Emmanuel Abodunrin
World-renowned evangelist and philanthropist, Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, who is also the founder and General Overseer of the Love of Christ Generation Church, London, the United Kingdom, has finally spoken about the rumour that she recently acquired a private jet.
Popularly called Iya Adura, the widely-travelled cleric was in August reported to have acquired a beautiful private jet befitting of her status as a minister of God who is always on the move both for the work of God and philanthropy.
Pictures of the cleric with a private jet had gone viral after they were posted by Ovation Magazine’s boss, Dele Momodu, who captioned them: “IYA ADURA REVEREND MOTHER ESTHER ABIMBOLA AJAYI and her entourage depart Madagascar after a successful life-changing trip…”
The pictures showed Iya Adura in company with her husband and other members of her entourage with a jet in the background during her charity work to Madagascar.
But the irrepressible woman of God had declared that she had yet to acquire the aircraft as widely claimed.
In an interview with Nigerian Tribune in New York, United States, on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly where she went to support the new president of the UNGA, Professor Tijjani Mohammed-Bande, she expressed faith and optimism that her own jet would come one day.
She said, “I did not acquire a private jet. It is not true. The rumour came up during my trip to Madagascar. Their former Speaker came to my event on May 6 at the United Nations. His sandal attracted me to him and I sought to know his country and when he mentioned Madagascar, I informed him that I was visiting there soon and we exchanged contacts. I went there and saw poverty in the land.
“I even went to a city called Nosy Be after Madagascar. It is like what Abuja is to Nigeria. A plane flies there once a day and once you miss it, you will have to get a private jet. Those that run private jets do so for tourism purpose. So, I got there and for the first time, I was able to hire a private jet. I think my photographs were taken when I disembarked from the jet and it went all over social media that I had acquired a private jet.
“When the rumour came to my attention, I claimed it and I said to myself that at some point, it is going to happen to use a private jet as equipment for evangelism. To acquire a private jet is not an easy task as it requires a lot of maintenance. However, the truth is that I did not acquire a private jet.”
Rev. Mother Ajayi also explained that her recent relocation from the United Kingdom to Nigeria was divinely ordered by God and that taking the giant step had been fruitful, to say the least.
She said, “I went to the United Kingdom as a visitor in 2004. The country is a sensitive place and no matter how gigantic you are, if you don’t have the status, I mean, the papers to stay in their country, at some point, it’s going to be a problem.
“I went there as a poor person and came back rich. I had to come back to retrace my steps. The whites believe in proper documentation. So, I want to go back to the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur. That is what I have applied for now. The record has to be clean and straight. If you are a billionaire and they don’t know you as one in their record, it is going to be a problem at some point. It is better not to wait for the problem.
“As I was travelling around the world, I was doing my prayers at a secret place on October 22, 2017, and the Holy Spirit told me, “Esther, my daughter, move to Nigeria now. I want to use you all over the world.” When I told my husband and children that I had a personal relationship and fellowship with Jesus Christ, they were shocked and supported me.
“I practically closed down the airport with about 4,000 members of Cherubim and Seraphim and Celestial Church of Christ the first day I got to Nigeria. Everything that has been happening now is an attestation that the Lord actually said I should move. I have been to over 48 cities around the world just in a year and eight months.”
She also said the UN General Assembly was special to her, adding, “this is my first time of attending, though it is the 74th assembly. I went to see the President, Professor Tijjani Mohammed-Bande, whom I always referred to as Baami Bande.
“I did an event at the UN on May 6, which he attended. Baami Bande was on his feet for over one hour waiting for me, making sure all our people were comfortable. He played a vital role for the success of the event which centred on the harmony of the two major white garment churches; the Cherubim and Seraphim and Celestial Church of Christ at the UN. I prophesied that he would become the president of UNGA and it came to pass. That was why I came to celebrate with him. There have been a lot of negative stories about us. If any of us is doing something positive, we should make noise about it.”
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