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Pastor ADEBOYE Reveals A Lot
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At Prince ADEDOYIN’s 90th Birthday
Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG has a set of rules guiding his activities which he seldom breaks. One of it is that he never attends birthday parties and events of members. He also does not leave the camp weeks before the Holy Ghost Congress. He usually spends the days preceding the Holy Ghost Congress in the Prayer room, where he engages in vigorous prayers and fasting for the success of the event.
He broke the 2 rules last Sunday 7th December 2025, in honour of Prince Sam Adedoyin who was celebrating his 90th Birthday, The event was at the Redemption Pavilion Parish of RCCG on Jide Oki Street in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Church Service had started like their usual Sunday Service. What made this service different was the fact that it was the December Thanksgiving Service plus Prince Samuel Adedoyin’s 90th Birthday Thanksgiving. It was designed to be a 2-in-1 event. Expectedly, the church was unusually full with dignitaries like the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the wife of Lagos deputy governor, the Deputy Governor of Kwara State and many more. Prince Sam Adedoyin’s best friend, Alhaji Rasaq Okoya and his lovely wife, Shade were also in attendance. The auditorium was filled with the family members of Prince Adedoyin, made up of his wife, children, grand children, great grand children, relatives and staff od Doyin Group. A lot of those who have benefitted from Prince Adedoyin’s generosity over the years attended and gave testimonies.
After the Open Heavens, Call To Worship/Opening Prayers, Praise & Worship, there was an Online Thanksgiving sermon by Pastor E.A. Adeboye. Then followed Testimonies by those whose paths have crossed with that of Prince Adedoyin. They all had nice things to say about Prince Adedoyin. His daughter, Olori Sola Adedoyin spoke glowingly about her dad. Another daughter spoke and a grandson of his also spoke. And then the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun stepped on stage to read his heartfelt Tribute in honour of the man he called his father. He went down memory lane to reveal how their paths crossed many years ago, after he returned from abroad and was on the street hustling.
Just as he rounded up his heartfelt speech, Pastor Adeboye walked in with his aides made up of his son, Pastor Leke and other RCCG officials. Many were shocked to see Papa Adeboye step out at birthday, because he usually never attends parties, because as Papa Adeboye puts it all the time, it is to avoid too much pressure on him, because once he attends one birthday party, he will have to keep attending the parties of many RCCG Church members. Once he came in and sat down in the place specially reserved for him, Pastor heralded Papa Adeboye to the podium, with soul lifting tunes with his Sax to deliver his Sermon/Words of Exhortation.
The atmosphere at RCCG Redemption Pavilion Parish, Victoria Island, Lagos, was electrifying as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, made his rare appearance on stage. The visit, which came just a few hours before the commencement of the annual Holy Ghost Congress, was to honour an extraordinary man, industrial titan, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, founder and chairman of the Doyin Group of Companies who had just turned 90.
In his message, Pastor Adeboye made it clear that Prince Adedoyin’s birthday was far from ordinary. It was a spiritual landmark, a divine testimony, and a personal reflection of a deep friendship spanning decades.
“I Got Special Permission From God to Be Here”,
Pastor Adeboye opened his remarks by revealing the uniqueness of the moment.
“Something unusual is happening here today,” he said.
“When I told someone I would be coming here, the fellow reminded me that this is the Sunday before the Congress and that I shouldn’t be seen outside the prayer room. I told him, ‘I know.’ He asked again, ‘You are going somewhere?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ In science, we say the exception rules the rule. What has happened here today has never happened before.”
He explained that he took special permission from God to leave his prayer retreat, emphasizing how significant Prince Adedoyin is to him.
Pastor Adeboye recounted the night Adedoyin surrendered his life fully to Christ, 30 years ago.
“He’s not just one of my children; he’s a friend. A friend in ways I cannot begin to explain,” Daddy G.O. said.
It was on that night, he recalled, that Prince Adedoyin made a simple yet profound request: he asked God for long life.
“He said, ‘Sir, I have a request. I want to live to be 90.’ My wife and I agreed that another 30 years would be good. I said, ‘Request granted.’”
Years later, the industrialist asked if the divine contract could be extended—again.
Pastor Adeboye told him what he tells all believers: God can lengthen a person’s life or shorten it, depending on how they live.
He referenced Psalm 91:16, “With long life will I satisfy him,” and the story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 38, whom God granted 15 additional years after he pleaded for mercy.
“There is someone greater than the greatest. No matter how wise or educated you are, God can change everything at the wave of His hand. If you will surrender your life to Him and make Him Lord, you too can have your life extended.”
Pastor Adeboye also illustrated the depth of his relationship with Prince Adedoyin with a rare confession.
During the RCCG Christmas outreach programme “Let’s Go A-Fishing,” he never sleeps in personal homes to avoid the appearance of favoritism.
“But in his case, I broke the rule. I stayed in his house once—in his hometown. His wife begged me to return, but I haven’t gone back since. That’s how special this relationship is.”
For Pastor Adeboye, witnessing Prince Adedoyin’s 90th birthday was not just a milestone—it was the fulfillment of a prophetic request made three decades earlier.
“I’m happy you got to 90. But as we have agreed, let there be an extension,” he prayed.
The General Overseer concluded his brief sermon with a solemn reminder to all:
“Our days are numbered, but God can lengthen them. The choice is yours.”
The service ended with prayers for the celebrated nonagenarian, whose life continues to inspire faith, humility, and gratitude.
Not many know that both Pastor Adeboye and Prince Sam Adedoyin are very close. They are friends and brothers. It took Prince Adedoyin’s 90th birthday for many to realise the depth of their closeness.
–Jamiu Abubakar
