His Holiness, The Most Rev.
His Holiness, The Most Reverend Dr. Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi OSITELU (Ph.D. Computer Science; Ph.D. Religion) is the Archbishop and Metropolitan Head of the Arch-Province of Nigeria, the incumbent and Fourth Primate of “The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide” (a.k.a. Aladura) Organization.
Archbishop Dr. Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Ositelu is the son of the late Prophet General Dr. Josiah Olunowo Ositelu [first Primate and Founder of The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship) Worldwide), and late Archbishop (Mrs.) Susannah Adewunmi Ositelu, popularly called “Mama Aladura or Mama Kekere”. He was born on the 24th February 1952 in Ogere-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Dr Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Ositelu
The Incumbent Primate TCLPFW
His Holiness, Pope Dr. Rufus Ositelu left Nigeria in 1974 for Germany to study in Europe and United States of America (USA). He commenced his professional study (Data Processing) at Control Data Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany in 1974. He completed the Diploma Course in flying colours as the best student in both Computer Technology and Systems Analysis & Design. He thereafter, undertook further studies at Institute of Data Processing Management from 1976-1979 in the United Kingdom (UK). From 1983-1986, he further went on combined Master’s and Doctorate Programme in Computer Science; and from 1991 – 2000, he undertook pastoral study up to doctoral level. He started studying Theology (Pastoral Study) within the University of Hagen, Germany in 1991. He pioneered the first branch of The Church of The Lord Prayer Fellowship (TCLPFW) in Germany in 1993 and was ordained a Reverend the same year. He saw to it that the church was formally established and registered in 1994.
The Langen, Germany branch of the Church celebrated its First Harvest Thanksgiving Worship Service in October, 1993. He is a double Ph.D holder. He has a Ph.D in Computer Science (1986); and a Ph.D in Religious Study (2000). He successfully completed his Data Processing Doctorate Programme with a Dissertation Titled: “RESYSTEMITIZATION LIFE-CYCLE – Computer Economics”, which earned him his Ph.D in Computer Science. He further undertook a doctorate programme in Religious Studies, which he completed in flying colours with a Dissertation titled: “AFRICAN INSTITUTED CHURCHES”.
This earned him his Ph.D in Religious Study following a brilliant performance. He was the first elected African Vice President of the Hessen State Executive Council of the Foreigners Elected Parliament Wiesbaden, Germany.
He was also the First President of the Elected Foreigners Parliament Kreis- Offenbach (LGA-Offenbach) from 1994-2000. He was the Founding and the First President of the ‘Nigerian German Association (NGA) – Deutshnigerianisch Freundschafts – Verein (DNF). He is currently an Executive member of the Global Forum of the Theological Educators (GFTE), the only African on the Executive Board. He initiated an ecumenical organisation known as “United Aladura Churches (UAC)”, which was inaugurated in 2004. He was spiritually elected as the Primate of the church on the 16th of August, 1998, according to the divine revelation by the Council of Prelates, and in the circumstances pursuant to Section 7; Article XVIl of the Church’s Constitution.
At the Tabieorar day of 22nd August, 1998 he was publicly proclaimed as the FOURTH PRIMATE of the Church. He was subsequently proclaimed, inaugurated, enthroned and installed as the First Pope of Aladura Communion Worldwide (ACW) on 21st July, 2009. He was a former member of the Central Working Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), a former member of the Central Working Committee of the All African Conference of Churches (AACC), former Vice President National Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) former Chairman of the Finance Committee of the CCN; and he is a member of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and currently holds the position of President of the World Council of Churches (WCC) for Africa.