Olukoya’s Books Has Been A Blessing To Me

page 44 The BOSS NEWSPAPER Special Edition Olukoya’s Books Has Been A Blessing To Me- Bankole

By Dupe Akinlaja

Can you introduce yourself and your background, where you has the rest of his books that I have read.

Mare and what you currently do? y name is Olawale Bankole. I hail from Lagos state, Nigeria. I am a member of the Mountain of fire and How has the church helped in b uilding your spiritual life? miracles ministries. I worship at MFM International Wow! The church has really imparted my spiritual life. I had the Headquarters Youth Church in Lagos. I am in the prophetic encounter just after I graduated from UNILAG. I started with group. I hold a bachelor's degree in Cell Biology and Genetics the foundational class which really is imperative for every new from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. I am currently a graduate convert to pass through. During the class I got Holy Baptism student at the University of Texas, Permian Basin, Odessa, Tx, and Water Baptism just after the conclusion of the class. U.S.A, where I study Biology with focus on Biomedical research. Subsequently, I joined the prophetic group of the youth church At what point did your path cross with prayer. I can also boldly say I have read the MFM and by extension, Dr. D.K Olukoya? bible from cover to cover after this encounter. Although, I was not born into MFM, neither It is wonderful you know. do I have any known family member who The reverent atmosphere at every moment of attend MFM, I had slightly known Dr. D.K church service could be felt in the church and Olukoya during my secondary school days is very contagious. I see handsome and because he was an alumnus of the school and beautiful youths vibrant for Christ and this on did sponsor so many of our programs its own always want you to do more including Inter-house sport competition. So, I spiritually. You would always want to be in did not really know as a clergyman but as a church especially when you have been born of Philanthropist and a Successful individual. the spirit. It was during my Undergraduate days I got to know more about him as I seldom attend What spectacular and specific act of MFM youth church Sunday services at the generosity have you enjoyed from Dr. D.K UNILAG multipurpose hall. He became Olukoya, that has helped pr opel your highly inspirational to me after getting to career today? know his academic feat as a young man. He Well nothing specific but a lot of spectacular graduated as the best student from Methodist act of generosity of Dr. D.K Olukoya both Boys' High School (MBHS), also he had the directly and indirectly that haveI enjoyed. He best CGPA graduating from microbiology loves speaking to the youth department and department, UNILAG, a record which was not Bankole wants our growth both spiritually and career broken until recently. He later proceeded to wise. Countless sponsored empowerment University of Reading for his Ph.D in Molecular Genetics after procuring a “He became highly programs from him to us and his teachings has clearly imparted my career path. competitive scholarship. Most of all these inspirational to me after Dr. D.K Olukoya has contributed to scientific drew me to him especially, knowing that my academic career path is like his and needless to getting to know his research in Nigeria. I know he gives out funding which I must have gained from say, I was also the best graduating student academic feat as a young indirectly. He funded the D.K Olukoya Central from MBHS in my set back in 2008. For the kind of background, he had, spiritual man. He graduated as th Research Laboratory in UNILAG which I did not really work there because I had already e and academic wise, it was not difficult to have him as a role model and so I decided to worship at MFM youth church of which I best student from Methodist Boys' High graduated as at when my department in UNILAG started making use of the laboratory and I was preparing to come the enjoyed the prayers. School (MBHS), also he U.S because I already got a scholarship here. I know students (both undergraduate and What is your impression of Dr. D.K Olukoya? had the best CGPA postgraduate) who are currently enjoying We all know the kind of person he is, if you listen to his sermons well. One thing I would like to say is that he is a very disciplined man, graduating f m i c r o b rom i o l o g y working in the lab as the facility and equipments can be compared to international standards. I have some couple of friends there. and this is what has set him apart right from his youth. He has been able to discipline department, UNILAG, a If you were to meet Dr. Olukoya today, what himself to get to this level. The story he tells record which was not word of appreciation would suffice? us during his sermons of how he was able to stand by his beliefs, separate himself and broken until recently. ” God has really daddy G.O for me and I think nothing I can say can suffice. All, I would say resist peer pressure especially during school is Daddy, you are source of blessing to me and days is very wonderful to hear. I know him as a man who would to this generation. I am not the first to say this and would not be not give room for compromise. the last as you continue to impact souls on daily basis both He is a very generous man, a loving father and someone who has directly and indirectly through your numerous sons and built confidence in the lives of so many youths out there daughters. I can only pray for continual empowerment on you including myself. I remember his very book I read titled from God through Christ Jesus. Amen. Thank you, daddy. "students living in the school of fear", it was a blessing to me, so where I was exposed to the ministry of

OLUKOYA'S Passion For Charity

In his effort to ensure that welfare is spread to all and sundry, Dr. Olukoya has created the We Care Ministry, an arm of the MFM Church. The ministry is sub-divided into various groups to enhance reach and ensure that none of those in need will be left out. Billions of naira are budgeted every year to see that the indigent and the needy are catered for. In his usual humility, he would not want his tremendous contribution to philanthropy made public but The Boss was able to obtain through an inside source, the ministry's activities for the year 2016-and it was so revealing!

