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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Saturday.

Speaking about his birthday on social media, Daddy G.O. as fondly called by RCCG members wrote, “Grateful for 82 years of divine love, mercy, and grace; Thank you, Jesus. I pray that everyone reading this experiences tangible testimonies in every area of their lives in the name of Jesus.”

RCCG members and other Christians from interdenominational ministries have continued to pour birthday wishes and prayers on the revered octogenarian.

Also, President Bola Tinubu, while congratulated Pastor Adeboye, in a statement by the presidential media, Ajuri Ngelale on Friday, for his “remarkable life of impact that transcends cultures and borders.”

Pastor Adeboye was born on March 2, 1942 and he married Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, the Mother-in-Israel of the church, in 1967 in Ifewara, Osun State.

As the world continually celebrates the clergyman, Vanguard in this article reveals some facts about Pastor Adeboye beyond the altar.

Below are 10 interesting things about Pastor Adeboye:

1. Two universities for first degree

Pastor Adeboye gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, but left because of the Civil War, and to continue his first degree programme at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State, where he bagged Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 1967.

2. Mathematics don

He bagged his Master’s degree and Doctorate in Hydrodynamics and Applied Mathematics from University of Lagos in 1969 and 1975 respectively. He later became a Mathematics Lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

3. Founder’s interpreter, church leader

Pastor Adeboye joined RCCG in 1973 and became the interpreter of the Founder, Rev Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, and eight years after in 1981, he emerged as the General Overseer of the church having received the blessing of Pa Akindayomi.

4. PFN co-founder, ex-president

The 82-year-old clergyman is one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and became the PFN President from 1992 to 1995.

5. Christian author

The revered cleric has written a number of inspiration and motivational Christian books since he became the leader of the Church. Among his popular books are Lessons from the Sower, Christian Moderator, Divine Favour, God of Wonders, Kingdom Prosperity, Fruits of the Spirit and Open Heavens (a daily devotional).

6. National honour

He was conferred with the national honour of The Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008 during the administration of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

7. One of world’s 50 most powerful men

In 2008, the American publication, Newsweek magazine listed Pastor Adeboye as one of the 50 most powerful people in the world.

8. Honorary doctorates from top varsities

Pastor Adeboye bagged honorary doctorates from the University of Lagos and the University of Nigeria in 2009, he also got honorary doctorates from the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2011 and 2016 respectively. He also bagged a Doctor of Theology from Canada Christian College in 2009, a Doctor of Science, the University of Lagos in 2015, a Doctor of Divinity from the University of Nigeria and Oral Roberts University in 2017 and 2022 respectively.

9. One of 100 most influential Africans

In 2019, New African magazine named Pastor Adeboye among the top 100 most influential African people on the planet Earth.

10. Enoch

Nigeria’s foremost Christian film company, Mount Zion Faith Ministries International released ENOCH, a biopic of Pastor Adeboye on 2nd March 2023, to celebrate his 81st birthday.