By Esther Onyegbula

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya’s enduring legacy of service, leadership development and nation-building took centre stage in Lagos on Sunday as family members, church leaders, professionals and beneficiaries of his numerous initiatives gathered for the third annual Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Memorial Lecture held in commemoration of what would have been his 70th birthday.

The memorial lecture, themed “One Life, Many Harvests: The Multiplier Effect of a People-Centered Life,” celebrated the late founder of The Fountain of Life Church, highlighting the far-reaching impact of his ministry, mentorship, social interventions and commitment to raising future leaders.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, described his late father as a man whose sacrifices and selfless service continue to bear fruit long after his passing.

Drawing from John 12:24, Jimmy Odukoya said the theme reflected the biblical principle that a seed must first be planted before it can produce a harvest.

“The scripture that encapsulates the theme is John 12:24 when Jesus speaks about how unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone, but when it dies, it bears much fruit,” he said.

According to him, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya embodied that principle through a life dedicated to service, obedience and integrity.
“I can boldly say that my father’s life was a seed that was planted into the earth of life, and you and I sitting here today, in one way or another, are being impacted by the fruit of that life. His obedience and sacrifices, he lived a selfless life. He lived a life of service and a life of integrity,” he said.

He urged participants to embrace similar values and strive to leave a positive impact on society.

“My hope and prayer is that when it is all said and done, the same can be said about you and I. With everything that we do today, my prayer is that you are inspired, challenged and motivated to live a life that impacts others,” he added.

Delivering the keynote address, former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, said Pastor Odukoya’s influence extended far beyond the pulpit, describing him as a leader who deliberately invested in people and institutions that would outlive him.

Johnson compared Odukoya with the late Richard “Dick” Kramer, former Managing Partner of Arthur Andersen Nigeria, noting that both men understood the importance of building enduring legacies through people.

“They both started things that they knew they could not finish or could not be completed in their lifetime. But that did not in any way diminish their enthusiasm and commitment to the work at hand. They were both playing a long game,” she said.

She outlined six leadership lessons from Odukoya’s life, beginning with what she described as the difference between “being in the light” and “being in the limelight.”

According to her, despite his prominence, Odukoya consistently focused on empowering others rather than drawing attention to himself.

“Pastor Taiwo was never about the limelight; he was always about the light, diminishing himself so that the light he received could shine more brightly on others,” Johnson said.

She further described the late cleric as an exceptional listener who understood the power of empathy and restraint.

“Experience, age and position do not automatically confer the right to judge and advise. Listening well without judgment does,” she added.

The event also featured emotional tributes from members of the Odukoya family, who reflected on the personal values and life lessons imparted by the late pastor.
His granddaughter, Isabella Ariayo Ijogun, remembered him as a loving grandfather whose warmth and kindness touched everyone around him.

“Ariayo is a special name my grandpa gave me. It means laughter of joy, a joy he brought into all our lives,” she said.

She pledged, on behalf of Odukoya’s eight grandchildren, to uphold the Christian values he instilled in them.

“We will continue to live by the values you taught us and, by God’s grace, continue to be signs and wonders,” she said.

His son, Timileyin Odukoya, recounted lessons of perseverance and faith learned from his father, recalling how the late cleric often spoke about overcoming humble beginnings through hard work and trust in God.

“He told us it is not about where you come from; it is about the effort you put in. Trust God and everything will work out,” Timileyin said.

He also recalled how Pastor Odukoya became both father and mother to the family following the death of Pastor Nomthi Odukoya in 2021.
The memorial lecture equally spotlighted some of the initiatives established by Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and his first late wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, which continue to impact lives years after their passing.

Speaking on behalf of the Grace Springs Business and Vocational School, its Head, Olumide Oyetunde, said the institution, established in 2009, has trained over 3,500 individuals through vocational and business development programmes.

According to him, the school has also facilitated the establishment of numerous small businesses through partnerships with government and non-governmental organisations.

Similarly, Ronke Oyelakin of the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation disclosed that the organisation has supported more than 233,000 women since its inception.

She explained that the foundation provides rehabilitation, reintegration, empowerment and protection services for vulnerable women and girls.

“We have offered hope and support to women who had no hope and helped them get back on track,” Oyelakin said.

She noted that Pastor Taiwo Odukoya remained actively involved in encouraging residents of the foundation’s shelters during his lifetime.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Odukoya’s posthumous devotional book, Reflections of My Heart.

Presenting the publication, Abiodun Balogun described it as a lasting repository of the late cleric’s teachings, experiences and spiritual insights.

“Though Pastor Taiwo is no longer here physically, his thoughts, experiences and profound contributions remain vibrantly alive in this book,” he said.

Reviewing the book, Yewande Zachaeus said it offers encouragement to people facing hardship, disappointment and uncertainty, drawing extensively from Odukoya’s personal experiences and unwavering faith.

“This book is a call to encouragement in times when it seems that God has forgotten you. Pastor Taiwo assures us that God is still God in every situation and will resolve negative circumstances for our good in His own time if only we remain faithful,” she said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Associate Senior Pastor Tolu Odukoya said the annual lecture was established not merely to honour the memory of his father but to sustain the ideals he championed throughout his lifetime.

According to him, Pastor Odukoya was deeply passionate about leadership, nation-building and Nigeria’s future.

“Our father loved Nigeria. He loved leadership and always believed that if people understood where to plug into leadership and nation-building, Nigeria would be better,” he said.

Tolu Odukoya maintained that the church’s primary responsibility is to build people of character and integrity who can positively influence society and governance.

“It is not the church’s place to hold leadership accountable. The church’s role is to build people and teach them the right way to live. If we build people of integrity, when they get into positions of leadership, they will govern according to God’s principles,” he said.

Also reflecting on her father’s legacy, Tobi Odukoya said the numerous testimonies shared during the memorial lecture underscored the enduring value of a life devoted to service.

“His life exemplifies that service is what success is really about. It is what Christianity is about. It is now up to us to continue what he did and leave a godly legacy for those coming after us,” she said.

Pastor Taiwo Odukoya died in 2023 after decades of ministry characterised by teachings on faith, resilience, leadership and personal transformation.

Organisers said the annual memorial lecture and the publication of Reflections of My Heart form part of ongoing efforts to preserve his teachings, inspire future generations and advance the values of service, leadership and nation-building that defined his life.