Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, one of the most respected men of God in Nigeria, has retired, after 36 years as the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Pastor Adeboye announced his retirement on Saturday and a replacement as well. He would be replaced by Pastor Obayemi.

The church, which was not well known prior to Adeboye becoming the General Overseer, has several branches globally in about 190 countries, including more than 14,000 in Nigeria.

The 74 year old mathematician from Ifewara in Osun state was appointed General Overseer of the church in 1981, taking over from Papa Akindayomi, the founder, who had died the previous year.

For three years he filled the role part-time, still lecturing at Ilorin, until giving up his university position to preach full-time.

He had received his B.Sc. in Mathematics at University of Nigeria Nsukka and a PhD in applied mathematics from the University of Lagos, and worked as a lecturer in mathematics at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin before joining the church.

According to him, he was taking the decision in obedience to a government regulations, saying in his absence, Pastor Joseph Obafemi becomes the General Overseer who will now oversee the Nigerian church.

Pastor Adeboye who is regarded as the spiritual leader of visioner of the church will now oversee the church globally.

He also announced that Pastor Johnson F. Odesola becomes the church Secretary General while Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu takes charge of the church’s treasury.

Similarly, Odesola and Adeyokunnu will work with the newly appointed Overseer in charge of RCCG Nigeria, Pastor Obayemi.

Adeboye who had predicted surprises for the new year, explained that there is a government law that general Overseers of churches can only serve for a stipulated period of time.

According to an inside source who craved anonymity, the outgoing General Overseer then assured members of the church to ensure peace at all times, ‎hailing the wisdom and humility of the Ifewara-born mathematician who until yesterday waded tremendous influence.

Adeboye was quoted as having said: “We should always be on the look out for ourselves. I don’t expect that anyone was going to ignore me. Love you all. We need to intensify our prayers and please let’s not shy away from politics.

“I see God raising influence like Daniel and his Hebrew brothers men who know God and shall be strong and doing exploits. God bless you,” he concluded.

Earlier, Adeboye had announced a 40-day fasting and praying prayer from members of the church beginning from midnight on January 11‎.

According to him, the fasting period starts each day at midnight and runs to 6.00 p.m. praying twice a day during morning devotion and again at 5.00 p.m. at the churches

“If you want to do it say and night without breaking (just liquod) it will be for 20 days,stressing that major prayer points will be praising God and asking God for grace to please Him in every way possible this year.

After joining the RCCG in 1973, he began working to translate the sermons of its then Pastor and founder, Reverend Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, from Yoruba into English before he replaced him in 1981.