The Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church has lost its worldwide spiritual leader, Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Adewale Alogbo, who died at the age of 93. His passing has drawn tributes from across the Christian community in Nigeria and beyond. Born on Easter Sunday in 1933, Alogbo led the church for decades, expanding its reach from a small Lagos home to the United States and United Kingdom. Here are six key facts about the late cleric, drawn from reports by Vanguard and Nigerian Tribune.
Birth on Easter Sunday
Prophet Alogbo was born on April 18, 1933, at Inabiri Street, Lagos, to Dickson Adeleye Alogbo and Maria Ojubomo Alogbo. The date fell on Easter Sunday, a coincidence many in the church considered spiritually significant. He attended Ago-Ijaiye Primary School in Ebute Meta, followed by St. Paul's Secondary School and Oduduwa College, both in Ile-Ife.
Career in the Railways
At just 17, Alogbo joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 1950, working in the Electrical and Refrigeration section of its Engineering Department, according to Vanguard. A transfer to Zaria in 1955 set off a chain of events that changed his life entirely. There, he encountered members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church performing one of his own musical compositions.
Music Led Him to the Church
In Zaria, Alogbo stepped in to correct the choir's rendition of his song, sparking a connection with the congregation. He joined the church choir in 1959 and later introduced the Yoruba talking drum, the gangan, into worship services, marking the beginning of a lasting musical legacy. His innovations reshaped how the church worshipped, introducing dance-style music and instruments like the trumpet, guitar, and organ.
First Branch South of the River Niger
After returning to Lagos in 1960, Prophet Alogbo established the first C&S Movement Church branch south of the River Niger at his home on Cregg Street, Surulere. The inaugural service on September 29, 1960, attracted around 10 worshippers, the Nigerian Tribune reported. From that modest gathering, the church's footprint across Southern Nigeria grew considerably.
Pioneer of Contemporary Worship
Alogbo is credited with modernising worship within the C&S Movement Church. He introduced dance-style music, starting with the trumpet before bringing in guitars, organs and other instruments. His approach influenced worship styles not only within the C&S Movement but also in wider Pentecostal and indigenous church circles in Nigeria.
International Expansion
Prophet Alogbo drove the church's international expansion, helping to plant branches in Los Angeles, New York, and Houston, Texas, as well as in the United Kingdom. His efforts gave the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church a presence far beyond Nigerian shores. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
