Olumba Olumba

Olumba Olumba Obu (1918–2003?) He was the founder of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, an organization which has been described as a new religion.

During his lifetime, some adherents believed he had almost supernatural powers. Members of his spiritual organization claim Olumba Olumba was not entirely human, but part human and part spirit.

Early life Olumba was born in 1918

Biography Olumba Olumba Obu was the founder of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS). It was formed in 1956 in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Nigeria, Over the next fifty years, it gained recognition by assisting disadvantaged children and adults. A school was built and job training was provided to followers. Membership in the church grew and in 1980, it had approximately 600,000 followers, and over 1 million, worldwide, by the 1990s. Olumba Olumba Obu's followers referred to him as "OOO", and painted the letters on their homes and cars. BCS was reported to have been dismantled in 2003. whereas a former follower states that he died in 2003.

Family Olumba Olumba Obu, referred to as “Sole Spiritual Head of the Universe,” had eight or nine children. The eldest children, Olumba Olumba Obu (Rowland) and Helen Ibum Udoh (née Olumba) were based in Nigeria. Three younger children, Ajah Obu, Fred Obu, Mary Obu, Emmanuel Obu, Elizabeth Obu, and Orlando Obu entered the US to pursue an education, and later set up residency, careers and family.

In 2000/2001, Rowland and Helen Ibum, began to contend for the right of succession to their father. This encompassed spiritual control of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, well as control of "the religion’s considerable finances." In Nigeria, this split led to violent clashes between followers, as well as lawsuits.

By 2006, the disputes had spread to the US based siblings. Ajah Obu, “the Supreme Mother of Peace, Love and Justice,” and her brother, Fred Obu, filed lawsuits against one another, regarding the right to sell church property in the US.