Before his transition on October 31, 2024, Rev Solomon Aderibigbe Adegbolagun knew his time on this side of eternity was up. But his wife of about 48 years had no inkling. She carried on with him until the fateful day he breathed his last.
He was not sick and was not nursing any ailment that would make one think his time was near. About a month before his transition, however, he had a valedictory meeting with one of his children who had visited.
That night, as revealed by his wife, Olawale, Rev Adegbolagun met with his son. He told him he was not owing anybody. He went ahead to prepare his mind of the impending eternal trip and gave him instructions on what to do after he might have transited.
But the young man could not read in between the lines. He could not discern that his father was preparing the ground to be with the Lord. About a month later, he passed on quietly in his sleep after telling his wife he wanted to rest. That was after he came back from the hospital. He had shown signs that necessitated the hospital visit.
A few days before his transition, preached at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos. He returned home from the last ecclesiastical assignment to go to his eternal home.
The begining
Thus, a journey that started on March 23 1946, in Igbajo-Ijesha by Erinmo in Osun State where he was born came to an end. “There was no struggle. He passed on quietly. You probably think he was sleeping.” said his wife.
Rev Solomon Adegbolagun was 78.
Early life
The story of his life was however that of a man who knew where he was going right from when he was aware of his environment. After his primary school education, he was to be trained as an English tailor. But his plan changed when he realized the man that wanted to teach him was illiterate.
He had dreamt of having a good education. He soon got support from his sister and elder brother who saw him through his studies at Secondary Modern School in Orile-Ilugun, Ogun State. He later attended United Local Authority Secondary School, Oshodi, Lagos, where he graduated with first division in 1968.
From there he attended the University of Lagos, where he studied Chemistry. His academic journey didn’t stop there; he pursued various postgraduate diplomas and certifications in professional and theological studies from institutions both in Nigeria and abroad.
His career
Adegbolagun was a community man. The whole idea of getting involved in community work started when he was doing his Youth Service in Benue-Plateau in 1976
After his NYSC he worked briefly at Berger Paints and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO). He joined Patterson Zochonis (PZIL) Industries Limited in Ilupeju, Lagos, in 1980 where he eventually rose to the position of National Sales Manager.
But Adegbolagun was more known for his social engineering work. He was passionate about the establishment of God’s kingdom in the corridors of power. The greater part of his life was spent doing advocacy work in the political arena.
He was one of those who first caught the vision that a Christian would do well to be in government. He used his clout and his political connections to ensure believers got involved in politics. Rather than using his links with politicians to ammas wealth, he was using it to bring believers to power.
His Christian calling
He was however more concerned about populating the kingdom of God than his secular pursuit. He had embraced Jesus right from his secondary school. This zeal followed him to the university where he was a leader in the Students Christian Movement.
He served in multiple roles within the Student Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria, including Lagos Sectoral Secretary, President of the University of Lagos branch, and National President of SCM Nigeria from 1987 to 1992. Adegbolagun’s unwavering commitment to nurturing Christian values extended far beyond school visitations, as he and his wife, Olawale, made it their mission to support others in their spiritual journey.
His dedication to his faith led him to serve in many church roles. He was the pioneering Advert Director of the Advertisers of Jesus Christ’s Ministry before founding The Last Commandment Ministry in Mafoluku, Oshodi. This ministry was particularly significant to him because he believed in the importance of being grounded in the community.
His politics
He collaborated with prominent political figures, including the late Chief Bola Ige, former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to advance the cause of the Christian faith in governance.
His closeness to President Bola Tinubu was as a result of his fight for Christians to be well represented in Lagos State. It was that advocacy along with other Christian leaders that made it possible for Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to become governor of Lagos State after a long spell of Muslims leading the state.
Adegbolagun served as the Chairman of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board and was known for his dedication to faith-based initiatives and community service. His passion for promoting righteousness in Nigerian governance and advocating for Christian values was at the core of his beliefs.
One of the platforms he used for his advocacy work was the Centre for Righteous Living (CRIL). Through CRIL, he worked to promote integrity, transparency, and Christian principles in leadership, with a focus on Nigerian politics and governance. He believed faith and politics can interlope.
