t seems life is just beginning at 70 for Mr..Adegboyega Bamisebi. His looks, demeanour, and gait belie his age. He could easily pass for a 50-year-old. Yet, he is not only a father of four successful children, but also a grandfather.
​Born on July 26, 1956, Bamisebi who spent a good part of his professional career life at the defunct Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) is proud of his childhood and ancestral lineage.
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I was born at Dr Maja’s Hospital near Tinubu Square on Lagos Island to the family of the late Chief Emmanuel Owolabi Bamisebi of the Owoye Royal Family, Oke-Owoye, and the late Chief (Mrs) Comfort Aduke Bamisebi of Ilogbo Quarters, Ago, Ota, Ogun State,” he told Church Times with a sense of pride.
​This early beginning provided a strong foundation for him to navigate the turbulences and triumphs that have characterised the last seven decades of his life.
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He recalled that growing up on Asani Lane on Lagos Island, where he attended African Bethel Primary School on Broad Street, Lagos, was quite adventurous.
Back then, Lagos Island was in its pristine state. “It was the age of innocence, as people would say. We grew up loving people in a communal setting. Everyone around was a relative, so to speak.” He said.
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It was during his time on Lagos Island that his romance with the Anglican Church began. It is a romance that has lasted a lifetime. He worshipped at King’s (Anglican) Church, Enu-Owa, Lagos, in those early years. ​
He left Lagos Island for Ajegunle, Apapa, in 1965 with his parents. At the time, Ajegunle was notorious for crime and brigandage, earning it the nickname “Jungle City.” That environment notwithstanding, Bamisebi distinguished himself.
​His words, “Life was really rough in Ajegunle, but my parents were exceptional. They brought us up well, and all of us in the family turned out well despite the prevalence of crime around us. I attribute this to God’s grace. Not many will believe I spent 30 years of my life in Ajegunle yet have no criminal record. Rather, I was deeply involved in church activities.”
​Indeed, while in Ajegunle, he was a member of Christ the King Anglican Church (CKC), where he left an indelible mark throughout his stay. He had joined the choir at age six while at King’s (Anglican) Church, Enu-Owa, Lagos, and continued singing with the choir at CKC Ajegunle.
​He went on to become the longest-serving Cross Bearer of the CKC as well as a tenor singer. He was an Altar Server for many years and served as General Secretary of the Lagos Diocesan Altar Servers’ Guild for over 15 years before being appointed as the Pastor’s Warden of the church in 1997.
He served in that capacity for seven years until NITEL, his employer, transferred him to Abuja in February 2004.
Bamisebi was a long-standing member of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, 1st Apapa Company (attached to CKC Ajegunle), where he served as Captain for 22 years.
He also served as President of the Apapa Battalion Council of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria for two consecutive terms up to 2007, and was the Commandant of the Anglican Communion Brigades (ACB) for Apapa Archdeaconry for many years before relocating to Abuja.
​Beyond this, Bamisebi who is noted for his outgoing personality and uncanny ability to inspire young people—has served in various other roles, including Patron of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria (1st Apapa Company), member of the Parish Church Council (PCC) of CKC for more than 20 years, and Synod Delegate representing CKC in the Lagos Diocese for 9 years (1989–1997).
​He was a founding member and two-term President of the Christian Youths Association of CKC, an active member of the National Council of the Christian Youths Association (NCCYA), and a former executive member of the youth body. He is also a Patron of the CKC Christ Ambassadors Society.
​Bamisebi’s outreach extends beyond the Anglican Communion. He has served as Patron of the African Church Youths Association (ACYA) at St. Peter’s African Church, Ojora Street, Ajegunle, and is a member of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Apapa Auxiliary.
​His love for the Anglican Church, however, remains unparalleled. Upon moving to Abuja, he continued his service, joining the choir of All Saints’ (Anglican) Church, Wuse, Abuja, from 2004 to date, while bringing his professional skills to bear as the choir’s Auditor.
He served as a PCC member for many years and as a Synod delegate for three years. He later joined St. Matthew’s (Anglican) Church, Gwarinpa, Abuja, where he has served as a Synod Delegate, PCC member, and former Secretary of the Harvest Committee.
Professional life
Bamisebi’s professional life is as vibrant as his church life. Armed with several professional certificates in computer programming, management, administration, auditing, data processing, finance, and more from Nigerian and UK institutions, his career spans several reputable organisations.
​He began his career with the Nigerian Ports Authority, working for five years as a coding clerk and Computer Programmer from 1974 to 1979, before joining NET as a Data Processing Superintendent.
After two years there, he joined NITEL, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Manager of Finance, Head of Retail Billing (CHQ), and Acting DGM before the organization became defunct.
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A Fellow of multiple professional bodies, Bamisebi currently serves as a Partner at Bagudu Omobude & Co. (Chartered Accountants, Audit & Tax Consultants) in Abuja, while also consulting for several other organisations.
​Apart from church and work, the Lagos born septuagenarian enjoys a fulfilling family life. While living in Ajegunle during his early adult years, he met his late wife, Mrs Rosaline Oluwafunmilayo Bamisebi (née Shakunle), who was also a chorister at CKC. They married on April 17, 1982, in Modakeke, Osun State, and were blessed with four children.
​Sadly, Mrs Funmi Bamisebi transited on Thursday, August 17, 2017, after 35 years of marriage.
​”Her death dealt a heavy blow to me. It was the saddest day of my life,” he recalled adding,. “My pain was that she passed at a time when our children were getting married and thriving. All the same, I thank God for the eventful and impactful life she lived.”
​Five years later, on January 5, 2022, he remarried Mrs Ebele Edith Bamisebi (née Okeke), an accountant from Anambra State and fellow choir member at All Saints’ (Anglican) Church, Wuse, Abuja. The wedding took place in Ukpo, Anambra State.
​One thing that stands out about Bamisebi is his deep love for the Anglican Church. He is far more than a member. He has internalized church doctrines and practices with total devotion, cherishing Anglican hymns, chants, Psalms, Canticles, and classical church music.
​For Bamisebi, attaining 70 has been a milestone made possible only by God’s grace. “I want to thank God for His mercy. I cannot thank Him enough,” he says.
​Reflecting on the lessons life has taught him, he offers a simple philosophy: “The secret to a good life is to live one day at a time. Put your faith in God, live simply, love people, and love God.”
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