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Remember the popular Christian TV series House on the Rock that graced major TV stations across Nigeria, including AIT, TVC, LTV and Dove Vision? At the helm of this impactful series is Aare Kolade Segun-Okeowo, a renowned gospel filmmaker, the MD/CEO of Zionstones Media, and the visionary founder of Zionstones Film Village, Nigeria’s first Christian Film Village. He also leads the Christoline Film Academy, where he has mentored a new generation of Christian filmmakers.
In an exclusive interview with the City People Magazine team, we caught up with this multifaceted leader, who seamlessly navigates roles as a gospel filmmaker, politician, property developer, and educational pioneer, to uncover the story behind his journey in gospel film and his commitment to inspiring positive change in society.
My name is Aare Kolade Segun-Okeowo. I’m a gospel filmmaker, a property developer, a pastor and also a politician.
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How do you juggle everything together?
Well, it is possible. I’ve not done half of what Dangote is doing or half of what our Oga is doing, so God has given us grace.It is possible because what God commanded us to do is to let our light shine in the presence of darkness. God didn’t command light to shine inside light. Darkness should see light and disappear, not the other way round. Unfortunately, most of us in the body of Christ are shining light inside light, which is why we are fighting ourselves with the light. That’s the reality.
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How did you enter the ministry?
Way back in 1992, when I became a born-again Christian. I watched a drama at Obafemi Awolowo University. There was an altar call, and people came out very fast to give their lives to Christ. I was like, wow, this is something I play with. I formed a group of people to win souls, and that was what drove me into evangelical ministry. I have been doing that since 1993 till date.
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Are you a part of Mount Zion Ministry owned by Mike Bamiloye?
That is my boss. Mount Zion Faith Ministries’ evangelical drama founder is my spiritual mentor, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye. Yes, the drama I mentioned was acted by the school for the campus at Obafemi Awolowo University, precisely at Oduduwa Hall. I watched that drama and was like, wow, who are these people? They told me they were from Mount Zion. I got their contact, attended their program, and took some courses, and here I am.
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Sir, do you have any other political aspirations?
Well, aspiration is something you don’t have; your people should be the ones to say come and serve. I wouldn’t say I have an aspiration, but I’m waiting for my people to say come. When my people say come, I will come.
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Where are you from?
I am from Sagamu. This is my constituency. I share the same constituency with Gbenga Daniel, he is my political mentor.
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Promise Babatunde
