loan by the Spanish club, Deportivo La Coruna, for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
“I’ve been nursing the injury since last year when I played in Turkey. Amazingly, I had no contact with any of my colleagues in the field, nobody bashed me. I just woke up and we went out for training in the morning. Then I started feeling the pain when we were jogging. That is how it started. I later came down to Nigeria for a break. In Nigeria, I treated the leg but it wasn’t healed. I later had an invitation to Spain. I played in Deportivo La Coruna but I was off-season because of the injury,” Blessing narrated.
Dr. Lizzy Johnson Suleman stated that Blessing was supposed to have participated in the last match but couldn’t because of the injury and she had been nursing severe pains until she attended ‘My Time Has Come’ programme and “amazingly got healed by the power of God”.
The former Super Falcons forward presented to the congregants her x-tray test results used to locate the injury.
“That is witchcraft.” That is wickedness,” said Apostle Johnson Suleman while praying for Blessing after the healing, emphasizing reliance on God’s power through faith and prayer. “I asked her to speak about how she sustained the injury because she said nobody hit her on the field. Nobody hit her leg, she didn’t fall down or get injured through a wrong attack. It just came. That is witchcraft,” the cleric declared, praying that God that has healed her makes her whole and restores all that she has lost.
Revival Intercessors Ministries Celebrates 15 Years of Growth and Impact in Port Harcourt
Revival Intercessors Ministries International, a fast-growing Christian ministry headquartered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has marked its 15th anniversary with a thanksgiving celebration, highlighting a journey of spiritual growth, humanitarian outreach, and nationwide expansion.
The Anniversary, held in Port Harcourt, was attended by church members, dignitaries, and representatives from various branches across Nigeria. The event served as both a celebration of God’s faithfulness and a reflection on the milestones achieved since the ministry was founded in 2010 by Apostle Samuel Chidiebere Godwin.
Speaking at the event, Apostle Godwin recalled the birth of the ministry on July 25, 2010. “It all started after a divine encounter I had earlier that month. I shared the experience with my wife and later with three other brethren, and together we took the first step. We began with just five adults and three children. Today, we can only thank God for how far He has brought us,” he said.
Over the past 15 years, Revival Intercessors Ministries has expanded its reach significantly, planting branches in several cities and states across Nigeria. The church has also established educational institutions to cater to children and young people, with a vision of raising a generation grounded in both academics and faith. In addition to its local assemblies, the ministry has hosted large crusades and revival meetings in multiple states, attracting thousands of worshippers. According to Apostle Godwin, these gatherings have been marked by testimonies of healing, deliverance, and spiritual renewal.
Beyond its core spiritual mandate, the ministry has actively engaged in humanitarian services through outreach programs and charitable initiatives. The church’s non-governmental activities have included support for the less privileged, medical visits to hospitals, and empowerment programs for families in need. “We believe ministry goes beyond the pulpit. Our mission includes touching lives physically, socially, and spiritually. That is why we have invested in education, community service, and welfare projects,” Apostle Godwin explained.
As the ministry enters its next phase, Apostle Godwin expressed gratitude to God and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the gospel. “We have never had a better last year — every new year has been greater. Our prayer is to remain consistent in God’s kingdom work. We are trusting Him for greater expansion and deeper impact in the years ahead,” he declared. His wife, Pastor Mrs. Blessing Godwin, joined in expressing appreciation to God and church members for their dedication to the vision.
The Anniversary celebration concluded with praise, worship, testimonies, and renewed commitments from members to continue spreading the message of revival and intercession across Nigeria and beyond.
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