WE CARE MINISTRY

PRISON SUB-GROUP:

Month: Day Activity Region Responsible Amount Apr. Easter Monday Love Feast- Female Prison Women February 6th - 8th Prison Revival- Ikoyi Lekki Regions of Fire/Ojota N300,000 N450, 000 Jan - Mar every Wed Conselling - Badagry Prison All March 6th - 8th Prison Revival - Badagry Prison N50,000 Maximum Prison Ketu Regions N560, 000 Apr - June every Thur Conselling - Ikoyi Prison April 3rd- 5th Prison Revival - Maximum Prison Maximum Prison All N50,000 Medium Prison H/Q N400, 000 July - Sept every Wed Conselling - Maximum Prison May 1st- 3rd Prison Revival - Medium Prison Female Medium Prison All N50,000 Prison TMPM Ikoyi N350, 000 Oct - Dec every Tue Conselling - Female Prison Ikoyi June 5th- 7th Prison Revival - Female Prison Badagry Prison All N50,000 Prison Ojo regions N380, 000 Not fixed yet PFN Annual General Meeting two persons August 7th -9th Prison Revival- Ikoyi Ajah N500,000 N80,000 Sept 4th - 6th Prison Revival - Female Prison Maximum Sub-Total N4,370,000 Prison Ikeja Regions N400,000 Oct. Provision for Contingencies N250,000 2nd - 4th Prison Revival - Medium Prison Ejigbo Regions TOTAL FOR PRISON SUB-GROUP N4,620,000 N750,000

REHABILITATION SUB-GROUP:

Jan - Dec 4th Sundays Feeding of Idi- Araba/

Owutu H/Q N1, 710,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding of Owutu- Owutu Rehabilitation Centre Ketu Regions N2, 000,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre Ikeja Regions N4,000,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre Ejigbo Regions N1,250,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre Ojo Regions N1,000,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre TMPM Ikoyi N400,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre Women of Fire/Ojota N400,000 Jan - Dec Every Sunday Feeding - Owutu rehabilitation centre Ajah N1,000,000 Jan - Dec School Fees/ Materials for Idi Araba @ 3500 per Child (180) Schools materials for IdiAraba children H/Q N630,000

TOTAL FOR REHABILITATION SUBGROUP 12,390,000

ORPHANAGE SUB-GROUP:

Jan - Dec Visitation to Orphanages under them Ejigbo region N3,000,000 Jan - Dec Visitation to Orphanages under them Ikeja region N3,000,000 Jan - Dec Visitation to Orphanages under them Ojo region N1,400,000 Jan - Dec Visitation to Orphanages under them Ketu region N1,500,000 Jan - Dec twice/month Visitation to Orphanages around headquarters H/Q N3,500,000

ANNUAL ORPHANAGE SPECIAL PROGRAMME:

Gifts to 40 homes N15,000,000 Feeding children in 40 homes N2,500,000 Event Location rent N350,000 Amusement for children N300,000 Transportation N400,000 Feeding of We Care Members N1,500,000 Logistics N400,000 Misc. expenses N300,000 TOTAL FOR ORPHANAGE SUB-GROUP N33,150,000

Monthly Expenses on Joshua Olukoya @ N25,000 per Month N300,000 Yearly Payment of School fees of Children in Primary/Secondary Schools H/Q only N500,000 Sponsorship of 8 Students at Various Universities listed below

1) Victory John- Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun, Warri N170,000 2) Emmanuel John- Mountain-Top University John- Mountain Top University (Living Expenses) ( living Expenses) N100,000 3) Adewale Adeoti- University of Ife (living Expenses) N95,000 4) Emmanuel Uwa- Kings University Uwa - Kings University (Bsc Political Science) N405,000 5) Emmanuel Patrick - Kings University (Bsc Accounting) N430,000 6) Onyia C Patrick- Kings University (Bsc Microbiology) N430,000 7) Emmanuel O Phillips - Kings University (Bsc Microbiology) N430,000 8) Oni Daniel- Mountain Top University N550,000

Sub- Total on Universities Sponsorships N2,610,000 Various Donations to Walk-in Needy at Headquarters N4,000,000

OLD PEOPLES' HOME SUB-GROUP: Jan - Dec weekly Visitation to Old Peoples Home 2,500,000

ANNUAL OLD PEOPLES HOME SPECIAL PROGRAMME: N1,000,000 TOTAL FOR OLD PEOPLES HOME SUBGROUP N3,500,000 SUMMARY: PRISON SUB-GROUP N4,620,000

