By Oluwagbenga Bankole
After 50 years of dedicated and sacrificial service, the outgoing Midwife of Christ Apostolic Church, Yaba DCC, Lagos, Matron (Mrs.) Mariam Ayodele Adeleye was grandly celebrated at her retirement service on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
The retirement service was held at CAC Oke-Ibukun headquarters, Yaba DCC, Lagos, where the Matron was celebrated by her family, well-wishers, ministers, and church members for her remarkable dedication and invaluable contributions to the kingdom. The service was also used to celebrate the 70th birthday of the living heroine.
Throughout her illustrious career, Matron Adeleye served in various stations, including CAC Idi-Oro DCC, before joining CAC Yaba DCC in 2022, where she remained until her retirement.
In his message, titled 'The Midwives who were blessed by God,' Pastor S.E.A. Oludare, Superintendent of CAC Yaba DCC, drew from Exodus 1:20. Focusing on the lesson from Exodus 1:15-21, he highlighted the Hebrew midwives' integrity, noting that they had a good name and worked under the aegis of their God.
He charged the congregation to live out their faith authentically, emphasizing the need to reflect Christ-like character at the workplace.
Pastor Oludare further noted that the midwives faced trials without compromising their values and received privileges without abusing them.
He added that the midwives defied the order to kill male children, choosing to fear God rather than obey human commands.
Pastor Oludare highlighted the midwives' rewards, noting that God blessed them (Exodus 1:20) and established households for them (Exodus 1:21). He added that while God's blessings may manifest differently today, the children He has given us are a testament to His favor.
He concluded that nothing we do for God is in vain, and our efforts and services will yield eternal rewards.
Matron Adeleye will be remembered not only for her years of dedicated service but also for her unwavering tenacity and determination in fulfilling her divine calling.
Biography of Matron Mrs Miriam Ayodele Adeleye. Nee Makinde
Born on June 17, 1955, to the family of Prophet Philip Oludare Makinde of the Ibala Compound and Mrs. G.E. Makinde of the Iyere Compound, both of Erio-Ekiti, she came into the world as a divinely orchestrated blessing—cherished as the last-born child in a family that believed their childbearing years were over. Her life from the start has been marked by divine purpose.
She began her educational journey at CAC St. Philip Primary School, Erio-Ekiti (1963–1969), and continued to CAC Secondary Modern School, Erio/Aramoko-Ekiti (1971–1973). During these formative years, she received a divine calling to serve. This call led her to the School of Evangelists in Ora-Ekiti, under the mentorship of Baba Ojo Oluwaniyi—famously known as Ojo Asanbelalu, the author of Iririmi Ninu Egbe Awo Ki Jesu To Gbami.
In June 1975, her elder brother, the late Pastor E.O. Makinde—her spiritual guide and father figure—redirected her path by bringing her to CAC Faith Home, Ede. There, he revealed a long-kept truth: she was a covenant child, born for the work of God. With divine favor and the support of Mama Matron Deborah Oladiran and Pastor Yerokun, she was admitted into the Faith Home, where she trained as a midwife and graduated in 1976.
Her first posting took her to Iloffa, Kwara State (1976–1982), after which she entered into holy matrimony with Mr. Joseph Adekunle Adeleye, an official of Union Bank and now the High Chief Oloko of Egosi, on December 11, 1982. The couple moved to Maiduguri, Borno State, where she continued her calling both at work and in training at Duniyan Hospital, Bolori (1983–1985).
In 1985, she returned to Iloffa Faith Home, balancing service and studies at the Christian School of Community Midwifery, Ibadan, until 1987. Her ministry journey continued across various Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) locations:
CAC Oluyemo, Offa, Kwara State (1988–1991)
CAC Oke-Igbala, Share, Kwara State (1991–1995)
CAC Oke-Isegun, Omu-Aran, Kwara State (1995–1998)
CAC Oke-Isegun, Taiwo Road, Ilorin DCC Headquarters (1998–2004)
Her journey later took her to Lagos, where she served with deep devotion at:
CAC Adegboyega, Odi-Olowo DCC Headquarters, Onipanu (2009–2011)
CAC Mountain of Mercy, Idi-Oro DCC Headquarters, Mushin (2011–2021)
CAC Oke-Ibukun, Yaba DCC Headquarters, Alagomeji (2022 until her retirement)
Throughout a remarkable 50-year span of service, her life has been a testimony to divine faithfulness, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Not once was there a hopeless case or casualty under her care—a testament to God's mighty hand upon her ministry.
To God alone be all the glory. Hallelujah!
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