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Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola – The Story of the Powerful Leader of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC in Nigeria

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Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola – The Story of the Powerful Leader of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC in Nigeria

Joseph Ayodele Babalola was born on April 25, 1904 to David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi who were members of the Anglican Church. The family lived at Odo-Owa in Ilofa, a small town about ninety kilometres from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was the Baba Ijo (literally meaning, father of the church) of the C.M.S. Church at Odo-Owa. According to Pastor Medayese in his book, “Itan Igbe dide Woli Ayo Babalola”, mysterious circumstances surrounded the birth of Apostle Babalola. On that day, it was believed that a strange and mighty object exploded and shook the clouds

On January 18, 1914, Apostle Babalola was taken by his brother M.O. Rotimi, a Sunday school teacher in the C.M.S. Church at Ilofa, to Osogbo. Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five at All Saints’ School, Osogbo. However, he quit school when he decided to learn a trade and became a motor mechanic apprentice. He did not continue long in this vocation before joining the Public Works Department (PWD) and he was among the road workers who constructed the road from Igbara-Oke to Ilesa, working as a steam roller driver.

Apostle Babalola was called by God into the prophetic office to stand before men. His strange experience started on the night of September 25th, 1928 when he suddenly became restless and could not sleep. This went on for a week and did not know the cause of such experience. One day when he was working on the Ilesa-Igbara-Oke road, the steam roller’s engine suddenly stopped to his utter amazement. There was no visible mechanical problem, and he became shocked. He was in this state of confusion when a great voice “like the sound of many waters” called him three times. The voice was loud and clear, telling him that he would die if he refused to heed the divine call to go into the world and preach. Babalola did not want to listen to this voice and he responded like many of the Biblical prophets, who, when they were called by God, did not normally yield to the first call. Apostle Babalola gave in only after he had received the assurance of divine guidance.

To go on the mission, he had to resign his appointment with the Public Works Department. Mr. Fergusson, the head of his unit, tried to dissuade him from resigning but Apostle Babalola was bent on going on the Lord’s mission. The same voice came to Apostle Babalola again, asking him to fast for seven days. He obeyed and at the end of the period he saw a great figure of a man who, according to Pastor Alokan, resembled Jesus. The man in a dazzling robe spoke at length about the mission he was to embark upon. The man also told him of the persecution he would face and at the same time assured him of God’s protection and victory. A hand prayer bell was given to Apostle Babalola as a symbol. He was told that the sound of the bell would always drive away evil spirits. He was also given a bottle of “life-giving water” popularly called “Omi-iye” to heal all kinds of sicknesses. Consequently, wherever and whenever he prayed into water, miracles of effective and total healing were recorded for those who drank the water. Thus, Babalola became a prophet and a man with extraordinary powers. Enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit, he could spend several weeks in prayer. Elder Abraham Owoyemi of Odo-Owa, said that the prophet regularly saw angels who delivered divine messages to him. An angel appeared in one of his prayers and forbade him to wear caps.

During one of his prayer sessions an angel appeared to him and gave him a big yam which he ordered him to eat. The angel told him that the yam was the tuber with which God fed the whole world. He further revealed that God had granted unto him the power to deliver those who were possessed of evil spirits in the world. He was directed to go first to Odo-Owa and start preaching. He was to arrive in the town on a market day, cover his body with palm fronds and disfigure himself with charcoal paints.

In October 1928, he entered the town in the manner described and was taken for a mad man. Babalola immediately started preaching and prophesying. He told the inhabitants of Odo-Owa about an impending danger if they did not repent. He was arrested and taken to the district officer at Ilorin for allegedly disturbing the town’s peace. The district officer later released him when the allegations could not be proven. However, it was said that a few days later, there was an outbreak of smallpox in the town. The man whose prophecies and messages were once rejected was quickly sought for. He went around praying for the victims and they were all healed

In March 1932, a warrant for the arrest of Babalola was issued from Ilorin in present Kwara State.

