By Okey Ndiribe

ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, sent a congratulatory message to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

The message reads in part: “As you attain the highly symbolic landmark age of three score and 10 years on Friday, March 2, 2012, it is with profound joy that I write on behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, to express very warm felicitations to you.

“You have lived a truly inspirational and inspiring life of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord. Rising above the limitations of a background of deprivation to thrive in academics before going into full time ministry; the phenomenal growth of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, of which you are the General Overseer, clearly testifies to God’s hand upon your life and your productive leadership qualities.

“As you celebrate this historic day with your nuclear family, your numerous children in the Lord, friends and well-wishers, I would like to paraphrase Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy by praying that Almighty God continues to empower you to successfully fight the good fight, fruitfully run the course, and continue to keep the faith, until that day when you shall receive the crown of righteousness.”