By ADEYEMI OBADIMU
There is a side to Primate Elijah Ayodele that is often overshadowed by the prophecies, headlines and public conversations that have followed his ministry over the years. It is the side that quietly opens its doors to people in need, listens to their worries and, in many instances, sends them away with something more precious than words hope and practical support.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has built a reputation for his prophetic ministry, but those within his circle and many beneficiaries of his generosity know him for another quality: his willingness to give.
For some who have approached him in difficult moments, the encounter has reportedly ended not with empty promises, but with tangible assistance capable of changing the course of their lives.
His interventions have taken different forms. From providing cars for some church members to empowering others with equipment to start or strengthen their businesses, Primate Ayodele has often appeared more interested in helping people stand on their own feet than simply offering temporary relief. For him, the greatest gift may sometimes be the opportunity to become self-sufficient.
Interestingly, his generosity has also extended to members of the media. Since 2021, his annual thanksgiving programme in February has provided an avenue for him to recognise journalists and acknowledge their contribution to society. More than 10 journalists are said to have received cars from him through such gestures, while several others, including journalists who are members of his church, have benefited from support with house rent, school fees and other pressing needs.
But perhaps what makes these gestures noteworthy is the personal element behind them. Primate Ayodele’s philanthropy appears to be less about the spectacle of giving and more about the human being standing before him. A person struggling with rent, a parent worried about school fees, a church member looking for a means of livelihood or a journalist facing a difficult season can all become the subject of his intervention.
It is a dimension of his personality that deserves attention because it speaks to a broader question about the place of faith in society. Beyond the pulpit, religious leadership can also be measured by how much dignity, opportunity and hope it helps create in the lives of ordinary people.
For Primate Ayodele, the story may therefore be bigger than prophecy. It is also about people the many individuals he has encouraged, empowered and supported along the way. And perhaps, if more religious leaders embraced the idea of turning compassion into practical empowerment, the church could become an even stronger refuge for people navigating the uncertainties of everyday life.
That, ultimately, may be one of the quieter chapters of Primate Ayodele’s public life: a man known widely for what he says about tomorrow, but whose generosity is helping some people build a better tomorrow for themselves.
