Wearing the garb of Lay President in any of the dioceses of Methodist Church is no a mean or lesser achievement. A lay leader is seen as a major figure within the congregation whose idea and contributions are significant to the development of the church, most especially in the training of future leaders.
Of course, to qualify for this exalted post requires one’s dedication and commitment to the doctrine of Methodist Church and readiness to impact same on all members of the church in every circuit within the diocess.
This is exactly what happened on Sunday, February 11, 2024 when Sir Emmanuel Oladotun Somoye KJW was presented to members of the Methodist Church, Lagos North Dioceses as the 3rd Lay President.
Prior to his presentation as Lay President of Diocese of Lagos North, Sir Somoye has been officially inducted at the 12th Synod of the Diocese on Sunday, November 12, 2023 by His Eminence Dr Oliver Ali Aba, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria held at Methodist Church of Trinity,Tinubu, Lagos
The presentation ceremony held at the Methodist Church of God of All Possibility, Tabon Tabon, Agege Lagos, was performed by the Bishop of the Lagos North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Job Gboyega Osuolale Ohu, and witnessed by other ministers, presybeters, Diocesan members drawn from all circuits of the Diocese.
Speaking on the theme “Arise and Build” Bishop Ohu who drew his lesson from the book of Nehemiah, chapter 2 vs 18 enjoined the newly decorated Lay president to rise up to the occasion and follow the footstep of his predecessors by building on their good foundation to further developing the Diocese and Methoist Church in Nigeria.
While noting Sir Somoye’s dedication and commitment to the church welfare, the Bishop called on Diocesans to work with the new Lay President and continue supporting him in prayers, so as to making the works of the Diocese grow unhindered.
“My dear people of God, it is my pleasure, therefore,to introduce to you, Sir Emmanuel Oladotun Somoye,who has been duly appointed and invested for the office of Lay president. I ask you then to work with him, to support him with your prayers so that the work of the Diocese will grow from strength to strengthen,” the Bishop said.
In his remark, Sir Somoye thanked Almighty God, members and clergy of the Diocese for their support, trust and the confidence reposed in him.
He promised to work with all the fellowships in the church and internalised the spirit of “Arise and Build” which according to him, not just a statement but a call to join hands and work religiously to taking the Diocese and the Methodidt Church at large to the next level both numerically and spiritually.
Brief Profile of Sir Emmanuel Oladotun Somoye KJW
Sir Emmanuel Oladotun Somoye KJW was born to the dual royal families of Otileta (Owu) and Laarun (Ake) in Abeokuta, Ogun state by Chief Jacob Oludeyi Somoye and Chief Mrs Stella Oladunni Somoye (nee Deoye-George), both devoted and active Methodist Church leaders. As a result, he was brought up in the ways of God and Methodist Church traditions.
He attended the famous Baptist Boys High School Abeokuta and proceeded to University of Lagos where he graduated with B.Sc. Hons in Biochemistry. He also holds a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos State University, graduated as the best in his MBA class set of 1997. He is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School and INSEAD Business School, Singapore.
He worked with Glaxo (Evans) Nig. Plc,(1991) and Chemiron Pharmaceuticals Limited (1992-98) before joining SmithKline Beecham (now Glaxosmithkline) Nigeria Plc in 1999 as a Brand manager. He managed many of the company’s Global brands with increasing levels of responsibility and travelled globally to attend meetings, conferences, leadership and management trainings. He was later appointed as Country Group General Manager for GlaxoSmithkline for Ghana and other West Africa countries in July 2007.
In this role, Dotun demonstrated his ability to manage business complexity with consistent delivery of result and growth in his over 8 years at the helm of affairs. With this feat, he was recognised and honoured as one of the leading 25 business executives on Nigeria origin who built or runs successful business in Ghana in February, 2015. In July 2015, he returned to Nigeria and was appointed the Franchise Director, heading the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Plc Nutritional drinks franchise business arrangement with Suntory Beverage and Food Europe.
He is today the promoter and CEO of StellaGrace Nigeria Limited and Nuelsbeth Global Company.
Dotun has been involved in many church activities as member and leader of Methodist Youth fellowship at both the local, circuit and diocesan levels in his youthful days at Freeman Methodist Cathedral Ogbe Abeokuta.
He was a member of choir and lover of Christian music. In 1984 he co-founded the Youth Auxiliary Christian Association of Freeman Methodist Cathedral Abeokuta and served as President of the association for many years.
Currently as an active member of Methodist Church Nigeria, Oshodi, Lagos, he maintains strong affinity with Freeman Methodist Cathedral Abeokuta and has contributed modestly to the development and growth of the church in Lagos and Abeokuta.
At Methodist Church Oshodi, he served among many others, as the auditor of the church for 4 years and secretary of the church investment committee between 2005 and 2007. He is an honorary officer of the Boys Brigade and member of the Prestigious Christian Youth League of Methodist Church Oshodi where he served in many capacities and as President for 4 years.
In recognition of his service in the Diocese of Lagos North, Dotun was nominated and awarded Diocesan Gold Medal in 2022. Sir Somoye awarded the Knight of John Wesley (KJW) in July 2023.
As a manager and accomplished professional,he has demonstrated the ability to work across boundaries. Also,he has built a bridge of good relationship among his colleagues, peers, church members and society at large.
He is happily married to his beautiful wife Lady Olukemi Elizabeth Somoye (nee Ayilara) and blessed with Emmanuel, Onaolapo, Toluwalope.
