Encomium
‘Stop now or face God’s wrath’
Respected clergy and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is not too happy with some of his aides. And this is not unconnected with the several reports reaching him about the fraudulent practices of some of his pastors.
Information available to ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed that some of them engage in sharp practices which has been a source of headache to the humble clergy for a while. Thus, we learnt that he has issued a serious warning to Redeemed Church pastors over accountability and stewardship. The revered man of God admonished all those involved in dishonest practices to stop it or face the wrath of God. In a letter given to all the workers, specific instructions were handed to all pastors to be more accountable in their dealings. Daddy G. O also encouraged the pastors to be responsible for their flocks by taking good care of them.
Thus, to guard against their fraudulent practices, he instructed all pastors manning each branches to have a petty cash book, asset register income, analysis and bank book.
Furthermore, there would be a quality audit of the ministry’s account book provided by the province.
Pastor Adeboye had his B.Sc. in Mathematics at Obafemi Awolowo University and subsequently got his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Lagos, and worked as a lecturer of Mathematics at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin. After joining the RCCG, he began translating the sermons of its then Pastor and founder, Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, from Yoruba into English.
In 1981, Adeboye was appointed General Overseer of the church, taking over from Papa Akindayomi, who had died the previous year. For three years, he played the role part-time, still lecturing at Ilorin, until giving up his university position to preach full-time.
The church, which was not well known before Adeboye took charge, now claims branches in over a 100 countries, including more than 14,000 in Nigeria. Adeboye has stated that his aim is to put a church within five minutes of every person on earth. He is the national president of RCF (an interdenominational fellowship in all the campuses in Nigeria). He also owns the Christ Redeemers Ministries. In 2008, Newsweek magazine named Adeboye one of the 50 most powerful people in the world. He is also the founder of Redeemers University. He is married to Foluke Adeboye, also a pastor, with whom he has children.
He recently endowed four Nigerian universities: Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria with professorial chairs in Mathematics to the tune of N50 million.
-FEMI OYEWALE
