Biography of Prophet Michael Ojo Olowere, "Baba Automatic".
....His journey into the ministry, spanning over 60yrs.
....contributed a lots to infrastructural developments of Agbowo, Ibadan.
Born on 9th September, Prophet Michael Ojo Olowere is a deep preacher, teacher and gospel evangelist who is anointed for signs and wonders. Popularly known as Baba Olowere, he is one of the few living Christ Apostolic Church's (CAC) most respected ministers of the gospel. He is a strange prophet of God and one of the remaining few men who contacted a great measure of the anointing of God from the revered Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola.
With his journey into the ministry, spanning over six decades, he has spearheaded the planting of several churches within the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) mission, beginning with the CAC Oke-Imole, Agbowo, in 1978. Prophet Michael Olowere currently leads his church in Ibadan, Nigeria.
There are many stories anbout the life and miracles wrought by God through the life of Baba Olowere. A notable one was shared by Apostle Femi Lazarus. According to him, he attended a vigil with his covenant friends and spiritual brothers - Pastor Daniel Olawande and Evangelist Lawrence Oyor Gomba at Prophet Olowere's church in Ibadan. At the meeting, he was lost in prayers when he suddenly turned to face the people who were around the ministers seat on the pulpit. As soon as he turned towards them, he suddenly noticed a very strong fog which filled the whole congregation. Then he realised that someone carrying the ancient mantle had stepped into the church. He looked to his right and there he saw Baba Olowere who was just few seats away.
Apostle Femi Lazarus further said that when it was Baba's turn to minister, he gave prophesies about the last days revival. Then he went on to talk about the vision God showed him about a rain falling and everyone under the rain were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. I knew in my heart that his vision was in two folds: 1)He was talking about the later rain that will fall in the last days, secondly he was talking about the latter rain Conference, the three of us that will be ministering there were also at this meeting, and this was great confirmation for us. After our encounter with him, I have not stopped thinking about him; his humility, his compassion and his prayer energy at that age.
When I stood in front of him to talk with him, I suddenly felt the burden of prayer. Indeed, a man's secret life is communicable.
Prophet A.T. Joel also shared a story about Babab Olowere's raw faith. Describing him as a man who was unstoppable, Prophet Joel narrated how Baba Olowere who is also known as Baba Automatic doesn't take a "NO" for an answer. In his words, Baba Olowere is not a man that would let off Jesus until he hears Him clearly. He is a man that would pray until something happens. I have never met a man as humble as this man of God despite the great exploits God have done through him. There is no single noise around him, easy going but unstoppable.
There is another story of Baba Olowere where he was heading to Osogbo, Osun state, for a crusade when some policemen stopped his car. After giving them every document that they requested, they still didn't allow him to go. He then stepped out of the car, removed one of his shoes and threw it into the bush. He told the policemen to go and look for it until he returns from the program as time was already running against him.
Immediately, the policemen went into the bush and were looking for the shoes, Baba didn't return until the next day and when he got to that portion, he shouted eyin ore mi moti de o(my friends I have come ooo).
The policemen emerged from the bush, fighting on who will give the shoes to baba, he took it from them, pray for them and told them never to harass a man of God again.
If you want to know why people don't respect men of God again, it's because most of us don't carry the power of humility which births the power as of old.
Prophet Olowere has taught several times that the secret of a successful ministry. In his words, he said 'omo ni irele, ani ni irele, o gbodo ni irele…". This is translated in English to mean "son, be humble, you need to be humble, you must be humble"
Although in his late 80s, many still crave to see him for special prayers at the C.A.C Oke-Agbara Oluwatedo Ashi area in Ibadan, where people come from far and near to partake in his "Prayer with Automatic Answer" program every other Monday.
Prophet M.O. Olowere is one of the most respected ministers of the gospel in the Christ Apostolic Church. Baba Automatic as he is fondly called started planting of churches within CAC circle at CAC Oke-Imole, Agbowo, in 1978. Prophet Olowere likes to be called an Ibadan man because he came to Ibadan in 1952, when he was quite young. However, his father is from Ifaki, Ekiti, while he was born in Ilesa. He attended CAC, Oniyanrin, at the time he received the divine call.
