Pastor Oritsejafor gets jet as birthday gift.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor 

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and founder of Warri-based Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Saturday joined the league of Nigerian preachers who own private jets.

Oritsejafor’s jet, marked N431CB, was announced to the congregation during the 40th year anniversary of the church, which coincided with his birthday held on the church premises in Warri, Delta State.

The announcement of the 10-Seater Bombadier/Challenger 601 Aircraft elicited a loud ovation and applause from the congregation.

Although the cost of the aircraft was not disclosed, an updated version of the 1994 series of the aircraft reportedly costs $4.9m.

Jubilant worshippers spent over 15 minutes congratulating one another, while the cleric did not make any comment on the jet, which was said to have been purchased for him by the church.

At the event, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was the special guest, asked Nigerians to be steadfast and seek strength in the country’s diversity, despite the numerous challenges confronting the nation.

According to him, the country will overcome its challenges if the people can draw positively from their areas of strength.

The President extolled the virtues of Oritsejafor.

He said, “I can say without any equivocation that Oritsejafor, from the very humble beginning in 1972, has moved from strength to strength. Today, he is a Christian visionary leader who preaches the words of God clearly and eloquently as a good shepherd, a man of vision who has served as an interface between the country’s two major religions.

“He has earned his respect among his peers and this explains why he is holding the two very important positions in Christendom in Nigeria as the President of CAN, and President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Oritsejafor, said if Nigeria must reclaim its lost glory and be great again, all Nigerians must be ready to put the nation first, and be ready to make sacrifices.

He said rather than dwelling on the things that were capable of dividing the country, people should begin to do things that would impact positively on the lives of the people.