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Pastor Emmanuel Alabi shares his journey from a modest rural upbringing to roles in journalism, public service, and ministry, underscoring how perseverance, discipline, and faith guided his path.
At the age of eighty, Pastor Emmanuel Alabi offers a sweeping reflection on a life that has woven together strands of education, public service, ministry, and family ties.
Alabi's Childhood in Okeho
Raised in the dusty environs of the Okeho community within Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, he recounts a childhood marked by scarcity-no electricity, limited water supply, and untarred roads-but also by resilience and the early spark of hope that came with the introduction of free Western education in 1955 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Despite the challenges posed by a polygamous household fraught with envy and rivalry, Alabi maintained an unwavering focus on learning, service, and faith, lessons that would later become guiding principles throughout his varied career.
His parents, though illiterate, were pillars of intellectual curiosity and determination. The father served as a customary court judge and farmer, while the mother, known as 'Iya Olowu,' worked as a produce buyer and later became a respected local agent. Although she did not champion formal education for her children, her pragmatic approach to life and modest financial success influenced that he would pursue academic and professional growth.
Without access to a local library, Alabi and his peers had to travel long distances to procure books, an obstacle that forged a strong sense of self-reliance and adaptability. Alabi's formal education began at a Baptist Primary School before moving to the Baptist Secondary Modern School in Okeho. His passion for Geography and Elementary Mathematics blossomed through a teacher-training course at Baptist College in Iwo.
College Training and Pastoral Ministry
The college's motto, 'Not for School but for Life,' shaped his outlook, emphasizing practical skills and moral integrity. It was here that he cultivated a love for football, participated in evangelistic outreach in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods, and learned housekeeping chores such as laundry and gardening-activities that instilled discipline and community responsibility. These lessons endured, becoming personal hobbies and useful skills throughout his adulthood. Following his graduation, Alabi pursued a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry at ECWA Theological Seminary.
In November 1988, he was ordained as a pastor within the Christ Gospel Apostolic Church and served the English Service for fourteen years, stepping down in February 2026. His theological training informed his compassionate ministry and commitment to spreading Christian values. Parallel to his pastoral duties, Alabi forged a distinguished career in journalism and public relations.
He earned a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1972 and briefly worked as a senior sub-editor at a national broadcaster, where he collaborated with seasoned journalists. He then transitioned to the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company as its inaugural Public Relations Officer and subsequently to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, again as the first Public Relations Officer under Secretary-General Ben Okagbue.
Journalism and Public Service Career
In May 1981, he joined the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as the Principal Assistant Registrar responsible for Information, Publications, and Statistics. Through these roles, Alabi exemplified how dedication to public service can coexist with spiritual leadership. His life's narrative underscores the power of perseverance, discipline, and faith, illuminating a path that others can follow.
The breadth of his experiences-from a rural upbringing to international education, from media to ministry-remains an enduring testament to the possibility of transformation through learning and service.
Pastor Emmanuel Alabi Okeho Baptist College ECWA Theological Seminary Public Service
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