The remains of Late Rev’d Dr Julius Adoyiza Yusuf who slept in the Lord on the 16th day of October 2023 at the age of 91 was laid to rest on 30th March 2024 at his country home, Obobowuja’s Compound, Ege of Adavi LGA, Kogi State.
Late Rev’d Julius Yusuf, from Uka clan, was born to a Muslim family of Late Yusuf Obobowuja and Aminat Onyihiengwu Yusuf on the 15th April 1932 and was named Muhammad and therefore followed the Islamic faith.
The young Muhammad became a shepherd boy rearing his grandfather, Obobowuja’s oxen from 1939 to 1942. He left shepherdery to learn and practice farming under Alhaji Musa Obobowuja at Ikakumo after the passing away of his mother Aminat Onyihiengwu around 1943. There he remained till 1945 without formal education. In 1946, he had opportunity to commence elementary school at St. James Anglican school in Ibillo, Edo state. The young orphan Muhammad could not finish his primary education and travelled to Kabba in search of refuge.
There in Kabba, he providentially met a Christian teacher, Mr Joel Enehe and under the discipleship of Mr Enehe became a Christian and was baptized with a new name JULIUS. Despite the ensuing persecution, the young JULIUS continued steadfastly in the faith. With encouragement from Mr. Joel, the young Julius went back to school at St. Paul School Lampese, Edo State where he completed Standards 3 and 4.
After his education in Lampese, the young Julius returned to Ebira Land and became an itinerary preacher primarily working on salvation of Ebira people in and around Ebira land. The young and brilllant preacher had the opportunity to be sent to Igbaja SIM Seminary in 1956 for a formal Bible School training. He completed this programme in 1959 and soon after completion returned to ECWA Church Kuroko and was received by the then White Missionaries in Kuroko. The now Rev’d Julius Adoyiza Yusuf got married, as the first maiden marriage of the parish and was sent to Okene to start his first formal posting to Ebira Land as the FIRST EBIRA ECWA PASTOR AND EVANGELIST.
Ever zealous Julius opened up a prayer house opposite Late Pa Openeh house in okene where he was able to minister to the students of Abdul Azeez Atta Memorial College. It is also on record, that within his evangelistic team was Dr. Moses Adeiza Idah who witnessed the move of God at the time and also assisted Rev Julius in interpreting the messages to the locals who could not communicate in English. The prayer house metamorphosed into a full fledged Church, now ECWA CHURCH IDARE. Revd Julius became dynamic evangelist under the ministry of ECWA in Ebiraland. He launched out evangelistic team to Okaito with convincing demonstration and thus resultantly established a Church in Okaito.
Rev Julius in 1964, proceeded for his bachelor degree in theology at the same SIM seminary in Igbaja. He later returned to ECWA Church in Idare
In December 1970, Rev. Julius was transferred to 2ND ECWA CHURCH EGBE KOGI STATE where he served before proceeding for his postgraduate Studies at University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1974
After completing his postgraduate studies, Rev’d Julius Yusuf, worked as officiating minister at New Era Church in Ibadan for about two years before founding a private seminary under the umbrella and authorization of North Carolina University, where he also gained his doctorate in theology. Late Rev’d Julius was involved in training and mentoring pastors
Rev’d Julius furthered the work of God through Christian Education and held several positions as a Christian religious teacher at Queens School llorin Kwara State, Government Secondary School Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Muslim Secondary School Odinjo, Ibadan teaching Bible Studies.
In the early 80s Rev’d Julius became indispensable in furthering the mission of God through the Methodist Church in Ebiraland. Rev’d Julius was widely recognized with distinguished honor and respect for his track records in the ministry. He also has a track record of community development in Ebiraland via the defunct Federal Government MAMSER programme.
In 2012, the Methodist Church Nigeria, Abuja Diocese honored him with “Distinguished Service Award” for his ground breaking record in furthering and planting of Methodist Church in Ebiraland. While, the Adulations Genesis Band of Nigeria honoured him with an award for remarkable contribution to peace and unity in Ebiraland. Rev’d Julius performed holy pilgrimage right to Jerusalem in January 2012 and he was marked as one of the outstanding and descent pilgrims.
Before his sleeping in the Lord, Rev’d Julius had the respect and privilege to be recognized as the oldest Christian Minister of the gospel in Ebiraland. He was blessed with 13 children and many grandchildren.
