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• Excitement as Primate Ayodele empowers scores at 2026 thanksgiving
By Olakunle Olafioye and Vera Wisdom
The 2026 edition of INRI Thanksgiving and Appreciation service came with a rare spectacle that will remain a subject of discussion in Nigeria for a while. For over eight hours, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele held hundreds of people, including dignitaries who thronged the Inri Prosperity Estate in commemoration of the annual thanksgiving service spellbound as he showered gifts, empowerment kits and supports in various forms on scores of lucky beneficiaries of this year’s edition.
But while Primate Ayodele is widely reputed for attention-gripping philanthropic gestures, the February 14, 2026 edition largess came with an eye-catching rarity. Well-wishers and guests who graced the occasion were stunned by a magnificent edifice that has just sprouted a few metres from the Inri Evangelical Cathedral. Although siting a mosque around a church building may be seen as nothing unusual, having both religious houses built by the same person, and a Christian cleric for that matter, took so many people by surprise. Such was the awe that set tongues wagging on Saturday, 14 February, 2026.
Primate Ayodele did not, however, leave his stunned audience long to guess the motive behind his decision to build the mosque. “I did not build this mosque for any personal reason or just to seek attention. No! I built in obedience to a divine instruction which I cannot neglect.
“The mosque is a place of worship just as we have churches, and I am not perturbed by what anyone might say about this because I am only answerable to God. So whatever anyone says doesn’t matter to me as long as God is pleased with me,” the man of God announced.
Primate Ayodele would further stun those in attendance at the event when he named the mosque after Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was however quick to declare that naming the mosque after the president’s mother was part of the divine instruction that birthed the mosque project. “People see me as someone who hates Tinubu or as an APC critic. I named it after the president’s mother not because I want Tinubu to give me an appointment or anything at all. Initially, I wanted to name it Folawuyo Mosque, but God said no. God chose the name. If anyone likes, they can condemn me. I don’t care. We have done it already.”
On a date widely celebrated as a day of love, Primate Ayodele’s love for the people, particularly the less privileged, and his unpretentious crave for religious harmony and tolerance among adherents of different faiths in the country was palpably on parade. Osolo of Isola, Oba Isa Abiodun Olakunle, who was among the dignitaries who graced the occasion, could not hide his feeling about the Christian cleric’s good heartedness.
The traditional ruler commended Primate Ayodele for what he described as his selflessness, sacrifice and love for the people. “I commend your efforts in helping the people.
“You have been a blessing to humanity through your monthly empowerment programmes. We in Isolo value your prophecies and pray that God continues to strengthen you.”
“What you are doing for the people is a way of supporting the government. If we have more Christian leaders like you, the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, the majority of them are only interested in procuring private jets for personal pleasure. I am very impressed with what you are doing for the people. It really gladdens my heart that this is happening in my domain,” the royal father stated.
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At the event, Primate Ayodele’s three-fold philanthropic gesture of gifts, empowerment and supports saw hundreds of beneficiaries smile home with gifts ranging from household items including television sets, deep freezers, washing machines; to empowerment kits distributed to artisans, just as tricycles and mini-buses were given to other beneficiaries during the event.
Pupils and students from primary to secondary schools were not excluded from Primate Ayodele’s largesse as a good number of them went home with scholarship and bursary awards. Those prospecting to sit this year’s West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) got the bills for registration for both examinations settled by the renowned Christian cleric.
Fortune also smiled on some of the journalists who covered the well-attended event as two of them left the occasion as proud car owners courtesy Primate Ayodele’s generosity. Kehinde Onetimi of Ibadan office of The Tribune emerged the beneficiary of a Peugeot 307 SW while Bola Ajewole of Golden Heritage smiled home with the second car. Scores of other newsmen also received handsome financial support from the man of God.
In his address, Primate Ayodele urged Nigerian leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare, noting that many people still lack basic shelter and support. He thanked journalists for their coverage and goodwill. “I appreciate you for making me your news of the day. God will also make you important. Today is my joyful day,” he said.
The cleric also shared views on global and national issues. He cautioned that global powers often pursue self-interest in Africa and predicted an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump, which he said would fail.
Ayodele commended Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for infrastructure development, stating that his performance had surpassed that of the immediate past administrations.
“Tinubu has done well, more than Buhari and Jonathan. When you are in government, you must do what the people want,” he said.
The Saturday February 14 event was the climax of Primate Ayodele’s yearly 21-day Appreciation and Thanksgiving programme. The three-week long programme which began on Sunday, January 25, featured multiple events, notably philanthropy and outreaches, support for vulnerable groups, medical and community care, support for security personnel and empowerment programmes targeted at supporting the people irrespective of tribal and religious leanings.
Dignitaries who graced the grand finale of the three-week long programme include the daughter of the President and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who was represented at the occasion. Taraba State governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, represented by his Special Adviser on Islamic Matters, Ismail Hussain ; the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar also represented , and the House of Representatives member representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II, Hon. Joe Oke. Others include the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Seifudeen Ademoritan Ayinla; the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Isa Abiodun Olakunle; the Chairman of Egbe/Idimu LCDA, Hon. Idris Balogun; the Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Adebayo Olasoju; and the Eze Ndigbo of Ejigbo, among several other dignitaries.
