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Former City of David Parish pastor under the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Idowu Iluyomade, has opened a new church in Lagos.
It was gathered that the new ministry, Family Fellowship, is located in Victoria Island.
Iluyomade’s resignation came after his suspension by the RCCG board last year, following criticism over his extravagant celebration of his wife’s 60th birthday.
The event was widely criticised as insensitive, occurring shortly after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the United States.
The inaugural service for Family Fellowship took place on Sunday, 19 January, marking the beginning of his new chapter in ministry.
Reactions trialling Pastor Idowu Iluyomade’s new church
It_Chioma penned: “Church business will continue to strive in Nigeria because people want to believe in something. They want to believe someone is responsible for their problems, they want to believe their pastor has all the solutions to their problems and that he can save them. Pastors on the other hand use this mindset as a weapon to extort the people.”
philkikis stated: “He’s not the first pastor to be suspended from RCCG, and he won’t be the last!!! they all went ahead to open their’s and became independent pastors, with RCCG experience!!! 85 of new churches with new names emanated from RCCG, Their lead pastors were either suspended or left RCCG. Go and verify 👌.”
oluwasetomicute penned: “Congratulations to him on becoming a CEO of his own business 👏. Now it’s a battle of pulling crowds.”
Mrklassiq_ said: “I guess since redeem suspended him , God decided to call him personally.”
Watch the video below …
Former Senior Pastor of the City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, opens his own church in Lagos, named “Family Fellowship” after being suspended by the leadership of the RCCG for throwing an elaborate 60th birthday celebration for… pic.twitter.com/iTULuzpYRI
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) January 20, 2025
The suspended Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, City of David Parish, Idowu Iluyomade has started a new ministry.
DAILY POST reports that Iluyomade was suspended following the public outcry generated by the extravagant 60th birthday party of his wife, Siju Iluyomade, which came a few days after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, and a prominent member of the church.
The event was widely criticised and tagged as insensitive, occurring at a time Herbert Wigwe, his wife and his son tragically died in a helicopter crash in the United States.
Following his suspension, the Governing Council of the church replaced Iluyomade with Pastor Kayode Pitan.
However, Iluyomade in a new development shared on his Instagram page, announced his new ministry, which held its inaugural service in Lagos on Sunday.
Pastor Kayode Pitan has been appointed as the new pastor of the City of David Parish, Lagos of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
He will succeed Pastor Charles Kpandei, who has been serving as the interim pastor since the suspension of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade.
Church Times Nigeria reported on Sunday that Pitan’s appointment followed the suspension of Iluyomade due to certain allegations.
While some media outlets initially reported that Pitan had already taken over, it was Kpandei who has been leading the parish since June, following Iluyomade’s suspension.
The agency stated that a top source in the RCCG informed Church Times that Pitan has now been formally designated as the incumbent pastor of the City of David.
The decision was said to have taken by the governing council of the church during the just-concluded convention of the church.
Prior to his new role, Pitan was the Pastor in Charge of the Tabernacle of David in Region 51 and also served as the Regional Pastor.
His extensive corporate experience is expected to contribute significantly to the effective management of the Trinity Tower project and the overall leadership of the City of David parish.
With his appointment, Pitan now oversees Region 20, with the City of David serving as its headquarters.
Pastor Ben Akabueze will step in as the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Region 20.
Kpandei, who was temporarily assigned to RCCG City of David, has returned to his previous role as Pastor in Charge of Region 11 in Lekki.
Church Times reports that Pitan’s appointment marks the end of Iluyomade’s tenure at the City of David parish.
Pitan completed his graduate studies in the US and returned to Nigeria 37 years ago, making significant strides in banking and finance.
According to Church Times, he worked at Citi Bank before resigning to establish his own finance house, which collapsed in 1993, resulting in a $3 million loss. This setback led him to deepen his Christian faith.
He served as the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BoI) from July 2015, focusing on industrialisation and SME support.
Known for his strategic impact, he led the bank for five years and began a second term in 2022. He resigned in 2023 amid a government reshuffle under President Bola Tinubu.