50 Most Powerful Pastors

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50 Most Powerful Pastors

Divinely gifted in many ways, they are Nigeria ’s best
and most sought-after preachers in the task of saving
souls and fighting demonic forces

Editorial Suite By Bideh Williams

Nigeria
World When on April 9, 2000 , Jeremiah Ejikeme, general
superintendent of Faith Pentecostal Ministry, More Stories
Business+Economy Not Yet At Peace
Umuahia, stood before a large congregation to testify
Special Reports that God raised him from death, January 29, 2000 , it Plateau, the Peace
Back of the Book sounded incredible. He claimed to have been certified State is yet to find
People in the News dead at the Model Hospital and Maternity, 4, Oboru peace as Muslims and
Street ,Umuahia, Abia State on January 25, and was Christians square off
Letters
transferred to the morgue before his dramatic once again
Column Powers Behind
“resurrection” five days later.
PDP Election
Ejikeme thanked God for using Victor Onukogu, Rigging
popularly known as Daddy Hezekiah, founder of It’s more trouble for
Living Christ Mission for the miracle. PDP as violent crises,
protests and threats to
In a less dramatic but no less amazing circumstance, a pull down the party
woman who attended a crusade organised by Francis trail its state
Wale Oke, founder of the Sword of the Spirit congresses nationwide
Ministries, attracted the attention of the congregation August 10 Blues
with screams of joy and halleluyahs while waving a The call is getting
newspaper in her hand. louder but
Independent National
Her testimony was in 1999. She had approached Oke Electoral
in London to pray for her as she faced an immigration Commission, INEC,
order to deport her back to Nigeria . It was her last remains undecided on
chance and she just had to win. A day after the prayer, whether the council
the House of Parliament in London decided that all polls will be
asylum seekers in Great Britain for a certain period be postponed again
given automatic residence. About 56,000 people were You Can't Turn the
affected and the woman was among them. Other Eye
Anymore
Gabriel Akubueze, 24, a trader in textile materials at
Agege was among the thousands of people that

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50 Most Powerful Pastors

trooped into one of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s Total In a renewed effort to

Experience crusade in Lagos . “I want a miracle for fight corruption,
my business,” he said. federal government
moves to punish
Ejikeme, Akubueze and the asylum-seeking woman fraudsters and those
who turn the other
aptly portray the various reasons why millions of
eye at fraud
Nigerians search for miracles, signs and wonders.
They have continued to attend religious crusades to
Brighter Banking
seek miracles to their numerous problems such as Days Ahead
barrenness, unemployment, financial difficulties, Central Bank of
deliverance from ancestral curses, sickness and more. Nigeria, CBN, slashes
rediscount rates, thus
raising hopes of a
In Nigeria today, there are more than 50 of such
downward review of
powerful pastors in whose areas of speciality are
interest rates by
miracles, prophecy, healing, teaching, preaching, commercial banks
marriage counselling, and are attracting people with
such problems. They include Pastor Enoch Waves of Death
Adeboye, general overseer of The Redeemed Hot weather condition
Christian Church of God. Humble, the mathematician- in Borno claims lives,
turned preacher has impacted on the lives of millions generates argument
of Nigerians with his monthly Holy Ghost Night on how many actually
programme. died

On every first Friday of the month, all roads virtually

lead to the “Redeem Camp” at Kilometre 46, Lagos-
Ibadan Expressway, venue of the crusade. The
programme attracts thousands of miracle seekers
every month. And they come from as far as Kaduna ,
Benue , Ilorin , Ibadan , Lagos and Port Harcourt .

The RCCG is one of the fastest growing churches in

Nigeria with branches all over the 36 states of the
federation and in London and the United States . In
Lagos alone, nearly every street has a branch or
fellowship centre of the church. It has been said that
this is in line with Adeboye’s vision to spread the
gospel.

David Oyedepo, general overseer of Living Faith

Ministries aka Winners Chapel has grown to become
an oak tree in Christendom. His 50,000 capacity
worship centre known as Cannanland in Otta, Ogun

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State , has attracted Christian worshippers from within

and outside the country. Newswatch learnt that in the
last 10 years of his ministry, many barren women have
given birth to babies after attending his miracle
programmes. Many more claimed that they received
healings, secured employment, financial
breakthroughs, turn-arounds in their respective
businesses and deliverance from ancestral curses.

