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Criticism: WP:NPOV. no reliable source actually providing criticism, all are defense of him.

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{{Short description|Founder of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Nigeria}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ayo Oritsejafor
| image = [[File:Ayo oritsejafor.png]]
| image_size =
| caption =
| office = [[Christian Association of Nigeria#Leadership|5th]] [[Christian Association of Nigeria|President of CAN]]
| vicepresident = [[Daniel Okoh]]
| term_start = July 2010
| term_end = July 2016
| predecessor = [[John Onaiyekan]]
| successor = [[Supo Ayokunle]]
| birth_name = Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor
| birth_date = 10 November
| birth_place = [[Delta State, Nigeria]]
| residence = [[Warri]], [[Delta State]], [[Nigeria]]
| occupation = [[Preacher]], [[Author]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Pastor]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Helen Oritsejafor|1997}}
| children = 3
| parents = Joseph Monday Oritsejafor <br />Roli Durojaiye Oritsejafor
| website = [http://www.ayo-oritsejafor.org/ Ayo Oritsejafor Ministries]
| office2 = [[Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria#Leadership|5th]] [[Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria|President of PFN]]
| term_start2 = 2005
| term_end2 = 2013
| predecessor2 = [[Mike Okonkwo]]
| successor2 = [[Felix Omobude]]
| deputy2 = [[Felix Omobude]]
}}

'''Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor''', known as '''Papa Ayo Oritsejafor''', is the founding and Senior [[Pastor]] of [[Word of Life Bible Church]], located in [[Warri]], [[Nigeria]]. He became the national president of the [[Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria]] (PFN) on 7 February 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-01 |title=24 years of sweetness for Pastor Oritsejafor and wife |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/24-years-of-sweetness-for-pastor-oritsejafor-and-wife/ |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> a position he held for five years. In July 2010, Oritsejafor was elected President of the [[Christian Association of Nigeria|Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN)]],<ref name="canpres"/><ref>{{cite news |title='CAN Officers' |url=http://cannigeria.org/officers/ |accessdate=2016-02-04 |archive-date=2016-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118172103/http://cannigeria.org/officers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> the apex body of all Christians in the country. In doing so he became the first Pentecostal leader to hold the position. Oritsejafor was the first to launch a Miracle crusade from Africa to a world audience via satellite in 1987 with [[Evangelism|evangelist]] Joe Martins.

==Early life==
[[File:Ayo oritsejafor crusade.jpg|thumb|right|Pastor Ayo ministering at the Warri Miracle Crusade in the Warri City Stadium. [[Warri, Nigeria]]. December 10, 2015]]
Ayo Oritsejafor was born on November 10 into the family of Mr. Joseph Monday Oritsejafor and Mrs. Roli Durojaiye Oritsejafor in [[Lagos]], Nigeria. His mother is a staunch member of the [[Christ Apostolic Church| Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)]].

In 1972, Oritsejafor became “born again” in an evangelical crusade held in [[Sapele, Delta|Sapele]], Nigeria. Oritsejafor enrolled at the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170108173213/http://cgmglobal.org/anfcbi.htm All Nations For Christ Bible Institute], [[Benin City]], [[Nigeria]].

Oritsejafor further enrolled with the Nigerian Baptist Seminary, Ogbomosho in [[Oyo State]], Nigeria and later proceeded in 1979 to the [[United States]] for further studies at [[Morris Cerullo]]'s [https://web.archive.org/web/20160325234945/http://www.mcwe.com/ministries.php School of Ministry (El Cortez)], [[San Diego]], [[California]].

According to him, he had a vision of himself wearing a suit and was preaching to thousands of people and he heard a voice that said to him, “this is what you are going to be doing the rest of your life” and the voice said, “Take my word to the world”. This is the inaugural vision that led to the founding of the Word of Life Bible Church (WLBC) in November 1987. He hosts ''Hour of Deliverance'', a television program which had its debut in 1980.

Oritsejafor says he owes all his life's accomplishments to God, and his success in ministry he attributes to the influence of God-given mentors like [[Benson Idahosa|Archbishop Benson Idahosa]], [[Morris Cerullo|Dr. Morris Cerullo]], [[R. W. Schambach|Evangelist Robert W. Schamback]], and [[T. L. Osborn|Evangelist Tommy L. Osborn]] amongst others.

