Dr. Samuel Onyejindu Oleka
Dr. Samuel Onyejindu Oleka (1949-2016) was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. He was the fifth of the six children of his parents, the late Mr. Joseph and late Mrs. Jenny Olekanma of Ohukabia-Ndenkwonta, Mgbelu-Umunnekwu, Oguduasaa, Isuikwuato, Abia State, Nigeria. Dr. Oleka’s father, who was a textile merchant, was murdered at sea when Dr. Oleka was only four years old. Dr. Oleka and his siblings were raised by his homemaker mother and other relatives.
At age 12, Dr. Oleka received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior under the ministry of his late uncle, Rev. Sunday Umune, and an American missionary, the late Rev. John Hiebert with the SIM Ministry, and was baptized by immersion. From that time, Dr. Oleka immersed himself into the study of the Bible, as he answered the call of God into ministry for Him. He started evangelizing and pastoring at a local church in his teenage years. With the assistance of an American missionary, late Ms. Verna Glander, he was able to attend a Bible School and a Seminary. He loved music. He played guitar, piano, and often sang solos. He loved the Lord, loved to teach and preach the Bible.
Dr. Oleka received his first Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Igbaja Theological Seminary, Igbaja, Nigeria. With his quest and determination for further studies, he relocated to the United States in 1979. He received his second Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, from William Jennings Bryan College, Dayton, TN.
As a recipient of the Evan Welsh Olena Mae Scholarship, The Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, IL., Dr. Oleka was able to attend Wheaton College, Graduate School, where he received his first Master’s degree, in Christian Theology. His second Master’s degree and Ph.D. were in Curriculum and Instruction, with a cognate in Cross-cultural Communications, from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, where he was also a Thoman Fellow.
He was the Registrar, then Vice President for Academic Affairs at William Tyndale College, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
He was a faculty at Eastern Kentucky University, Education Department.
His post-graduate studies were at Harvard Institutes for Higher Education at the Harvard University.
Dr. Oleka was a full-time Professor, and the Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies (CASSIS), at Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky.
Dr. Oleka was an ordained minister and served as the Senior Pastor at Christ The Head Missionary Church, Danville, Kentucky.
Dr. Oleka was a CIPL Fellow in the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership, organized by The Pritchard Commission. He sat on the boards and committees of Transformational Educational Network (TEN3); SIMTEC; UNA-USA, Frankfort, KY Chapter; National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC); Emerging Leaders Workshop; Washington Honors Advisory Council; Midwest Region of African Christian Fellowship, USA, where he was president of the board; KY- Canadian Roundtable. He was a Kentucky Colonel.
He was a member of: American Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS); the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE); the National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP); the Frankfort Arts Foundation.
Dr. Oleka had numerous achievements, and presentations, received many awards, and recognitions, membership in many professional, cultural, Christian, and social organizations.
Dr. Oleka was one of the Founding members of the African Christian Fellowship, USA, where he also served in the leadership team.
He was a member, served in the Deacon Board, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir at Memorial Baptist Church, Frankfort, Ky.
Dr. Oleka was married to his wife, Amaka Rhoda Oleka for over 35 years. They are blessed with three beautiful adult children: Onyinyechi (Nyechi), Chimsom, and Onyejindu (OJ).
On January 19, 2016, Dr. Oleka was called home by God after an unexpected massive hemorrhagic stroke.