2. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Chris Oyakhilome, was said to have developed his style right from when he was still in school where his church was formed from his Believer’s World Fellowship which was later turned to the present Christ Embassy Church. His core preaching is hinged on “Sowing the seed”, which requires followers to give part of their earnings to the church in offering and tithes. And he knows his onions when it comes to raking in naira in millions. His church boasts of hundreds of young company executives and businessmen, and every church programme guarantees enormous revenue. Those without money are enjoined to turn in their jewellery, wristwatches and other personal items as offering. Followers fall over one another to do that, expecting God to run his tap of blessings. Others give cars, generators, musical instruments and chairs to the church.
Some of Oyakhilome’s church members have even gone as far as stealing just to meet the demand. An example is one Lawrence Agada, an assistant pastor who was a cashier with the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers. He donated cash gifts to the church totalling N39 million alleged to be stolen from his employers.
And in appreciation, Oyakhilome wrote him a letter: “May God, who gives seed to the sower and bread for eating, multiply your seeds in Jesus name.”
But rather than receive God’s blessings, Agada became a guest of the police when his employers discovered that he had stolen from them to give to the church. Agada’s employers also insisted that Oyakhilome should refund the money but he refused.
Another member of his church, Gbenga Kehinde, who was then an assistant manager with the now defunct Eko International Bank, allegedly stole about N40 million from his employers and donated N10 million to the church to receive blessings of God.
It is also alleged also that Oyakhilome during his numerous church services asked the members to donate hard currencies to receive more blessings of God and the case of “I am not with money” is a thing of the past in his church because the automated teller machine is right inside the premises of his church for church members’ use.
Aside from collecting money from members of his church, Pastor Chris has income streams other than offerings, tithes and donations. He appears to have a sharp business sense; his face and name sell huge quantities of products which make him such a preacher of the gospel.
Some of the products he sells include books, video tapes of his crusades and miracles, audio tapes, CDs, VCDs and DVDs of his teachings, which are sold at the various parishes and through agents.
They can also be bought online, via the digital media store of the church website.
One of the church’s website advertises audio and visual materials of the Christian faith. In Nigeria, a video tape costs between N300 and N1,300 while CDs are bought for between N300 and N1,300. DVDs attract between N600 and N3,600 and there are books which cost between N200 and N450.
The most successful of these is Rhapsody of Realities, a bi-monthly devotional guide. The book which is published in 25 languages and also has children’s version, is considered a companion to the Bible. For Oyakhilome’s followers around the world, it is an important emblem of faith.
In Nigeria, it costs N350, abroad it is $5, while a one-year subscription attracts $42.20. For online purchases, video tapes, CDs, VCDs and DVDs cost between $18 and $20.
Oyakhilome’s messages are also received in pocket personal computers, mobile phones and palmtops and with his large congregation one can imagine how much his income would amount to, and these he makes use of with various investments which range from hotels into publishing house. He was said to have acquired companies both in the media and manufacturing sectors within and outside the shores of the country. He was said to have run into troubled waters with Senator Mike Ajeigbo, when he tried to lay claim to his defunct television station MBI and that according to sources was the reason the TV station was closed down.
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