Oke-Tude Ministry

How Oke-Tude began

A vision received abroad, resisted at home, and carried for three decades until it became a movement.

1989

The call, on pilgrimage in Mecca

While on pilgrimage, the founder conceived the idea of advocating peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. On returning to Nigeria he prayed over it for divine guidance and direction.

The resistance

Family, friends and the public said no

His father, grandmother and immediate family could not reconcile a successful herbalist with an advocate of religious tolerance. They questioned the motive — there was no money in it, and it would attract widespread condemnation. It did. He decided to drop the idea, but a vision never dies; it can only be delayed.

The first name

“Chrislamherb”

Coined out of the desire for Christians and Muslims to heed the call of an herbalist. It generated more questions than it answered — many assumed the intention was to fuse Christianity, Islam and traditional religion, which was never the focus of the movement.

1990

Formal launch at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos

The movement was publicly launched, followed by a tour of the South-West to inform royal fathers and religious leaders of its aim, and letters to the President, Governors, local government chairmen and legislators at every tier.

The revealed name

Oke-Tude — Mount of Freedom

Divine intervention was sought and Oke-Tude was revealed: the mount where bondage is loosed. It carried the message without the misconception.

On air

Lóyìnládùn 91.1 FM

The ministry registered a radio station with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission through Life Again Nigeria Limited, carrying the message far beyond the walls of the centre.

Today

A message that crossed borders

Evangelists, ministers and pastors raised at the grassroots; interviews on BBC London at Bush House and Brent Radio; visits from scholars within and outside Nigeria. Hate speech at religious crusades has measurably reduced, with both sides now complimenting one another from the pulpit.

Our aims and objectives

Six commitments that have guided the movement since its founding.

01

To advocate for tolerance, love and peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims.

02

To bridge the gap between Christianity and Islam.

03

To propagate the message that Christians and Muslims are cousins, sharing a common source in Abraham, who is regarded as the father of faith.

04

To hold to the promises of God made to Abraham.

05

To preach good news to the broken-hearted and give hope to the hopeless through prayer and counselling.

06

To support the less privileged and the vulnerable in society.

Where we are going

I

To raise evangelists of religious tolerance, love and peaceful co-existence, who will spread the message throughout the country in particular and the world in general.

II

To be a reference point in all religious conflict resolution.