Meet Elijah Opawoye, a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue with a Bachelor's in Agriculture (B.Agric) in Soil/Crop Science.
He is a professional Basketball player, a professional model(Mr Nigeria Int'l Culture 2020 and Mr World Nigeria Glamour King), voiceover artist, graphic designer and a second generation Minister.
He has always known that he was not born to be like everyone else and everything about his life from birth has been strategic and precise and the scriptures made it clear that "The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord".
Elijah started playing basketball from his secondary school days and a year after he began, he felt it strong that he was called to make a positive difference in the world of sport via basketball and began nurturing it and worked and developed his skill level to the professional level so as to achieve that dream.
But in the midst of it all, he knew that he had the call of God on his life to preach the gospel and to shine as a light in his generation. It became more stronger in the year 2021, when God led him to work with his elder brother Pastor Emmanuel Opawoye in his Ministry (CITY OF LIGHT MINISTRY)
When asked how the journey has been so far he said " the journey as a Basketball player who is in Ministry has been amazing, because God has been faithful. It has been great, inspiring, motivating and most of all, educative because I've learnt alot on this journey so far."
When asked about the challenges he has faced, he said "One of the challenges I can say I faced was blending my life as a Minister and my life as a basketball player as well as a professional model. Trying to create a balance was my challenge at first, until God helped me to realize that everything and every life with it's style takes root from Him. And God made me understand that I was a basketball player and a model for Him and not for myself, so I represent God and the interest of the Kingdom of God whenever I step on the basketball court and on the runway as a Model and whenever I make a design or do a voiceover job."
Elijah Opawoye began his modeling career in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown in Makurdi, Benue State under the Orient Modeling Agency, and his first gig was to contest at Mr and Miss Nigeria int'l.
At first he wasn't interested in modeling because basketball was all he knew, but while he was praying one of those nights the Lord spoke to him saying that he's the one leading him in that direction. He didn't take any action, cause he felt that was his mind. Then he told his Mom about it and she confirmed what God told him. And so he accepted to do with the mindset that "If God sends a man, He will make the grace available". And to the glory of God, he went for the contest in November and emerged as MR NIGERIA INT'L CULTURE 2020. And that kick started his modeling career in God.
Follow him on Facebook @ Elijah Opawoye
Instagram @king_airlijah11
Follow City of Light Ministry on Facebook @City of Light Ministry
Instagram @City of Light Ministry
Evidence Blog, 2023
