Happy birthday to Assistant Music Director, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Bankole

Pastor Paul Olufemi Bankole

9th of October of every year is a remarkable day in the life of the Assistant Music Director of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Paul Olufemi Bankole. The music czar was born on this day over 61 years ago.

His Profile

Pastor Bankole Paul Olufemi  (J.P.) Justice of the Peace Oyo State, was born on the 9th October,  A PhD. Music student of Obafemi Awolowo University O.A.U. in Ile Ife. He holds  M.A. Music,  from OAU Ile Ife, B.A.ED Music from the University of  Nigeria, Nsukka,  NCE Music  Technical  from The Polytechnic Ibadan,  was born in Ibadan to the family of  Late Assistant General Evangelist Pastor/Evangelist/Prophet and Mrs Joshua Oladimeji Bankole  a.k.a “ Baba l’Ode-Oolo”  a true prophet of God per excellence.

He started his musical career in 1968 and had his first musical lesson/training from his senior brother Pastor Peter Olutayo Bankole who laid his musical foundation . He continued his musical training from Pa E.O. Christopher of  blessed memory at Agbeni and Uncle Sam. Ibikunle (Pinner) of  blessed memory at Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi.

He first played organ at C.A.C. Oke –Isegun, Ode-Oolo in 1969 before his employment as a paid organist and the first organist of  C.A.C. Oke Padre Manchester, now Oke Alafia Oke seni District Headquarter, Ogunpa area, Ibadan. in the year 1970-1972

He joined C.A.C. Irefin in 1987 as Assistant Organist /Choirmaster and later rose to the post of Choirmaster and Oganist from 1990-1998’

He joined CAC Oke Anu Adamasingba in 1998 as an organist, and was appointed  part time music lecturer of  CACTS Ibadan campus  in the same year. He was ordained as a pastor in April 30th, 1999. Upon joining this choir he overhauled the choir and laid the solid foundation for classical music, to this effect the church authority appointed him as the choir coordinator from 2000-2002. During his tenure, he trained the choir to sing classical songs and it was a force to be reckoned with during the millennium revival choir rendition which took place in the year 2001 and also played major role  in the combined national choir and participated  in all the millennium revival centres at LAGOS, PORTHARCOURT, ENUGU  and IKEJI-ARAKEJI respectively. He was sent to ENUGU to train all the EASTERN choristers for the millennium revival that took place in ENUGU. He formed the praise and worship team for the church where new talents were discovered for chorus singing during church services and other functions. He trained the choir in the art of solo singing and conducting which the church  now enjoy as the fruits of his labour.  He painstakingly encouraged and led the choir in recording an album titled “PASE ITURA” when the church authority approached him for whether or not it can be recorded he, within 3 months, led the choir to record the album with hit tracks which was successful.

He has tutored many students in organ music who have become seasoned and professional organists in their various places, thus, using this profession as their means of livelihood. A trainer of  trainers, teacher of  teachers, mentor of  mentors, a musical role model par excellence. Among his skills are Organ playing, Composition, Conducting, Administration, Voice training, Choir training, Orchestrating, Musical scoring, Artiste management, Auditioning and editing, Jingles production, CD/Cassette/Record production.

He had served as Organist/ Choirmaster in many churches. He had the singular honour to lead and train the Eastern choristers for the Millennium revival of the eastern zone.

Position held in Association with dates are hereby stated in retrospect:

·        Chaiaman School Governing Board IMG Grammar School MixedOrita Aperin in October, 2021.

·        Assistant Music Director Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide in May 2017.

·        Full time Music Lecturer/Director CACTS Main Campus Opa Ile-Ife in March 2017.

·        Chairman, School Governing Board IMG Grammar School Mixed Orita Aperin in August, 2017

·        Justice of the Peace Oyo State 2015

·        Producer “ Olori Ijo Torun”, CAC Oke Ibukun Alafia District H/Q Choir, Oyekola, Oje, Ibadan in 2014.

·        Yemetu DCC Choir Coordinator in 2011 to date.

·        Assistant Choir Coordinator Ibadan land Central Choir in 2010-2013.

·        Producer  “ Let’s Adore Him” – Asegun Voices  of Asegun Comprehensive College Asolo Ibadan in 2006

·        Executive Producer of “ Festive of Praise” – Asegun Voices in 2005.

