Encomium
ALTHOUGH very humble and quite intelligent, Dr. Daniel Olukoya runs a multi-billion naira ministry popularly known as Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). From obscurity, he has built the
ministry to a worth of N100 billion. The unobtrusive preacher holds a first class honours degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. And this is quite evident in the way and manner the ministry has grown tremendously within a short period. The ministry could boast of a multi-billion naira prayer city reportedly worth around N50 billion, a N2.5 billion university, a deliverance stadium that would worth N1 billion, a book called Prayer Rain, allegedly rakes in around N3 billion, amongst others.
His firebrand ministry became famous when he joined the league of pastors who own camp grounds along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Popularly known as Prayer City, at Kilometre 1, Lagos Expressway, Ogun State. It is said to be worth N5 billion. It is among the top three ministries with the largest acquisition of land after Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and Bishop David Oyedepo. The first service on the camp was on December 31, 1999.
The auditorium, which is fashioned after the Redemption Camp could accommodate over 500,000 worshippers, with an overflow of 250,000.
Tucked inside the Prayer City is the clergy’s N2.5 billion Mountain Top University. It sits atop 100 acres (an acre is six plots, thus, 100 acres has 600 plots). The project began four years ago and the finished project comprises of faculties such as administrative blocks, laboratories, hospitals, hostels, amongst others.
Inside the multi-billion Prayer City are several chalets for male and female and of course, couples. These chalets are some of the major sources of revenue for the ministry. The male chalet has Elijah Hall, with a bed space. The Samuel House consists of two beds per room. And the chalets witness a daily occupation of people who have turned the city to Zion, the city of refuge.
The female chalets parade the El-Shaddai Hall, which has many beds. Rehoboth House consists of four beds in a room. Comfort Home is a two bed per room chalet, while Hephzibah House is a one-bed chalet. Mercy House is also a bed per room chalet.
The couple’s chalets include Joshua House, Grace House, The Goodness House, Praise House, Peace House, Paul House, Daniel House, Rehoboth Homes, Charity House, Paul and Faith House. We reliably gathered that the chalet are booked daily by worshippers who come in for prayers, especially during their monthly Power Must Change Hands programme every first Saturday of the month.
This enterprise is worth over N2 billion including its annual revenue.
The ministry also embarked on a huge project called Deliverance Stadium. The first of its kind in Nigeria, it would gulp over N1 billion. Aside that, the amiable clergy also runs a multi-billion naira housing scheme in the city which is meant to foster spiritual living along members.
Another money spinning facility of the ministry is the Battle Cry Christian Ministry. All of Dr. Olukoya’s books are published by the ministry. In his own word in 2009, during their 20th anniversary, one of his books popularly known as Prayer Rain, sold millions of copies and has blessed many people within and beyond the country.
“I have seen Prayer Rain with Muslims and members of other denominations,” he said. A copy of the book which goes for N1,500 has netted over N3 billion over the years. That is the source of his breakthrough.
Also, his weekly magazine, Battle Cry, goes for N50 and the ministry publishes over 100,000 copies weekly which they sell during their weekly meetings, but sold more during their monthly programme tagged, Power Must Change Hands. They net multi-million monthly from that. That is outside warfare books published by the amiable preacher.
Again, the MFM Tape Ministry generates income for the ministry. This ministry was established at the inception of the ministry in 1989 to produce and sell messages of the general overseer. Their products include tapes, CDs, VCDs and DVDs of Dr. Olukoya’s messages. This ministry is worth N7 million.
MFM has branches scattered all over the world. Their weekly and annual offerings, tithes and several donations from his teeming members and friends run into several billions which is used to run their several projects.
He also has a satellite television known as MFM Cable. It is a multi-million naira project on satellite. It’s a 24-hour television programme. In spite of everything, Dr. Olukoya still lives simply. He drives the ministry’s bus though with escorts for ministrations and his house in Ilupeju, Lagos is said to be constructed like a church, with Biblical texts all over the fence. He is always garbed in jacket and ministers with authority.
Married to Shade, who is equally a minister, they are blessed with a son, Elijah.
-FEMI OYEWALE
