By Yanju Uwala
Former President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) and Chairman, Lagos, Western and Northern Areas (LAWNA), Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola, JP is dead.
He died in the early hours of Wednesday,14 February, 2024 at his Magodo, Lagos residence according to sources in the church.
The late former National President was inducted into the two positions he held in the church in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
He also served as the Chancellor of Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU).
He retired from the services of the church on April 29 2017.
An indigene of Ilesha, Osun State, Olutola played prominent role in entrenching Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
He was an outstanding church leader who worked for the unity of the Body of Christ.
He retired at 84, but he continued to render service to the Lord till he passed on.
He had his theological training at The Apostolic Church International Bible College and pursued further degrees at the Harvard University and the University of Ibadan.
Late Olutola is the first person to simultaneously hold the post as president of The Apostolic Church and chair, Lagos, Western and Northern Areas (LAWNA).