Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at Bishop David Oyedepo’s 70th birthday celebration, says he hopes to attend Oyedepo’s 90th birthday in 20 years, when he will be 107 years old.
Obasanjo, who is currently 87, confidently expressed his intention to live long enough to attend the occasion.
“Today you are joining the club of Septuagenarians,” Obasanjo said while addressing the congregation on Friday at the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State.
“From septuagenarian, you will become octogenarian, and I will be here. From octogenarian, you will become nonagenarian, and I will be here. After that, I will leave you alone, and God will be with you,” he said.
Bishop David Oyedepo is the presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel.
Reflecting on his own connection to Ota and Oyedepo’s contribution to the area, Obasanjo recounted his farming experience in Ota under the programme “Operation Feed the Nation,” which he launched when he was military Head of State from 1976 and 1979.
Persecondnews recalls that Obasanjo handed over power to the civilian administration in October 1979, following the controversial victory of the late President Shehu Shagari of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1979 poll.
The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the presidential candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), challenged the election at the Supreme Court.
Obasanjo noted how Oyedepo followed a similar path, moving to Ota after receiving a divine calling.
“Ota is not Lagos, but he did not miss his way,” Obasanjo remarked. “He started something small in Lagos and then came to Ota to start something big. Oyedepo built something that put Ota on the map of Africa and the world.”
Obasanjo continued by highlighting the impressive construction of Faith Tabernacle, which took just one year to complete.
“If Faith Tabernacle, where we are now, can be built in one year, and you say that is not a miracle?”
On a lighter note, Obasanjo shared his playful interactions with the bishop, jokingly referring to their seniority and nicknaming Pastor Enoch Adeboye as “SP-Senior Pastor” and Oyedepo as “JP-Junior Pastor.”
He also lauded Oyedepo’s humility, particularly in the way he speaks about Pastor Adeboye, describing him as gracious and reverent.
Obasanjo hinged Oyedepo’s achievements on his deep connection with God, encouraging others to emulate the bishop’s proximity to the divine.
“You can achieve miracles in your life, and the way to do that is by getting closer to God. God appreciates you because you are close to Him, and He will expand your coast.”
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