He was taken to Ilorin and then transferred to Benin City where he was charged to court.
He was sentenced to jail for six months in Benin City in March, 1932

an attempt to end the ministry of this resurging prophet who was causing some mission churches and the colonial government a great deal of concern.

Now, there was another prisoner at the Benin prison yard by the name Cyprian Ufon. Mr Ufon who hailed from Creek Town in Calabar area was very sick and depressed. Babalola prayed for him and he was healed and cured of his depression. He quickly became a follower of Babalola. Babalola later understood that he (Ufon) was the instrument of honour God had told him about during his prayer retreat at Ilofa.

Babalola electrified and turned the prison yard to a house of God. Many prisoners and warders were healed and saved.

Notably was the case of a pregnant lady, also from Creek Town who had safe delivery through the ministration of Babalola in the prison. The warders also brought their families and relatives to receive healing through the prayers of Babalola. On June 2, 1932, Pastors Idris Vaughan and George Perfect arrived in Nigeria as the first missionaries of the Apostolic Church based in Britain. They traced Babalola to Prison and paid him a visit. During the visit, the missionaries heard with their own ears what the Lord had done through Babalola in the lives of the warders and prisoners. Apostle Babalola was eventually released from prison in October, 1932 after serving his jail term.

The C.A.C. believes that the spiritual power bestowed on Babalola placed him on an equal level with Biblical apostles like Peter, Paul and others who were sent out with the authority and in the name of Jesus.

In 1930, his fame began to spread abroad most especially due to his amazing exploits at the Great Revival that happened at Ilesa which changed the spiritual climate of the western region. The impact of the great revival was felt virtually all over the country and Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola became a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian church. He became the leader of the pentecostal movement in Nigeria and his name was on every lip both of friends and foes, admirers and critics. Apostle Babalola however remained single and many of his family members, followers and colleagues became curious as to why he was not considering marriage being a church leader.

After persistent pressure from his father, Pa David Rotimi Talabi, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola got married to Dorcas on April 25, 1935. About 6000 people attended the wedding and he received a total gift of 3 pounds, 10 shillings and 6 pence. The wedding took place at the first Aladura assembly at Efon Alaaye and was conducted by Pastor David Odubanjo, Pastor J.S.B Odusona and Pastor Medaiyese. Apostle Babalola met his wife a virgin and had to give her 2 pounds and 10 shillings for the virginity, a custom of the Yoruba people at that time.

During their lifetime, Babalola used to call his wife ” Mama Abiye” and Dorcas would also call him “Baba Abiye”. They settled down in Efon Alaaye.

After a successful completion of his assignment, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola slept in the Lord in 1959.

Though he died several decades ago many CAC members still pray with his name. Whenever they pray they add Olorun Joseph Ayo Babalola. That is how much he is reverred by CAC adherents. He was the founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).

Another noticeable feature of his work was the usage of water for healing which prompt the popular C.A.C song then: “Babalola Olomi Iye re o. Omi Iye, Iye, Iye, re o. Omi Iye…”

Tag a #CAC member.

Source:
The New People Movement
City People Magazine
Yorubaness

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Profile: Major General Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Intelligence

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October 25, 2025

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On October 24, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reappointed Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence, reaffirming confidence in his leadership and expertise in strengthening Nigeria’s defence intelligence operations.

Major General Undiandeye first assumed command as the 17th Chief of Defence Intelligence on June 23, 2023, and continues to serve with distinction in the nation’s security architecture.

Born on September 2, 1968, in Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Southern Nigeria, General Undiandeye hails from the family of Mr. Sylvanus and Mrs. Maria Undiandeye.

He began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, and later proceeded to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, where he completed his cadet training.

Major General Undiandeye has attended several professional military and strategic courses both locally and internationally, including the Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Lagos, and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, for his Junior and Senior Courses.

His quest for advanced military education took him to the National Defence University (NDU), Washington DC, USA, and the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, where he earned a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan.

Major General Undiandeye also attended the Senior Executives National and International Security Programme at the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Administration, USA, and the International Intelligence Directors Course in Chicksands, United Kingdom.