Oritsejafor is a proponent of leadership by example.<ref>{{cite news |title= The church can help solve Niger Delta crisis|url=http://www.thenationonlineng.net/archive2/tblnews_Detail.php?id=56377|work=[[The Nation (Nigeria)|The Nation]] |date=2008-07-20 |accessdate=2016-02-15}}</ref> This is evident in the role he played in bringing the crisis in Niger Delta area of Nigeria to an end.<ref>{{cite news |title= How Yar'Adua Can Address Niger Delta Problem -Oritsejafor|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200807240606.html|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] (via allAfrica.com) |publisher=AllAfrica Global Media |date=2008-07-24 |accessdate=2016-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Grant Amnesty to Militants|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200808180819.html|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] (via allAfrica.com) |publisher=AllAfrica Global Media |date=2008-08-17 |accessdate=2016-02-15}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
[[File:Igc empowerment programme.jpg|thumb|upright|Oritsejafor with a benefactor during the Annual Poverty Alleviation Program in [[Warri, Nigeria]] on December 26, 2015]]
Oritsejafor sees himself as a servant of God and an instrument through which the God ministers to the spiritual and physical needs<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Atonko |title= Ayo Oritsejafor celebrates love in Warri |url=http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/others/ayo-oritsejafor-celebrates-love-in-warri/95661.html |work= [[Media Trust|Daily Trust]] |date=2013-02-17 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref> of people.<ref>{{cite news |title= Ayo Oritsejafor: The dogged lion equipping people |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/ayo-oritsejafor-the-dogged-lion-equipping-people/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2013-04-13 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref> He places emphasis on salvation, repentance, holiness, deliverance and empowerment of the less privileged, through social responsibility programmes. Over the years, he has condemned wastefulness and encouraged giving back to the society, regardless of [[religion]] or [[Race (human categorization)|race]]. He offers [[scholarship]]s to indigent students in various [[tertiary]], [[secondary education|secondary]] and [[primary education|elementary institutions]] both within and outside Nigeria irrespective of tribe or denomination.<ref>{{cite news |title= Minor bags Oritsejafor's scholarship |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/valentine-day-minor-bags-oritsejafors-scholarship/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2015-02-22 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= 40 indigent students bag Oritsejafor scholarship awards |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/40-indigent-students-bag-oritsejafor-scholarship-awards/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2013-11-26 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref>

In December 2005, Oritsejafor and his wife Helen partnered with Flight Micro Finance Bank to start an empowerment programme for the people. Oritsejafor, ever since, makes it a tradition to empower the less privileged and to alleviate the sufferings of families all over at the end of every December.<ref>{{cite news |title= Oritsejafor gives out 7 cars |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/oritsejafor-gives-7-cars/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2014-12-23 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref>

On 26 December 2016, the Word of Life Bible Church in conjunction with the Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank held the poverty alleviation programme in [[Warri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalhelm.net/2016/12/xmas-woman-bursts-into-tears-after.html?m=1|title=Xmas; Woman Bursts Into Tears After Getting Gift From Pastor Oritsejafor. Photos|publisher=National Helm|access-date=2017-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415202432/http://www.nationalhelm.net/2016/12/xmas-woman-bursts-into-tears-after.html?m=1|archive-date=2017-04-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===African Broadcasting Network (ABN)===
Oritsejafor set up African Broadcasting Network, an international satellite Christian television station intended to serve as a voice for the [[gospel]] of Christ from [[Africa]] to the world. ABN is a satellite channel broadcasting from [[London]], with a coverage that spans across the whole of [[Africa]], parts of [[Asia]] and parts of [[Europe]]. ABN is currently viewed in 75 countries world-wide and online via [[Web television|WebTV]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abnchannel.net/home/webtv.php|title = African Broadcasting Network}}</ref>

==Recognition==

Oritsejafor has received several awards both internationally and locally in regards of his various peace and humanitarian initiatives. He has been honored with the Golden key to the City of [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]] by the mayor of the city. He was also honored with the International [[Youth Ambassador]] for Peace Award. He was conferred an Officer of the [[Order of the Federal Republic| Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)]] one of the [[Nigerian National Honours]] at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on December 22, 2008. Oritsejafor received an award of 'A True Servant of God' by The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) May 9, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Eyoboka |title= NOSCEF: Why we honoured Oritsejafor |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/noscef-why-we-honoured-oritsejafor/|work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2013-05-26 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref> Speaking on the choice of Oritsejafor, the Chairman of NOSCEF, Matthew Owojaiye said:

{{cquote|Oritsejafor was chosen because of his commitment and dedication for the things of Christ, noting that when others tried to save their head, he dared to speak the truth.}}

==Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN)==
{{Further|Christian Association of Nigeria}}

