Born: July 16, 1908, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Died: May 30, 1980, Lagos, Nigeria.
Buried: Lagos, Nigeria.
Abraham was the son of Chief Joseph Sotayo Olude of Ikereku-Ikija, Abeokuta.
He received his primary education at the Ikereku Anglican Primary School, Abeokuta, and later at Agbeni Methodist School in Ibadan. In 1921, he enrolled at Wesley College, Ibadan, where he distinguished himself as a brilliant scholar and a keen sportsman.
He obtained the then Junior Cambridge Certificate and successfully completed the Sub-Pastor’s course in 1925. He stayed at the same College until 1934, when he passed out as a full fledged Minister of Religion.
He was ordained a Methodist minister in 1938. He served at various locations in northern and southern Nigeria, and as chairman of the Western Nigeria District of the Nigerian Methodist Church.
He was prolific writer and composer, writing several songs and folklore tunes in Yoruba. He was convinced that the Great Commission was best achieved through music in the native language and available musical instruments of talking drums, flutes, etc, as accompaniments.
He incorporated a number of local Gospel songs and melodies in his Mayokun, Iye ati Iyin. These became the vehicle used in propagating the Word of God and his ministry at large.
Among his circle of admirers and friends were musicologist Dr. Fela Sowande, who greatly helped Olude get national and international recognition. Others included organists like Sir Michael O. Ajose, Messrs. Olaoluwa Omideyi, T. A. Bankole and G. Pope Dopemu—the young organist of the Mayokun Musical Party
with which Olude carried out his scriptural and musical crusades across Nigeria.
Olude was made a Member of the Order of Niger in 1965 and received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Ife in 1967.