.clears air on birth controversy
The family of the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim (CandS) Church, Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase, has reaffirmed that the deceased remains the sole founder of the church, dismissing recent media reports that sparked controversy over his parentage, place of birth, and the origin of the CandS movement.
Speaking at a press briefing in Akure, Ondo State capital, His Grace, Elder George Tunolase-Arole (heir) of St. Moses Orimolade, cleared the air on some misconceptions and misinformation as contained in some reports during the centenary celebration of the church that have generated controversies about his place of birth and parents.
He described some of the misinformation and misconceptions that emerged during the church’s centenary celebration as misleading, saying the publications about the founder of the CandS movement were designed to distort the true historical account of the revered spiritual leader.
According to Elder Tunolase, St. Moses Orimolade was born into royalty in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, and said, ‘He was born by Prince Tunolase, whose ancestor, Agbaode, was the first Owa Ale and founder of Ikare-Akoko. His mother, Abigail Odijorotan, was from the Eleho family in Ishakunmi Quarters, Ikare-Akoko.’
He clarified that, contrary to reports, it was the founder’s father, not his mother, who was from the Owa Ale royal family, and explained that ‘It is not the mother that came from the Owa Ale family but the father of St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase. Our great ancestor, Agbaode, founded Ikare-Akoko, so the Tunolase family has deep royal roots.’
Elder Tunolase further debunked claims suggesting that St. Moses Orimolade hailed from Lagos or co-founded the CandS with another person.
He affirmed that ‘Those are false narratives. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide was solely founded by St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase, and this fact has been upheld by the Supreme Court.’
He also recalled that during the centenary celebration held in Okorun Quarters, Ikare-Akoko, the Owa Ale of Ikare, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeleke Adegbite, reaffirmed the founder’s ancestral connection to Ikare-Akoko.
‘That royal confirmation was clearly stated, but some media reports misrepresented it, leading to unnecessary confusion,’ he added.
On the reason the centenary celebration took place across several cities, Elder Tunolase explained that it was purely for safety and logistics. ‘If everyone had gathered in one place, it would have caused a stampede.
‘Different groups held their celebrations in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Akure, but all commemorated one truth – that the Cherubim and Seraphim Church was founded and registered in 1925 by St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.’
He, however, maintained that: ‘ the father, instead of the mother, is from the Owa Ale family. It’s not the mother who is from the Owa Ale family, but the father of St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.
‘He was a Prince. So his father was a Prince of Owa Ale of Ikare. Yes. The great ancestor of Tunolase is Agbaode, who founded Ikare-Akoko. So, Tunolase is a royal member of the Owa Ale of the Ikare family.
‘The second thing is that they said his mother is from Owa Ale’s palace. She’s not from Owa Ale’s palace, but from the Eleho family in Ishakunmi in Ikare-Akoko.
‘Then the third thing that is going on in the newspapers is that St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase is not even from Ikare-Akoko, but from Lagos. This is not correct.
‘Then thirdly, there is also some misinformation saying that the Cherubim and Seraphim organization worldwide was jointly founded by Moses Orimolade Tunolase and someone. So, the sole founder of Cherubim and Seraphim worldwide is St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.’
He urged members and the public to disregard misleading publications and focus on the divine legacy of St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase.
‘He was chosen by God and remains the undisputed and sole founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide,’ he declared.