At the inception of The Apostolic Faith work in Nigeria in October,  1944, there were three members: the founder, Brother Timothy Gbadebo  Oshokoya, and two others, Brothers Lucas Obakoya and D.T. Robbins. By  1983, the work had grown tremendously with many branches in all the  states of Nigeria, and in many countries in Africa.  

After thirty-nine years of faithful service, the Lord called Brother  Oshokoya Home to Glory on November 3, 1983. Before his passing on, he  prayed fervently for many days and nights, to know the mind of God on  who would take up the mantle of leadership of the Gospel work after him.  Sister Ruth Ashwell, then head of the African correspondence department  at the Apostolic Faith world headquarters, Portland, Oregon, wrote a letter  to him when he became very ill, requesting to know his suggestion over a  successor, should it please God to take him to his reward. This inspired him  to pray the more earnestly.  

A few months before his death, Brother Oshokoya drafted a letter  in his own handwriting, suggesting Brother Josiah Soyinka as his  successor. He addressed a copy of the letter to the Board of Trustees of the  Church and another copy to Portland headquarters. 

REV. JOSIAH OLUBODE SOYINKA AFRICA OVERSEER 1983 - 1999​

At that time, Brother Josiah Soyinka was the Secretary/Treasurer to the Bo a r d o f Tr u st e e s a t t h e Afri c a headquarters, Lagos, Nigeria. He had faithfully laboured under Brother Oshokoya for many years. In December 1982, Brother Soyinka was on Brother T's team of six that went to Zimbabwe. During Brother T's illness, Brother Soyinka had been the link between Brother T and the Lagos congregation.  

On December 4, 1983, the mantle of leadership as the second Africa  Overseer fell on Brother Soyinka, with ordination service led by Rev. Loyce C. Carver, the then head of The  Apostolic Faith work worldwide.  

Rev. A. O. Olamijulo’s appointment to the Board of Trustees

(L-R) - Bros. Okorie, Elebute, Soyinka, Aina and Olamijulo