THE life of the Strategic Communicator, co-founder of Tova Africa, and chairman of Miners Communications Ltd, Pastor David Tosin Bakare, in the last five decades, is an evolution from the corporate world and a transition from marketing beer to marketing Christ. His interests as a social entrepreneur and his selfless act of youth empowerment and women’s advocacy cannot be over-emphasised Only a few people have been able to epitomize the spirit of Kingdom focus, transformative leadership, and unwavering commitment to societal progress as Pastor Bakare does. His influence in the vineyard is limitless.
The first African to study International MBA in Israel at the prestigious Bar Ilan University, Bakare has risen from humble beginnings to a beacon of hope and inspiration to youths and disadvantaged women in Africa.
Bakare’s 50-year journey so far is a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and a deep-seated trust in the power of God to effect positive change in society through his servants. Transitioning from journalism to promoting beer and then to marketing Christ, Bakare’s metamorphosis into the world of social entrepreneurship and kingdom business advocacy is a tale of vision, passion, purpose, and abiding faith in God to make the seemingly impossible possible for those who believe.
Born in 1974 into the modestly affluent family of Grandpa Chief Samuel Odetayo Bakare and Grandma Mama Alice Olaoti Bakare from Aba Olorunda and Ajiia both respectively in Ona-Ara Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Bakare’s early years were shaped by a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and godly family values. Growing up, despite losing his biological father, Abidoye Bakare (a great family man, a caring dad, a school teacher par excellence, an amazing sports coach, and a rising star) at the tender age of two, the young Bakare learned quickly in life.
Left in the care of his loving but no-nonsense young mother, Victoria Bakare, and later grandma, Mama Wosilat, (aka Iya Owode), the demand for hard work as a means of survival instilled in him the creativity of entrepreneurship, the dignity of labour, and a profound appreciation and gratitude for the value of money earned by dint of hard work. Bakare began his entrepreneurship journey under the tutelage of Mama Owode at an early age while in primary school, where he would go hawking kerosene lamps (Atupa) in neighborhoods. The experience earned him a sense of duty towards societal progress and a signal for his future call into ministry, as a lamp signifies light unto the world (Matthew 5:14).
His educational journey traversed diverse landscapes, from elementary and secondary schools in the southwest, tertiary education at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) in the East, National Youth Service in Benue State, and an International MBA in faraway Israel. The motto of UNN: “To Restore The Dignity of Man,” shaped his focus on life, while the Bar-Ilan University in Israel gave him the wings to fly for global impact.
Having worked as a journalist, an advertising practitioner, and in the beer industry for a while, he started his own marketing communication business in 2009. Later on, in 2017, his social entrepreneurship vision took a life of its own in Israel when his innovative social enterprise idea gained traction and was featured in no fewer than seven Israeli media, including Jerusalem Post, Israel National News, Intermountain Jewish News, Jewish Link, Audiatur-Online, TPS.co.il, and God Tv. He later came to Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to co-found the Tova Africa Group in 2019.
Despite his success in the corporate world, Bakare’s ambitions transcended mere profit-making. A pastor and former president of the Ilupeju Executive Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Bakare also recognises the immense potential for Kingdom business and social entrepreneurship to drive social change and economic development, particularly in underserved communities.
An ordained man of God, Pastor Bakare has the King’s mandate to preach Christ to all and to create a virtuous circle of prosperity through kingdom business practices, using biblical principles and time-tested Jewish Tikkun-Olam success secrets.
As the cleric celebrates his golden jubilee birthday today, Bakare’s life is a testimony of how to market Jesus Christ through tangible acts of love, social justice, and generosity for humanity.
- Sokoya sent this piece from Ibadan.
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