In 2010, Oritsejafor was declared the National President of the [[Christian Association of Nigeria]] (CAN). He has been called the "most misunderstood"<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Eyoboka |title= Oritsejafor is the most misunderstood Christian leader — Oibe, CAN Official |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/oritsejafor-misunderstood-christian-leader-oibe-can-official/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2014-10-28 |accessdate=2016-02-05}}</ref> President of CAN. He was re-elected as the president on July 10, 2013.<ref name="canpres">{{cite news |title= CAN re-elects Oritsejafor as president. On July 10, 2013. He was first elected into the position in May 2010'|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/can-re-elects-oritsejafor-as-president/|work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2014-10-28 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Oritsejafor returns as CAN president |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/oritsejafor-returns-as-can-president/ |work= [[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] |date=2013-05-10 |accessdate=2016-02-06}}</ref> In an interview with a CAN Official, he lauds Oritsejafor:

{{cquote|If people need to celebrate any man, it is this man because he has lifted the profile of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Before, people talk down on CAN, today you don't just talk down on [[Christian Association of Nigeria|CAN]] without [[Christian Association of Nigeria|CAN]] responding. That is a very huge achievement. One of the greatest achievements that he has done which has never ever happened before in the history of [[Christian Association of Nigeria|CAN]], there has never been any President of [[Christian Association of Nigeria|CAN]] who interfaced with all the different blocs of CAN, and there is no bloc that can say the [[Christian Association of Nigeria|CAN]] President has not come either physically to worship with them or participated in one of their projects. Do you know that some of the Christian leaders that were killed, like some pastors in [[Maiduguri]], he gave them accommodation, gave their children scholarship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oritsejafor Is the Most Misunderstood Christian Leader - CAN Official (Elder Sunday Oibe)|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201410290165.html|work=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard News]] (via allAfrica.com) |publisher=AllAfrica Global Media |date=2014-10-28 |accessdate=2016-02-04}}</ref>}}

Oritsejafor came up with the idea of a Jubilee Centre to generate funds for the association: a 50–bedroom structure with a huge conference hall.<ref>{{cite news |title= Inauguration of CAN Jubilee Resort and Leadership Centre|url=http://encomium.ng/inauguration-of-can-jubilee-resort-and-leadership-centre/|work=Encomium|publisher= [[Encomium Nigeria]] |date=2015-04-25 |accessdate=2018-11-30}}</ref> The Jubilee Centre, National Christian Center, [[Abuja]], was completed and opened in 2015 by President [[Goodluck Jonathan]] .<ref>{{cite news |title= Jonathan opens CAN Leadership Centre|url=https://www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/04/jonathan-opens-can-leadership-centre/|work=The News|publisher= [[The News Nigeria]] |date=2015-04-25 |accessdate=2018-11-30}}</ref>

[[File:USCIRF Chair Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett with the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria.jpg|thumb|right|[[United States Commission on International Religious Freedom|USCIRF]] Chair[[Katrina Swett|Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett]] with CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor. June 2012]]

==Books==
Oritsejafor has authored several books:
*''Walking in Unity''
*''Breaking the Power of Yesterday''
*''The Non-Essentials''
*''The Stone That Killed Goliath''
*''How to get answers to unanswered prayers''
*''Power through the Church''
*''The Battle is in the Mind''
*''Be an Over-Comer''
*''Power for the Journey''
*''Faith Antidote for Daily Living''
*''A Voice in the Wilderness''
*''A Man amongst Men''
*''The Altar''
*''God can not lie''
* Eaglets Devotional

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book |title=Walking in Unity|first=Ayo|last = Oritsejafor |year=1976|publisher=[[Mattyson Media]]|isbn= 1-874-64606-6}}
* {{Cite book |title=Global and Local Televangelism|first=P. Thomas|last = Fridson |year=2012|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|isbn= 978-1-137-26481-7}}
* {{Cite book |title=Nigeria's Leading Lights of the Gospel: Revolutionaries in Worldwide Christianity|last=Femi|first=Adelegan |year=2013 |publisher=[[WestBow Press]] |isbn = 978-1-44-976954-3}}

== External links==
{{Commons category|Ayo Oritsejafor}}
{{Portal|Biography|Evangelical Christianity|Nigeria}}
*[http://ayo-oritsejafor.org Official Website]
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oritsejafor, Ayo}}
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the Federal Republic]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian writers]]
[[Category:Nigerian Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:Christian Association of Nigeria Presidents]]
[[Category:Nigerian television evangelists]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:People from Warri]]

Ayo Oritsejafor - Revision history

Admin: 1 revision imported: New

>AdmIn: /* Criticism */ WP:NPOV. no reliable source actually providing criticism, all are defense of him.