·        Senior Pastor in charge of CAC Mount Zion, Aremo Abiye Drive, Ibadan in 2003.

·        Music Coordination of CAC Eastern Zone at Enugu for Eastern Millennium Revival in 2001.

·        Secretary, CAC Hymn Book Content Approval and Proof Reading in 2000 to date.

·        Choir Coordinator/Organist CAC Oke Anu Adamasingba 2000-2002.

·        Music Director Ibadan land Central Choir in 1999-2003.

·        Part time Music Lecturer at CAC Theological Seminary, Ibadan Campus 1998-2012.

·        Part time Music Lecturer at  International Bible College Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Christ Life Church, Olaogun in 1998-2000.

·        Chief Organist Ibadan Central Choir in 1998-2013.

·        Associate Organist St. Davids’ Cathedral Anglican Church, Kudeti in

1996.

·        Member, CAC Hymn Book (Music Edition) Committee. 1996.

·        Organist/Master of Music C.A.C. Irefin, Ibadan.             1989-1998

·        Music Director, Irefin District Central Choir, Ibadan       1989-1998

·        Chief Organist Ibadan Central Choir holding at Olugbode  1988-1998.

·        Assistant Organist, CAC Irefin, Ibadan  1987-1989

·         Central Choir Monitoring and new church admission membership 1985-1988.

·        C.A.C. Oke Isegun Ode Oolo, Ibadan.        1982-1987.

·        C.A.C. Oke Igbala Idikan, Ibadan  1980-1982.

·        C.A.C. Loyola, Ibadan  1977-1979.

·        Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi 1972-1977.

SECULAR EXPERIENCE

Pastor Paul Olufemi Bankole (J.P.) has served in various capacities both in the public and private sectors which include:

1.     Principal IMG Grammar School (Mixed) Aperin Ibadan. 2015

2.     Vice Principal IMG Grammar School (Mixed) Aperin Ibadan.2013

3.     Vice Principal CAC Grammar School Aperin Oniyere, Ibadan. 2013

4.     H.O.D. Commercial/Arts CAC Grammar School Junior School 1 2005-2013.

5.     Composer of school anthem of Saint Annes’ Comprehensive College 2005.

6.     Part time Music Teacher at Saint Anne’s Comprehensive College, Babalola Estate, Orita Challenge, Ibadan. 2005-2013.

7.     Music Teacher at CAC Grammar School Junior School 1 2002-2013.

8.     BCOS Sales Representative      1993 to date

9.     Music Teacher at CAC Grammar School, Aperin Oniyere, Ibadan. 1989-2002.

10.                        Music Teacher at Queens School, Apata. 1988.

11.                        Director of studies, Marob School of Music. 1987.

12.                        French Teacher at Girls’ Grammar School Ijokodo 1980-1985.

Pastor Bankole Paul Olufemi Taye (J.P.)   has the following academic profile and professional membership:

Ø M.A. Music Obafemi Awolowo University,  Ile-Ife. 2007

Ø Certificate in Theology, CAC Seminary Ile Ife. 1999

Ø B.A.ED Music University of  Nigeria, Nsukka. 1995

Ø N.C.E. Technical Music The  Polytechnic, Ibadan1988.

Ø  Grade II  Wesley College, Ibadan. 1980

Membership of Professional bodies

1.     Guild of Organists of Nigeria. 2017

2.     Justice of the Peace of Oyo State. (J.P.) 2015

3.     Member Institute of Human & Natural Resources (MHNR) 2010

4.     Member, Item Writing Workshop – Setting of SSCE Music Question (NECO). 2007-2012.

5.     Oyo State Music Chief Examiner for NECO Junior Secondary Certificate Examination. 2006-2012.

6.     Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. 2005

7.     Member, Item Writing Workshop – Setting of SSCE Music Question (WAEC). 2001.

8.     Team Leader NECO Junior School Certificate Examination.

2001-2012.

9.     Member Musicological Society of Nigeria 1995

AWARDS

Distinguished leadership Award- 2021

Award of Honour- 2017

Music Merit Award- 2016

He is happily married to Lady Evangelist Esther O. Bankole and blessed with God fearing children.