By Kayode lawal, Lagos

Despite being 80 years and still heading the church, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God ( RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has pegged the retirement age of pastors in the church at 70 years

The announcement was one of the major decisions he announced A major at the pastors conference on sunday 7th august.

A key outcome of the decision was compulsory retirements and redeployment of some senior pastors of the Church.

The first casualty was the Church’s National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi who was retired on account of reaching the age of 70.

Pastor Adeboye made the shocking announcement during a meeting with the Church’s ministers on Sunday also announced that Pastor Sunday Akande is to replace Obayemi as the RCCG National Overseer. He will serve for two years.

In the same vein, Pastor Kalu Ndukwe was appointed as the Overseer  of the Africa Continent

Fondly called Daddy GO, Adeboye also gave a hint as to who would take over from him, saying the person would be a young person.
Another shocking change is the removal of Pastor Johnson Odesola who has been in charge of the Administration and Personnel of the Church. He was relieved of the two portfolios. Two pastors were appointed to handle the portfolios.

The new pastor in charge of Personnel is Julius Olalekan while Pastor Dele Balogun was appointed to take charge of Admin. It is not yet clear the new designation of Pastor Odesola who also serves as the Overseer of the RCCG in the Middle East.
The RCCG which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary was established in 1952 by Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi who passed on in 1980.

Before his transition, Akindayomi had instructed that Pastor  Adeboye who joined the Church in 1973 would succeed him as the General Overseer.  Adeboye stepped into Akindayomi’s shoes in 1981.
He has served in that position for more than 41 years and still counting.

In December 2016 Pastor Adeboye appointed Pastor Obayemi as the church’s overseer in Nigeria. Obayemi was given an additional portfolio to serve as the Overseer of the RCCG in North Africa in 2021. He was also addressed as an Officer in charge of Nigeria.
But Pastor Adeboye announced his retirement along with some others during the ministers’ conference. Obayemi is in his 70s.

Adeboye explained that the retirement age for all RCCG pastors will now be pegged at 70 years. He said however that some of them may be given lesser roles after retirement.
The RCCG has now pegged the retirement age at 70, adding that those who are interested still will be given less stressful positions to manage.

Further more, Adeboye said the position of the national overseer of the church will now be on a two-year tenure basis while the pastor occupying the position will operate from the redemption camp.

All churches in the camp would henceforth report to him. He will also represent Pastor Adeboye in special assignments

The Redemption Camp according to Pastor Adeboye will henceforth carry the tag of a city just like the Vatican City.
He banned hawking and selling of goods along the roads in the camp saying such practice will no longer be tolerated. Offenders will be prosecuted while their goods will be confiscated. Indecent dressing in the camp environment will no longer be tolerated, he said.