Massive empowerments as Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele holds thanksgiving, launches third radio station in Lagos
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
With the dual celebration of thanksgiving and social empowerment, Primate Ayodele once again underscored his commitment to humanitarian service and community development in Lagos State.
The Founder and Spiritual Head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, marked this year’s annual thanksgiving with large-scale empowerment initiatives and the launch of a new urban radio station in Lagos.
The empowerment programme, held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, came just a day after the cleric inaugurated his third radio station in Lagos State. Both activities formed part of the church’s annual thanksgiving celebration, which commenced weeks earlier and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The event attracted notable dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly; the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED); and the Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom, who donated two plots of land for the project. The Iyaloja of Oto-Awori Kingdom, Vincent Okurafor, Sunday Oladeji, and other prominent personalities were also in attendance.
Vision behind the radio station
According to Primate Ayodele, the establishment of the radio station is driven by his passion for effective communication and his desire to keep the public informed about societal developments.
He emphasized that the station is not designed for religious broadcasting but rather to inform, educate, and celebrate the people of Lagos State. He further disclosed that the station would be handed over to a professional management team to ensure it serves widows, the underprivileged, and other vulnerable groups.
“I believe that when people are informed, the world becomes a better place. Everyone deserves to know what is happening around them and to be educated on issues of life. That is the purpose of this radio station,” he said.
He reiterated that the initiative is people-centered, aimed at giving voice to the voiceless and supporting the downtrodden rather than generating profit.
Scholarships and partnerships
As part of the empowerment drive, the cleric awarded full scholarships to two students from the community.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Professor Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, a representative described the development as “partnership in progress.” She noted that LASUED, which runs an online radio station and a functional Department of Communication, would collaborate with the new station to provide internship opportunities for its students.
The representative commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to serve as a community mouthpiece and contribute meaningfully to the training of future media professionals.
Economic and community impact
Other dignitaries at the event praised the project, noting that beyond empowering individuals, the radio station would stimulate economic activities and foster community development.
Equipped with globally standardized broadcasting facilities, including a studio capable of visual transmission, the station is estimated to have cost no less than N700 million.
With the dual celebration of thanksgiving and social empowerment, Primate Ayodele once again underscored his commitment to humanitarian service and community development in Lagos State.