He holds a B.A. (Hons) in History and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies. He is an International Counter Terrorism Fellow (ICTF) of the NDU’s College of International Security Affairs, Washington DC.

Throughout his distinguished career spanning over three decades, Major General Undiandeye has held several command, staff, and instructional appointments, contributing significantly to national and global security.

His notable positions include;

Chief of Staff, Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps

Director, Lessons Learnt, Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation

Director, Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency

Director, Psychological Warfare, Defence Headquarters

Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre

Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji

Internationally, Major General Undiandeye has served as; Deputy Chief Operations Officer, United

Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); Deputy Chief of Assessments, UN Headquarters, New York; and as a pioneer seconded officer to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), where he contributed to preventing full-scale conflict between South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan.

His professional excellence has earned him several awards and decorations, including;

Grand Service Star (GSS), Defence Meritorious Star (DMS),

Defence Administration Medal (DAM), Field Command Medal (FCM),

Training Support Medal (TSM), and the

United Nations Headquarters Medal (2013).

Major General Undiandeye is a Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc), Fellow of the National

Defense University, Washington DC (fndu), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCAI),

Fellow of the International Institute of Professional Security (FIIPS), and Fellow of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (FNARC).

His vast experience in intelligence, operations, and strategic leadership equips him with a strong foundation to coordinate the nation’s defence intelligence architecture effectively.

Major General Undiandeye is happily married to Mrs Jane Ekor Undiandeye, and their union is blessed with three children. His hobbies include reading, golf, photography, and nature watching.

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Meet Admiral Idi Abbas, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff

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October 25, 2025

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On October 24, 2025, the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff, following the retirement of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

A statement from the Nigerian Navy described Rear Admiral Abbas as a seasoned officer who “brings a distinguished record of service and leadership to the Nigerian Navy.”

Early Life and Education

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was born on September 20, 1969, and hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State in North-West Nigeria

He began his early education at Gwagwarwa Primary School, Kano, and proceeded to the Air Force Military School, Jos, from 1981 to 1986, before gaining admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1987.

Rear Admiral Abbas was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on September 10, 1993, as a member of NDA 40 Regular Course, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

Military Courses and Qualifications

Rear Admiral Abbas is an Above Water Warfare (AWW) specialist who has attended several military courses both in Nigeria and abroad.

His training includes:

Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at NNS QUORRA (1994)

Junior and Senior Staff Courses at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2001 and 2005)

Officers’ Long Course (OLC XII) at NNS QUORRA, Apapa Lagos (2003)

United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania (2009)

National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Course 23 (2014)

Appointments Held;

Over the years, Rear Admiral Abbas has served in various key positions across the Nigerian Navy.

He started his career onboard several naval ships as a Watch-Keeping Officer, including NNS ARADU, NNS DAMISA, and NNS AYAM.

He later held positions such as:

Naval Assistant to the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1998)

Staff Officer III, Marine Services, Naval Headquarters (2004)

Gunnery Officer, NNS OHUE (2006)

Instructor, NNS QUORRA (2007)

Commanding Officer, Burma Battalion, NDA (2008)

Base Administrative Officer, NNS PATHFINDER

Naval Contingent Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN (2010–2012)

Maritime Guard Commander, NIMASA (2015)

Commander Task Group, Operation TSARE-TEKU (2017)

Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command (2022)

In July 2023, Rear Admiral Abbas was appointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards (CNASS) at Naval

Headquarters, and in February 2024, became Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations (CDCMR) at Defence Headquarters.

Before his elevation as the 25th Chief of Naval Staff, he served as Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Heritage Centre, in January 2025.

Promotions

Rear Admiral Abbas rose through the ranks with dedication and excellence;

Midshipman – 1996

Lieutenant – 2001

Lieutenant Commander – 2006

Commander – 2006

Navy Captain – 2011

Commodore – 2016

Rear Admiral – September 10, 2020

Awards and Honours

His distinguished service has earned him several honours, including;

Passed Staff Course (PSC)

Fellow Defence College (FDC)

Forces Service Star (FSS)

Meritorious Service Star (MSS)

Distinguished Service Star (DSS)

Grand Service Star (GSS)

Defence General Staff Medal (DGSM)

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS).

