Sadela: A Life Long Lived

Late Sadela

Nigeria’s oldest clergyman, Samuel Sadela, died recently at the age of 113 years, after preaching the gospel for 81 years. Adedayo Adejobi who had encountered him before his death writes about his life and times

According to accounts surrounding his birth as told by his mother and old relatives, he was born the same year a white man assumed duties as a District Officer in his town, Ifon, Ondo State. For that singular honour of being born the year the white man entered the town, his parents and elders of the town fondly called him Aboyinbode (one who arrived the same year the white man arrived).

“I was born in 1900. The date is not difficult for me to remember, because it was the year that a District Officer assumed duties at Ifon. My mother told me that I was born on the market day of the year the white man arrived. However, she did not know the exact date. In addition, I vividly remembered that during 1903 through to 1906, we spent cowries to buy things and went to dunghills to gather these cowries to buy bean balls. Not until 1907 when the spending of farthing started,’’ he told THISDAY in an interview before his death.

To be sure, Sadela left his parents at the age of 14 in search of formal education which his parents could not give him. He had also told THISDAY that an Angel taught him the use of the Holy Bible before he struggled to major out his elementary education solely.

Another historical fact revealed that the District Officer left Ifon in 1925, the year of enthronement of Ajike, as the Olowo of Owo. Also, during the year of his birth, history has it that Jagbajagba was the name of the chief clerk of the District Officer then, while Lampe, a Ghanaian from Accra was the government carpenter, who constructed most of the ancient structures used by the District Officer in the town.

Education and Career
Sadela, the last child of a family of 12, was over pampered by his parents and that made him a rascal. He started his primary education at St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Ifon, but left midway and headed for Sapele, where he worked as a houseboy to a certain Captain Pullen, who was a district officer. He also, at different times, served Captains Balmour and Calvin, who were district officers in various parts of the old Western Region. He completed his standard education in 1925 and worked as a public servant. He was a tax collector for three days per week and a court clerk twice per week and was always with a team of policemen.

The late Sadela’s desire to acquire western education propelled him to return to school in 1918 and completed his Standard six education in 1920. In 1925, he missed the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom as a member of the Boy Scouts contingent that toured Britain with a courtesy visit to King George V at the Buckingham palace. A memory he went to the grave with

He started the Okitipupa branch of Christ Apostolic Church in 1935 and two years later, “we travelled to Lagos to meet Pastor Babatope Adegboyega, that was the year Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) broke up with The Apostolic Church (TAC). The TAC continued her convention but CAC could not, until year 1943 when it had one at Efon-Alaye. It had another in Ile-Ife in 1944, Ibadan in 1945; Ijebu-Ode in 1946; Owo in 1947; Oyan in 1948. I was in Akure as a pastor, so I could not attend but in December 1954, I went back to Okitipupa as a general overseer.”

Childhood Memories
“I was born and brought up in Ifon. My experience as a child started from my home town in Imoru, Ondo State. My father was an idol worshiper while my mother was a princess of Ifon, both in Ifon. History has it that I was born in the month of August 1900, at a period when the first general overseer of our church resumed in my town. In those days, the fourth Ajike called Olowo of Owo was the chief interpreter in my church in Ifon.

“He was my uncle who nick-named me ‘Aboyinbode’ meaning a child born at a time when the white man visited our town. There were few roads in those days and I left home in 1914 for the fact that my parents refused to send me to school. I was a rascal and my mother gave birth to 12 of us. Being the last born of the family, my parents never consented to the idea of sending me to school and I felt the best way to achieve this was to run away from home,” he revealed.

Turning Against His Root
The son of an idol worshipper, who was also the second in command of his home town of Imoru and a prince from Ifon, both in Ondo State, late Sadela likened his life to the story of black pot producing a snow-white pap. “My father was not a Christian. He was the second in command of Imoru, while my mother was a princess from Ifon. My father was not even a believer. He worshipped idols. But from a black pot came out the white pap,” he explained.

It did not take long for discerning minds to know that the little boy was different from the lot as he confounded the entire household with tasks well beyond his age.
Sadela said at a tender age of two, he began to read the Bible even before he started school.
“I was taught how to read the Bible by the angels of God. In those days, I would read the Bible to the admiration of the church leaders,” he said.

Papa Sadela’s sojourn as a man of God started in 1928 when, as a tax collector, he visited the legendary Prophet Moses Orimolade, founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. “I had a burning desire to meet prominent men of God of those days. In 1928, I met the founder of C&S and in 1931, I met Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola.”

The meeting with Apostle Babalola turned out more rewarding for young Sadela, as the man of God later became his mentor who baptised him by immersion in 1931.
“By this time, I was already leading a Christian group that I later converted to the Christ Apostolic Church under the leadership of Apostle Babalola,” he had said.

The church grew rapidly, and between 1933 and 1936, he had established many branches of the CAC in Ikale land, leading to his ordination as a full time minister of God. It was at this time that he had a unique experience that shaped his life.
“At that time, I was already working directly under the supervision of Apostle Babalola whom I met in 1930. The experience was something you couldn’t really explain. He was a rare man of God who radiated everything that was truly God’s,” he said.

Before He Died
THISDAY’S visit to Sadela’s home before his death showed that the deceased was full of energy even at such old age of 113.
He resided in a storey building where he stepped down the stairs once daily to carry out daily routine. He was known to be warm with his visitors. His passion to convert people to Christianity was always in his face.

