A few wealthy Nigerians spent at least $225 million acquiring private jets between March 2010 and March 2011, a Nigerian newspaper reported on Monday.
According to the report published by the Punch Newspaper, a couple of the acquisitions were made by billionaires Aliko Dangote and Mike Adenuga. Last year, Dangote acquired a US$45 million Bombardier jet as a gift to himself on his 53rd birthday, while Mike Adenuga purchased a Bombardier Global Express XRS. Both Dangote and Adenuga own at least two private planes each.
Apart from wealthy business tycoons, Nigerian clergymen and spiritual leaders are also joining the very elite league of jet owners.
In March this year, David Oyedepo, a Nigerian cleric generally believed to be Africa’s wealthiest gospel preacher, acquired a Gulfstream V jet for US$30 million. Oyedepo, who presides over the Winners Chapel, one of Africa’s largest churches, now owns a private collection of four aircraft. In addition to his latest acquisition, he previously owned two Gulfstream planes and a Bombardier Challenger Aircraft. He is also reportedly creating a private hanger to accommodate his flying toys.
Oyedepo is not the only Nigerian clergyman to own a jet. Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the revered overseer of Nigeria’s largest congregation, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, is also a proud jet owner. In March 2009, the great man of God spent $30 million on a Gulfstream jet amidst widespread criticism. Pastor Sam Adeyemi, another cleric and founder of the Daystar Christian center, a flourishing Pentecostal congregation which repeatedly preaches financial prosperity, is also a jet owner.
It’s not cheap to own a private jet. On average, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to maintain a personal plane. The majority of Nigerians frown at such flagrant displays of opulence, particularly on the path of their clergymen, given that 60% of Nigerians still live below the poverty line.
Paradoxically, the same people who complain about the extravagant lifestyles of their spiritual leaders are the same ones who finance it. Every Sunday, swarms of worshipers rush to the church to give away their hard-earned money to the pastors’ coffers in the form of tithes, offerings and special gifts with the deluded hope of multiplied financial blessings in return. For many, this is but a pipe dream. Deep down, the pastors smile; they’ve got just the perfect suckers.
Source: Forbes
18 comments:
is this report by Forbes or Punch Newspapers....??? Such a deluded and misleading article..,very subjective if you ask me....I think Journalist should learn to carry out Investigative journalism instead of writing thrash..If this report is from CITY PEOPLE, I would have understood, but from Forbes (Punch), then I am shocked beyond words. Journalist should learn to balance their story...Like I always recommend, they should learn from the likes of Reuben Abati (Guardian) and Omagbemi (The Nation)....Next thread please...
I am against Pastor Adeboye's Jet, because there are many needs in the Church to better members' lives, but the Jet was not bought with Church money, it was bought by Four members of the church as a gift to him.. well, I believe that that is Worldly.
As for the Tithes and offering, it is necessary to give it, esp. the tithes as the Bible commanded.
They use poor men offerings to open schools, and those schools are being attended by rich members and non members.. If only the churches can live like the Christians of odd, hmmm.. the standard of living in Nigeria would have improved.
In the last day, every man shall give account of himself...
The report was written by a Nigerian named Mfonobong Nsehe,for FORBES BLOG.The authenticity i cannot ascertain.But he did say he could be emailed atmfon.nsehe@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter-@emperorDIV.
He has other blogs at FORBES TWITTER.Check it out.
God bless the author of this post. The last paragraph says it all for me. Nigerians who don't lie to themselves can testify to the fact that he just said nothing but the big WHITE TRUTH!
ohhhhh another demonic pastor !!!!!
I cant belive pastor David Oyedepo has 4 jets, and about three quaters of his congregation cant aford to go to convenant university.
I for one wont say much about the private jets and all as I equally believe its so extravagant and unneccessary but who am I to say tithing is wrong, when its clearly written in the Bible....... I mean, we can talk about these bothering issues but we shouldnt stay away from doing what is right.
For the records, I am a Daystar member and Pastor Sam Adeyemi does not have a private jet. He even discredited the rumours when it first came out in the papers some years back.This guy clearly did not get his facts right before publishing...i believe in tithing and giving as it is commanded in the Bible...if it is the congregation's desire to give their pastor a jet then by all means but they shouldn't forget the poor in the society. I personally do not agree with the spending of so much money on jets when much could be done with the money. It has been said that they use the jets for mission work; if it makes the work easier then by all means however weighing all costs. In the end only God will judge anyway..
Enough private jets in Nigeria ,not even a single Air Ambulance for emergengies where there is hold ups or blocked road....God will judge all of you
Too much bad belle!
Its not even Forbes but some naija guy who writes on a Forbes blog.
Does anyone complain about Dangote and Adenuga? What about Akande that has had one for many decades??
Its about need, and being able to conduct business more efficiently. These men are very smart and educated men, and do not receive salary from church! Rather God has blessed them with talent where they are able to reap harvest.
I know even Oyedepo has sown $1million as tithe money before, can any Nigerian business man do that even if they have that????
Its funny how people are quick to criticize what they dont know. If you dont understand something, does that make it wrong?? No it means per chance that you just might be lacking knowledge and many are.
The people criticizing these men of God, are you even aware of the money they spend on charity? What exactly have you done??
@Anon 2:02pm, no worries let your own father start private uni and make it free. Do you complain that OBJ's Bells isnt free?
Bad belle no good. Give and it shall be given unto you. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. It takes money to do God's work.
Fela said it all..
My question is this :
Are their facts correct, or is it just hearsay ? Ity is impossible to say how tru these allegations are.
Nevertheless I agree with Simisola and Anon 8;35. I also think we should be wary of criticising before we understand. Research and understand before you criticise, don't assume before you criticise.
Let GOD do the judging, He is not a powerless and inactive GOD as some of us think He is.
Absolutely concur with you Peter.
fela sing...pope na enjoyment, imam na gbaludun, paraarara
@Anon 2:02pm To start with it is COVENANT nt 'coNvenant' and did you try sending your child there and you could not afford it? Pls get your facts straight before typing rubbish.
FYI: covenant is the cheapest private school in Nigeria.
@ada u make tu much sense die...
poverty mentality is the order of d day...and linda wats ur p with pastors buying jet? is it because ur a famous bus jumper dat ur vexed... do you know how Bishop Oyedepo suffered before he made it? And as for the forbes blogger who can't get his facts right go to hell...
@anon 7:21 pm tanx sis reppin' COVENANT and not coNvenant...
and as for those calling men of God demons what are you?
Pastor sam does Not have a private jet
Pastor Sam foes not have a private jet.
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