He worked in many parts of Oyo State, engaging in repairing scales for cocoa, and generally worked with any thing related to iron, metal, bolts, and nuts. He was very dedicated to work and mastered the art, such that his boss at the time praised his skill. He was also part of the professionals that worked on the iron rods erected at the Oyo Water Corporation.
To garner more knowledge in construction, Prophet Olowere learnt bricklaying for two years. When he was about to finish his bricklaying training, the call into the ministry came again. At this point, he couldn't evade the call anymore. So, he went to the CAC church in Kano State, as God directed him. When he got to Kano, the chairman there said he couldn't be there because, according to him, the work of the gospel was not what he imagined. He also went to Zaria and got the same response. However, he worked for three and a half years in other CAC churches, before he was brought to a church around the University of Ibadan. With time, he worked in some other places before he became an evangelist, and continued in the ministry, till today.
He went to theological school for two years. Although, he had been in the ministry long before then, he was ordained a cleric on December 14, 1975. The CAC, Oke Imole, Agbowo was the first church which he planted, through God's grace in 1978. There are many branches that the CAC Oke-Imole has birthed.
Baba Olowere worked under a lot of renowned CAC prophets. Although, he didn't work with Prophet Ayo Babalola, but he knew him. He worked under the tutelage of Prophet Babajide between 1974 and 1975 in Ilesa. He also witnessed Baba Obadare's resurrection.
Prophet Michael Olowere got the "Baba Automatic" appelation many years ago when God spoke to him in a dream. In that dream, he was shown the way through which God wanted people to call on Him, and through which their prayers would be answered. He said if they called the name, 'Jesus' and responded with 'Power,' He would work wonders in the lives of people. God also instructed him in that revelation to start a programme tagged Automatic Prayer. That was how he started and today, the attendance for that programme features more than 35,000 people, who come from within and outside Nigeria.
Prophet M.O. Olowere is one of the Christ Apostolic Church’s most respected ministers of the gospel. With his journey into the ministry, spanning six decades, he has spearheaded the planting of several churches within the CAC mission, beginning with the CAC Oke-Imole, Agbowo, in 1978.
The contributions of PMO to the expansion of CAC were establishment of church assemblies and activities, a theological institute, health centres, and socio-economic empowerment. Between 1978 and 2015, PMO established 48 church assemblies in Ibadanland and a bi-weekly interdenominational programme tagged “Automatic Prayer” in November 1995. He advanced ecumenism by his financial contributions towards the mission works in other denominations and counseling of ministers from other churches through counseling. He promoted theological education through the establishment of Thy Will Theological Institute (1997). He also engaged in ministerial tutelage: a unique concept derived from what existed in other seminaries, and through it, over 2000 ministers were trained between 1997 and 2015 in the art of effective ministering. He emphasised gender equality in church ministry by engaging 18 prophetesses and 32 lady evangelists in active church ministry. In the field of health, he founded 13 mid-wifery centres in Ibadan between 1978 and 2015; and established three cura divina based healing centres in Kajola (1989), Ashi (2000) and Olodo (2005). Prophet Olowere’s ministry contributed to infrastructural development: building of two guest houses at Ashi (2005) and Olodo (2010) which gave job opportunities to people; donation of a police post at Olodo (2013); construction of roads in Agbowo (1989); digging of a borehole at Agbowo (2004); organisation of Workers’ Cooperative Society at Ashi (2002); supply of electricity at Ashi (2006); and economic empowerment of 50 youths and 60 widows. These were achieved despite his educational constraints, insufficient funds, and heavy local levies.
The contributions of Prophet Michael Olowere significantly expanded Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadanland by establishing new churches, fostering ecumenism and engaging the female gender. Other Church leaders could imbibe this evangelism approach for expansion.
