Rev Sam Ajibola: The President, CHM Worldwide
Revd Sam Ajibola is the President of Christ Hospital Ministry (CHM). He is an Accountant by profession and a Fellow member of the Chartered and Certified Accountant, ACCA UK. He has a master degree in Accounting and Finance from South Bank University London.
Sam has over 30 years working experience at a Senior Management level in financial institutions, private corporate organisations and UK government where he served as the Head of Finance/Financial Controller of the Estate Division of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) from 2001-2006. He was involved in the financial management of the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in the UK.
Sam was ordained a Reverend in September 2002. He was also ordained as an Elder and Overseer of the Apostolic Church in 1986 and 1989 respectively. He has a burning passion for soul-winning with a particular passion for young adults with mental health difficulties. With his devotion to duty in these areas, he has witnessed the divine transformation of young lives with challenging mental problems.
Sam has a notably remarkable compassion for the sick and vulnerable a quality which is believed led to the divine inspiration he received to establish Christ Hospital Ministry in September 2000. Sam is married to Mary, a Mental Health Social Worker and Best Interest Assessor.
Elder (Dr) Gbenga Sofowora: Vice President, CHM International
Dr Sofowora qualified as a Medical Doctor from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan Nigeria in 1986. After working briefly in Nigeria, he travelled to the UK in 1991 to pursue a postgraduate qualification in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
He was admitted to the membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1997 and as a fellow in 2001.
In 1998 he began his training in general practice and qualified as a general practitioner in 2000. He currently works as the senior GP partner in a practice in Medway, Kent. He brings to CHM a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of medicine.
Dr Sofowora has been a member of CHM since its inception in September 2000 and served as the vice-chairman and then the chairman
of CHM UK until August 2022 when he stepped down. He was appointed as the Vice President of CHM international in September 2022. He has made significant contributions to the development of CHM in the area of strategy and policy formulation and currently serves as the head of that department. He is also, the editor of CHM international newsletter that is published every four months and a member of the board of trustees of Christ Hospital Ministry International.
Dr Sofowora is married to Iyabo, a retired Theatre Nurse, herself a volunteer for CHM and the clinical coordinator of CHM UK.
Femi Abiodun: The General Secretary, CHM Worldwide
Mr. Femi Abiodun graduated with an Honours degree in Business. He brings to the organisation a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of Information Technology, Business, and Administration. He has worked in various organisations in Nigeria and the UK, including the NHS and local authorities. He was appointed General Secretary in 2000 and has contributed immensely to policy formulation and the general administration of the organisation. He continues to thrive on the challenges of working with CHM and has a strong desire to bring quality and improvement to the management of CHM.
Lawrence A Fawehinmi: Chairman, CHM UK
My name is Lawrence A Fawehinmi, I was appointed as the Chairman of Christ Hospital Ministry (U.K.) in September 2022.
I studied at South Bank University, with my first degree majoring in marketing and advertising. A couple of years after my first degree I decided to venture into hairdressing. Professionally, I have been a hairdresser for over 30 years, twelve of which I spent running my own hairdressing salon. Currently, I work as a freelance hairdresser and as a property investor.
As the chairman of CHM UK, part of my remit includes overseeing the expansion of the work of CHM in the UK and ensuring its smooth day to day operation.
I was ordained as an Elder in the Apostolic Church in December 2017 and I am married to my dearest wife Titilayo a Certified Food Technologist. We are blessed with three beautiful daughters Yolanthe, Ardelle and Thekia.
CHM has been like a family to me, and I am eternally grateful to God and CHM for providing me this wonderful privilege to use my gifts to serve God in this capacity.
I am dedicated to ensuring that our ministry (CHM UK) continues to provide exceptional care, support, and spiritual guidance to those in need. I appeal to all our volunteers to join hands together to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our local communities and the world at large.
Rita Lawson: Secretary, CHM UK and Personal Assitant to CHM International President
Mrs Lawson is a qualified practitioner working within the United Kingdom Criminal Justice System. She qualified in 2011 and have been working with voluntary and statutory agencies, including prisons and courts. The nature of her work involves working with a wide range of people every day, including victims or perpetrators of violent or sexual crimes. She is trained in and have extensive experience in the assessment of risk of reoffending and risk of (serious) harm to the public. She possesses a diverse set of skills which includes technical knowledge, interpersonal skill and the ability to work well under pressure in emotionally charged settings.
Some of her skills includes the ability to understand and connect with people, empathy and persuasive skills, passion for the work she does and a desire to help people as well as the ability to work in a team and collaborate with others.
It is this wealth of experience Mrs Lawson brings to her voluntary role as the Secretary of CHM UK and Personal Assistant to CHM International President. She is directly responsible to the chairman of CHM UK and other members of the management committee as well as liaising closely with the CHM International President in her role as his executive assistant. She assists with any clerical or administrative duties as deemed fit by the CHM President, CHM UK Chairman and other members of the UK Management Committee. She is married with 3 children.
Florence Bankole: Member of the Trustees Board, CHM UK
Sister Florence is a teacher by profession and one of the founding members of CHM. Currently, she is head of Prayer Warrior’s department for CHM and also serves on the Trustees’ Board. Sister Florence excels in coordinating CHM’s activities and enjoys praying. She is a true child of God and has a burning passion for helping the sick and the needy.
Marion Kamara: Member of the Trustees Board, CHM UK
Sister Marion is a teacher by profession and one of the founding members of CHM. Currently, she is head of Home Visits and Hospital Visits departments for CHM and also serves on the Trustees’ Board.
Sister Marion has excelling compassion for the sick and the needy
Mrs. Iyabo Sofowora: Clinical Co-ordinator CHM UK
Iyabo is a retired registered nurse and midwife.
She completed her nurse training in 1988 and her midwifery training in 1993 in Chelmsford University. After working as a midwife for 9 years, she decided to return to nursing and worked as a theatre nurse until 2018 when she took her retirement.
After her retirement, she volunteered for the Salvation Army, helping out in the soup kitchen and the food bank until May 2022.
Iyabo is a deaconess and also serves in the leadership of Maidstone International Community Church. She also headed the Hospitality team and Women’s leadership team.
She has a passion for preaching the gospel, evangelism and seeing the lost saved. She also enjoys helping the poor and marginalized in the society which was the reason why she volunteered for the Salvation Army.
She currently serves as an officer int he management committee of Christ Hospital Ministry UK.
Iyabo is married to Dr. Gbenga Sofowora.
Mrs. Esther Oluyemisi Umude: Publicity/Social Media Officer
Mrs. Esther Oluyemisi Umude is a qualified Social Worker by profession, working as a Forensic Social Worker in Mental Health Services since 2016. Prior to a change of career, she was working with investment banks as a Graphic Designer.
She joined Christ Hospital Ministry (CHM) as a volunteer in 2018 after being invited by a friend and stepped into the role of Publicity/Social Media Officer in 2023.
Esther is a mother of two adult daughters and married to Mr Irikefe Umude.