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*BY SIMON REEF MUSA*
Fearless in conviction and humble in approach; down-to-earth and resilient
in belief and unwavering in commitments; such was the life of the late
General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr (Rev)
Musa Asake. He came from a background that was marred with impediments
against man’s capacity to rise up above his limitations.
Having emerged from the dim tunnels of rural dwelling into limelight, he
became a voice that sought to safeguard and protect the weak of the
Nigerian society. Considering that the truth had become an enemy in a
country enmeshed in injustice, he was later to play and rallied forces for
truth at all times. Beyond promoting excellence, justice and equity for all
of God’s children he came across, irrespective of class, ethnic or
religious divide, the late CAN scribe effortlessly got in sync with all
manner of people in the daily journey of life.
Asake was different to many people. He was jovial as he was frank; he was
concerned with the earth as he was committed to the service of God in
preparation for the final journey beyond mortal ken. Loyalty was part of
him, and he ensured that age should not be a barrier in remaining loyal to
those above him.
He saw his ecclesiastical call as service to mankind and was passionate in
joining forces with others to make the society a better place. As a man
deeply connected to his roots, he was a symbol demanding for safety for
Christians living in Nigeria, especially in the North. As a pastor, he was
committed to the things of God. As an administrator, he played by the rules
and was never engaged in under-the-table negotiations for pecuniary
interest.
Those who knew him believed that like a man he did his best and was never
afraid to stand by the truth at all times. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
describes him as one of God’s General that did his best to serve his maker
and humanity. To the President of CAN, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, Asake was a
down-to-earth man who was courageous and dutiful at all times, adding, “He
was also respectful and was hardworking in all the assignments assigned to
him. His loyalty was unalloyed.”
Unlike others who got their vision at mid-day, the late CAN scribe had his
early in life. Born in 1952 to the family of Malam Asake Tunzuwang and
Malama Dada in Zakwo village, Unguwar Rimi Bajju, Zango Kataf Local
Government Area of Kaduna State, they young Musa attended the then Sudan
Interior Mission Primary School (SIM/ECWA), now known as LEA Primary School
Unguwar Rimi Bajju in 1961. By 1967 he had acquired his First School
Leaving Certificate.
With his successful completion of primary education, he worked for five
years at the Arewa Textile Limited Kaduna. Burning with the zeal to realise
his pastoral calling, he applied and secured an admission at the famous
Kagoro Bible College in 1972. By 1976, the young Musa had completed his
foundational theological training at the age of 24 years. He was later to
return to his home church, ECWA Church, Unguwa Rimi Bajju, as an assistant
pastor and thereafter in 1979 appointed Pastor.
For Pastor Musa, his consecration as pastor, as he would later reveal to
his congregation and audiences, was hinged on his praying mother who early
in her marriage prayed that God should choose one of her sons to serve Him.
Leadership traits seemed innate in him early in life, as he continued to
grow in grace and serving the people faithfully. Pastor Musa never missed
out on the essentials that education remains the most powerful agent in
advancing potentials. He applied for further theological training at the
Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS) in 1980. At the end of the course in
1983, he returned to his home church where he was ordained Reverend in
December, 1984.
Still thirsty for educational accomplishments, Asake gained admission into
the Grace College, Winona Lake Indiana in United States of America where he
graduated in 1987 with a degree in Biblical Studies. His quest for
knowledge never waned as he got enrolled for a Masters Degree programme in
1988 at the famous Dallas Theological Seminary, In Dallas Texas, USA where
he graduated in 1991 with Masters of Theology ((ThM), with specialization
on Historical Theology. He was later to cap his academic quest in 1996 at
the same famous institute in 1996 with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Bible
Exposition.
Asake did not simply walk his way to become CAN General Secretary on a
platter of gold; he paid his dues, both in ecclesiastical calling and
demonstration of administrative acumen. Before his appointment as CAN
General Secretary in 2012, he had held several positions in his church and
was a regular speaker in Christian seminars/workshop, besides numerous
international engagements.
After attaining a PhD Degree in the USA, he returned to Nigeria and was
posted to take charge of the ECWA Headquarters Church, Jos from 1996 to
1999. Brimming with newly acquired knowledge and passion to deepen his
pastoral calling, he was elected to serve for two terms of three years each
as ECWA General Secretary, Jos Nigeria, from 1999 to May 2005. Asake’s
footprints of six years as the ECWA General Secretary became reference
points in so many reforms still acknowledged as major landmarks that are
still remembered and appreciated by the church. Pastoral service for Dr
Asake may not be within the plaudit a vast platform; he was also in love
with service within smaller confinements. At the end of his duty tour as
the General Secretary of ECWA, he disappeared from the limelight to be the
Senior Pastor of the ECWA Gospel Church, No. 3 Apata Street, Jos, where he
deployed his skills for expansion and development of the church from 2006
to 2008. Not yet done with his passion for pastoring, he was reposted to
the ECWA Gospel 1, Tudun Wada Jos, as Senior Pastor where he served from
2009 – 2012.
The consummate preacher that was endowed with intellectual prowess in
Bible exposition was a member of several boards that included the Joint
ECWA Seminary Board of Governors (1984-86); ECWA Community Health Board
(1984-1986); Board of Governors, ECWA Bible College, Kagoro (1984-86);
Member, Nigeria Inter- Religious Council (NIREC) (1999-2005); Chairman,
ECWA/ SIM Scholarship Board (2000-2005); Member, Plateau State Government,
Peace and Reconciliation Committee (2002) and Elder of the Grand Prairie
Bible Church, Dallas Texas, USA, (1993-1996).
He was also Chairman, Global Leadership Submit, Willow Creek Church USA
(2009 until his demise); Chairman, Ministers Development Initiative (MDI),
Jos Nigeria. 2009 until his death) and Board Member, Rafiki Children’s
Home, Unguwar Rimi Bajju (2013 until his demise) His engagements were not
only restricted to local organisations; he was a member of several global
bodies that included the Biblical Institute for Leadership Development
(BILD), Ames Iowa, USA; Go2Church Planting Ministries, Telford
Pennsylvania, USA, among other global bodies.
His death in the early hours of Friday May 11, 2018 came amidst the trying
period of killings of Christians in the North by armed bandits and security
challenge in the country. His last public appearance was his press
conference where he called on Federal Government to intervene in the
killings of Christians and other Nigerians by criminal gangs.
The late CAN General Secretary was married to former Miss Tabitha Sanda on
January 1, 1977. The marriage was blessed with four children, namely,
Aminchi, Abasa, Linda and Anang. The family also adopted a adopted
daughter, Alheri, including foster children, Priscilla, Blessing and Simon.
Asake’s death has left a void that may be difficult to be filled both in
public and private.
As the journey to his final interment commences on June 5, 2018 with a
Service of Songs at the National Christian Centre in Abuja and to culminate
with a funeral service in his honour on June 8, 2018 at the Kafanchan
Township Stadium, may the death of Asake advance the cause of interfaith
dialogue in our nation and unite the Nigerian Church against forces that
seek to divide her.
Simon Reef, a media professional, writes from Abuja and can be reached via: