Leke, the youngest of the four children of the General Overseer of
the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye,
doubles as his father’s Personal Assistant (PA).
the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye,
doubles as his father’s Personal Assistant (PA).
In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, he explains the
circumstances that warranted his appointment as his father’s PA. He also
speaks about the secular aspects of his father’s life, his love for
bikes and the recent controversy about his father’s purported
retirement, among other issues.
circumstances that warranted his appointment as his father’s PA. He also
speaks about the secular aspects of his father’s life, his love for
bikes and the recent controversy about his father’s purported
retirement, among other issues.
How would you describe your growing up years as a son of the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God?
I think he was already a pastor by the time I was born into the
family. But he not be a full pastor, because you go from being a deacon
to assistant pastor and then a full pastor. But he was always involved
with the work of God. Obviously, he is an amazing father. He gives us
fantastic examples of how to be a real and true man. He made us to
understand the difference between right and wrong and he always had time
for his family even though the work might be much.
family. But he not be a full pastor, because you go from being a deacon
to assistant pastor and then a full pastor. But he was always involved
with the work of God. Obviously, he is an amazing father. He gives us
fantastic examples of how to be a real and true man. He made us to
understand the difference between right and wrong and he always had time
for his family even though the work might be much.
One of the things most people don’t get is that he nursed the idea
of becoming the youngest vice chancellor in the whole of Africa. So,
that was what he was pushing for and ensuring the wellbeing of his
family. That was a top priority for him, bearing in mind the fact that
he came from a very poor background. So, his game plan was that once God
blessed him, he would need to pull everybody else out of poverty.
of becoming the youngest vice chancellor in the whole of Africa. So,
that was what he was pushing for and ensuring the wellbeing of his
family. That was a top priority for him, bearing in mind the fact that
he came from a very poor background. So, his game plan was that once God
blessed him, he would need to pull everybody else out of poverty.
So, I didn’t see him as a pastor; I saw him first as a man. Like
the bible says, there is time for everything. You know the time to pull
back as a son so that the father can do what he wants to do. You also
know when it is time to help him and show that you are a real son.
the bible says, there is time for everything. You know the time to pull
back as a son so that the father can do what he wants to do. You also
know when it is time to help him and show that you are a real son.
Most people believe that pastors are usually strict with
their children so that they would not end up being the opposite of what
they preach. How strict is Pastor Adeboye as a father?
their children so that they would not end up being the opposite of what
they preach. How strict is Pastor Adeboye as a father?
The bible actually gives the guidelines to parents on how to train
their children. It says you should train your child in the way that he
should go, so that when he grows up, he won’t depart from it. That is
the basic standard across the world. Look at Palestine; they train their
children from as young as one month old to hate Israel, and that is
what the children believe all their lives. A parent should train his
children to be good, treat every human being with respect, don’t cheat
anyone and don’t lie even if your life depends on it. Do what you are
told by your parents. Honour your father and your mother, always be
honest and caring.
their children. It says you should train your child in the way that he
should go, so that when he grows up, he won’t depart from it. That is
the basic standard across the world. Look at Palestine; they train their
children from as young as one month old to hate Israel, and that is
what the children believe all their lives. A parent should train his
children to be good, treat every human being with respect, don’t cheat
anyone and don’t lie even if your life depends on it. Do what you are
told by your parents. Honour your father and your mother, always be
honest and caring.
Each time you do something outside of the rules and regulations
that they give you, you would have to be disciplined for it. If you
don’t, that means they are celebrating your being disobedient, and I
believe that is the basis of the problems that many people have
nowadays. They are being celebrated for doing the wrong things, so they
believe the wrong thing is right.
that they give you, you would have to be disciplined for it. If you
don’t, that means they are celebrating your being disobedient, and I
believe that is the basis of the problems that many people have
nowadays. They are being celebrated for doing the wrong things, so they
believe the wrong thing is right.
In your school days, were there times your peers felt you should not do certain things because you were Pastor Adeboye’s son?
Not just that; they would even say you should not do certain things
because you are from a certain tribe. They would say that you should
not be talking in certain ways because you were a guy with different
kinds of experience and different kinds of exposure. I have lived at the
Redemption Camp since I was about six months old, and it was a
different life. There was no light and no telephone. We were cut off
from the rest of the world until the camp started to develop slowly and
then the villages around it. There was no TV for us, so we had to read,
develop our imaginations, and we had to be focused. But then, anywhere
you got to as your father became more popularly known, people judged you
based on him. And that is normal. Everybody will judge a lawyer’s son
by who the lawyer is, and it is the same with being the son of a pastor.
People expect certain moral standards of you. They will obviously
expect that you don’t do certain things.
because you are from a certain tribe. They would say that you should
not be talking in certain ways because you were a guy with different
kinds of experience and different kinds of exposure. I have lived at the
Redemption Camp since I was about six months old, and it was a
different life. There was no light and no telephone. We were cut off
from the rest of the world until the camp started to develop slowly and
then the villages around it. There was no TV for us, so we had to read,
develop our imaginations, and we had to be focused. But then, anywhere
you got to as your father became more popularly known, people judged you
based on him. And that is normal. Everybody will judge a lawyer’s son
by who the lawyer is, and it is the same with being the son of a pastor.
People expect certain moral standards of you. They will obviously
expect that you don’t do certain things.
It is undeniable that your dad is loved by many. But even
Jesus had enemies. Are there times you read things about your dad that
made you feel bad?
Jesus had enemies. Are there times you read things about your dad that
made you feel bad?
One thing I understand about life is that if you don’t have haters,
it means that you are not gifted or talented enough. If you don’t have
haters, then you are not doing something positive, because some people
will be upset and ask why it is only you. I would tell you that there
are people, including senior pastors, who are not genuinely happy that
Pastor Adeboye is loved by many. But he remains humble at all times. He
knows that he didn’t ask people to love him. He just does what he is
called to do. He just focuses on his assignment. His job is to get as
many people to heaven as possible, but the devil would not like that
because his own assignment is to get as many people as possible to hell.
But he (Adeboye) is pushing the agenda of Jesus Christ, and there would
be people who would be on the devil’s side.
it means that you are not gifted or talented enough. If you don’t have
haters, then you are not doing something positive, because some people
will be upset and ask why it is only you. I would tell you that there
are people, including senior pastors, who are not genuinely happy that
Pastor Adeboye is loved by many. But he remains humble at all times. He
knows that he didn’t ask people to love him. He just does what he is
called to do. He just focuses on his assignment. His job is to get as
many people to heaven as possible, but the devil would not like that
because his own assignment is to get as many people as possible to hell.
But he (Adeboye) is pushing the agenda of Jesus Christ, and there would
be people who would be on the devil’s side.
So really, haters will be there. But we understand that they are
doing their own primary assignment. There are certain on air
personalities who no matter what you say about Pastor Adeboye or Bishop
Oyedepo they will have something negative about it. We know them, but we
know that they are fulfilling their own assignment, so we don’t have
any issues with them.
doing their own primary assignment. There are certain on air
personalities who no matter what you say about Pastor Adeboye or Bishop
Oyedepo they will have something negative about it. We know them, but we
know that they are fulfilling their own assignment, so we don’t have
any issues with them.
How did you feel when it was announced that Pastor Adeboye had retired as the General Overseer?
I’m not even allowed to talk about that. But information is
powerful, and a lot of people get things wrong because they are not well
informed. They made the announcement to all of us in the same space at
the same time, and I was just like, well… Normally, you are supposed to
work till you are 70 years old.And if God pushes you to work beyond 70,
then it is fantastic.
powerful, and a lot of people get things wrong because they are not well
informed. They made the announcement to all of us in the same space at
the same time, and I was just like, well… Normally, you are supposed to
work till you are 70 years old.And if God pushes you to work beyond 70,
then it is fantastic.
The interesting thing is what that was done was already being done
across all other nations that RCCG is. There is already an overseer in
every other nation that RCCG is. So, the fact that we are based in
Nigeria, most people assume that there would not be a need for one. Our
pastor is also a big daddy to me. I mean the national overseer has
always carried out all those assignments that should have been accorded
to a national overseer in Nigeria. He attends the Pentecostal Fellowship
of Nigeria (PFN) meetings, the CAN meetings and even controls the
payment of salaries to the staff in Nigeria.
across all other nations that RCCG is. There is already an overseer in
every other nation that RCCG is. So, the fact that we are based in
Nigeria, most people assume that there would not be a need for one. Our
pastor is also a big daddy to me. I mean the national overseer has
always carried out all those assignments that should have been accorded
to a national overseer in Nigeria. He attends the Pentecostal Fellowship
of Nigeria (PFN) meetings, the CAN meetings and even controls the
payment of salaries to the staff in Nigeria.
