By Femi Salako
Publisher Triangle News Media
Faithfulness and goodness of God have indeed been made clearly manifest in the 75 years of existence of Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku. He has continued to enjoy the uncommon grace of perfect health, abundance, answered prayers and fulfilled desires. As a matter of fact, it is indeed doubtful if God could have been more good to anyone that He has been to Odunmbaku, who recently clocked 75 years of age.
Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku is clearly a beneficiary of God’s endless grace in all facets of his life. God’s faithfulness has made him to be one of the few elders that graciously falls into the category of elderly healthy and elderly fit. As a matter of fact, the
75 years existence of Cardinal Odunmbaku is a testimony that attests to the fact that God is truly a rewarder of those that diligently seek and serve Him. Baba Eto as he is popularly known, has been living a life that is dedicated to the service of God and humanity. In return, the Almighty God has truly been working through Baba Eto and also working for him.
Baba Eto is undoubtedly a heavily anointed servant of God; just as he is highly respected for being a consummate politician and unrivalled grassroots mobilizer. He is without doubt a highly gifted clergyman who has been using his spiritual powers for the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God has over the years been using Cardinal Odunmbaku to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of not just his congregants alone, but to certain categories of Lagosians as well.
Impressively, Cardinal Odunmbaku has in the last four decades managed to strike an enviable balance between his spiritual calling and partisan politics. The rare gift of this consummate politicians in ensuring effective mobilization and organization with a determined conviction to achieve success, has been loudly underscored with his sobriquet of Baba Eto. Interestingly, this sobriquet was coined by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Also, Cardinal Odunmbaku was appointed a Special Adviser on Grassroots Mobilization by M.K.O Abiola in the run up to his ill fated ‘Hope 93’ Presidential campaign. This appointment was gotten on merit by Baba Eto because of his strength of the ability to effectively organize and conduct grassroots mobilization.
Comparatively, Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku is reputed to be head and shoulder above his contemporaries as far as the demonstrative ability to combine politics with church ministry is concerned. He has distinguished himself in this respect within Lagos State and Nigeria at large. It is also worth of note that Baba Eto has indeed distinguished himself in all facets of human endeavours. This stride has to a large extent clearly imprinted his legacies in the sands of time.
Baba Eto is equally known to have dexterously combined his clergy calling and partisan politics. The revered preacher also goes about preaching the gospel with deep sense of humility and responsibility.
Notably, he is also known within and outside of Lagos State as an activist, community leader, and successful businessman. Cardinal Odunmbaku is likewise a passionate philanthropist who has extended his helping hands to a good number of Nigerians. Beneficiaries of his philanthropic gestures include the young, old, poor, widows, widowers, destitute, sick persons, as well as those in serious and special financial needs.
Most importantly, Cardinal Odunmbaku enjoys an extremely cordial relationship with the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Jargaban of Borgu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The robust relationship of Cardinal Odunmbaku with the former Governor of Lagos State has clearly
helped to promote and project Baba Eto to a place of pride and prominence in Lagos politics.
As a matter of fact, the relationship between Cardinal Odunmbaku and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is
confirmed to have predated the emergence of the latter as Lagos State Governor in 1999. In the run up to the election, Odunmbaku was appointed the State Chairman of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation (BATCO) which has metamorphosed into what is today known as the “The Mandate Group”.
Interestingly, Baba Eto still remains the chairman of the group till today.
Similarly, Cardinal Odunmbaku was in 2015 appointed as the State Campaign Director of Akinwumi Ambode Campaign Organization.
The clergyman cum politician impressive justified the faith reposed in his ability with an overwhelming victory recorded by the immediate past governor of Lagos State in 2015. Earlier, he had served as the Chairman, Campaign and Mobilisation Committee of Action Congress in 2007 and 2011. Also, he had likewise served as the Director of Mobilisation of Independent Campaign Organisation (ICG) in 2003.
Baba Eto had also served as a member of the Central Working Committee of Alliance for Democracy from 1998 to 2006. He had equally served as the Patron of Community Development Council, Lagos State from 1992 to 2006. Cardinal Omolaja was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party between 1992 and 1993. He was also a committed member of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) from 1978 to 1983.
Baba Eto began his glorious working career as a Clerical Assistant in 1966 with a towel making company, Millet Nigeria Limited. He later worked with Dunlop Nigeria Limited where he rose within a very short time to the position of a Production Supervisor due to his demonstrated hard work and dedication to duties. He also worked as a Director at Everly Brothers before joining Nigerian Maritime Services as a Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Chief Henry Stephens Fajemirokun. The
company was at the time a subsidiary of Henry Stephens Group (HSG). James Odunmbaku later set up his own company after the demise of his business mogul boss, Chief Henry Fajemirokun. He floated Bakujofam and Company Limited, a business entity that dealt in general supplies, clearing and forwarding. Also, he later established J.O. Oduns Farm Nigeria Limited.
Cardinal Odunmbaku is a spirit filled clergy in God’s vineyard and the Parish Spiritual Head of the City of God Cathedral, Celestial Church of Christ which is located in Ojodu area of Lagos. He is also the General Overseer, Christ Ambassadors Soul Winners Ministries International and the founder of Cardinal Interdenominational Theological Seminary Incorporated, Atlanta Georgia. He is equally the founder of Cardinal Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Lagos and the General Overseer of Canadian Diocese of Celestial Church of Christ in Ontario Canada. Odunmbaku is a member of the Supreme Council of Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide.
Baba Eto has been nominated for a National Award by the National Honour Award Committee. He is also a recipient of the Most Distinguished Rev. S. B. J Oshoffa Memorial Gold Award in recognition of his contributions to the growth and development of Celestial Church of Christ. He is also e recipient of Doctor of Divinity (Ph.D) at Indiana Christian University, USA in 2000. He had also been honoured with an Award of Commendation from The Apostolic Church, Lagos and Western/Northern Areas (LAWNA). He is equally a winner of the United Nations Ambassador of Peace Award, winner of 2011 Edition of Lagos State Man of The Year Award as well as a recipient of European-American University Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Humane Letters D.HI). Baba Eto had also won other numerous awards in appreciation of his contributions to the growth of Celestial Church of Christ and propagation of the gospel within and outside of the shores of Nigeria.
This man of many parts and impacts was born on 4th September, 1946 into the family of late Pa Daniel Somorin and Ajike Jimaima. He was educated at the African Church Primary School and African Church Modern School, both in Abeokuta from 1955 to 1964. He is the Managing Director/CEO of Highways Managers Limited and this platform has provided employment opportunities to hundreds of Lagosians. He is also the founder of the Centre for Humanitarian Support, a Drug Abuse and Awareness Non Governmental Organization.
Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku is one name within and outside of Lagos State that opens doors. The fact of being a close ally of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has undoubtedly conferred a huge advantage on Baba Eto within the political space of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. He is a man that is helped by God. He has also helped himself to rise to prominence through the dint of hard work, dedication and perseverance.
The legacies and good name of this clergyman recently opened the door
electoral victory for his biological son, Hon. Odunmbaku with his election and subsequent swearing-in as the Executive Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area.
To Cardinal James Odunmbaku has has truly begin for him as 75. The clergyman cum consummate politician has continue to add value to Lagos State and the church of God. He has evidently remain very relevant within and outside of Lagos State as pacesetter, a goal getter and a uncommon leader of repute. He is indeed a major factor that truly matters in Lagos politics.
Baba Eto deserves nothing short of
the solemn wish of many more years of selfless service to God and humanity in unfailing health, sound mind and fulfilled desires.