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All You Need to Know About Nigeria’s New Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

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October 25, 2025

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Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede (N/9318) NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM COM CCA

1. Family background: General Oluyede was born on 21 June 1968 in Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

2. Education: He attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti, and proceeded to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, for his secondary education. Thereafter, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of 39 Regular Course. On completion of his cadet training, he was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 19 December 1992 in the rank of second lieutenant with seniority in the same rank effective 12 September 1987. He is of the Infantry Corps.

3. He became the 29th indigenous Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, first in acting capacity with effect from 30 October 2024 and substantively, in November 2024.

4. Military career: In the course of his meritorious military career, he has attended several courses both at home and abroad where he distinguished himself creditably. Some of these courses include the Young Officers’Course (Infantry) and Regimental Signal Officers’Course as well as Commanding Officers’ Course, all at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.

He also attended the United Nations Logistics Officers’ Course at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre, Ghana and the United Nations Military Observers’ Course at the now renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, among others.

Similarly, he attended the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, for his Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and he is a member of the national institute and a proud alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), where he did his Senior Executive Course. He also attended the Strategic Leadership Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

5. Qualifications: He holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy among others. He has also attended and participated in several workshops, seminars and conferences in the course of his career which contributed in preparing him for the highest appointment in the Nigerian Army.

6. Appointments: General Oluyede has served in several formations, units and training institutions where he held command, staff and instructional appointmentswithin his illustrious years of service. Some of these appointments include Platoon Commander and Company Second in Command in 65 Mechanised Battalion and 177 Guards Battalion respectively. He was Platoon Commander and later Officer Commanding in 2 Amphibious Battalion. For his initial instructional experience, he was Instructor and later Senior Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He held the appointment of Staff Officer Grade 1 in Charge of Personnel and Welfare Services as well as Logistics and Operations at different times while serving at Headquarters Joint Task Force (Operation RESTORE HOPE) and Headquarters 82 Division respectively. He also served as Deputy Director Examinations at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command.

He was Chief of Staff at Headquarters 13 Brigade before attending the Senior Executive Course at NIPSS. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff Civil-Military Cooperation at Headquarters 1 Division and later Director at Army Headquarters Department of Army Standard and Evaluation. He was Commandant of Amphibious Training School. He was appointed Commander 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East Theatre from where he was made the Acting Commander Sector 2 in the same theatre.

On his promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed substantive Commander Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Thereafter, he was posted to Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed Senior Research Fellow after which he was moved to Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans and appointed Director Plans.

After a brief stint at the Army Headquarters, he was appointed the General Officer Commanding 6 Division. He was later posted to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Directorate of Inspection and Compliance and appointed the Director.

7. International/local operations: The seasoned Infantry General has also participated in a number of operations both home and abroad. His posting profile traverses considerable deployments and participation in several Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations as well as Internal Security Operations across the country.Indeed, his military exploits began as a young platooncommander in 65 Mechanised Battalion from where he moved with the unit to participate in the historic Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

During the ECOMOG operations, he was reported to be full of initiatives and was saddled with the onerous assignment of providing security for the Presidential Lodge, a task he discharged admirably.

He was GOC 6 Division, Officer Commanding in 2 Battalion during the initial militia crisis in Rivers State and also successfully led his company to curb the nefarious activities of the Niger Delta Volunteer Peoples Force,a formidable militant group that threatened the peace and security of Niger Delta region.

8. Awards: He is a recipient of the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award in Year 2018,
the Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Grand Service Star (GSS).Others include, Passed Staff Course (psc), Member of the National Institute (mni), Field Command Medal(FCM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH), Training Support Medal (TSM) and General Operations Medal (GOM). He is also a holder of the coveted Corps Medal of Honour (CMH) and prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award (CCA).

9. Hobbies: Gen. Oluyede enjoys travelling, playing basketball and volleyball. He is married and blessed with children.

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