AUTOBIOGRAPHY- Taiwo Alabi Shobukola
(First written January 09, 2019, and revised March 29, 2021)
I was born as a twin on the 22nd March 1947 into the family of Pa Emmanuel Shobukola and Patience Abeke Jokotola Odejobi of Agbakin compound, Isale-Igbein Abeokuta in Ago-Are ,Ife Sowapo local government, Oyo state.
Education
I started my education at the Baptist Day school, Ago-Are in 1953 till December 1956 when my twin sister and myself were transferred to St. Paul Anglican Primary school, Igbore, Abeokuta where I completed my primary school education in December 1960.
I attended Ransome Kuti Memorial evening Preparatory school in 1961 from where I gained admission to Abeokuta grammar school in January 1962. I had a brief break in my secondary education between 1963 and 1965, due to financial problems, to allow my senior brother to finish his own secondary education first.
I resumed my secondary education in 1966 at Rev. Kuti Memorial secondary school, Ishabo, Abeokuta from where I obtained my West African School Certificate in 1968. For my post-secondary Education, I studied Electrical Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos between 1969 and 1974 from where I obtained my HND (Elect) in 1974.
I attended Delta state University (DELSU) as a part -time student and obtained my PGD (Management) in 1999. I also obtained my MBA (Production and Operations Management) as a Part -Time Student from the Lagos state University in 2003
Working Experience
I secured my first employment, as a Technical Manager Trainee, without writing any job application with M/S CFAO NIG Ltd in 1974. The company came to our department to conduct a job test and interview. Through the Grace of God, I was one of the four selected from among about thirty students in my class
I left CFAO in Feb 1980 and had a teaching tint at the Eko Boys High school before joining the Public Service at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in August of the same year till my statutory retiring age in 2007.
It is interesting to know that I enjoyed double blessings (which may be called Twin blessings as a twin!) along my life career; in the Pry school, I secured double promotion. Also, at work at the NIIA, I was employed in Aug 1980, on Grade level 10 and by Dec. of the same year was promoted to Grade Lev 11. This was before completing the then statutory one-year probational period, and the mandatory two years on a grade level before being considered for promotion. Also immediately in the new year, 1981, I was again moved to Grade level 12, in compliance with a new Government circular cancelling Grade level 11. That was double promotion within the space of one year! Praise be to God.
As an extra working experience, I developed an interest in Nutritional health. As a self- made Nutritionist, I stared studying, writing, and publishing books on Nutritional health, with particular interest in Nutritional approach to Human health challenges.
Through the help of God, I had been able to write and publish the following books: selling locally, nationally, and internationally:
§ Eat Right and Live Well
§ Nutritional Remedies for Common Ailments
§ Natural Remedies on Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
§ Anti- Age Foods - Foods that Keep You Young and Vibrant
§ Healing Herbs and Spices
§ Prostate Care
§ Guides on Women Health
Most of these books are on sale on the internet at the Amazon.com. (He Learnt to use the computer and also take advantage of the internet at age 50+).
Professional Bodies Membership
I am a member of the following professional bodies:
· Council for the regulation Engineering practice of Nigeria, COREN
· Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE
· Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM
Christian Life
I came across the Gospel in 1969 through the Ogunsanwo family in Ibadan when holidaying with my senior brother. I got saved in Dec 1970 and was sanctified and baptized with The Holy Ghost and Fire in 1971.
Since then, God had given me the privileged of serving and working for Him in different levels and capacities as a Minister, Pastor and Overseer:
· Pastor, Oworo Branch Church, Lagos Nigeria
· Deputy/Acting General Secretary, Association of Visiting Secretaries,
· Leader, Protocol Department
· Leader, Electrical & Power Department
· Deputy Director, Family Development Directorate,
· Deputy Director at the Infrastructure Directorate,
· Deputy Director, Welfare, and Administrative Directorate,
· Chairman, Marriage and Family Committee and
· Chairman Board of Governors of the Apostolic Faith secondary school, Lagos (2 terms)
· Assistant (and subsequently) Leader of Group 3, (Group 3 is one of the 4 Groups/Clusters in the Anthony Village WECA HQ Church, which has a population of about 2000 congregants)
Praise be to His Holy Name for the opportunity to serve Him. He had helped me to lay my hands on the plough and I will, by His Grace, not look back till He comes or calls me Home. Amen
Married Life
I got married to Abiodun Oyinlola Adenuga on January 24, 1978. Our marriage is blessed by God with wonderful children, Oluwatobi, Oluwatosin & Oluwato(walaa)ye.
Last Mile (written by Children)
I am still in shock and disbelief that we are planning a funeral for him.
We had our family evening prayers together between 8 and 8.45pm EST on Tuesday night, he then had a late meal and retired to the chair in his bedroom. I had a brief conversation with him and retired for the night and came in a few minutes after midnight and he was gone to be with the Saviour and Lord he loved and served so faithfully.
However, we are encouraged from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
This experience has challenged our determination to remain committed to the Lord and serve him as best as he gives the enabling and look forward to that resurrection morning to meet up with my parents who lived practical Christians lives and ensured that we their children and grandchildren only see the good in the gospel.
Final homegoing services will take place in Nigeria.
TO VIEW THE LIVESTREAM OF THE SERVICE AT 3:00PM , PLEASE CLICK : https://stream.openentertainmentinc.com/new-haven-main/
*Please note: the link will active to view at 3:00PM EST*
VISITATION AND SERVICE
Monday, January 24, 2022
3:00-6:00PM
New Haven Chapel
Capacity limits have been reduced by 50% for indoor funeral services and visitations at the funeral home.
Restrictions that will remain in place are:
Important Note: Cemetery can restrict capacity limits as they deem necessary. They are permitted to be stricter with numbers and we must comply