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| Pastor Tope Dada |
By 'Gbenga Bankole
Having considered his overwhelming contribution to the church, wealth of experience in managerial level and sterling performance, the authority of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, has elevated the immediate past Music Director of the church, Pastor Tope Dada to the position of Director of Administration of the church.
The appointment of Pastor Tope Dada, who has been serving in this capacity for some months was announced by the President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele at the just concluded 2023/2024 General Council Meeting of the church held at Babalola International Memorial Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
Until this new appointment, the music czar who had served at managerial level at Coca-Cola Hellenic for more than two decades, was the Music Director of CAC for eight years, that is, from 2016 to 2024. He will be succeeded by Elder/Barrister (SAN) Abidemi Oyesanya. Until this new appointment, Elder/Barrister Oyesanya served as the Regional Choirmaster of CAC Akinyele Region and Choirmaster of CAC Ebute-Meta DCC, Lagos. Barrister Oyesanya, is a musicologist par excellence and composer of many sacred songs with track records of proven integrity. The two appointments were announced at General Council Meeting by the President of CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Oladele.
Pastor Tope Dada as a transformative leader, has brought his professionalism to bear on his leadership style all through his work-life. He is a pace setter who weathers the storms and ensure stability as Training Manager and retired as the County Head of the Supply Chain Academy, Coca-Cola Hellenic BC. He was responsible for sourcing and development of talents, succession planning, driving behavioral change required to support talent initiatives, connect talent investments with business results and outcomes and accelerated leadership development.
He attended many training and presented papers in conferences within and outside Nigeria. A management consultant, coach, trainer, assessor and counsellor, he built people to fill key positions during his service with the Coca-Cola Hellenic BC where he retired without blemish as Country Head of Technical Training for the Nigeria Business Unit.
Recipient of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Excellent Leadership Award, Pastor Tope Dada is an eminent personality, noble and a fulfilled gentleman. He is a people person who will not relent until he achieved his goals. A hard liner, he will break through any wall to get things done. As Director of Music, his achievements speak volumes and include but not limited to:
1. Provided strong and dynamic leadership skills to the leadership and members of the Christ Apostolic Church Choir globally.
2. Ensure spiritual growth of the Choristers and build sound relationships between the Pastors and the Choirs across board.
3. Put in place appropriate leadership structure for the Music Directorate at all levels of their operation from the assembly to the Regional.
4. Established a strong International Music Ministers' Conference for the Church and successfully held six conferences uninterrupted.
5. Improved on the CAC Hymn book with additional 50 new Hymns to make 1,100 Hymns.
6. Translation of the CAC Hymns to Igbo language.
7. Established mutual relationships with other Departments of the Church and provided appropriate support for all Units and Departments.
8. Established the music standard and skills of the Choirs in sight reading and sight singing of musical notes.
9. Completed the CAC Hymnal (Music Edition) with additional Hymns published and in print.
10. Auditioned and put in place the 1st National Choir and Orchestra (500-member strong) for the Church among others.
The saying is right that its always better: "to live the stage ovation is loudest." We congratulate Pastor Tope Dada, an astute musician and Administrator, Fellow Institute of Management Consultants Nigeria, Fellow Institute of Management and Administrators of Nigeria, for a successful tenure as Music Director and wish him greater success in his new position as Director of Administration of the Church.