Image: Redemption Media
PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
Without any gainsaying, Enoch Adejare Adeboye remains a
frontline preacher of our time. With his characteristic gentle mien he is loved
by many within and outside his church and fondly referred to as Daddy G.O, a
short form for General Overseer. He has this unexplained ease and peace when
ministering and can stand for hours preaching the word of God.
Born as Enoch Adejare on 2nd March 1942, in
Ifewara, a sleepy town in Osun State, South west Nigeria from a very humble
background. His family was really so Spoor that other poor families in their
town considered them poor. Enoch had to refuse food and rebelliously abandoned the
farm for days when his father was not so
keen about education and not ready to send Enoch to school majorly due to lack
of funds. When Enoch’s father eventually did allow him, Enoch did not
disappoint his parents due to his exceptional brilliance, he grew up to study
Mathematics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and graduated in 1967, he
proceeded for his M.Sc in Hydrodynamics and completed it in 1969, he also got
his PhD in applied Mathematics in 1975. He was a university lecturer @
University of Lagos and also University of Ilorin for some years trying to work
out his ambition of being the youngest Vice Chancellor of a frontline
University in Nigeria. However, mans ambition is not God’s vision for our
lives. Enoch was a naughty and athletic young lad while in school and was a
ladies man due to his height and exceptional sporting prowess, he had many
girlfriends but chose Foluke as his wife later in life after reflecting on a
particular incidence of his birthday celebration in which Foluke gave him The
Holy Bible as a gift amidst all others. They eventually got married in 1967.
Image credits: First voice radio
As a couple, they were introduced to the Redeemed Christian
Church of God and Pastor Josiah Akindayomi as a result of their search for
children by Enoch’s uncle. This challenge led them to their destiny fulfilling
path in life after they joined the church in 1973 and Enoch became Pastor Josiah
Akindayomi’s interpreter. He also translated Pastor Akindayomi’s messages from
Yoruba to English. Following the series of events, he was chosen by the founder
to replace him after his death as the General Overseer. Pa Akindayomi
eventually died in 1980 however following some squabbles within the established
hierarchy of the RCCG, Enoch Adeboye was eventually accepted by the majority as
the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1981 and did
part time for 3 years before finally resigning his lecturing job at the
University of Ilorin to take up the RCCG General Overseership position. Today, the couple are the overseer of one of
the greatest church congregations in the world and are founders of a reputable
university, the Redeemers University, Ede, Nigeria.
In 2008, he was featured as one of the 50 most influential
persons in the world by Newsweek magazine, the 2nd largest American
weekly news magazine. In January 2017, at a General Church Congress meeting, he
announced his decision to step down as the National Overseer of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God following a directive issued by the Financial
Regulating Council (FRC) of his home Country, Nigeria. This decision created a
major uproar in the church polity and the nation at large considering his
position as one of the country’s foremost leading Men of God. The FRC directive
was eventually stepped down and the Executive Secretary who sent out the
directive was sacked due to his acting independently without recourse to the
supervising Minister of his agency.