Oyedepo’s motivational, faith-building teachings have

also endeared him to many. As part of his outreach
programmes, the church acquired an aircraft in 1996
to facilitate his evangelism programmes to countries
outside Nigeria . Tagged “Gospel on Wings,” the
programme was launched as an arm of the World
Mission Agency Incorporated - the organ responsible
for foreign mission operations.

Today, the church is said to exist in every state of

Nigeria and in some other African countries. Oyedepo
has more than 20 books published by his Dominion
Publishing House to complement his soul- winning
efforts.

Samuel Abiara, 59, founder, Agbala Itura World-

Wide, faction of Christ Apostolic Church is known for
his healing services, evangelism and prophecies.
Abiara told Newswatch that he is not a miracle worker
but said God has used him to perform miracles. “The
blind see, barren women conceive and bear healthy
children, among others that God has used us to
perform in the name of Jesus,”he said. The church
headquarters in Ibadan , Oyo State , is capable of
seating 5,000 worshippers at each service . Abiara
enjoys the perks of his ministry. “Our God is God of
prosperity and wealth. Nobody that does the will of
God would lack anything,” he said.

The name Chris Oyakhilome, pastor, Christ

Embassy, is almost synonymous with miracles. He is
widely known for his Atmosphere for Miracles, a

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television serial which advertises the numerous

miracles performed by him. The programme is a hit
on many state and private television stations all over
the country. Oyakhilome’s recent outing at National
Stadium, Lagos , early this year attracted about
50,000 people.

Another man of God who has continued to hold sway

in the miracle arena is Pastor Temitope Joshua,
founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations,
Ikotun Egbe, Lagos . His miracle programmes which
is aired on television stations have continued to elicit
reactions from church leaders and the public.
Particularly, his genuflection of the hand during every
miracle healing process has been widely described as
reflection of occultic leanings.

Scathing as the criticisms are, he has remained

unperturbed and has continued to dazzle the public
with his feats. Located at Ejigbo, the Synagogue has
turned out to be Mecca of a sort for miracle seekers.
Among them are Europeans and Americans, who
flock to his ministry for miracles. It was this same
curiosity that compelled President Chiluba of Zambia
to visit the Synagogue in 1999.

On June 19, this year, Paul Dhanakran, an Indian but

internationally acclaimed evangelist and mentor to
world pentecostal leaders such as Pat Robertson, Oral
Roberts and Benny Hinn, visited the Synagogue to
receive healing for an intractable ailment that defied
any cure. Barely four days after, Dhanakran left the
Synagogue a new man. He had not been able to walk
in the last five years. Joshua has in store, films of his
healing powers. One of the films shows that he had
also raised a man from the dead. He also claims to
heal people of AIDS, cancer and other deadly
diseases.

Victor Onukogu became born again in 1967 and

changed his name to Hezekiah. Between then and
now, he has grown to become one of the leading

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miracle workers in Anambra State . Popularly known

as Daddy Hezekiah, and founder of Living Christ
Mission, Onitsha , Anambra State , he told Newswatch
that the first miracle that God performed through him
was to raise from death a young girl at Inland Girls
Secondary School , Onitsha , November 21, 1982 .
Ever since, he said God has performed many other
miracles and blessed a lot of people through him.

As part of efforts to accommodate the geometrically

growing congregation, Hezekiah has started work on
a new church headquarters at Onitsha .

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ede, founder of Catholic Prayer

Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Elele, Rivers State, is
perhaps the first Catholic priest whose miracle works
remain immensely popular. Ede has a penchant for
breaking of curses and healing the sick through the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The monthly miracle
programme he organises at the Pilgrimage Centre,
Elele attracts Christians from all parts of the country
who desire breakthroughs in life.

Beyond the transformations Ede has brought to the

style of worship in the Catholic church, he has also
established reputable academic institutions. He is the
proprietor of OSISATEC, a polytechnic in Enugu and
Madonna University , Uli, where emphasis is placed
on academic excellence and moral upbringing of
students.

