By In this exclusive interview with Stonix News‘ Publisher, EBENEZER ADUROKIYA, Dcn Olalekan Oredipe shares the remarkable story of how a short ministry trip from Nigeria to Uganda 16 years ago turned into a permanent home. The Iperu-Remo-born chef, pastor, and counsellor discusses the tragic family event that nearly stopped him from leaving, his life and work in Kampala, his marriage to a Ugandan woman, and why he now considers the “Pearl of Africa” his home.
Dcn Lekan
How did you find yourself in Uganda?
I have a friend who is an evangelist. He used to be a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, but he left after he said God told him to start his own ministry. He is Togolese by origin, but he was born in Nigeria and carries a Nigerian passport. He was invited to Uganda in 2004 or 2005. Some Ugandan pastors met him at a conference and invited him to Northern Uganda. It became a yearly thing for him.
In 2007, he called me and said he liked it when I ministered in music while he preached, so he invited me to Uganda. I didn’t know where Uganda was back then. We were planning to come when my elder brother arrived from the UK to check on some projects he was running in Nigeria, and he was shot dead. In the midst of that, I decided not to go to Uganda again; it took my mum to convince me to go.
We came in 2007. I was about 40 then. We went to Kenya first before coming to Uganda. When we got to Uganda, I told my friend that I was still Redeemed. So, going to churches to minister became a yearly thing.
In 2010, when we were about to come, things were not looking good for me; I had left the company I was working for. So, when I was coming in 2010, I had the mind to stay, but fear was holding me back. Meanwhile, I was an answer to the pastor’s prayer because he had been asking God to bring someone to help the music department.
While we were together, a friend of mine told him that I was planning on staying, and Pastor Tunde Yesufu face just brightened up. He asked me to stay and said he would buy my ticket back if I didn’t like it. So, that one-month stay is what has become 16 years today.
Dcn Lekan
So, you’re a missionary with RCCG?
To a great extent, missionary work is what I have done at RCCG, Victory Centre, Kisugu Road, Namuwongo, Kampala, Uganda, for many years before I went back to school to study Guidance and Counselling at Kampala International University. Today, I’m a counsellor by profession and a member of the Ugandan Counsellors Association. I do that on the side, but I mainly do church work, although I am not employed by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I’m not on their payroll.
I must salute Pastor Tunde Yesufu and his wife for their guidance. They took me in when I knew nowhere. He left here six years ago. I was being paid a salary, and along the line, I got a job in a restaurant. I became a chef without any formal training for three years. After three years there, I left and went back to school.
Where are your parents today?
My parents have gone to rest with the Lord. I have lost five of my siblings. I have three siblings from my mother’s side and five from my father’s side.
Any regrets about coming to Uganda?
I have been here for 16 years now, and I don’t think I made a mistake coming and living here. I don’t regret it because of the positive things that have happened in my life. I’ve had it a bit tough in life. Growing up, I was an A student. I wanted to be a medical student; I had no other choice, but the enemy just made things crash. I started writing WAEC exams repeatedly. But I give God all the glory because what the enemy thought I couldn’t achieve, I achieved in Uganda.
Dcn Lekan
And you got married in Uganda?
Dcn Olalekan: I got married to my wife here. I met her through Pastor Tunde. I was living with him when I met her. We were going out on Easter Monday after he had introduced us. While he was playing with his children at the Botanical Gardens, I sat with her and we started talking. I went to pray about her and told Pastor Tunde that that lady is my wife. I have been very careful about marriage because I have seen very bad ones. I have always been very open-minded about marriage, so I knew I could marry anybody.
Tell us about your wife and Ugandans?
Ugandans are very easy-going people. My wife is very easy-going, and that’s the attraction. I thank God that she’s very peaceful. We have been married for 13 years now.
The zeal for serving God is not quite as intense here. I think it’s because of their nature. They are slow, and Nigerians are very fast people. The Kenyans behave like Nigerians, contrary to Ugandans. If you’re walking fast here, they would be wondering who is chasing you.
Another thing they don’t like about Nigerians is the aggression. We are too aggressive; we are too fast, even in talking. I have two voices for speaking. I use the soprano voice when I’m talking to Ugandans because there is a way you can talk to some of them, and they will start crying.
Dcn Lekan
When are you returning home, to Nigeria?
I’m not sure I will be leaving anytime soon. Uganda is already home.
If I leave Uganda, the first thing I will miss is the weather. It is the first thing I fell in love with here. Uganda has one of the best climates. Then, the peace. I am somebody who doesn’t like chaos, and I love that about Uganda. I love the peace and quiet. I also like the constant electricity and the way things work here. The system works. You want to get your driver’s permit? In one day, you’re done. I don’t want to talk badly about our country, but I tried to get a driving licence for a whole year and still didn’t get it. I like the way their police officers work. Their police are policing well. You can’t do them or treat them any old how. If they stop you, you must obey.
How about Ugandans’ cuisines?
I can eat anything as long as it’s something people eat and it’s not irritating, so I eat their food. Their matoke, their banana, avocado, and yoghurt are A-class.
My wife is Ugandan, but she is slowly learning how to prepare Nigerian meals.
Would you advise eager Nigerians to japa to Uganda?
If a Nigerian met me and asked for advice on relocating to Uganda, I would ask them to do so only if there is something tangible they want to do here. There are Nigerians here who are businessmen, students, and artisans. There’s also safety here. You can drive anywhere, at any time.
