(This tribute was first published in December, 2015)
By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The highly successful 38-year spiritual journey of Archbishop Isaiah Moyinlorun Akinadewo began on 29 October 1976 and ended gloriously on 26 December 2014, when he breathed his last and bid the world farewell.
Archbishop Akinadewo, the Founder, Primate, Prophet, and Supreme Head of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, was a man of many parts during his sojourn on earth. Popularly known as Omo Jesu, he was born a prophet and grew up to become a teacher, secretary, journalist, author, proprietor, and publisher before he heeded the divine call to shepherd the flock of Christ.
Like the patriarch Abraham, this multi-talented and divinely endowed man of God fathered many sons and daughters who excelled both in secular and priestly callings.
Early Revelations
Going down memory lane, revelations were given to his father, Prophet (later Saint) Benjamin Akinadewo Adekahunsi, by the Holy Spirit regarding the dos and don’ts for the child the family was to be blessed with. While his mother, Prophetess (later Senior Mother-in-Israel) Emily Olasunmi Adekahunsi, was carrying him in the womb, Saint Adekahunsi had a dream in which he saw a toddler in a white garment preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ with a bell in hand.
Upon waking, he astonishingly found the same bell beside him and heard a voice instructing that the bell be given to the prophet in his wife’s womb when he grew up. More prophetic revelations followed during his conception, and his birth came after several months in the womb.
Miraculous Naming
The birth of Prophet Isaiah Akinadewo was marked by divine order. Accounts reveal that seven prophets were to name him; however, the Ondo branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church had fewer than seven prophets at the time. On the naming day, only six prophets were present, and it was decided that Prophetess Christianah Olatunrinle (Iya Alakoso), the most senior among them, should pray twice to fulfil the divine requirement.
Miraculously, Prophet Akindele Davies arrived from Lagos just before the service began, claiming he had been divinely instructed to attend. Thus, the seven prophets named the child as ordained:
1. Prophetess Christianah Olatunrinle (Iya Alakoso)
2. Prophet Benjamin Akinadewo Adekahunsi (Father)
3. Prophet Akindele Davies
4. Prophet Daniel Adesare
5. Prophetess Emily Olasunmi Adekahunsi (Mother)
6. Prophetess Serah Akinfolarin
7. Prophetess Abigail Mamukuyo
The child was named Isaiah Moyinlorun Moses (Orimolade Kaabo) Iyanu Joseph Omo Jesu Akinadewo.
Early Life and Divine Assignment
From birth, Prophet Akinadewo was filled with the Holy Spirit and began displaying extraordinary traits at nine months old. He was reluctant to attend formal schools, preferring to remain with his father and engage in God’s work. However, his father took him to Mount Elijah for prayers, where Iya Alakoso gave him a coin, predicting he would excel educationally and spiritually.
Heritage and Spiritual Legacy
Akinadewo’s father, Saint Benjamin Akinadewo Adekahunsi, was the son of High Chief Odunwo Akingbade Adekahunsi, a renowned war general of Ondo. Saint Adekahunsi transitioned from being a devout Anglican to becoming a visionary leader in the Cherubim and Seraphim movement, establishing the Oke Igbala-Olu Missionary Society.
Prophet Isaiah Akinadewo’s life was a fulfilment of prophecies. He grew into a wise and disciplined man, excelling both in public and spiritual life. He was a teacher, journalist, and commercial consultant before fully dedicating himself to ministry.
Achievements in Public Life
Prophet Akinadewo was instrumental in establishing the Motailatu Institute in Ibadan, a secretarial school known for pioneering the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) system in Nigeria. He introduced computers to Nigerian education and founded several publications, including Nigerian Monitor, Sekstape, Everybody’s, and Sporting News.
He later entered politics, becoming a parliamentary secretary and minister in the Western Region under Sir Ladoke Akintola’s administration. His contributions were significant, including his role in the creation of Ondo State.
Full Dedication to Ministry
On 29 October 1976, at Bolorunduro (now Ondo East Local Government headquarters), he was ordained as the Lion of Judah, formally taking up his divine mantle. He left his secular engagements and focused entirely on spreading the gospel and performing miracles, which earned him reverence in the Ondo community.
Legacy
Archbishop Isaiah Akinadewo lived an exemplary life, raising God-fearing children, many of whom followed in his priestly footsteps. During his lifetime, he expressed gratitude to God for blessing him with priestly offspring, unlike his father, who had only one prophet among his children.
He was known for his discipline, philanthropy, and dedication to the gospel. The four primary schools he established in Ondo City bearing the name of Motailatu are functioning till date.
Archbishop Akinadewo’s life and ministry profoundly impacted his community, the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, and Christendom at large.
Final Rest
The Ondo community, the Cherubim and Seraphim sect, and the nation mourn the passing of this great spiritual general who joined the saints triumphant on December 26, 2014.
Blow the trumpet on the mountains, for the Lion of Judah has joined the saints above. Sleep on, Baba Motailatu.
Goodnight, Omo Alajagun.
Adieu!
