By Irving Nnamudi

I was a member of the City of David (COD) Parish from 2010 to 2024, and I witnessed firsthand the conception and execution of the Trinity Towers project. The idea was initiated by Pastor Idowu Iluyomade (Pastor ID), who received overwhelming support from the church community, despite initial skepticism over the cost. However, he remained steadfast in his vision, alongside his wife, Pastor Siju, who was equally resolute in ensuring the project’s success.

After years of dedicated financial contributions from parishioners and a structured loan from Access Bank—whose then MD/CEO was a member of the parish—Trinity Towers was completed. Given this background, I was deeply shocked when Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Daddy G.O.) stated during his visit last Sunday that the building he commissioned did not belong to COD at the time. Such a claim is both surprising and inaccurate.

To set the record straight, Trinity Towers was never outside the ownership of COD. The project was funded through sacrificial giving by parishioners and a structured ten-year loan from Access Bank. The church consistently serviced this loan and, by June 2024, had repaid over ₦10 billion, leaving a balance of ₦9 billion. At no point did the bank foreclose on the property or assume ownership. In fact, Access Bank demonstrated its confidence in the project by purchasing the sixth floor of Trinity Towers for a significant sum in May 2024.

Furthermore, Pastor Adeboye’s acknowledgment that loans were involved in the construction of Trinity Towers aligns with Pastor Iluyomade’s longstanding assertion that the project was not funded by a single billionaire but rather through the collective efforts of COD members. These individuals believed in the vision and made significant financial sacrifices to bring it to fruition.

Pastor Adeboye’s statement that “the church is now our church” also raises pertinent questions. Does this remark pertain to the ownership of Trinity Towers by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) as a whole, or does it imply a shift in control by a specific group within the church hierarchy? Given the extensive contributions and sacrifices made by COD members, transparency and clarity are essential in addressing such concerns.

It is also crucial to acknowledge Pastor Iluyomade’s legacy as a visionary leader. Before Trinity Towers, he and Pastor Siju successfully led the construction of Kings Court Parish, an eight-story building that was RCCG’s tallest structure at the time. Given his proven ability to execute such large-scale projects, the notion that he could not have spearheaded Trinity Towers’ completion—especially with a financially strong parish like COD—is illogical.

In light of these facts, we call for an accurate representation of history and due recognition of the unwavering dedication of COD members. Trinity Towers is not the result of political maneuvering or external intervention but a testament to faith, sacrifice, and strategic planning. Moving forward, transparency and fairness must be upheld in all discussions surrounding this project.

I commend the gallant members of COD who toiled and sacrificed to make Trinity Towers a reality. It is my hope that they were not among those who applauded while the narrative of their courageous sacrifices for the kingdom was being rewritten before their eyes.