So I think it was just because the announcement was made and then
some people just turned around and went running with it. I was like wow,
thank God we are moving to something else. We would have more time for
other parts of the word than just being held back in Nigeria. I mean
there are countries we haven’t had huge influence in, and I realise that
it is by you going there physically sometimes that will encourage the
work of God that is going on there.
some people just turned around and went running with it. I was like wow,
thank God we are moving to something else. We would have more time for
other parts of the word than just being held back in Nigeria. I mean
there are countries we haven’t had huge influence in, and I realise that
it is by you going there physically sometimes that will encourage the
work of God that is going on there.
Were you made the personal assistant to Pastor Adeboye because he couldn’t trust outsiders?
That is a very interesting question. Actually what happened is
this: I would say I was the first person to be interviewed as a personal
assistant in RCCG, and that was about eight years ago. Most people
don’t know I actually finished with a first degree in Aerospace
Technology and a master’s degree in Engineering Project Management,
coming around to now say I would love to work for the mission. I mean I
would have sleepless nights if God wakes me up at 2 am and say you are
not supposed to be here; everything that has been invested into you is
to be able to come back and use it to help this mission become much
better, become more professional in their ways. So, that was one of the
reasons I came back, and I was like is there any role they would like to
interview me for?
this: I would say I was the first person to be interviewed as a personal
assistant in RCCG, and that was about eight years ago. Most people
don’t know I actually finished with a first degree in Aerospace
Technology and a master’s degree in Engineering Project Management,
coming around to now say I would love to work for the mission. I mean I
would have sleepless nights if God wakes me up at 2 am and say you are
not supposed to be here; everything that has been invested into you is
to be able to come back and use it to help this mission become much
better, become more professional in their ways. So, that was one of the
reasons I came back, and I was like is there any role they would like to
interview me for?
They started me from the lowest pay grade that the mission has in
terms of salary as well. I actually had an eight-hour interview. I went
in full suit and came back with only singlet and boxers (laughs). That
was how tough the interview was. And while most people are put on
probation for three months, mine was for a year and a half, because they
were not going to play with their general overseer, regardless of who
it was going to be. I have been more scrutinised than anybody else. I’ve
been grilled more. But I don’t mind, because when it comes to work, I
don’t see him as my father, I see him as my principal and my boss.
terms of salary as well. I actually had an eight-hour interview. I went
in full suit and came back with only singlet and boxers (laughs). That
was how tough the interview was. And while most people are put on
probation for three months, mine was for a year and a half, because they
were not going to play with their general overseer, regardless of who
it was going to be. I have been more scrutinised than anybody else. I’ve
been grilled more. But I don’t mind, because when it comes to work, I
don’t see him as my father, I see him as my principal and my boss.
I do what I’m supposed to do and constantly try to see how I can
improve on my duties as personal assistant, how to improve his office as
well as the office of the general overseer. We benchmarked it with the
office of Obama back then and even tried to get his own PA to come and
do training for us, because we do training for other RCCG’s senior
pastors’ PAs every February and also benchmark it with the office of the
Pope. We try to consider how his office is run so that we can see what
we are doing good, what we are not doing good and where we can do
better.
improve on my duties as personal assistant, how to improve his office as
well as the office of the general overseer. We benchmarked it with the
office of Obama back then and even tried to get his own PA to come and
do training for us, because we do training for other RCCG’s senior
pastors’ PAs every February and also benchmark it with the office of the
Pope. We try to consider how his office is run so that we can see what
we are doing good, what we are not doing good and where we can do
better.
So, to me, I bring in the same level of professionalism that has
been instilled in me while studying. It just happened to be my father.
It could be anybody else. It could have been the president or the
governor or a CEO of another company. That is the way I actually see it.
RCCG is a company and it has its own objectives and aims. My own job as
senior personal assistant is to ensure that its CEO gets all his
primary assignments done in real time without missing anything out, and I
carry out basic roles even beyond that of a personal assistant. So,
yea, it is interesting. And if there are other people who are interested
in the role, why not? They are welcome.
been instilled in me while studying. It just happened to be my father.
It could be anybody else. It could have been the president or the
governor or a CEO of another company. That is the way I actually see it.
RCCG is a company and it has its own objectives and aims. My own job as
senior personal assistant is to ensure that its CEO gets all his
primary assignments done in real time without missing anything out, and I
carry out basic roles even beyond that of a personal assistant. So,
yea, it is interesting. And if there are other people who are interested
in the role, why not? They are welcome.
How is your relationship with mum?
