Akure, Ondo State — A moving testimony shared by UK-based Nigerian professional and gospel minister, Honey Olawale, has captured widespread attention, shedding light on his remarkable journey from hardship as a university student to becoming a global advocate for skills development and mental health awareness.
Olawale, who is the Founder of Global Skills Hub, United Kingdom, and the International Director of the African Project Against Suicide (APAS), recounted how faith and an unwavering passion for worship sustained him during one of the most challenging periods of his life as a student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
According to him, despite facing severe financial difficulties, he organized a monthly praise festival on campus — an event that consistently drew large crowds of young worshippers.
With little to his name, Olawale relied heavily on goodwill from friends and supporters to fund each edition.
For one particular event themed around traditional native attire, he found himself without a single outfit that fit the dress code.
He eventually borrowed an attire from a friend, but a more embarrassing challenge remained: his only pair of shoes had a large hole underneath from years of use.
With no alternative, he wore the tattered shoes to the event.
The auditorium was filled to capacity, the atmosphere electrifying with worship, music, and free refreshments. However, the night took an unexpected turn when the guest minister requested the event organizer — Olawale — to step forward for a special prayer.
Fear struck. Walking up meant exposing the gaping hole under his shoe to the entire crowd.
When the minister insisted, refusing to continue the service without him, Olawale quietly asked the person seated beside him to lend him a shoe.
In a discreet act of kindness, the man offered it instantly. Wearing the oversized replacement shoe, he made the slow, careful walk to the stage amid loud applause — a moment that would stay with him for life.
Today, Olawale says God has transformed his story. His work now spans across continents, empowering youths through Global Skills Hub UK and championing suicide prevention and mental health support across Africa through APAS.
He shared the testimony alongside one of his songs, describing it as “more than music — a declaration and a promise.”
Encouraging young people facing challenges, he said:
“Don’t give up. Keep pushing. Keep doing what you’re doing. One day, your breakthrough will come.”
Olawale’s story, now widely shared, continues to inspire many, highlighting how resilience, faith, and the kindness of others can shape destinies in extraordinary ways.
INN-HOUSE☆ 