At 80, Pa Ayodele Mustapha has every cause to roll out the drums. And that is exactly what he did on Friday, May 15, when family and friends gathered at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus Mega Sanctuary, Akowonjo,
Lagos, to thank God on his behalf and celebrate him.
He was not just celebrating turning 80; he was celebrating a life that has overcome challenges and pain. He was celebrating the goodness of God.
Pa Mustapha, wife, children and grandchildren
Early life
An indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Pa Mustapha was born to Muslim parents who lived in the Ijebu part of the state. That was where he picked up the Ijebu dialect, which he speaks fluently.
Despite being a Muslim, his father enrolled him in a mission school, St. Paul Anglican School in the Makun area of Shagamu for his Standard education. That meant he had to be baptised and as well attend Church services. His father didn’t object to the conditions and even bought a bicycle for him to aid his daily trips to school.
Being a student in the mission school orchestrated his transition to Christianity. Surprisingly, unlike what obtains in many Islamic homes, his father encouraged him to remain as a Christian until he passed on in 1961. After his death, his uncle tried to bring him back to Islam. But it was too late.
Becoming a Christian however turned out to be a watershed decision in his life’s journey. He has since practiced his faith with total devotion, loving God and serving humanity.
Career
Trained as an auto mechanic, Pa Mustapha
worked in several places including Nigeria Hotels, SCOA Motors and Nigeria Airport Authority (NAA) where he retired.
He also developed a romance with photography. At one point, he was widely known as “Baba Photo”—a sobriquet that endeared him to many. He was a lover of sports, playing football and table tennis in his early days.
His children fondly recall watching him play. “Oh, Daddy loves table tennis!” says Ms Oluwatoyin Mustapha, one of his daughters, a Deputy Director of Nursing Services, OAUTHC, Ile Ife.
Barr. Bayo Osikoya, National Secretary, Unilag Alumni Association; Mrs. Funmi Falobi, National Publicity Secretary, Unilag Alumni Association, Mr. Sanmi Falobi and Otunba Seun Badejo, acting Executive Secretary, Unilag Alumni Association.
Church work
However, Pa Mustapha is best known as a pastor—a vocation he never really bargained for. His journey to being a pastor started in 1978. He was among the few members of the Redeemed Christian.Church of God that were selected and prayed for by the Founder of Church, Pa Josiah Akindayomi to form the Visitation Team of the church.
He was in that team and was to be made an Assistant Pastor because of his commitment and dedication. But he chose to just remain in the team. For many years as a worker in the RCCG, he resisted the call to the pastorate.
But after much pressure and seeking the face of God himself, he yielded and decided to give his all for Christ.
He was one of the founding members of the present-day RCCG Sunshine Parish, Mulero, Agege, under Lagos Province 10, Region 37.
He served there in various capacities—from worker to minister, a dedicated member of the visitation team, an excellent teacher of the Word, House Fellowship Coordinator, and Marriage Counselor.
As a fallout of his dedication, he received the Best House Fellowship Coordinator Award in the RCCG from the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, during one of the assessments of house fellowships in the church in the 1990s.
Years later, he was transferred to RCCG Jesus Mega Sanctuary, Akowonjo, Lagos Province 18, Region 36, where he served as one of the Provincial Monitoring Officers (PMOs) until his meritorious retirement from service in the vineyard of the Lord.
Retirement
Following his retirement, he continues to serve God as an elder and Head of Family Affairs (Marriage Counseling) in Lagos Province 18.
Indeed, Pa Mustapha has every cause to thank God for keeping him in good health and for preserving his family. He has been married to Pastor Mrs Esther Mustapha* for 55 years and counting. He has countless testimonies from his decades of blissful marriage and the seven children it produced: one boy and six girls. All his children are doing great in their various fields, bringing immense joy to him and his wife.
Tributes
Thus, Friday, May 15, was a time to return all glory to God for His mercy and for keeping him alive to witness the tremendous work of God in the lives of his family.
In a joint tribute, his children wrote concerning their father: “We celebrate not just your 80th birthday, but the incredible grace and faithfulness of God over your life. For eight good decades, the Lord has preserved you, strengthened you, and used you as a vessel of honour to bless lives and homes. When a man walks faithfully with God, his years become a blessing to generations.”
They noted that his life speaks louder than words: “You are an enduring example of faith in action, service with humility, and leadership with integrity.”
Among the traits they cherish most are his coordination skills, his unique approach to problem-solving, and his passion for unity among brethren. They also described their dad as a bridge builder—one who believes that the strength of the Church lies in unity, mutual respect, and collective wisdom.
His leadership style, according to the children, reflects maturity, patience, humility, and a deep understanding that true authority flows from service.
They also noted that age has not taken an adverse toll on him. “He is one of the oldest elders around, yet truly ‘bouncing in the Lord.’ Daddy continues to inspire the younger generation with his discipline, spiritual fervor, and joyful service.
“His presence reminds us that age is not a barrier to usefulness in the Kingdom of God; rather, it is a crown of wisdom and experience.”
Beyond his leadership skills, his children highlighted that their father is humility personified—easy-going, approachable, calm, and disciplined.
While their father was being celebrated, they also spared a word for their mother, describing her as a virtuous and dependable woman—accountable, dedicated, industrious, transparent, reliable, and a lover of children. “Together, they reflect a godly marriage built on service, mutual respect, love, and faithfulness.
Their home stands as a shining testimony of Christian family values, blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren who carry forward their legacy.”
Birthday celebration
At the birthday event, a delegation from the UNILAG Alumni Association, led by its National Secretary, Barr. Bayo Osikoya, also paid tribute to Pa Mustapha.
Glowing tributes poured in for the octogenarian from other family and church members as the choir serenaded guests with music.
Speaking about her father, Mrs. Funmi Falobi, *a journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Caleb University, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the UNILAG Alumni Association, noted that while her father is a disciplinarian, he deeply loves children and education. Though he has more daughters, Mrs. Falobi noted that her father ensured all of them were educated, “defying the old, popular prejudice that educating girls was a waste of resources.”
She also shared that her father possesses a wonderful sense of humour.
Message
The Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG Lagos Province 18, Pastor Michael Ishola, in his sermon, commended the celebrant for the many milestones and laurels he has achieved, concluding the service with prayers for him *and the family*.
At the end of the event, an overwhelmed Pa Mustapha appreciated everyone who came out to celebrate with him. He thanked the church leadership, family members, friends, congregants, and neighbors. He prayed that in the Kingdom of God, no one would be missing, and that they would all reign with Christ eternally.