She is my mum. She brought me into the world. I love my mum till
death. I mean without her, I will not be here. She is going to be 70
this year. I’m celebrating her from now. She does so much that is not
even recorded or put anywhere. She is an amazing woman. She has all
sorts of initiative that I’m still waiting one day for CNN to come and
do a documentary on, because there’s just so much she has done. She has a
project where she removes prostitutes or women who have been abused
sexually or domestically by their husbands, put them in a home, feed
them, train them so that they can fend for themselves and send their
children to school from her own pocket and fund raising from other
people. Which is where it gets annoying when some people say rubbish on
the social media without knowing the facts or what is going on. She has a
doctoral degree, which most people don’t know. They assume it’s only
pastor E.A Adeboye that has a doctorate.
death. I mean without her, I will not be here. She is going to be 70
this year. I’m celebrating her from now. She does so much that is not
even recorded or put anywhere. She is an amazing woman. She has all
sorts of initiative that I’m still waiting one day for CNN to come and
do a documentary on, because there’s just so much she has done. She has a
project where she removes prostitutes or women who have been abused
sexually or domestically by their husbands, put them in a home, feed
them, train them so that they can fend for themselves and send their
children to school from her own pocket and fund raising from other
people. Which is where it gets annoying when some people say rubbish on
the social media without knowing the facts or what is going on. She has a
doctoral degree, which most people don’t know. They assume it’s only
pastor E.A Adeboye that has a doctorate.
You said apart from being the PA, you have other
responsibilities. Why is it only you when daddy has other children? Is
it that you are his favourite?
responsibilities. Why is it only you when daddy has other children? Is
it that you are his favourite?
Please, don’t put me in trouble o. I’m not the favourite. The first
born is Pastor Adeola Adeboye who owns Wisemen Apparels. He also does
Team Nehemiah, which is an arm of RCCG that ensures that there is safety
in terms of movement of people in and around the camp, especially on
the expressway. And he is also a full pastor and has his family to
contend with. So, everybody is doing something. There are other people,
but it is just that I’m the one that you see around him, so they assume
maybe because I’m the most troublesome, they are keeping me closer.
born is Pastor Adeola Adeboye who owns Wisemen Apparels. He also does
Team Nehemiah, which is an arm of RCCG that ensures that there is safety
in terms of movement of people in and around the camp, especially on
the expressway. And he is also a full pastor and has his family to
contend with. So, everybody is doing something. There are other people,
but it is just that I’m the one that you see around him, so they assume
maybe because I’m the most troublesome, they are keeping me closer.
What would you have been if you were not a pastor?
I don’t even think I’m a pastor yet. I am just an assisting pastor.
I am assisting a pastor; I am not a full pastor. I just want to serve. I
have seen what my dad has done all his life serving the people and I
just want to help him make sure he does that and I do mine in my own
little way.
I am assisting a pastor; I am not a full pastor. I just want to serve. I
have seen what my dad has done all his life serving the people and I
just want to help him make sure he does that and I do mine in my own
little way.
You almost pulled a stunt out there with your bike when you arrived. Do you have a flair for bikes?
Yes, I have a flair for bikes, extreme sports. But I have to behave
myself because I am married and I have four kids if you count my wife. I
have to ensure that I am safe. Life insurance is from God, but
obviously, I have to think about them. So I behave myself. But then, I
like to get to places in time. So, yea, I like bikes. I have a flair for
anything that moves fast. That is why I did aerospace, which comprises
training of aircraft, jet fighters and space shuttles.
myself because I am married and I have four kids if you count my wife. I
have to ensure that I am safe. Life insurance is from God, but
obviously, I have to think about them. So I behave myself. But then, I
like to get to places in time. So, yea, I like bikes. I have a flair for
anything that moves fast. That is why I did aerospace, which comprises
training of aircraft, jet fighters and space shuttles.
What is your most prized fashion item?
We are not allowed to be canal (laughs). But, of course, I love
fashion and I like simplicity too and something that is comfortable.
Everything I am wearing now is Nigerian made. Because I looked at it, we
buy jeans that is Versace and you give him big money and he’s making
the money. The tailor that I use is actually one of our youths in Ebutte
Metta in Lagos. So I told him go and look at Versace jeans; we too can
sew the same thing; we just buy the material. The shirt is also made in
Nigeria. The only thing I have on me that is not Nigerian made is
Michael Korrs watch, and it is because I don’t have anybody making watch
in Nigeria yet. And the shoe. But then, if anybody decides to make
that, we will support. That is the only way Nigeria will even come out
of this economy issue that we are in.
fashion and I like simplicity too and something that is comfortable.