Prophet Michael Olowere is the third son in the family of Chief Dada Olowere and Mrs Alice Olowere of Ifaki-Ekiti, in the present Ido-Osi local government area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. There was no written record in the family, neither was there any registration of his birth at the then Colonial government controlled Province. According to John Adeyemi Olowere, his birth can be linked to the 1930 revival at Oke-Ooye in Ilesa that his mother had just given birth to baby Michael Olowere, when the news of miracles and healings at Oke-Ooye reached Ifaki. Chief Dada Olowere was the Baba Ijo of Saint Michael Anglican Church, Ona-Oja, IfakiEkiti in Ekiti State. His maternal grandfather (Borode) was the Patron of the Church Missionary Society in Ifaki-Ekiti at that time. His father and mother were traders: while his mother traded in sugar-cane, his father was a cocoa produce merchant like his predecessor. It is important to mention that Chief Dada Olowere had three wives: Mrs. Alice Olowere, the mother of Prophet Michael Olowere was the first wife. She had additional three sons apart from Prophet Michael Olowere. These are Mr. Oke Ogunsakin, Mr. Adebisi Dada and Mr. John Adeyemi Olowere.
Prophet Olowere's parents were syncretic in belief. His father, Chief Dada, used to take his children to herbalists who made incisions on them with razor blade and rob with charms after incantations. The reason for such was the fear of witches and wizards attack on the children. In addition to this, Chief Dada together with other church elders and members were constantly found drinking palm wine to the point of being intoxicated. According to Prophet Michael Olowere, there was no thorough teaching of the Bible at that time in the church at his home town. This contributed to the widespread syncretism among Christians. Prophet Michael Olowere lost his father when he was seven years old while his mother lived long before she died in 1981. She relocated from Ifaki-Ekiti to Prophet Michael Olowere’s house in Ibadan, Oyo State before her death. After the death of his father, he lived with his uncle – Mr. Samuel Ogunmoroti – who took care of him in his early childhood.
Childhood and Educational Training:
Prophet Olowere's father's death coincided with the time he was to start school, and his uncle who could have sent him to school was not disposed enough to do so. Therefore, he had no opportunity of formal Education, yet he can read Yoruba Bible and write in Yoruba language107. This suggests that he learnt the alphabets and pronunciation informally. Prophet M.Olowere narrated how he became educated. He said, ‘God usually ministered to him through His words, and instructed him to read whether in English or Yoruba.’ He said further that, ‘God is so wonderful that whenever he opens the Bible, He ministers to him, and at other times, directs him to particular portions of the Bible’. When Prophet Olowere was twelve years old, his uncle, Mr. Samuel Ogunmoroti, who was a trader, took him to Egbadoland and many other towns and villages where they engaged in merchandising their wares. For the first five years, he and his uncle lived in Idogo, and the following four years at Ilaro all in Egbado area of Yorubaland. The trading journey took him together with his uncle, to many French speaking territories, such as Coutonue in the present Republic of Benin, before returning to Ibadan where he later settled. Other places where he was engaged in petty trading include Ajilete, Ojaodan and Ebute Igboora. He was also engaged in menial jobs from time to time for his uncle. He trained as a bricklayer when he came to Ibadan in 1952. He worked as a bricklayer for about two years, and he was quite good at it. According to him, he could lay about 100 blocks in one day. In addition to bricklaying, Prophet M. Olowere learned some other trades. He was an apprentice in blacksmith for about five years and eight months. The name of his master was Mr. Samson who hailed from Ayede Ekiti.109 He was skillful in blacksmithing to the extent that he was able to fabricate different plumbing materials. From the research findings, he could fabricate any type of bolts, nuts, radiators, cocoa scales and any other thing that can be manufactured from steel during that period. As modern technology was not common then, many works were done manually but that notwithstanding, he demonstrated himself as a skillful artisan of his time. Prophet M. Olowere used his knowledge to benefit all that came in contact with him in area of his specialization. For instance, he worked with Water Corporation, PZ Company, and Kingsway Stores- all in Ibadan. He was reported by some construction companies as very dutiful to the extent that, he had about fifty four (54) apprentices that learned and worked under his direct supervision. He was also said to be trustworthy, faithful and honest, and these qualities earned him a good name in the presence of all people both great and small as none of his bosses or apprentices under him ever accused him of any wrongdoing.110
