LAGOS: Pastor Titilayo Adewale, a daughter of the founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the late Pa Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, has dismissed reports claiming she criticized the church’s leadership for allegedly neglecting her father’s legacy.
In a statement shared on her Facebook page, Adewale described as false a viral publication that attributed comments to her alleging that many senior pastors in the church were unaware that Akindayomi founded the RCCG and that his legacy was being ignored.
She firmly stated that she neither made nor endorsed the comments circulating online.
My attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to me regarding The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and the legacy of my father. I want to clarify that the statement attributed to me is not from me, either implicitly or explicitly,” she said.
Adewale stressed that her late father was never interested in earthly recognition or memorials, noting that his ultimate desire was for believers to make heaven rather than celebrate his achievements through monuments or buildings.
According to her, whether or not her father’s image appears on church structures is insignificant compared to the eternal reward of salvation.
She maintained that Akindayomi’s greatest achievement was investing in people rather than physical infrastructure.
The most important legacy is not buildings or institutions but people. My father always believed in developing lives instead of simply erecting structures,” she stated.
Reflecting on his simple lifestyle, Adewale recalled that her father was reluctant to acquire personal property during his lifetime, making it unreasonable to suggest that he would have desired public recognition through buildings or institutions bearing his name.
She explained that he placed little value on material possessions and had to be persuaded before agreeing to own a personal residence.
If he was unwilling to own a personal residence, how could he or any of his children be concerned about whether his name is attached to buildings or institutions? It simply does not add up, she added.
Adewale further argued that the viral reports were designed to stir unnecessary controversy and create division within the church rather than honour her father’s memory.
She warned against the spread of false narratives capable of distracting members from the church’s spiritual mission and urged those responsible to desist from disseminating misinformation.
Reaffirming her confidence in the leadership of the RCCG, Adewale offered prayers for the General Overseer, Enoch Adeboye, asking God to grant him, his family, and the church’s leadership continued wisdom, strength, and guidance.
She also wished members of the RCCG worldwide a successful annual convention, ending her message with a prayer for peace.