Role in Family and Legacy
Rev Adegbolagun was a family man. His wife, Pastor Mrs Olawale Adegbolagun said during a brief meeting with Church Times that she would definitely miss him. She recalled how they met when she was Nursing student while her husband was at the University of Lagos and a leader in SCM..
She said they met at a Christian programme and from that event they became close and eventually married in 1976 The marriage is blessed with Adedamola, Adebola, Adebanjo, and Adeyitomi,
Their children have taken after their parents in love, service, and faith. The Adegbolaguns also embraced the children they adopted and have become one strong family.
The late cleric played a significant role in the extended Adegbolagun family. He was the olori ebi i.e the head of the Adegbolagun Dynasty.He cherished the importance of family unity and made sure that the legacy of the Adegbolagun family remained strong.
Tributes
Since his exit on October 31, tributes have been pouring in. Gabriel Abiodun wrote in forevermised.com, ‘Revd. S. A. Adegbolagun was a great man, a distinguished servant of the Most High, a consummate evangelist, a devoted teacher of the Word, a seasoned administrator, a sincerely responsible, responsive and sensitive leader of men. We should talk no differently about a man because he is dead than we would if he were still alive. Rather, we must speak honestly, truthfully and sincerely on what he represented in his private and ministerial lives.
“In the course of his main duty as a clergyman, either at meetings, crusades or on the pulpit, Revd. Adegbolagun spoke logically, coherently, courageously, thoughtfully, intelligently, truthfully, frankly and sincerely.
‘He never masked his feelings; he never believed in pretence. The notion that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line was central to his moral and ministerial mathematics. His chosen style made the necessary distinctions between power and authority. Hardly enamoured of the latter, he went on to spend the former in the manner of a rich kid who finds his wealth embarrassing.’
Dr Mrs Nike Akindayo, Senior Pastor of Inheritors Christ Mission Int’l was simply nonplused when she heard of Rev Adegbolagun’s passage. ‘he is on the board of our ministry and he has been quite resourceful and a blessing to us. We usually looked forward to his fatherly counsel. He was to be with us for the board meeting of the church. We had fixed time together for the meeting only to now hear he had passed on. We are surely going to miss him. He lived a glorious life. He touched many lives. We pray that the Lord will bless and prosper the family. My heart goes to his widow, Mama Olawale Adegbolagun. We pray the holy spirit will continue to console her.’
Abolarinwa Oyeleru wrote in forevermissed.com ‘Yours was a life of faith, grace and love. I first met Daddy in 2005 during the formal proceedings to the engagement and marriage to his adopted daughter, now my wife Olufisayo Oyeleru (nee Akindele)
‘He was calm but pointed in his words and queries. I observed he was not quite convinced by my answers but after the session, he asked that I bring my family members…and the rest as they say is history. Thank you Daddy for giving me that chance.
“Going forward, Daddy has never left us without the fatherly support we craved for, in our lows and highs. He would pray, admonish, support in every form to see to our welfare. His love and care extended to all members of Late Rev. Akindel’s family, without leaving anyone behind. He was ready to spend and be spent for his children and family’s welfare.
‘My children would love to go greet grandpa because they were sure some cash would drop into their purse. Daddy was always calling to check on us and would pray for our success as family and in business. I felt the potency of his love and prayers in the years I have known him because things really turned better.
‘We were really blessed by his kind heart. We celebrate you Daddy for this memorable experience you afforded us, for you have laid an example of father who loves like Jesus. We shall keep this legacy by the grace of God.
‘Few days to your passing, you prayed for us in our conversation and we are grateful to God your passing was like that who God has called home in peace. We would miss your presence but we rejoice that we have a hope of seeing again, in the Lord’s bossom. Continue to rest in peace Daddy…till we meet again.’
Indeed, Rev.Adegbolagun’s transition was a peaceful one..A commendation service will be held to honour his life and legacy on January 9, at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, before his interment at this hometown on Saturday January 11