Religious Influence on Prophet Michael Olowere:
The religious experience of Prophet Michael Olowere from his early life was that of syncretism. According to a reliable source, he was exposed by his father to two religions - Christianity and African Traditional Religion. His father, Chief Dada Olowere did not allow his children to see anything wrong in combining the two in the area of religious practices. He led his children from the church to herbalists’ homes. On the other hand, Prophet Michael Olowere revealed that his parents did not approve of his socialising with other children so that they would not be corrupted. He also stated that his father did not teach them to know the efficacy of prayer and the word of God for their lives instead; his father exposed them to seeking the assistance of traditional priests for protection from any possible attack from the enemies. While commenting on the religiousity of his parents, Prophet M.Olowere said that, it was amazing, once in a blue moon while coming from the Church, his father would take them to herbalists who made incisions on them with razor blades and robbed the places with some powdery substance after some incantations. He also reported that, the reason his father was doing that was, according to him, to protect them from witches and wizards that might want to kill them. He went further to say that, there was no thorough teaching of the Bible at that time and that it was not uncommon for.
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BABA DURING HIS LIFETIME:
When I was five years in the profession, I was attending the CAC, Oniyanrin, at the time I received the divine call. I worked in many parts of Oyo State. We repaired scales for cocoa, and generally, worked with as many things that had to do with iron, metal, bolts, and nuts. I was very dedicated to my work and mastered the art, such that my boss at the time praised my skill. We even worked on the iron rods erected at the Oyo Water Corporation at the time. I learnt bricklaying for two years as well. When it was almost eight months that I would have finished my service as it related to learning the ropes of the business, the call into the ministry came again. However, it got to a point that I couldn’t evade the call anymore. So, I went to the CAC church in Kano State, as God directed me. When I got to Kano, the chairman there said I couldn’t be there because, according to him, the work of the gospel was not what I imagined. I also went to Zaria and got the same response.
However, I worked for three and a half years in other CAC churches, before I was brought to UI area, a church around there. With time, I worked in some other places before I became an evangelist, and continued in the ministry, till where God has brought me to today.
I went to theological school for two years. Although, I had been in the ministry long before then, I was ordained a cleric on December 14, 1975. The CAC, Oke Imole, Agbowo was the first church which I planted, through God’s grace in 1978. There are many branches that the CAC Oke-Imole has birthed. I worked under a lot of renowned CAC prophets. Although, I didn’t work with Prophet Ayo Babalola, I knew him. To mention one or two examples, I worked under the tutelage of Prophet Babajide between 1974 and 1975 in Ilesa. I also witnessed Baba Obadare’s resurrection. There have been challenges, but God has been faithful. The challenges have been many, in many regions of Nigeria. It’s one of the reasons I’m thanking God for clocking 60 years in the ministry.
You have been in the ministry for 60 years now. How would you compare Christianity of the time when you embraced the ministry and what obtains now?
Sadly, unlike when we joined the ministry during that time, now, it would seem people want to run faster than God; there is impatience when it comes to waiting for God’s time. And if a person refuses to wait for God’s time, you won’t reach your desired destination, because God will not go faster than you, just to please you. Many people nowadays are very impatient. For 20 years after I came into the ministry, I washed with caustic soda. How many clerics today can take that? Instead, clerics nowadays want to tour around the world in luxury in the shortest time as possible after they come into the ministry. They are anxious to become popular and rich. That is not how it should be. You come into the ministry expecting trials and hardship, especially at the beginning. However, when God wills, He will bless you through that ministry. Being a cleric demands perseverance and endurance. If a cleric is impatient, wanting to be successful, before God’s appointed time, you will miss it and, instead, become labelled a false prophet. I would advise clerics to be truthful to their calling in totality. They should also be humble, whatever the gift God has blessed them with. Even if you have been blessed with the gift of raising the dead, you must be humble. They should follow the dictates of the Bible. They should also learn from the biblical examples of prophets.
