Story by Godwin Akanfe Nigeriafilms.con
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has come under heavy criticism from activists, who reacted bitterly to the manner in which the church is raising funds for its multi-billion naira auditorium.
The Church (RCCG) which just concluded its 61st annual convention at the expansive Redemption Camp, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
On the eve of final day of the convention, Adeboye, announced plans to build a new auditorium stretching three kilometres in length and breadth and appealed for donations for the new church project, which would be three times bigger than the present church auditorium.
The current church auditorium boasts of an estimated one million congregation in capacity.
While appealing to the members of the church, Adeboye said, “We need ten people to donate N1 billion for this project and if you are one of them, please see my personal Secretary after we finish today.
“If you know you can afford to donate N100 million for the expansion of our church auditorium, please do endeavour to see my personal secretary also.
“Everyone needs to be part of the project. The next category will be for those that can afford to support the project with N50 million, N20 million, N5million, N1 million to as low as N100″
After the announcement, Mr. Adeboye sought to know the members who were “willing to join hands with our Father in the Lord to build a new auditorium to God’s glory”
The Executive Director of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL),Debo Adeniran said there was no way someone without a criminal record could afford such a donation.
Adeniran said that Jesus Christ never cajoled people to make unwarranted donation to the church, saying It is most inappropriate because there is no where the progenitor of such a faith did such a thing.
Adeniran added, “Only those with criminal record can donate such an amount.”
Also reacting to the issue, Secretary of Joint Action Front (JAF), Abiodun Aremu said, the manner in which the church was soliciting for funds is outrageous and that the church is already neck deep in corruption and things of the world.
He further said that “The church is being used as a tool for exploiting the poor and associating with corrupt political leaders in the country.
“When the need for revolution arises, one of the institutions where the anger of the people would be visited is the church,” Mr. Aremu said.
When, on Saturday, the RCCG’s General Overseer asked those willing to donate to indicate their interest, hundreds of hands went up in the air.
The church divided prospective donors into three groups – Category A Brethren would pay N1 billion; Category B Brethren would pay N100 million; and Category C Brethren would pay N50million and below.
Categories A and B are expected to meet with Mr. Adeboye’s Secretary.
“Such ‘privilege’ is for those that can donate handsomely for the work of God,” Adeboye said.
Church members and supporters of Mr. Adeboye defended such mode of raising funds for a church project stating that the donations were voluntary.
Mr. Adeniran said that religion being the opium of the masses, people would be hoodwinked into believing that what the pastor said is from God.
Mr. Adeboye is renowned for some of his ingenious ways of raising funds to finance projects in the RCCG.