Everything I am wearing now is Nigerian made. Because I looked at it, we
buy jeans that is Versace and you give him big money and he’s making
the money. The tailor that I use is actually one of our youths in Ebutte
Metta in Lagos. So I told him go and look at Versace jeans; we too can
sew the same thing; we just buy the material. The shirt is also made in
Nigeria. The only thing I have on me that is not Nigerian made is
Michael Korrs watch, and it is because I don’t have anybody making watch
in Nigeria yet. And the shoe. But then, if anybody decides to make
that, we will support. That is the only way Nigeria will even come out
of this economy issue that we are in.
People believe that everything about Pastor Adeboye is
spiritual. Could you give an insight on the non-spiritual aspect of his
life?
spiritual. Could you give an insight on the non-spiritual aspect of his
life?
He likes to fish, so every single house that we’ve had on the camp
has a fish pond behind it. It is very relaxing. He likes to go for
walks. He likes train rides; thank God the railways are being developed
back in Nigeria. But any time we are outside Nigeria, he prefers to go
by train to most places, because you get to see the countryside and have
a different view of life than just being in the car all the time. And
we watch movies, but not corrupt ones. We watch Mount Zion movies too,
but not necessarily hundred per cent Christian movies all the time,
because you would be caging yourself and you are not engaging in the
reality of what other people are experiencing as well. He is a huge fan
of James Bond, so we have a collection of more than 50 James Bond
movies. I even have one in my house just in case he comes to visit me
and that’s what he wants to watch.
has a fish pond behind it. It is very relaxing. He likes to go for
walks. He likes train rides; thank God the railways are being developed
back in Nigeria. But any time we are outside Nigeria, he prefers to go
by train to most places, because you get to see the countryside and have
a different view of life than just being in the car all the time. And
we watch movies, but not corrupt ones. We watch Mount Zion movies too,
but not necessarily hundred per cent Christian movies all the time,
because you would be caging yourself and you are not engaging in the
reality of what other people are experiencing as well. He is a huge fan
of James Bond, so we have a collection of more than 50 James Bond
movies. I even have one in my house just in case he comes to visit me
and that’s what he wants to watch.
You said earlier that he likes fishing. Is that where the theme of the church’s programme, Let’s Go A Fishing, came from?
(Laughs) That’s a good one. But no, he’s actually fishing for souls.
What’s his favorite meal?
He always makes a joke that it is Ila Asepo (okra soup) and pounded
yam, but Iyan gbere (bread fruit). It grows on trees and it is very
goo.
yam, but Iyan gbere (bread fruit). It grows on trees and it is very
goo.
Your parents would be 50 years in marriage next year.
Having gone this far as a couple, will you say they are perfect to have
maintained that love?
Having gone this far as a couple, will you say they are perfect to have
maintained that love?
They will be married 50 years by next year, I think experience
makes you perfect and overtime and practice also make you perfect. I
mean they are huge role models. The only other people that I know that
have been married more than 50 years is elder Ohiwere and Mummy Janet
Ohiwere who are friends with Daddy and Mummy Adeboye as well. I have
never seen them argue. That is why I genuinely don’t have any issues
with my wife, because I don’t want to have any place to say I’m picking
up a bad habit from. So it’s difficult for me to fight her or have
issues with her.
makes you perfect and overtime and practice also make you perfect. I
mean they are huge role models. The only other people that I know that
have been married more than 50 years is elder Ohiwere and Mummy Janet
Ohiwere who are friends with Daddy and Mummy Adeboye as well. I have
never seen them argue. That is why I genuinely don’t have any issues
with my wife, because I don’t want to have any place to say I’m picking
up a bad habit from. So it’s difficult for me to fight her or have
issues with her.
Now 50 years and going strong, especially nowadays when some people
do destination wedding and in three months the wedding is over. They
warn people now in advance that if you know that this wedding won’t
last, we are not going to any destination with you, let’s do it in
Nigeria where we can catch each other (laughs). But 50 years is no mean
feat, and I’m hoping that I too will get to 50 years and beyond.
do destination wedding and in three months the wedding is over. They
warn people now in advance that if you know that this wedding won’t
last, we are not going to any destination with you, let’s do it in
Nigeria where we can catch each other (laughs). But 50 years is no mean
feat, and I’m hoping that I too will get to 50 years and beyond.
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Via The Nation