As Sadela walked into the living room where the interview held a few seconds before the appointment time, looking strong, sharp, and bright, this reporter had his body vibrated, based on earlier doubt of Sadela’s strength to attend to an interview.
A very strong and firm gentlemanly handshake doused whatever doubt the reporter had about the old man’s state of health, well-being and mental state of mind, as to go through the rigour of long hours of an interview session.

For a discerning mind, yet in unspoken words, you could tell that even at his ripe age, Papa Sadela was not done with life yet, as he was in tune with God, imploring the Almighty to ensure that he lives up to 120 years and beyond.

He said: “I want to live longer to prove to all that God remains the same as He was in times past. If Methuselah could live for 969 years, God can make me live well beyond 113. If Noah could be 950, it is not too much for Him to make me live up to 200. In the event my request to live up to 200 years is granted by God, I have promised myself to celebrate same in grand style at the Buckingham Palace in England. I will mark my birthday and years on the pulpit at the Buckingham palace in England soon.”

The question was popped and received with an indubitably adrenaline-charged reply. How does it feel being 113 years old now? “Great! I feel happy to be this old. Actually, I feel like a young man. I still enjoy my meal of Iyan (pounded yam), Eba (Cassava flour) and bush meat. I sleep whenever I want to and wake up stronger,” the priest revealed.

Sadela who started preaching the gospel in 1932, has since then not looked back. Worshippers at the headquarters of the Gospel Apostolic Church at Soluyi, Gbagada, Lagos, are still in shock of how the centenarian finds it convenient to preach during Sunday services. This led to talks in some quarters about Papa Sadela being the world’s oldest preacher as told by World Guinness Book of Records, now 81 years on the Pulpit. Although he may not have known his real birthday, he remained resolute about the year he was born.

His Words for Nigeria
“I have said it for the past 10 years that things will never go well in this country until we return to true federalism. I have travelled to some parts of the world and many of these countries operate true federalism which makes them successful. Nigerians have practiced parliamentarianism, Presidentialism and a host of others which never worked for good but true federalism will work if we can operate that,” he said.

He further advocated for state ownership of refineries and power supply, adding that such will bring healthy competition among the federating units and reduce corruption in the country; “if not, the rate of unemployment will be astronomical and our youths will continue to suffer.”

If President Goodluck Jonathan were here right now, this is what I will tell him; that true federalism will be the best government for Nigeria, else he will continue to labour in vain. That was what I advised late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon before their government was toppled. So also, late Chief Obafemi Awolo-wo and Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo who agreed and said it can only be achieved through thorough planning. Obasanjo is my son, I told him he would become a president and will run for two terms; but I have not set my eyes on him since he left office. I sent him a note recently which he acknowledged.

I am always bitter that things are not working in this country, but we can retrace our steps. We cannot sit in a place and expect manna from heaven. Electricity can bring a lot of good things into the country. I spend a lot on diesel to get things done. Each state should have a refinery, if this is not done by year 2015, Nigeria will likely split. Our youths are endowed but lack of electricity is a hindrance. Nigeria is a very rich country. I wish Nigerian leaders can hearken to the voice of elders so that the whole world will know that the nation is richly blessed. My expectation is that Nigeria will be transformed.

His Last 60 Minutes
Sadela gave signs of his departure by acting strangely in the early morning of Sunday, August 24, 2014. He was said to be singing and telling people around him it was time to go home. He requested to be bathed and dressed up after which he slept on his bed and passed on at 4.30 a.m in the presence of family members and church pastors in Abeokuta where he had gone for his routine medical checks.

Members, who came to listen to his preaching on Sunday morning, were torn apart with the disappointing news of his death.

Gusts of Tributes
‘‘For a man not in the league of modern day preachers who live expensive lifestyles, acquire luxurious properties, assets, private jets and squander tithe pays funds with wanton impunity.  The old stock and fire- brand blind preacher is no doubt a shining light and example what the so-called Nigerian men of God should be in this generation. He has fought a good fight and won. He has finished the race, good night daddy. He has gone to be with the Lord and assuredly with the Saints on High in heaven smiling down on us. He was a role model and pillar in the Christendom from his anointing till death. He was a loyal man of god. He was obedient to God and not listening to injunctions from God. He was a giver and a physical, spiritual blessing to all who visited and met him.  He had a special grace in all spheres of his life, as he undoubtedly conquered life, sin, enemies and Satan,” declared Pastor Ayodele Anifowoshe.

According to another mentee, Pastor Oluwaseun Afolarin said: “Immortality is moving men when you have stopped moving. Sadela has joined the cloud witnesses. He was a patriarch of faith. He was an Icon of a long and blessed life. Sleep well man of faith.
“The late preacher forbade the use of church fund to enrich himself, as a result what he left behind for his family were were gifts from people who believed they have been blessed by his contributions to the vineyard of God.

“For the Late clergyman’s family and congregation, there is no mourning, rather they should role out drums and celebrate the Global, God’s general and national iconic figure who for over eighty years in service of God and humanity stood out through his ministerial sojourn and prove to be a true follower of Jesus, as he was passionate about winning souls in line with biblical injunctions. He had love for everyone. He was passionate about the word of God. He asked his congregation to go into the streets with verve and preach the gospel.”