How Awolowo’s free education changed my life – 80-year-old ex-JAMB spokesman - Punch Newspapers

At 80, Pastor Emmanuel Alabi reflects on a remarkable journey spanning journalism, public service, ministry and family. From growing up in rural Okeho community, Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, to becoming a senior public servant and pastor, he tells TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about the experiences, people and values that shaped his life, his marriage What is your most vivid childhood memory?  I was born a year after the end of the Second World War and raised in a challenging rural environment where there was no electricity, pipe-borne water or tarred roads. Ours was an agrarian community.  I was privileged to be one of the few people who received Western education, courtesy of the free education introduced in the Western Region of Nigeria by the Premier of the Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in 1955.  I grew up in a polygamous home where there was palpable envy, dislike, disaffection and hatred among the children of the same father but different mothers. These experiences did not stop me from pursuing education, service and ministry diligently.  I also remain grateful for the lessons I learnt from every stage of the journey, especially the value of service, perseverance, discipline and faith. Those lessons have continued to guide my decisions and relationships with people.  How did your parents shape the values that have carried you through life?  My parents, though illiterate, were very intelligent, passionate about their endeavours and trustworthy. My father was, for a long time, a customary court judge and a farmer, while my mother was a produce buyer who eventually became a notable agent of the board. She was modestly wealthy and became popular in the community, where she was fondly called “Iya Olowu.”  Despite her financial blessings, my mother did not attach much value to Western education and offered little or no support for my education. My father, however, was influential, fearless and noted for his truthfulness.  What was a major challenge you faced growing up in your hometown?  Although there were several public schools in the community, there was no access to a public library to complement our learning. To buy educational materials, one had to travel roughly 90 kilometres to Ibadan. In those days, apart from school football pitches, there were no recreational or entertainment centres, except for long-established and scheduled local festivals.  How did your educational journey unfold?  After my primary education, I attended Baptist Secondary Modern School, Okeho. My favourite subjects were Geography and Elementary Mathematics. My interest in both subjects deepened while I was at Baptist College, Iwo, where I took a three-year teacher-training course.  I passed the two subjects at both GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels. I was a product of the famous Baptist College, Iwo, where I took a three-year teacher-training course. The training I received there shaped my life positively.  The college prepared us for life after school in accordance with its motto, “Not for School but for Life.” We were taught morals and trained to impact lives wherever we found ourselves.  Can you share a memorable lesson or experience from your school days?See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google  From my first year in college, I was a regular and valuable football player. I was also an enthusiast of evangelism, winning souls for Christ in a Muslim-dominated community through our regular Sunday programmes at various preaching stations.  The college also taught us practical skills. We were required to wash and launder clothes twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Every week, one was scheduled to wash and launder about 80 pairs of shorts or trousers and shirts belonging to college mates without grumbling. We were also taught how to cultivate a garden. Both laundering and gardening were compulsory.  Many of us did not appreciate the importance of that training until we graduated and became self-reliant.  How did your early educational journey prepare you for the broader challenges of life?  The training I received at the college became an asset to me. Catering, laundering and gardening became personal hobbies. The religious training I received also gave me an insight into pastoral ministry, in which I later found myself.  I became an alumnus of ECWA Theological Seminary, where I obtained a Diploma Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. In November 1988, I was ordained a pastor by the Christ Gospel Apostolic Church. The training empowered me to minister effectively for 14 years while I was assigned to pastor the English Service. I stepped aside from that assignment in February 2026.  What was your first professional job or calling outside full-time ministry?  I am a trained journalist. I obtained a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1972. Thereafter, I worked with NBC-TV, now NTA, as a senior sub-editor under accomplished journalists such as Alhaji Saka Fagbo and Mr Kunle Olasope.  I later resigned to take up an appointment with the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company as its first Public Relations Officer. From there, I moved to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria as its first Public Relations Officer, when a veteran civil servant, Mr Ben Okagbue, was the Secretary-General.  In May 1981, I joined the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board as the Principal Assistant Registrar, Information, Publications and Statistics. I served the board meritoriously before retiring voluntarily as Director of Admissions in July 2006.  