Long-serving leaders of not-for-profit organisations (NFPO) are now relieved as the federal government has suspended the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRN) code which stipulates a maximum period of twenty years for such persons to lead their organizations.
The suspension of the code came on the heels of the controversy generated by the recent retirement of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye as the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Nigeria.
Adeboye who led the church for 35 years now heads the global arm of RCCG as its GO.
The federal government also fired the executive secretary of FRN, Mr. Jim Obazee and appointed Mr. Daniel Asapokhai in his stead.
No official reason was given for Obazee’s sack but it is believed that his actions led to Adeboye’s exit as RCCG leader.
Besides, a new board headed by Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman was constituted for the agency.
A statement issued in Abuja and signed by Mr. Garba Shehu, media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate removal and the replacement of the Executive Secretary and the reconstitution of the board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRN).
“He has appointed a chairman and a new executive secretary for the council. The new council as approved by the President has Adedotun Sulaiman, MFR, as chairman.
“Mr. Sulaiman was a former Managing partner/director of Arthur Anderson and later, Accenture. He is a Chartered Accountant and a product of the University of Lagos and Harvard Business School.
“The President has also approved the appointment of Daniel Asapokhai as the executive secretary of the council.
“Mr. Asapokhai is a partner and a financial reporting specialist at the Pricewater House Coopers (PWC), Nigeria. He is a product of the University of Lagos and the University of Pretoria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has also instructed the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment to invite the nineteen ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government and private sector organizations specified in the FRC Act to nominate members of the board of the council,” said Shehu.
With the suspension of the code, some church leaders who have spent more than 20 years as general overseers will now heave a sigh of relieve.
Some of the GO include Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, who has spent 22 years as the GO; Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (35 years); Pastor Kumuyi (43 years); Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of Word of Life Bible Church (29 years); Rev. Chris Okotie of the Household of God (29 years); Kingsway International Christian Centre’s Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (24 years); Winners Chapel’s Bishop David Oyedepo (35 years).
Others are Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Believers’ Love Word International (26 years); Pastor Samuel Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church (39 years); Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre (21 years); Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly (27 years); House on the Rock’s Pastor Paul Adefarasin (22 years), among others.
