Philip Hunsu Ajose

Philip Hunsu Ajose (10 August 1932 - 2 March 2001) was the third Pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), succeeding Alexander Abiodun Adebayo Bada on 2 October 2000 and being formally declared leader on 24 December 2000.

Early years

Ajose was born on 10 August 1932 in Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria. His father was a co-founder of the United Methodist African Church at Eleja, Badagry. Ajose attended St Thomas Primary School, Badagry (1939 - 1949). He was accepted by the Nigeria Ports Authority for a three-year course in Mechanical Engineering, graduating with a certificate in internal combustion engineering. He obtained a job with the Electric Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) in 1951, working at the Ijora Power Station. He was transferred to Benin City as superintendent in 1961, Oshogbo in 1967, Ajure in 1970 and Badagry in 1971 where he held the position of Superintendent District Manager. There was a leadership dispute over the succession to Ajose, with some declaring Gilbert Oluwatosin Jesse the leader, while others recognised the Reverend Emmanuel Oschoffa, son of church founder Samuel Oshoffa.