Our Founder

Baba Aladura Gabriel Ogunyadi was born on the 14^th of September, 1894 to the family of Chief Fasanya Ogunyadi and his wife Madam Ibironke Ogunyadi of Ita Olugbawo Compound in Odogbolu, Ogun State. His mother died when he was eight years old and was brought to Lagos at the age of ten years to stay with a Serrialeonean family, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot who sent him to popular Faji School in Lagos in 1905. When he finished standard Six in 1913, some Europeans took him and others for training. After which he started work with the then P.W.D. While there, he became a disciple of Baba Aladura Moses Orimolade Tunolase.

In 1929, the P.W.D. wanted him to go to Enugu on transfer, he met with Baba Aladura Moses Orimolade for spiritual guidance concerning the issue.  Baba Orimolade told him to resign and come to stay with him to be praying for people who needed prayers. That God will grant him a better job in Lagos. He diligently obeyed God and later got a job at the Nigeria Ports Authority.

Elder G. A. Ogunyadi got married to one Miss Juliana Adeola Ogunsanya in 1945. They were blessed with two children Esther Oluwatosin and Gabriel Olumuyiwa Ogunyadi. When his wife Juliana died, he got married to Deborah Omolara Ogunyadi (Nee Williams) who was a Mother-In-Israel before her death in 1991.

During the reign of Baba Aladura Onanuga, Elder Ogunyadi was worshipping first at Richard Lane and later at No. 10 Hotonou Street in Lagos where they made Peter Omojola Baba Aladura. The group under Elder Ogunyadi later dismissed Peter Omojola as Baba Aladura. The group then moved to Martins Street; then to King George V. Street; thereafter to Macarthy Street; and finally to Idi-Oro Court, Lagos. He continued in the Eternal Way until he was invited for the reconstitution of the Advisory Board in 1961. After the reconstitution of the Advisory Board in 1961,  Elder J.S. Olugbusi was inducted as the Baba Aladura and he ordained Elder G.A. Ogunyadi as the first Deputy Baba Aladura to the Holy Order in December 1962. Baba Ogunyadi was a Spiritualist to the core and a faithful Elder of Eternal.

When Elder J.S. Olugbusi passed away in 1973, Elder G. A. Ogunyadi was ordained the 5^th Baba Aladura on December 3^rd 1973 at Memorial Prayer House, Idi-Oro Court, Lagos.

During his reign as Baba Aladura, the temporary Headquarters of the Holy Order was moved from No. 20 Pearse Street, Surulere to 9/11 Pearse Street, Surulere in 1974.  In 1975, the New York Branch of the Order was established and also the 50^th Anniversary of the Holy Order was celebrated at City Hall.

In the year 1980, some Provincial Councils like Nkwerre, Orlu, Sapele and Etche were established and also on the 19^th December, 1980, the London Branch was established. In 1981, the foundation of Mount Zion Cathedral at 38, Tejuosho Street, Surulere was laid while the Ngor-Okpala Provincial Council was established in 1982. On the 3^rd of December, 1982, the Mount Zion Cathedral was dedicated by the Baba Aladura G.A. Ogunyadi assisted by the Senior Apostle General G.I.M. Otubu and other top elders. On the 1^st of August, 1985, the London Cathedral, Mount of Salvation was officially opened.

It is on record that Baba Aladura G. A. Ogunyadi spiritually composed one of the greatest Hymns of the Holy Order - Hymn No. 196 “Moses Orimolade is our Great Teacher”.

Elder G. A. Ogunyadi slept in the Lord on the 7^th day of October, 1985 and was buried at Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos State.