EARLY LIFE
Zacchaeus Alade Kehinde Akinwumi Oladipo Soyemi was born with his twin sister, Taiwo, on the 13th of March, 1940, in Onikooko’s Compound, Oke Ada, Ikire, Osun State, but lost her at a very young age. He grew up to know his father, Daniel Olayiwola Soyemi, as a farmer, hunter, itinerant Anglican pastorate, fund collector and lay preacher. His mother was Elizabeth Olawale Iwedunmola Soyemi (popularly known as ‘Iya Igbagbo’), who was an associate farmer, palm-oil seller and a member of Anglican Communion choir. Therefore, Zacchaeus had a sound religious background. His father died in 1967 around the age of 85 and his mother in 1998 around 104.
EDUCATION
He started his primary school education with his late brother, Jacob Taiwo Soyemi, in 1946 at St. James’s Anglican Primary School, Atiigbo Ogunbiiyi, an Ibadan village. However, he conditionally withdrew from the school. Four years later, he started school again at Saint John’s Anglican Primary School, Ori-Oke, Ikire. Due to his academic excellence, he read Standard One and Two in one year. He finished his primary education in 1955, then moved to A.D.C Secondary Modern School, Apomu in 1956 and finished in 1958. He proceeded to Saint Luke’s College, Molete, Ibadan and studied between 1961 and1962.
By personal and private studies, he passed his Grade II Teachers Certificate and G.C.E London O levels in 1973. He moved to Adventist College of West Africa (ACWA), later Adventist Seminary, now Babcock University. He graduated in 1977 with a B.A (Hons) Theology awarded by Andrews University, Michigan, U.S.A.
Between 1981 and 1982, he went to University of Ibadan (U.I) and had his M.A in Religious Studies. He was one of the few recommended to proceed to PhD, but he could not due to financial constraint.
WORKING LIFE AS A TEACHER
1959 – 1960: A.D.C Pry School , Dagbolu, Ikire, Osun State.
1963 – 1965: St. Peter’s Ang. Pry School, Oke-Soda, Ifetedo, Osun State.
1966 – 1968: St. Phillip’s Ang. Pry School, Iloro, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
1969 – 1973: St. Phillip’s Ang. Pry School, Ayetoro Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Jan 1978 – Jan 1979: N.Y.S.C at Okitipupa Divisional Teachers’ College, Ode-Aye, Ondo State where he was a tutor till January 1981. He was also a House Master and the College Chaplain.
Feb – Aug 1981: Teacher, Comprehensive High School, Ode – Irele, Ondo State.
Sept – Oct 1981: Principal, Ijuosun-Barogbo Grammar School, Ondo State.
1982 -1984: Principal, Ayetoro/Adaja Community High School, Odigbo, Ondo State.
1984 – 1985: Principal, Community High School, Ondo.
1985 – 1986: Ist Vice- Principal, St. Helen’s Unity Secondary School, Ondo.
Mar – Oct 1986: Principal, Community Grammar School, Igbindo, Ondo State.
Nov 1986 – Dec 1990: Vice-Principal, C.A.C Grammar School, Oke Odunwo, Ondo.
Jan 1991 – June 1993: Vice-Principal, Ondo Anglican Grammar School, Ondo.
1991-1992: Sandwich Lecturer, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.
Jul- Dec 1993: Teacher, Ilesha Grammar School, Osun State (inter-state transfer).
Jan 1994-1996: Principal, The Apostolic Grammar School, Orile-Owu, Osun state.
Jan 1997 –Jul 31, 1999: Principal, African Church Grammar School, Apomu (retired).
WORKING LIFE IN THE GOSPEL MINISTRY
Aug 1 – Dec. 31, 1977: Evangelist, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Irefin, Itutaba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
1989 – May 1999: Deeper Life Bible Church, Ondo and Oyo States. He was a house, area and zonal leader. He was also a member of the zonal choir.
Jan 1 – 31, 2000: Participant, Lasting Happiness Evangelical Outreach, Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan.
Feb – Mar 2000: Started S.D.A Church, Oke-Itunu, Ibadan with Late Pastor (Dr) Reuben Akintunde.
Apr 1, 2000 – Apr 30, 2003: Pastor, Irewole District, S.D.A Church.
May 1, 2003 – Dec. 2005: Principal, S.D.A Sec. School, Oke-Ode and Pastor S.D.A, Oke-Ode, Kwara State.
Jan 2006 – June 2011: Pastor, S.D.A. Church, Igboya, Opa, Ajamopo, Saga, Ile-Ife (bowed out)
OTHER POSTS
Sunday School teacher, Ibadan Diocese of Anglican Communion (1961-1962)
Boys Brigade Leader (Lieutenant), 4th Ife Company, St. Phillip’s Anglican Church, Ayetoro, Ile –Ife.
Delegate, Ibadan Diocesan Board for Chirstian Education held at Bishop Smith Memorial College, Ilorin, Kwara State in 1968.
Delegate, Board Conference at Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan.
Itinerant Lay-Preacher, Ife District of Anglican Communion.
Member, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Sec. Schools.
Member, Nigeria Union of Teachers (N.U.T)
Member, Joint Executive Committee of Adventist Educators Association (ADEASON).
Member, West Nigeria Conference of S.D.A executive.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Seventh day Adventist Church captured him by evangelism in 1971 at Ajamopo, Ile-Ife. At Lagere, he became an interpreter, church deacon in 1972, and was a Sabbath School teacher and lay activities leader; he also worked as S.D.A Hospital Chaplain.
At ACWA/ASWA: Chapel Elder (1976-77); Assistant Dean of Men; Member, Singles Faculty.
Interpreter for Pastor Doleman at Lagos City Crusade, Maryland, Lagos in 1976.
MUSIC
He loved music, he was a choir member and choir leader. He learnt the rudiments of music and could play piano very well. He also organized a Juju music band in 1960 named ‘Glory Mambo Orchestral’, which played at the celebration of Nigeria’s independence.
GAMES, SPORT AND HOBBIES
He was actively involved in long races like 800 metres, football, table tennis, and basketball.
He was also the first Protem Chairman, Ife Antiquities Discoverers Club coordinated by Late Chief Omotosho Eluyemi in 1969.
He was a member of Egbe Osere Ile-Ife under Late Mrs Joana Bamgboye Omotoso, coordinated by Mrs Anike Agbaje-Williams of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan.
MARRIAGE
He was happily married to Dorcas Solape Soyemi (Nee Aina). The marriage is blessed with four great children.
DEATH
He died on August 28, 2017 in Ile-Ife and was buried on September 28 of the same year.