Next Lagos Gov Will Be Christian

Prophet Owatunde Samuel, a.k.a. Marshal, of CCC Trinity Tabernacle Parish, Lagos, is set to celebrate his 50th birthday as well as his 20th year in full time ministry. In this chat with men-of-the-press , he shares the journey from the beginning and also speaks on who the next President of Nigeria and Governor of Lagos State will be, the Boko Haram menace and other issues.

Prophet Owatunde Samuel

Were you formally trained as a clergy or learnt while in the ministry?

I actually attended series of courses at various theological institutes to deepen my knowledge of the scriptures. Fact of the matter is that we have a lot of illiterate Shepherds and I want to differ from them by acquiring enough knowledge of the word of God.

But undergoing all these trainings is an unusual phenomenon in CCC.

That is very correct. There was a time I actually contemplated switching to Pentecostal because of their doctrine, level of knowledge, organization and all that but I encountered God through my dream again where I saw myself in white garment in the dream.

How did your prophetic ministry start?

I trained as a fashion designer. I practiced from 1986 to 1990 with the name Folly Fashion in Ebute Meta. One of my contemporaries is Dakova (David Kolawole Vaughan). At that time I had at least 32 apprentices and two outlets. I joined Celestial Church when I was 18. I was enticed because of my love for music. I was formerly with the Cherubim and Seraphim fold. I was a guitarist for 14 years as well as the secretary of the Bible class until I became a worker in the vineyard. While I was in the choir I had dreams giving me an inkling that God wanted to use me. Later I got messages from prophets telling me to heed the call. I ignored the call until God said it was time. I got a contract to sew the uniform for Laurel International School in Festac. The contract was worth about N250,000, which was a lot of money at that time. I had been handling such contracts conveniently even for some of my clients abroad. Strangely, I could not complete this particular job even after sub-contracting it to my colleagues. I was confused by this strange development. I had a dream that solved the riddle. When I shared the dream with some of my spiritual leaders, they told me it was time to heed His call. At that time I had at least 17 apprentices and I handed them over to the most senior amongst them, Bose. I started off at Iyanu Parish, Egbe led by the late Superior Evangelist Kankan. I proceeded to Agodo Parish led by Sup. Evang. Pierre Ogendengbe, within the same locality. In 1995 I was posted to Orelope Parish where I was the third in command as an Evangelist. I was there till year 2000. In fact, Mother in Israel Bukola Osibanjo who was a major pillar of my ministry was so disappointed that I had to leave. I was posted to Papa Ajao as Assistant Shepherd and from there to Araromi Glorious Meiran as Shepherd before God instructed me to come here and establish Trinity Tabernacle eight years ago. And we have been waxing stronger year in year out by God’s grace.

How old is your commission?

This is my 20th year in full time ministry. I was 30 years old when I started.  So, I am celebrating my 50th birthday as well as my 25th wedding anniversary to Christianah Owatunde, a very loving and devoted wife.

How were you able to identify your area of calling?

The only thing that can define one’s area of calling is the word of God. I have preached on this severally and I am publishing a book on it soon. Mine was defined as Prophet and Evangelist when I attended the Celestial Bible Institute. God has been using me mightily since then. I have preached in over 400 churches in Nigeria and beyond. It is a privilege indeed. In addition I am also a Shepherd. It takes the grace of God to be endowed with these roles in His vineyard.

As a prophet, can you recall some of your past prophecies that came to pass?

God has revealed so many things that have come to pass. Others were mere warnings for correction purpose. God revealed several things about President Jonathan that has come to pass; some were published in Vanguard newspapers. In July, I predicted that Governor Rauf Aregbesola will return. When I met him at a revival organized by Primate Ayodele of INRI at the National Stadium, Lagos I shared it publicly and we thank God today.

The year 2015 means so much to Nigeria and Nigerians. What should we expect in 2015?

Let me start with Lagos State. The next governor of Lagos is going to be a Christian; there is no doubt about that. I will not mention his name because of ministerial ethics. This coming 2015, APC will have upper hand more than PDP despite the fact that PDP is incumbent government. At the federal level, President Goodluck Jonathan will return, there is no doubt about it.

You mean President Jonathan will return in spite of the pressure from opposition and all the negative things being heaped on him?

He is destined to be the president again. But we need to pray concerning that because there will be more bloodshed. People who are contesting should have the fear of God and be committed to genuinely serve the people.

What is your take on the issue of the insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria?

God is going to disappoint many political godfathers. Towards the end of this year there will be no Boko Haram again in Nigeria.