Ejike Mbaka, another Roman Catholic reverend

father in Enugu is known for his firebrand style of
preaching. Signs and wonders follow his
ministrations. Mbaka’s weekly all-night adoration
crusade at the GTC field, Enugu , has never ceased to
inspire Catholic faithfuls to attend his programme. At
one of his crowd-pulling crusades March 7, disaster
struck and 14 of the worshippers died under
mysterious circumstances. Though the ill-fated event
generated a lot of controversies, it did not diminish the

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rising profile of the priest.

His miracles have checked the drift of Catholic

faithfuls to other miracle-happening churches. It has
also brought Pentecostals, Methodists, and Anglicans
to swell the crowd: “People fly from abroad to come
to our crusade and fly back,” Mbaka told Newswatch.

Christ Mustard Mission, Port Harcourt , carved a

niche for itself with the divine revelations of Glory
Chika Nsiegbe. He predicts future events on January
1, every year. One of his predictions was that the then
gubernatorial aspirant in Rivers State , Rufus Ada-
George would become a governor in 1992. It came to
pass. He also predicted the death of Sani Abacha,
former head of state, in 1996. He is popularly known
as the Anointed Man of God in Grace because of his
miraculous exploits.

Primate Theophilus Olabayo, founder of the

Evangelical Church of Yahweh Worldwide has
equally been named in such fashion for his
predictions. Although, he has not been visible of late,
Olabayo was one prophet whom the nation looked up
to for his prediction of the nation at the beginning of a
new year. His predictions on political matters and
leaders were profound. Olabayo manifested that much
even in his writing of letters to leaders of thought,
traditional rulers and world leaders to come together
and find solution to perceived looming problems.

His predictions were published in his book: The Book

of Revelations for Today and Tomorrow. Some of his
major predictions, however, created bad press for him
because they didn’t come true. When Newswatch
sought to interview him last week, one of his able
pastors explained why the request could not be
granted, “There is a divine revelation that he
(Olabayo) should cease from talking to the press untill
such a time when there is a counter- instruction,” he
said.

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There are some other pastors in Nigeria whose divine

calling transcended miracles and prophecy. They have
the power of oratory and teaching of the word so
convincingly. Often times, their power-packed
inspirational teachings create a new life for the
hopeless, the down-trodden, the widows, single
parents and youths.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of Kingsway

International Christian Centre, KICC, London is one
of them. He has penetrated nearly every home in
Nigeria through telerangelism. Guided by the motto,
“Raising champions and taking territories,”
Ashimolowo has continued to inspire many lost souls
with his sound knowledge of the scriptures. His
“Singles Summit” on July 12 was a case in point.
Participants found new meaning and confidence in
Christian relationships and courtships.

Barely 10 years of existence, KICC now has about 8,000

members at its headquarters in London and four branches.
Ashimolowo has published many books on relationships,
prayer, motivation and finance power. He has also
produced a “Power and Positive” Bible.

Pastor Chris Okotie, founder of Household of God,

Oregun, Lagos , is another firebrand preacher that often
sends his audience into ecstasies. He is also known for
televangelism but with bias for preaching the end times
which he titles The Apocalypses. In his messages, Okotie
reveals a knowledge of the book of revelations beyond the
ordinary.

Fondly called “Grace teacher” by the multitude of his

followers, Okotie’s teaching tend to evoke reactions
more than edifying his listeners. His latest book, The
Last Outcast, which he claims are revelations from
God attest to his controversial teachings. The book has
raised a palpable degree of dust among Christians
because of its spiritual explanations on cloning,
polygamy, the church, the anti-Christ, the virgin birth
of Jesus Christ and more.

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Tunde Bakare, pastor of Latter Rain Assembly,

Ogba, Lagos is in a class of his own when it comes to
political predictions. In the course of such
predictions, Bakare has on one or two occasions
invited the wrath of government. In particular, the
prophecy on “Hundred Days and Hundred Ways ”
rattled the government so much that he was arrested
and interrogated by the State Security Service early
this year.

Beyond his predictions on national issues, Bakare is

one preacher who has inspired and motivated so
many. He features regularly on radio and television to
share his knowledge of the scriptures.

Every church has its own history. Paul Adefarasin’s

House on the Rock deserves a mention. Born with a
silver spoon, Adefarasin squandered his life away on
drugs in the United States until he saw the light in
1994.

From the living room of his mother in Lagos , he set

up a church that blossomed over the last seven years
to 7,000 worshippers at its present headquarters. This
is in addition to 36 other branches both within and
outside the country.

