The editorial board of Irohin Odua, the first pan Yoruba news online has announced the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye as the winners of the Irohinodua 2025 Persons of the Year Award.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Feyisike Adeoye on Irohin Odua’s website on Saturday, which applauded these winners for their extraordinary service to God and humanity.
Irohin Odua is an agelong award given yearly to the most distinguished Yoruba personality.
The statement read in part: “The world and Nigeria are riddled with violence, hate, vengeance and human mystery, and these two individuals with their words and deeds have continued to profess love, peace and brotherhood, not only in Nigeria but across the world.
“In the year 2024, Nigeria in particular, witnessed an upsurge of violence, hate and disaffection, driven by faith and ethnicity, these two individuals, stirred the whirlwind of harmony in every part of the world where their religious institutions have strongholds.
“While others used religion to advance hatred and parochial political and ethnic goals, Pastor Kumuyi and Adeboye converted their multiple platforms to the advancement of peace and good neighbourliness.”
According to the statement, while Kumuyi and Abeboye faced vicious and violent attacks from their opponents, their responses were cultured and measured in a godly manner.
“Among over 60 million Yoruba people all over the world, these two individuals remain some of the very few that, though hold no political positions, can knock and open the doors of any president or prime minister all over the world.
“Even though local authorities have not given them recognition, their stars continue to shine all over the world to the glory of the Yoruba nation,” the statement added.
Adeoye added, “It is also important to know that these two individuals are well educated and will be well to do without taking up the pastoral office.
“The two leaders run faith industries that heal millions of human souls, bring comfort, uplift the spirit and bring hope to the multitude of the hopeless. Apart from spiritual healings, it is important to know that millions of people, including non-Christians derive their livelihood from their tabernacle.”
The previous recipients of the award reportedly include Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Dr Adeniyan Abraham, the of Warri and others.
