Rev Sumbo Wright is a beautiful woman of God who is well known in
London where she lives. It's her 47th birthday on the 30th of August 2020.
And she has gone into seclusion. She does that every year. To celebrate her
47th birthday she started her annual 30-day seclusion on 1st August till 30th
of August her birthday.
There will be a Praise Thanksgiving on the 29th. The theme is A
Declaration of Praise (Psalm 22:22)
She is the Visioner at The Sanctuary of Glorious Praise. She is
quite gifted and she has gone for a lot of training in Theological issues. She
has a B. A (Hons) in Theology from the London School of Theology
Recently she told City People Publisher Seye Kehinde her story and
why she is very grateful to God for sparing her life. Below are excerpts of her
interview.
It’s your birthday again in a few weeks, how do you feel?
The only description that fits that question is.... GRATITUDE
I am grateful for the breath of Life
As you prepare to celebrate, what's on your mind?
Hmmm, again, I look back, take stock, and awestruck with the measure
of Grace I have received from the Almighty God
This year's birthday is coming at a time when you went
through some health challenges. How does it make you feel?
It's a mixed feeling as I lost a few close people and family,
However, I am grateful for life. I am not better than
those who passed away, I am only alive by God's grace and Mercy
Tell us your story. Where were you born? Where did you grow
up? And how come you live in the UK?
I was born in the United Kingdom in the early 70's. I grew up in Lagos, had my Primary, Secondary and Tertiary
Education there and relocated permanently to the UK 22 years ago, after I had
my Son.
Worked with Her Majesty's Immigration Service and then a few years
later, Studied Housing Management at Middlesex University, worked as a
Homelessness Caseworker responsible for making decisions on Social Housing for
Eligible Applicants until 2015 when I went back to do a B.A (Hons) in Theology
at the prestigious London School of Theology and Then a postgraduate in Education
and Training
I got Licensed as a Reverend Minister as an elevation in
my Pastoral role and also to effectively conduct religious services as
recognised by the UK authorities.
You are a woman of God. How did you get your calling? What
year were you called?
I was actually born into Catholicism but used to dream and have
revelations a lot at a tender age. My late Mum used to call me "Josephine
alala", meaning, Josephine (female version of Joseph) the dreamer.
Whilst waiting for my WAEC results, I attended a Revival with a
Cousin of mine in the C & S Church and I subsequently became a member in my
teenage until 2011. I was ordained a Prophetess at 16 because my prophetic calling and efficacy of prophetic messages were confirmed by elders
of the church and ministers who visited the church.
Even when I returned to the UK, I served in various capacities
within the Church ranging from administration, the prophetic ministry and choir. I had a divine encounter in 2010 when I was in a trance at home
for days.
How has it been since then? Do you have your own Ministry?
I can say, it's all been grace! GRACE with a Capital G which
for me means, God in the Race.....
Yes, by the grace of God, The Sanctuary of Glorious Praise
used to be a Church until it evolved into one without walls.....
It's predominantly a Worship Ministry, not like the usual
Church..... It's a Come-as-you-are and non-discriminatory ministry
We celebrate God a lot and honour people during our Glorious
People Awards for unsung Heroes who are making a difference to mankind
in all spheres of Life.
What kind of a person is Rev Sumbo Wright?
Hmmm Rev Sumbo Wright is firstly a God-lover, I love God so much and
when it comes to the things of the Kingdom, I don't slack, I will give my time
and all my finances
Secondly, I love singing, cooking and travelling. I also love to
look good.
I am very blunt and down-to-earth. One will always know
where they stand with me and in my own little way, I engage in Philanthropic
activities.....
When I'm not working or ministering, I love my own company.....
I would say, I'm an ambivalent, a little extroverted and a little
introverted
What are the lessons you learnt from your Covid 19
experience?
I learnt that, not even Science can measure up when God shows up!
I also learnt that, most of the things we waste money on are not
necessary due to the lock down! Imagine someone who loves buying shoes, what
event would she or he have worn them to? Those shoes will just sit in their
boxes and clutter up space!
Lastly, that Life is indeed precious and we should live every
passing day as though it were the last....
Covid-19 emerged suddenly and killed
millions globally......Truly sad!
How do you balance
out your life in London and your roots in Nigeria?
I love my Naija anytime, anyway and travel to
Nigeria a lot
I wear mostly Nigerian clothes and my white colleagues know me for
that as I wear them to work and when I was studying.
I also relate within the Nigerian Church and Community as a whole
Most of my childhood friends are here in the UK and Nigeria
and we're very much in touch. We even have WhatsApp groups to maintain communication
Do you have a lot of friends in Nigeria? How do you relate
with them?
Oh yes, I do have a lot of friends in Nigeria and to God be the
glory, we're doing well in our chosen careers
Tell us about your parents?
I was born to the Late Music Legend, Julius Adeniyi Wright,
aka Biddy
Wright of The Wura Fadaka fame and Princess Alice Wright, a social worker
who both studied in the UK
I was raised by my Paternal great aunt, Lady Lydia Remilekun Williams
(nee Pereira) the age of 6 months. That was the Mother I knew, I didn't even
know she wasn't my mum until I was 7 years old. We met my biological mum on
Oxford Street during my summer holidays in London.
On 24th July 2020 Rev Sumbo Wright wrote a tribute in
honour of the memory of this only mother she knew who would have
been 93 last April:
"To the Glory of God and in honour of your Memory.....
The only Mother I knew who would have been 93 in April this
year....
Lady Lydia Remilekun Williams (Nee Pereira) a.k.a
"Mummy Agba"
From a 6 month old New born brought from the UK to Lagos....
You raised me, nurtured me physically and Spiritually.....
You sent me to the best private Schools.....
An astute business woman and serial entrepreneur from my
Paternal roots..... (The Aristocratic Pereira Family)
You taught me everything and took me everywhere! Every
Holiday was spent abroad.....
Even though we had several domestic Staff, you never overly
pampered me, I still had to do chores and cook like anyone else....
I was adorned in Gold and beautiful clothes.....
We had to attend 8am Mass every Sunday at Holy Cross
Cathedral and must do our Novena and Morning devotion by 5am daily!
Hmm the day we saw my biological Mum on Oxford Street (right
in front of Littlewoods) one summer afternoon, I remember you saying,
"Alice, how can you not look back and ask after your only child" you
then said to me, "Sumbo, that's your mum" and I remember saying,
"No she's not my Mum, you are my Mum"...... (That's a story for
another day)
Mummy, thank you, for great memories, for your love, for
your benevolence, for empathy, tenacity, love of God, our home was a great
Haven for friends and family to experience true love, fellowship and family
values.....
People thronged in and out for advice, food, financial
assistance or succour.....
All these you instilled in me! I am a complete replica of
you in totality!
All to the glory of God, and in honour of your Memory.....
Continue to rest peacefully in the bosom of your Creator who
you loved and served selflessly!
The Children's Home to honour your memory is almost
completed!
Abiyamo Oninu ire....
Ara Oba Magbon
Modi Oba, Mejiore
Omo Korowa, Omo tagbata
Omo onigbokiti l'Oba.....
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