Eloquent and charismatic, Aderafasin is one of the

favourite televangelists. Through his “Something Is
About to Happen” television programme, he has been
able to touch the lives of many weary souls in many
ways. Many find his turn-around from his previous
drug addicted lifestyle as a great challenge in their
own lives.

Today, Adefarasin is putting up a N1.3 billion “ Rock

Millennium Temple ” that would accommodate
thousands of worshippers. Quite a trendy pastor!

But long before the emergence of the likes of

Adefarasin, Gabriel Oduyemi, founder of Bethel

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Ministries made waves with his “Miracle Night”

television programme in the mid 90s.

The midnight programme which caught the attention

of millions of Nigerians then featured worshippers
waving handkerchiefs above their heads on instruction
to realise their miracles of becoming millionaires. For
millions of Nigerians who are constantly looking for
miracles, signs and wonders, Oduyemi was God-sent
then.

A firm believer in financial prosperity, Oduyemi

encouraged most of the miracle seekers to donate
generously to his church because “God loves a
cheerful giver.” Today, Oduyemi, who is now less
visible has changed the name of the church to Bethel
Worship Incorporated.

Mountain of Fire and Miracles is another big ministry

in Nigeria . Founded by Daniel Kayode Olukoya, the
church had gone a step further to establish a “ Prayer
City ” along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Olukoya has been able to pull a large crowd of

worshipers because of his power in effective prayers
and spiritual warfare. He has inculcated in the minds
of the worshippers that there is a demon or two to
fight in every human problem on earth. To this end, he
has de-emphasised the dependence on pastors by
worshippers in preference for a “do-it-yourself-prayer
sessions.”

William Kumuyi, general overseer of Deeper Life

Christian Ministry has also changed the lives of many
by teaching members to live a Christ-like life and
praying ceaselessly. The church is also strong in house
fellowship programmes as a way of encouraging
spiritual growth. It views television programmes as
too worldly and as tools of distraction. The thrust of
the church is an emphasis on righteousness and
holiness.

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Rev. Wilson Badejo, general overseer of Foursquare

Gospel Church is also known for his powerful
sermons on holiness, righteousness and salvation. His
teachings have indeed changed the lives of many and
have led them to Christ. He is a powerful preacher of
the word of God. Since he took over the mantle of
leadership of the church in 1999, the 53-year-old
veterinary doctor-turned preacher has taken the church
to high spiritual pedestrial.

Sam Amaga, founder of the Foundation Faith

Chapel Incorporated preaches prosperity like many of
his peers. That is not unexpected from a man ordained
as bishop by late Benson Idahosa. Amaga commands
large followership from his miracle exploits. He has
healed, and delivered many from endless problems
that confront man.

Amaga is also popular with his televangelism

programmes. His book, How to Be an Achiever, is a
Christian best seller.

Francis Wale Oke, founder of Christ Life Church is

another powerful preacher. He had carried his
crusade to even states that are sharia-based. He said
he had taken his missionary exploits to 49 countries
including the Soviet Union where Christianity was
intolerable. Oke is the bishop and founder of Christ
Life Church , aka Sword of Spirit Ministries.

Founder of the World of Life Bible Church at Warri,

Ayo Oritsejafor is another protege of the late Benson
Idahosa. Described as flamboyant and a forceful
preacher, Oritsejafor is gifted with teaching the word.
His fearless style of preaching has earned him several
invitations to several countries including Germany ,
Great Britain , America and France , among others.

In confirmation to his winning souls for Christ, the

church today boasts of many members.

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Like Wale Oke, Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, pastor of the

Throne Room (Trust) Ministry has taken the gospel of
Jesus Christ to Islamic enclaves in the North. An
uphill task no doubt, Kure succeeded in training a lot
of northerners as pastors.

With headquarters in Kafanchan, Kaduna State ,

membership of the non-denominational ministry is
estimated to be more than 10,000. In recent times,
Kure has extended his spiritual warfare to Port
Harcourt and Lagos . Winning souls and commanding
large crowds has never been an all-men’s affair.

Bimbo Odukoya, powerful female preacher is well-

known for her Singles and Married programme on
TV. It has stood her apart as one of the remarkable
church leaders.