REHABILITATION SUB-GROUP N12,390,000 ORPHARNAGE SUB-GROUP N33,150,000 Monthly Expenses on Joshua Olukoya @ N25,000 per Month 300,000 Yearly payment of School fees of Children under We Care Scholarship Scheme N3,110,000 Various Donations to Walk-in Needy N4,000,000

OLD PEOPLES HOME SUB-GROUP N3,500,000 Total Budget for Year 2016 - N61,070,000

OLUKOYA'S COVID-19 PALLIATIVES

As people were on a total lockdown in Lagos State, no thanks to the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Alagomeji side, covered the Old Yaba Road, Herbert Macauley, Adekunle, Layinka, Latunde, Ayodele streets, Ladipo, Wright, Cater, Mac Culum, Moloney, Glover, Miracles Ministries worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya took Freeman streets, took the team through Simpson Street, the initiative to feed thousands of the vulnerable residents Borno Way, Murtala Muhammed Way, and ended up at of the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of the the starting point, Simpson by Latunde streets in the state, by providing them with food stuff packs. evening. The International Headquarters of the MFM is Beneficiaries of the gesture were full of prayers located in the precinct of the local government and quite a and appreciation to God in the life of Dr. Olukoya, for large number of the ministry's members reside there. reminding and taking care of them at this period of need. Apart from feeding the community, the MFM, in Some of the areas that the food palliative was the first week of the state government's announced shared are Ebute Meta, Onike, Iwaya, Makoko and lockdown, donated several packs of hand gloves, nose environs. and mouth masks, as well as booklets of the ministry's 30 Meanwhile, the phrase, 'charity begins from Days Prayer Retreat, to the state government at the Yaba home' was manifested in the humanitarian gesture, as the Primary Health Care facility. This was the first vulnerable members of the MFM were well taken care of installment of donations. through their groups. In the same vein, the ministry donated a brand Group leaders were charged to submit list of new Toyota Hiace ambulance to the Lagos State names of the eligible members of their groups, who were government. The second installment of donation of subsequently invited to the church to collect the medicaments were handed to the state government in the foodstuffs packs from a team headed by the Assistant third week of lockdown, while a similar gesture was done General Overseer in charge of administration, Pastor to the Ogun State government, through the MFM Gbesan Adebambo. Of course, this arrangement did not ministry at Abeokuta. override the individual group's provisions for their On his feeding of the vulnerable, Dr. Olukoya members, which was done accordingly at the different engaged the service of young boys in every locality in group's levels. sharing the foodstuffs, because, they know themselves. Also, the house fellowships, to which every This is to ensure equitable distribution and avoid rancor member of the MFM belongs, also made their separate in the process. arrangements to provide for their members, as the The sharing, which started at 9am from lockdown lasts.

The BOSS NEWSPAPER DORCAS Special Edition EMPOWERMENT S C H O O O L S C H O O O L

DORCAS EMPOWERMENT SCHOOL

MFMM Officials giving Sewing machine to a beneficiary

Students at work

DORCAS EMPOWERMENT SCHOOL

Graduates displaying their certificate

Tie and Die Students at work

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Students holding the bags they made

Bags made by students of the Foundation

Some students of the Foundation

Dorcas Foundation has made me self-reliant - Oluwaseyi -

Can you introduce yourself and tell us ho w you joined Dorcas Empowerment Foundation? My name is Ibukun Victoria Oluwaseyi, I joined Dorcas empowerment in 2016 as one the second batch of the shoe and bag section. Before I joined, I noticed that where I was staying, people were engaged with one thing or the other and I did not want to stay idle, so I decided to obtain the form and I started gradually. I graduated here in 2017 and went for my youth service. I took my sowing machine with me to where I was serving and I introduced my shoes and bags that I made to people around me. So fortunately for me, there was a building beside my school and one the occupants wanted to have a wedding, so I showed them the samples of bags that I made and they ended up making 450 pieces of bags and purses for the wedding souvenir in 2017. So it introduced me to a lot of people and then the patronage was wonderful. I have my page on Facebook named blessed collections, anytime I finish making a bag, I upload it there and people always patronise me. I also go to YouTube to gain more knowledge. The patronage has been wonderful.

So Dorcas Foundation has made y ou self reliant? Yes it has.

What advice would you give aspiring members tha t would also want to benefit fr om the program. First and foremost, let me thank the Dorcas Empowerment Foundation and also the church for the opportunity. I never thought of learning any handwork before, until I found myself in the environment where I was staying, because people were learning different things so I was motivated to join the Dorcas Empowerment Foundation, and the lesson is that you can actually be your own boss and not depend on another person. If my monthly income is not forthcoming, I have something I can fall back on. I want to tell anyone interested in learning to be steadfast, honest and dutiful. There is so much to learn from here that would be of tremendous benefit to anyone. I am a testimony.