For Pastor Professor Peter Olayinka Sonaike, a distinguished scholar, academician, manager of men and resources, a man of many parts and impacts who turned 80 on March 16, 2025, it was a huge gathering from many parts of the world to honour a man who has made a lot of impacts to many, and it was witnessed by old friends, mentees, ministers of God, family, in-laws, Church members, beneficiaries and well-wishers.
Professor Sonaike was variously described in glowing tributes and accolades by many of his guests at the celebration which started with thanksgiving service at his Church and was later rounded off with a grand reception.
The celebration was witnessed by many dignitaries from various walks of life. Among these were Dr. Oladimeji Alo, Professor Tunde Akinwumi, Dr. Yinka Awosanya, Chief Niyi Akande, the junior brother of Chief Bisi Akande, the former governor of Osun State and a prominent politician in Nigeria, and a host of others. Also in attendance was a delegation of ILEPS Littoral University from the Benin Republic, led by its Vice Chancelor, Professor Adedoyin Adelaja and the Founder Dr. Oyebode Ayeni.
According to Professor Adedoyin Adelaja, Professor Osinaike was described as a man with the midas touch, a man that is close to God’s heart, living an exemplary life.
Mr. Yinka Awosanya, a childhood friend from primary School, knew Professor Sonaike as a very brilliant student, being the first to make First class from the department of Economics from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, and his best man at his wedding.
Dr. Oladimeji Alo, who has also had a distinguished career as a University Lecturer, a Management Consultant and a Corporate Executive, and a younger colleague described Professor Sonaike as a trail blazer and a man of exemplary character worthy of emulation. “He is a focused man. He established a hospital, he is also a church planter, and none of his projects suffered. Yet he lives a balanced life. He is also a very friendly and jovial person. He has trained many people, he has also made many consultants.”
Professor Tunde Akinwumi, the first Professor of Creative Arts a childhood friend for about 80 years and the second Professor from Ipara Remo, said we have been playing and working together for about 80 years. He saw him as a very helpful person, helping his students in statistics.
Members of Global Chaplaincy Corps, led by Chaplain Thompson, congratulated him for receiving so much grace from God. We see him as a mentor and an adviser. He is a man that deserves to be honoured. He is an encourager.
Chief Niyi Akande, who was a close friend from his university days, was also delighted to be there, saw him as a helpful friend. “We have always been together since our university days,” praying they would continue to spend more years together. He has always been a very quiet man who would not join us to drink palm wine in those days. We are grateful to God for seeing him choose the path of God.”
The children and members of Professor Sonaike’s family were represented by his son Dr. Tola Sonaike, who led an emotion laden tribute to his biological father. He said, “We see him as a very compassionate father,” noting “When Daddy began to speak in English to warn you, then know there was trouble. He is my pastor and my counselor. Before he became a Professor, he would always counsel us either boy or girl that if you want to marry anyone, make sure you are a university graduate, and your spouse is another one. Whether he or she is beautiful is left to you. He would also say make sure the person is born again.”
To members of his Church, Mount of Comfort Covenant Apostolic Church New Oko Oba Abule Egba, Pastor Sonaike is a loving father to them.
To the in-law, Baba has been a very peaceful and respectful person, who has given adequate trainings to his children which has made it very easy and pleasant to live with each other, as a very good man, that has been replicated in the family raised by his children.
Responding, the celebrant thanked God for preserving his life for a purpose. Responding, he said, “I am a very shy person but I can speak to millions of people because the Holy Spirit is in me. The greatest thing God has done for me is that I have been called to do the work of God. I thank God for giving me the strength and the divine protection from the attacks of the devil and its agents.
I am ending my life as a minister of God. I am ready to preach the gospel all over the world.” As a man of many parts, he conceded that “Only knows how I was able to combine many things creditably. The ministry God gave me is deliverance and in spite of all the challenges God has been taking care of me.”
Profile
Professor Peter Sonaike was born in Ipara Remo, in the present Ogun State of Nigeria. He attended Ipara United School from 1950 to 1957, and Local Authority Secondary Modern School, Ode Remo., St. Luke’s Teachers’ Training College, Ibadan, University of Ife, 1967-1970, Oxford University, UK 1971-1975.
Professor Osinaike who began his life as a primary school teacher ended up as a university lecturer.
He started as a primary school teacher at Malaolu Village in 1961, and became a headmaster at St. Paul’s Anglican School, Kasamu Village 1965-1966.
He also became a teacher at University of Ife Staff School, and later a Lecturer at the University of Ife. He was also a Consultant at Coopers and Lybrand 1989-1995, Principal Partner Peter and Grace Associates, Managing Director, Consolidated Management Consultants Ltd, Managing Director BDO OFO Consulting 2000-2007, Professor of Management Sciences ILEPS/Littoral University, 2012.
Professor Osinaike has also held very powerful and influential appointments like Director, Ogun State Agricultural development Corporation, Director, Waterside Rubber Estates Limited representing Ogun State Government, Director Ilushin Rubber Estates Limited, representing Ogun State Government, Member, Ogun State Manpower Committee Government, Member, Governing Council of Ogun State University, (Now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago Iwoye, Nigeria for eight years, representing Council on the Appointments and Promotions Committee. Director, Ogun State University Investment Company Limited, Chairman, Board of Directors, Ipara Community Bank Limited. Chairman, Governing Council, Pro-Chancellor, ILEPS/Littoral University, Porto Novo, Benin Republic 2019 to date.
Professor Osinaike is also the Chairman, Glory Micro Finance Bank Limited 2008 to date, Chairman, Peter and Grace Investments Limited 1986 to date, and Chairman, P&G Medical Centre, 1992 to date.
Professor Osinaike is also a spiritual person. He became born again in 1983, baptized in 1984 and had the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1985. He became an Elder in CAC in 1987. He was called and started ministry in July 1990. He was ordained a Pastor in CAC in December 1995. He was promoted to District Superintendent in 2008.
He started his own ministry Mount of Comfort Covenant Apostolic Church in August 2015. He has ministered in several crusades in Lagos and Ogun States and in Benin Republic, as God has used him to establish numerous churches and Mount of Comfort Theological Seminary of which he had been the Provost. He has published six religious books. He is a Chaplain Officer in Global Mission Chaplaincy with the rank of Lieutenant General.
He is married to Grace Kehinde (Nee Sodade) who was his classmate and friend from 1959 to 1960. The union is blessed with several children, grandchildren and a great grandchild. The couple is also blessed with thousands of children in the Lord at home and abroad.
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