As a role model to the youths, Odukoya’s teachings of

the word centres on moral uprightness, Christian
courtship and counselling. Singles and Married
programme is very popular among the youths.
Odukoya’s unique style of delivering her messages
has continued to endear her to many Nigerians. Her
husband is also a pastor.

For Margaret Idahosa, the presiding bishop of

Church of God Mission International , her strength
could be best appreciated in her effectively managing
more than 3,000 branches of the church worldwide.
Added to this was the extra burden of overseeing the
numerous investments on education of her late
husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

Over the years, Margaret had worked tirelessly to

perpetuate the legacies left behind by her husband.
“His greatest desire is for us to continue where he left
off... we must not allow the work to die,” she told
Newswatch.

Nkechi Anayo-Iloputaife, general overseer of the

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Victory Christian Church, Badagry Expressway,

Lagos , is another female pastor who assumed
headship after the demise of her husband, in 1995.
The gruesome murder of her husband affected the
strength of the church but the strong-willed woman
resolved to forge ahead with painstaking efforts and
dedication.

Today, the church, under her leadership has catered

for many “Victory” faithfuls in many ways. The
church has branches in 12 states of the federation

Evangelist Helen Ukpabio, founder of Liberty

Gospel Church , is another female minister of the
gospel. She has carved a niche for herself at
evangelising through film making than in physically
preaching the word. As an actress, it was easy for her
to use her acting to send out inspirational messages to
her growing audience. - Films such as From Grass to
Grace, The Price, Power to Bind and Wasted Years,
are soap box for believers. Originally a member of the
Olumba Olumba fraternity, Ukpabio has published
two books against the sect: “The Seat of Satan
Exposed” and Unveiling the Mysteries of Witchcraft.
Barely four years old in her new-found ministry,
Ukpabio has established 18 other branches in the
country.

In the last 15 years, Tunde Joda, pastor of Christ

Chapel, Lagos has consistently engaged members of
his congregation every December in fasting. An astute
preacher who always sermonises the need for
exemplary political leadership among lawless leaders
in the country believes that it is the only way to create
sanity in the country. “I want to effect a change. It
must begin from the leaders. Lawlessness is a spirit. It
started from the top. When leaders are lawless, it
affects everybody,” Joda said.

It has been the centre of his sermons and he therefore,

concentrates more on fasting and prayers. He is a
medical doctor-turned preacher.

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Apostle G.D. Numbere, pastor of Greater

Evangelism World Crusade is a chip off the old block.
A one-time chairman of the Rivers State chapter of
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Numbere lays
much emphasis on prayers and evangelism. He
commands a lot of respect among fellow pastors in the
South-South zone because of his miracle exploits and
spiritual powers.

Mike Okonkwo, bishop of The Redeemed

Evangelical Mission, TREM, is another leader no
Christian would forget in a hurry when it comes to
preaching prosperity and prayers for deliverance.

But his additional role as the president of the

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria tends to be more
pronounced than his first calling as minister. Yet, a
closer look reveals Okonkwo as a force in the present
crusade to win Nigerians for God.

Lawrence Osagie, the founder of Powerline Bible

Church is known for his umbrage against
government, public institutions and religious bodies.

He is also known for his trendy dressing. Osagie

preaches holiness to fight against social injustice. He
is also a gifted teacher in scriptural matters. He is so
miffed by the political situation in the country that he
has suggested the church should lead a revolution that
would usher in a better society. Powerline has
branches in Abuja , Edo , Cross River , and Abia
states.

Uma Ukpai, a well-travelled Nigerian evangelist is

the founder of Uma Evangelistic Association, Uyo. A
profound and charismatic miracle worker, he has
traversed a number of churches, delivering powerful
sermons and offering prayers backed with miracle.

Several pastors from different denominations have

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invited Ukpai to be part of their programmes but he

could only honour a few. Others have used Ukpai’s
photograph in their handbills to sell their programmes
and it has worked miraculously.

Another powerful miracle worker, Samson Ayorinde,

prophet of the World Evangelism Bible Church ,
Ogudu, is said to have a special anointing on problem
of barenness. He is known as “barenness bulldozer.”
Ayorinde has drawn wide membership within a short
period of his ministry.

From testimonies and through telephone calls in his

Samson Ayorinde Live TV programme, some have
testified that they have received miracles from
Ayorinde by just placing a glass of water in front of
the TV set as instructed.

