No doubt, the modern preacher’s wife in Nigeria exemplifies the best of the attributes listed by Apostle Paul. Besides offering dependable support systems to their preacher-husbands, many of them, highly educated and motivated, are equally well in the Vineyard. However, some prefer to operate from the background, even as practising pastors. Women’s Editor, TEMITOPE OJO, chronicles some of them.
Evelyn Joshua
She is very appealing, yet would hardly portray herself as the wife of one of the most respected men of God in Nigeria and head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope B. Joshua. Regular worshippers at the Ikotun, Lagos, headquarters of the church say that, like her husband, she is very humble, easy-going, and always smiling. They add that she is never seen to exude that power which many think she has.
Church members also say she is not publicity freak. Rather, she’s been a fantastic counsellor who would always show her love for the prophet at every given opportunity.
Though her husband is considered one of the richest clerics in Africa, her mature dress sense portrays a woman who is never bothered about glamour. This may be a major reason she prefers to remain in the shadows supporting her husband whom she says she is lucky to marry.
Ibidun Ighodalo
The coming together of Ibidun, one-time winner of the Miss Lux contest, and Pastor Itua Ighodalo, allegedly paved way for his exit from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ’s Church Parish, Gbagada, Lagos, where he had been one of the prominent pastors for years.
Unperturbed, Pastor Ighodalo, a chartered accountant, went ahead and married this adorable woman and owner of Elizabeth R, an event planning outfit which has top Nigerians as clients.
Though she is quite supportive of her husband in church, she is not the in-your-face kind of mummy that most pastors’ wives nowadays like to be. She is said to be discharging her roles with panache.
Ibidun has eyes for fashion and is never found wanting in that regard.
Dolapo Osinbajo
Not many people knew Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo before her husband, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was announced as the running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In fact, many, especially non-RCCG worshippers, did not know her husband was a pastor. However, since the announcement, all eyes seem to be on her.
She is the daughter of the late Ayodele Soyode, one of the children of late sage, Obafemi Awolowo.
Ifeyinwa Adefarasin
The beautiful wife of Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Head Pastor of House on the Rock, is one person that many members wish to be like. This is because of the way the mother of three children conducts herself without necessarily bossing anyone around.
Ifeyinwa believes in dressing to earn respect. With an enviable figure, good skin and a Range Rover with customised number plate, the lady behind the strong man of God sure knows how to put her garb together. The lover of fashion who has good dress sense, loves mild jewellery.
Esther Kumuyi
General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, lost his first wife, Biodun, on April 11, 2009. The death of the woman affectionately called ‘Mummy’ or ‘Mama’ by members of the church became a cause for concern for leaders in the church, as she was almost inseparable from her husband. The church leaders were so concerned that the pastor must not remain lonely, that they led a delegation to encourage him to begin praying to God to give him another wife. Although initially reluctant, Kumuyi later prayed and testified to the leaders that God had answered their prayers. He married Esther Blaize, then 65, in London two years after.
She was the administrator of the church in London before she became the first lady of the church. Like her predecessor, she is known to be a conservative to the core, in fashion and general disposition. Her trademark, however, is her expensive hats which we learnt cost her real money.
She is not a jewellery freak and she has been known to be a strong pillar, a visionary and a wonderful planner who complements the efforts of her husband.
Toyin George Adegboye
Toyin is the wife of the founder of Rhema Chapel International, Rev. George Adegboye. She is a soft- spoken woman who loves to co-ordinate the affairs of the church silently, from the background. And though she is fondly referred to as ‘Faith Mummy’, she is well loved by the congregation and oversees the church only when her husband is not around.
Siju Iluyomade
She is the wife of Pastor Sola Iluyomade of City of David Parish of RCCG, Victoria Island, Lagos.
A lover top designers’ craft who rarely repeats the same set of jewellery over the years has become a role model to young worshippers in the church who also want to attain a certain height in the high street fashion.
The lawyer by profession is the epitome of glamour, panache and unbridled aura. Her face is artistically crafted with the most expensive of beauty tools. Her wardrobe is filled with the best collection of haute-couture and expensive lace fabrics.
A well-travelled lady, she has a passion for shopping around the world. Gucci, Zagliani, Hermes, Marc, Jacobs, Martin Margiela and Christian Louboutin are some of her favourites. But it is her love for jewellery that takes the cake.
Despite her love for fashion, she is one woman that many attribute the success of her husband to, as she has consistently stood beside him in making his calling a success.
Olayide Bakare
If there is one woman that is silently sowing, quietly nurturing, gently nourishing and always supporting her husband, it is Mrs. Olayide Bakare.
Married to Dr. Tunde Bakare, Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly (LRA), Ogba, Lagos, Olayide has been a woman who has helped, supported and enabled her husband in a way congruent with the pattern given by God in His Word, irrespective of what society thinks and teaches.
Intelligent, gifted and resourceful, she has spent more than half her life in the service of God and humanity, through the service of Tunde Bakare, not always understanding, but ever prepared to trust and go with him in loving and prayerful submission, even when it may have appeared she has what it takes to make it on her own.
Fondly called Mrs. Bee, the 54-year-old and her husband are blessed with five children.