You’re in your eighties, yet you don’t seem to be slowing down. You even do dry fasting. What’s the secret?
It has been by the grace of God. My life has been dedicated to spreading the gospel and serving God and He has remained faithful in giving me strength for this race. Even at my age, I fast a lot. Fasting and prayers are part of what God requires of us as clerics, and as Christians. A Christian must learn how not to eat too much, lest he/she opens up the passage for the devil to take hold. Fasting and prayers build discipline, resilience and helps a Christian stand ready at all times. Also, I relax well. When I want to relax, I don’t receive visitors. I sleep, pray, and I also use that time to hear from God.
You are quite older than your wife. How did you express your interest to marry her?
That she would be my wife was through divine revelation. In fact, three times, an angel showed her to me as my wife. Initially, I refused the revelation. Then God told me if I didn’t want what He wanted for me, I should go ahead and do what pleased me. You know when God tells you that, you have no choice but to follow divine leading. I had known her since when she was young and was even friends with her elder brother, who is also a cleric. One day, I invited her to see me. When we met, I didn’t mince words, and asked her if she would be interested in marrying me. She was very shocked. After we parted that day, I told her not to tell her parents. However, when she got home, she told her mother and interestingly, her mother told her it had also been revealed to her that we would get married. Three months later, her brother, who is also a cleric, came to my house on a visit. He said God had repeatedly revealed to him that I would marry his sister.
Next year would make it 40 years you got married. How has the experience been?
In all the years we have been married, I have never raised my voice at her in anger. As a prophet, I have to be very careful with my utterances and it has never happened that I have been angry with her. Even my children have wondered how we never argue. We read the Bible, follow its dictates, and my wife is a person who fears God.
The CAC is known for prayer mountains; is it compulsory a person visits a prayer mountain before his/her prayers can be answered?
It’s not compulsory. However, praying on a mountain helps a person to be focused. I’ve been visiting prayer mountains for more than 60 years now, and I can say the ways prayers are answered for those who visit prayer mountains are different. Even Jesus Christ visited prayer mountains.
It is not uncommon for prophets to, sometimes, demand monetary compensation for revelations. Is this supposed to be?
Such prophets are not Bible-inclined, and are simply criminals. In fact, sometimes, when people come to see me, I give them money. It is insensitive to ask a person who comes to you with problems for compensation to do a divine duty.
What is your advice for the CAC on unity?
The devil is responsible for the disunity but before long, there shall be unity. We have been praying and by God’s grace, we will experience unity soonest.
Prophets come across all sorts of people, seeking answers to life’s questions. Take, for instance, some persons come to seek revelations regarding future spouses, some coming with as many as ten names. Is this right?
Bringing ten names is greed. Two, three names are enough. In fact, single people need to be very careful about people who come to seek their hands in marriage.
Do you think Nigeria would do better if the country disintegrates?
If God wills it, Nigeria will disintegrate. It’s not in the hands of man for Nigeria to break up. If God wills it and sees that our being together or apart will be for our good, it will be so.
How would you advise government on insecurity?
They should ensure that perpetrators of violence are brought to justice. Even the Bible preaches against all these vices, so it behoves on government to ensure that the law takes its due course as it relates to insecurity.
The renowned Prophet Michael Olowere Popularly known as “Baba Automatic,” Olowere who was the General-Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke -Agbara, died on Wednesday evening at his Asi residence, Ibadan. Prophet Olowere is survived by many biological and spiritual children spread across the world.
May your soul rest in perfect peace, great man of God.
Source: https://www.thenewman.org.ng/2022/06/biography-of-prophet-michael-olowere.html?m=1