As a miracle worker in high demand, Ayorinde has

moved to the Lagos State Television premises where
he now conducts night vigils. Women in search of the
fruits of the womb have continued to flock his miracle
programmes. So are the unemployed, students and a
host of miracle seekers.

The more than 2,000 worshippers at the Evidence of

the Gospel Church, Benin City never hide their
admiration for Oyonnude Kure, general overseer of
the church for his eloquence and motivational
teachings. In addition, Kure has also performed a
number of miracles on his church members and non-
members alike.

When it comes to anointing, Kure often resorts to the

use of handkerchiefs and anointing oils to perform his
divine duties. Kure has now set aside the first Friday
of every month for special anointing but the crowd
never seems to get enough of him as they surge to
touch his garment or any of his members.

Pastor Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries is noted

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for his no-holds barred prosperity preaching. He heads

the Zoe ministry spread across Nigerian cities and
some other foreign countries. He describes himself as
a strategic preacher of practical Christianity.

Though on the ebb following some scandals and

assassins’ attack on him, Anwuzia years ago, took the
pentecostal community by storm. He is gradually
bouncing back to recognition.

Rev. O. Ezekiel, the general overseer of Christian

Pentecostal Mission, CPM, Ajao Estate, Lagos , one
of the fastest growing churches in Nigeria is a
powerful man of God. With branches all over
Nigeria , CPM lays much emphasis on prayer and
personal consecration. Mercy Ezekiel, the overseer’s
hat-loving wife and vice-president of the church
organisation, a firebrand preacher, is an able partner
beside her husband.

In the same category is Felix Omobude, the founder

of New Covenant Ministry based in Benin . A protege
of the late prosperity preacher, Benson Idahosa,
Omobude stands out as one of the present day popular
pentecostal pastors and a strong advocate of
exemplary leadership even among the men of God.

Prince David Zilly-Aggrey, pastor of the Royal

House of Grace, Port Harcourt has become a house-
hold name in the south-south zone of the country
because of his popular television programme known
as the Prophetic Watch.

His teachings have won a lot of souls to Christendom.

The Bayelsa-born pastor believes that “you need
superior information to cause change in somebody.”
The strength of his church is more than 5,000 and
members of his church believe that although he does
not advertise miracles, God is using him to bring
prosperity to many people in this period of hardship.

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Emmah Isong, a graduate of banking and finance

from University of Calabar , wanted to work in one of
the most well-to-do banks in the country. But that was
not to be. Before he graduated from the university,
Isong became born again and later founded Emmah
Isong Evangelistic Ministry, after his national youth
service corps programme.

Isong now pastors the Christian Central Chapel

International at Ikot Enebong, Calabar which has a
congregation of some 4,000 worshipers. The centre
attracts worshippers from all churches and
denominations. Isong is essentially a Bible teacher but
many miracles and report of same have been attracting
people from all works of life to the centre.

Anselm Madubuko, general overseer of Revival

Assembly, Ikeja, travels all over the world. Though,
he has no branch elsewhere, he has an apostolic
ministry all over the world where he preaches. “What
God has done for me is to give me a stable base,” he
said.

Revival Assembly is a very big church with a capacity

of more than 3,000 worshippers at a time. Its
worshippers show taste, class and style. The church
attracts large membership from the upper class of the
society, which explains the fleet of posh cars parked in
the church premises on worship days.

Alexander Ekewuba, founder of Overcomers

Christian Mission, Owerri, is another powerful man of
God in Nigeria. Ekewuba is known for his miracles
and demolition of demon-infested institutions in and
around Owerri.

The most prominent was the notorious Owerre Ebeiri

traditional institution that thrives on the killing of
human beings at the event of the death of the Eze and
the installation of a new one. It was Ekewuba and his
pastors that demystified the barbaric culture at the
invitation of Chidi Uzomah, a lecturer at the Imo State

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University, Owerri and the heir-apparent. He, in fact,

liberated the community from the demonic bondage
which had existed for years.

Rev. Fr. Dominic Nwobodo, director of the

Vincentian Retreat Centre, Lagos, is one of the
Catholic priests being used by God to perform
miracles and win souls in Nigeria. Convinced that
Nwobodo has the divine gift of a miracle worker, the
Catholic archdiocese of Lagos gave him the approval
to establish the Vincentian Retreat Centre in Ojodu,
Lagos. Today, the centre has become a pilgrimage
centre of sorts, as miracle-seeking Christians troop to
the place in search of divine solutions to their
problems. Some of the programmes he organised
include counselling for couples, monthly midnight
vigil and breaking of curses.

