SOME call her Mrs. Abdul. Some call her Mama or Mummy; others call her an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, an Angel or an Icon. It was an honour to meet people who are fulfilling their purpose and loving it. On my journey, some of the most meaningful relationships were the connection from the heart, and one such connection happened in Lagos, Nigeria.

I was introduced to this phenomenal woman who has all the names above. Pastor Nath Ayo Aiyedogbon connected us, and there was an instant connection at our first dinner. Her story fascinated me at how she navigated the business world to become an iconic figure in Nigeria.

I was even more fascinated by how and why she founded the Compassion Care Home; her story reminded me of our plans, and the plans God has for our lives. She explained that God had given her a vision to establish a home for boys, but she was not obedient for years, until she was given an ultimatum. She fell ill, and God told her He will take her home if she did not obey His command. It is a big blessing that she decided to do God’s work, because it has made a tremendous difference in many lives.

SHARING THEIR TESTIMONIES
“It’s been God all this while. A few years ago, I was in the streets struggling for peanuts to survive. My dreams were fading away, and my future was at stake. I had no hope; all I could do was walk around in the streets of Lagos and sleep in the ghetto where there’s no future.

I thought I was going to end up like the elderly people in the ghetto, but God intervened through my Spiritual Mother, Evang Mojijola Abdul. Today, I am becoming the studied musician I have always wanted to be. I am presently a student at the Peter King College of Music. Glory be to God! I could see my future becoming a brighter one, all through you, Mummy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me; you have made an impact on my life, and the lives of my brothers. We love you so much, Mummy.” –Adeshola Ogundeyi Baron

I had the opportunity to visit one of the Homes hours before leaving Lagos, and I interacted with the young men. We danced, prayed and shared stories. I shared my story of growing up in a village, now a town called Bartica, and a bit about never giving up. I presented a ‘tablet’ to Adeniran Oluwaseun Ariyo, popularly called ‘Chef-Zerad’ Chef, who recently graduated, and was sent to the other Home for a young man who had received three trophies that day for his excellence in sports.  The first thing he said was, “This ‘tablet’ will not only serve me, but all the others here.” That was impressive, because it shows the brotherhood at COMPASSION.

He went on to share his story. “I am one of the first set of ‘street boys’ of the ‘Almighty God Compassion Care Home’. I was taken from the then Kuramo Beach in Victoria Island (Lagos State, Nigeria), alongside over 90 other ‘street boys’ in the year 2008. This year makes it my fourteenth year in the Home, and our Father Lord God Almighty Jehovah has been using the Home for my support, through our National Coordinator (Mummy), Lady Evangelist Mojisola Abdul. Today, I am a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, the best Federal University here in Nigeria, as well as a Chef, working, learning and walking alongside the Holy Spirit for the establishment of an outstanding five-star restaurant soon. I give my Father, Lord God Almighty Jehovah, all the glory for all His great works of transformation, reformation, rehabilitation, recreation, sanctification, purification, consecration, salvation, redemption, deliverance and more that might even be too much for you to read. I was a ‘street boy’; I was a scavenger; I was a beggar; I was a vagabond.
Once upon a time, I was dreamless, hopeless, homeless and goalless, but, today, my story has changed through the work of God Almighty in my life. Today, I am a source of motivation and inspiration for so many people, because I am a subject of joy. My stories and my pasts are not written on my face, so you will doubt me when you see me telling my stories. Thank you very much for coming from your country to visit us in our Home. Our Father Lord God Almighty Jehovah loves you. We love you, and I love you too, Ma. Thank you very much for the precious gift of an android ‘Tablet’ you gave to me; I am really grateful. May God Almighty Jehovah bless you, and all your families, friends, and all your entire country.”

I had dinner with Mrs. Abdul after leaving home, then to the airport. She was now Mama to me, too. She was obviously tired, but decided to accompany me to the airport, and I appreciated that more than words could express. It was a 12-hour flight, and I had time to think about many things. She welcomed me to her home in Lagos without hesitation, after my pastor introduced us. She assigned a driver to me, and shared her personal chef with me. I visited her office and factory, and observed the way she related to her employees, and the way they related to her. I even experienced the efficient way she handled a crisis that was emerging.
I learnt a lot from her in a few days, and the biggest lesson is to continue to trust God, and don’t ever stop contributing to humanity. Profits from the business she founded, Mojec International Ltd., fund the two Homes, and I pray more people will take a page out of her book.
I feel like I have found another mother, but there is a bonus in this find, because I found another sister, the beautiful and brilliant Chantelle Abdul, who is the CEO of Mojec International Ltd., and a philanthropist like her mom. It will take another column to talk about our connection. I strongly believe that my life will never be the same after visiting the continent of Africa. I may just start my next book, as we celebrate this journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.