It was an array of very important personalities at INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos state when Primate Ayodele rounded off his annual thanksgiving programme tagged ’21 Days Of Unlimited Praise’ yesterday Sunday, 18th of February, 2024.
As early as 10am when the event started, there was already a high influx of dignitaries from different sectors including politics, traditional institutions, security agencies, religious organizations, international organizations, and many others.
Some of these dignitaries includes the former president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, Ekiti state governor represented by commissioner of special duties, Adeniyi Dolamu, Taraba state governor represented by the SGF, Chief Gebon Kataps, Abia state governor represented by Mr. Kenneth C. Ahia, SAN, The ogoga of Ikere land, HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Alagbado, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi represented by HRM Oba Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, Ojora Of Ijoraland, HRM Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aromire Oora represented by four chiefs, Aloro of Ogbon Iloro Ijebu-Ijesha, HRH Oba Jegede Idowu Ojuolape, Council of Chiefs, Ogoga Ikere Land, Chief Of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by Brig. General Adetuyi, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR CFR, Professor Babajide Abidogun and several ambassadors including His Excellency Ambassador B. Ekpenyong, His Excellency Amb. Dr Anthony Chinedum, to mention but a few.
Beyond being an event to celebrate the grace of God in the ministry of Primate Ayodele and partly to commission his new cathedral, it was a moment of testimony about the man of God who has remained consistent in upholding the standards of the prophetic ministry.
The former president of Zambia who regretted his absence through his representative described Primate Ayodele as a father and friend who has been a source of strength to him. He congratulated him on the massive occasion while extending prayers to the man of God. He also brought greetings from the Zulu King, Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini who expressed his wish to host the man of God in his palace.
‘’With a heart full of gratitude and reference, I stand before you. This is not just a structure but of hope, house of prayer and a sanctuary where souls are uplifted. I appreciate Primate Ayodele whose vision has helped to achieve this; his grace, wisdom and all God has put in this.’’
‘’I recognize the exceptional contribution of members, The Lord that has started this will finish at the appropriate time. Primate Ayodele has been a father and a friend, He has been a source of strength to me. By God’s grace, I will be coming to visit you personally. Congratulations.’’
The Taraba state governor represented by SGF, Chief Kataps described Primate Ayodele as a father to the state. He revealed that the state will be commissioning a palliative market in a couple of weeks where the prices of good items will be crashed just like Primate Ayodele has done twice in order to reduce hardship.
‘’Primate Ayodele is a father to Taraba state. On behalf of the state, we want to appreciate you and assure that we will always be part of this church. In a couple of weeks, the government will also commission 2600 blocks of Kefas Palliative Market where the prices of food items will crash. We will buy the goods and reduce the price for the people in order to reduce hardship.’’
Also, the International Society Of Diplomats (ISD) led by His Excellency Ambassador B. Ekpenyong decorated Primate Ayodele as a global diplomat with a specially crafted artistic plaque in recognition of his global impact in nation building. The society made it known that the man of God is the first person to be presented with the phenomenal honour.
As it is known that the 21 days annual thanksgiving programme has been all about philanthropic activities, the grand finale wasn’t any different as Primate Ayodele engaged in massive empowerment programmes for church members, community members, journalists, and others during the event to the surprise of dignitaries.
The man of God started off his philanthropic acts for the day with one of the guest artistes, Adeyinka Alaseyori whom he described as a very humble person. Primate Ayodele explained to the crowd how the musician has never charged him or collected a dime for her performances. To appreciate her humility, the man of God handed her a cheque of N2.5 Million and promised her an exotic jeep later in June this year.
Primate Ayodele, known for his philanthropy and support of talented individuals, was deeply moved by Yinka Alaseyori’s humility and respectful demeanor, especially in her interactions with others in the music industry. In a statement, he mentioned that Yinka Alaseyori’s humility and respectfulness has set herself apart as a shining example in the industry.
Continuing, Primate Ayodele laid the foundation for a low-cost estate that will be sold to members of the church and community at very subsidized prices upon completion. The groundbreaking activity was carried out by the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Council of chiefs, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR CFR, and the representative of Ekiti state governor.
The Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti appreciated Primate Ayodele for his thoughts towards the needy and less privileged in the society. He explained that the low-cost estate would be beneficial to the people of the community especially at a time when it’s difficult to be home owners.
In his reaction, Chief Wole Olanipekun described Primate Ayodele’s philanthropic activities as the true message of Christ to the church.
‘’My dear Primate, you are doing what the church should do. There must be contiguity between the church and the people; this is the essence of Christ’s message to us. We have gotten to a stage where the church shouldn’t be declaring surplus yet members are poverty stricken. God will bless and honour you for what you are doing. Government cannot do it alone, people are hungry, thirsty, homeless but you are easing their burdens with all of these.’’
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele gave out three cars to his pastors and a veteran journalist, Mr. Tade Asifat, making it the 10th car the man of God has given out since the beginning of his 2024 annual thanksgiving programme.
Other philanthropic gestures at the grand finale include Payment of JAMB forms, scholarships for tertiary education, distribution of glasses, presentation of home equipment like refrigerators, hair dryers, industrial machines, health support empowerments, gifting of medications, to mention but a few.
Primate Ayodele’s 21 days of unlimited praise started on January 29 with visits to schools, police stations, hospitals, and houses of church members. The man of God has commissioned a sophisticated bakery where bread will be sold at subsidized rate, an ultra-modern healthcare centre where church and community members will have access to quality healthcare services, laid the foundation of a mosque building, given out ten cars, ten tricycles, to mention but a few.