Umoh Ekwo, founder of Bible Standard Christian

Ministry with headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
is a holiness preacher who is popular for his work in
rural envangelisation. Since 1978, when the former
high school mathematics teacher established the
church, thousands of people have been reached with
the gospel in Lagos, Abuja, Abia, Imo, Edo, Delta,
Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

In Akwa Ibom State, the ministry has been in the

forefront of battle against the practice of witchcraft
and other evil powers.

Pastor Stephen Akinola, of the Redemption

Ministries, Port Harcourt is noted for his prowess in
the area of televangelism. His church commands a
large population of worshippers who admire his
emphasis on practical Christianity.

Gbile Akanni, who lives in Gboko is a teacher of the

Word. He holds an inter-denominational fellowship
which attracts Christians of all backgrounds. This is
possible because the services are held during week

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days. He does not run a church. He is an itinerant

preacher who moves from one denomination to
another on invitation.

He is in high demand and travels a lot. Because of his

tight schedule, he is booked several months before the
appointed date. In addition, he runs a week-long
programme in December each year tagged Ministers
Leadership Retreat. His areas of strength are in
teaching and evangelism.

Idem Ikon, founder of Revival Valley Ministries with

headquarters in Calabar, was an undergraduate of
University of Ife before he quit school to start
preaching. He has been very popular among university
students and young people who have been largely
reached by his work. Ikon is a respected guest speaker
and has featured in many international conferences
across Africa .

Nicholas Eze, founder and general overseer of Christ

for the World Mission Incorporated with headquarters
in Calabar, is another pragmatic preacher. Eze
founded the church in the late 1970s with the main
objective of reaching the younger generation with the
gospel. Over the years, the Abasi Obori, Calabar
headquarters of the church is being besieged by
miracle seekers and people who seek deliverance from
powers of darkness. Christ for the World Mission has
now spread to many villages and cities in eastern
Nigeria . Eze is basically a holiness preacher and
Bible teacher.

Eugene Ogu, pastor of the Abundant Life Ministry,

Port Harcourt , is a preacher and teacher of faith. His
commitment to the ministry has affected the lives of
thousands of people in Rivers and Bayelsa states, who
have been abundantly blessed by his spiritual power.

So also is Yomi Isijola, of the Logos Ministry, Port

Harcourt . He is a flamboyant man of God who is
using the gift of oratory to do great exploits for the

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Almighty. He is also a prosperity preacher and

believes firmly that Christians who serve the Lord in
truth deserve to be rich.

His ministry has continued to grow from strength to

strength because of people’s belief in his spiritual
power to unlock the mountain of achievements which
are latent and imprisoned in their individual systems.

Isaac Oriakhi, general superintendent of Gospel

Light Redemption Ministry, Abuja , was a foundation
member of the Deeper Life Ministry. The ministry
which was established in 1991 is very popular in
Abuja because of the versatility of Oriakhi in teaching
the gospel. The powerful man of God who is humble
and unassuming, said that his ministry operates in
five-folds. He is a teacher, pastor, prophet, an
evangelist and apostle.

Sam Adeyemi whose velveteen voice on the

inspirational radio programme, Success Tips, has
continued to inspire the youths, is the founder of
Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun. The civil engineer-
turned preacher is popular among his faithfuls with his
radio programme. He offers sound teachings of the
scriptures and the principles of success in life. The
church has 5,000 members today.

Yet, more powerful pastors are emerging to continue

the great exploits in Christendom. And as long as
there are miracles, signs and wonders, crusade
grounds would continue to attract new faithfuls and
testimonies.

Reports by: Jossy Nkwocha, Olu Ojewale, Chris

Ajaero, Obong Akpaekong, Anza Philips, Fola
Adekeye, Solomon Ibharuneafe, Geoffrey Ekenna,
Victor Ugborgu, Favour Okereke, Annette Edo, Betty
Onuh, Eno Reuben, Tosin Ominiyi, and Juliet Akura.

Newswatch Volume 36 No 5, August 5, 2002

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