What was the most demanding obstacle you faced during your career? Morning recap: NYSC kidnap: IED threat stalls rescue operation, Madonna varsity expels student, suspends 14, other top stories Kidnappers give Oyo corps members’ parents 24 hours to pay ransom Police arrest three over killing of woman in Oyo  There were several challenges, but one I will never forget was serving as the spokesperson for an institution like JAMB. At the time, the board was viewed with hostility by many parents seeking admission for their children to tertiary institutions.  Universities also had serious reservations about the board’s authority to process admissions into their institutions and wanted autonomy over admissions.  The government’s position was that a centralised system would help prevent duplication of admissions and reduce the financial burden on parents who otherwise had to obtain multiple admission forms.  As the spokesperson, I was saddled with the task of educating stakeholders about the purpose and usefulness of centralised admissions. It was not an easy assignment. Today, the board has come to stay and is recognised as a clearing house for admissions into different levels of higher institutions.  What career achievement brings you the greatest sense of fulfilment today?  In the course of my service in JAMB, I was nicknamed “Baba JAMB”, while educational reporters called me “Mr Cut-Off Point” because of the role I played in relating with the public.  Whenever I look back, I glorify God because I was able to guide hundreds of people who went on to become engineers, lawyers, accountants and professionals in other fields. I assisted applicants through admission counselling and by connecting them to the appropriate channels. Knowing that my work helped young people gain access to education remains a source of fulfilment.  What has sustained your marriage over the years?  I authored a book dedicated to my wife on her 70th birthday. It is a testimony to what I describe as a virtuous, committed, trustworthy and faithful wife. It is titled “My Wife: Love Story of a Couple.”  My wife is a God-sent wife, and both of us met in a miraculous way. Despite the difficulties placed in our way, the marriage was consummated in March 1977. We are disciplined and share common views of life. Probably, that explains the compatibility and unfathomable love we have for each other.  Our marriage has been sustained by mutual respect, the fear of God and our shared beliefs. I also give credit to my wife, who took up the responsibility of caring for our children whenever I was away on national assignments.  For 10 years, we did not live together because of the nature of my work. She remained faithful and ensured that the education of our children did not suffer any setback. Her commitment and sacrifices have contributed greatly to the stability of our home.  How did you balance the demands of work and ministry with raising your children?  It was not always easy because my work took me away from home for long periods. However, my wife played a major role in ensuring that the children were properly cared for and that their education did not suffer.  Her support made it possible for me to give attention to my work and ministry while also remaining conscious of my responsibilities as a father. We both understood the importance of giving the children the care, guidance and attention they needed while they were growing up.  Looking back, I believe it was a joint effort. My wife’s commitment to the home and the responsibilities we shared helped us to raise the children despite the demands of my work and ministry.  What is the most important value you intentionally instilled in your household?  The values we emphasised were the fear of God, discipline, truthfulness, responsibility and the importance of living peacefully with others.  What advice would you give to young couples starting a family today?  As a road map for successful marriage, I will counsel new couples to memorise Phil. 4:8, which says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent, is praiseworthy, think about such things.”  What personal achievement or legacy brings you the deepest joy as you mark your 80th birthday?  The greatest joy for me is knowing that my life has been useful to God and to other people. Through my career in journalism, JAMB, Public Relations and ministry, I had the privilege of serving the public and helping people navigate the admission process. Many of those I assisted eventually became professionals in different fields.  My family is also an important part of my legacy. I am grateful for a wife who stood by me, children whose progress gives me joy and a life in which I have been able to combine professional service with Christian ministry. At 80, I am grateful for the opportunity to have impacted lives in different ways.  What is your ultimate prayer?  My daily prayer is for peace: peace in our homes, peace in our communities and peace in our nation. Jesus, in one of His parting words, said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  My ultimate prayer is that God Almighty will grant every individual peace that transcends human understanding, strengthen families, guide our leaders and give our nation lasting peace. May He continue to guide and protect us and help us to live lives that are useful to Him and to humanity. Temitope Adetunji Temitope Adetunji is a journalist at Punch Newspapers who specialises in human-interest storytelling. She brings years of experience in online journalism into her work, having transitioned into print reporting with a strong digital foundation. Temitope is passionate about amplifying real-life narratives and highlighting the lived experiences that shape everyday people. Her reporting reflects hands-on newsroom experience, empathy-driven storytelling, and a commitment to accurate, people-centred journalism.

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