Thread by @GbengaWemimo

When I met late Rev. Dr. S. O Abegunde of UI Baptist Church at his Bodija Estate resident that Saturday morning, he was washing his clothes by himself
It was 1999
I had written WAEC in 1998 and somehow failed English
I was supposed to register for the Examination in 1999 but my

mother couldn't raise the money
I remember crying for several weeks from January until March when the registration for WAEC was ongoing
My mother tried her very best
Life was very tough that year
It was as if the wind of life was determined to throw my family into the bottomless

pit
I ran to relatives
One of my aunties who had some money showed me the three thousand Naira I needed and said "I can give you this money but i don't think it would be fair if I did so. Didn't your parent know you will be writing WAEC this year? Labour is not supposed to catch

a nine months long pregnant woman by surprise. If i give you the money i will be endorsing irresponsible behaviour, your parents need to know how to plan and cater to their children. Will i be the one to pay for your younger brother next year?"
I remember standing at her shop at

Bashorun Market and looking very stupid
I had thought relatives were supposed to treat each other with a certain level of compassion...
When i got home and reported what transpired to my mother, she said "When the heaven is shut against a man, even friends will mock rather than

help such"
My mother left the house later that day
We were squatting at an uncompleted building at Bodija Extension
My father was going through a difficult year abroad
Things were just crazy
My mother left home that same evening
It was a Thursday, when she got back she told me

I should go and see Rev. Dr. S. O. Abegunde first thing on Saturday morning
I had thought the good old man was going to sit me down and tell me about life
Pastors are very good at that
Helping you gain perspective when things are difficult
Encouraging you to keep up with hope and

courageous
As soon as I got to his gate, i peeped through the gap between the gate and the fence
That was when i saw him doing his own laundry
I knocked on the gate
He opened
I insisted I was going to wash the clothes
He told me there was no time
He gave me his card and some

money
He said i should find my way to Deaconess Ayoade's House immediately
He said he had spoken to her
He said i should report to her with my passport photograph and WAEC registration details
Just like that
I ran home (5 kilometers away) and got all that i needed
Then I ran and

jogged to Deaconess Ayoade's house
I met her at home
She collected the details and told me I have to go back to Baba Abegunde's house and thank him
She was a principal, WAEC registration for her school had closed when Rev. Abegunde spoke to her about my case.
When she made some

inquiries from other principals about late registration, she found out Iroko Community Grammar School was still registering students.
When she told Rev. Dr. S. O. Abegunde, he paid the exorbitant fees immediately
This was on Friday, a day after my mother went crying to him and by

Saturday morning I was dropping my passport photographs and other details
I danced back to Rev. Dr. Abegunde's house with joy
I met him just as he was about driving to church for a meeting
I prostrated with tears streaming down my face
He came down from his car and hugged me

He said "I know your family is going through a lot, I don't want you to be discouraged. I want you to be strong. Read your books and pass this exam! You must be a success.
I studied as if i would die
I passed that WAEC in flying colours
I always imagine the course my life would

have taken without his timely intervention
When i gained admission into the university and needed "Admission fee" of N25,000.00, Baba Abegunde (As i fondly called him) asked my mother to talk to the head of the men fellowship of the church
That was how my admission was settled!

I was taught love by Baba Abegunde's actions towards me, I was taught how to snatch good children from the jaws of wickedness circumstances that could bend their paths towards destruction
GSWMI will be starting an Academic scholarship scheme for Indigent students in 2021

This scheme will be named after the Late Rev. Dr. S. O Abegunde in appreciation of the role he played in my life as a Father and a mentor
I had made inquiries about Baba Abegunde in the last few weeks and I was told he had gone to be with the Lord in Chicago in 2018
May his soul

rest in peace
I will also mention Professor Okedara 9The first Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University and His wife Professor Mrs. Okedara for their love and kindness to me and my family in my formative years
The Christian community is the greatest gift to humanity all over the world

Only God knows how many destinies were rescued from destruction by the timely intervention of the church and believers (regardless of denomination)
I say boldly all over the world that I am a product of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ & I know thousands who will say the same