Oyedepo Begins Construction Of N250 Billion Private Estate *Sells Between N5M and N45M, Releases Prototype Pictures

Though it is now a reality that Pentecostal churches in Nigeria have ventured into some terrains hitherto reserved for corporate industry players and the uniquely rich men and women in the society, the  dimension it is taking now has continued to amaze events watchers.

One of the anointed leaders of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, who will never stop springing surprises, is the head of the Living Faith World Outreach, a.k.a Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, who years back led the pack of churches with private universities with world class Covenant University, which boasts of architectural masterpiece buildings. He has since established another university tagged; Landmark University in his hometown of Omu Aran in Kwara State. The sprawling Winners Chapel Headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, which can sit 50,000 worshippers at a time was also another first from the sophisticated pastor.

The latest surprise package from the celebrated man of God is the construction of a N250 billion worth of housing estate in a vast 5,000 acres of land in Ota, Ogun State. The architect-turned pastor has reportedly concluded arrangement to start work on the proposed housing estate, which will be largely occupied by the faithful of Winners Chapel, who throng the Ota headquarters of the church weekly for worship services.

The estates come in types. Type A of the estate is known as; Villa and its price range from a whopping N 45,500,000 (Forty five million five hundred thousand naira). Each unit of this will have garden villas, personified bungalow living at its finest. It's where luxury meets affordability and desires are met. It would be a home for perfect retreat for peace and harmony.

The Type B is called; Detached Duplex and  it comes with a price range from N 37,100,000 (thirty seven million one hundred thousand naira), and is designed with the concept of space, practicality and movement. 'Truly a work of art nested in a low-density of boutique duplex to give a sanctuary built to evoke tranquillity and at one with nature,' said our source.

Type C is Semi-detached Duplex, it  has a price range of N 24,200,000 (twenty four million two hundred thousand naira), and is designed with the concept of space, practicality and movement.

Duplex Terrace is the Type D. This is another type of building in the estate, goes for N 15,200,000 (fifteen million two hundred thousand naira) each. This unique double storey terrace houses consists 4 bedrooms, an inter-locking space of living and dining area create dynamic and spacious feeling, with separate airy kitchen and drying yard. The façade of the houses is treated with clean straight lines. The distinctive porch for two cars provides an undulating flow through the overall development.

Type E is called; Luxury Apartment, and interested buyers must be ready to part with at least N 24,600,000 (twenty four million six hundred thousand naira). This is an Integrated Modern Life Style with modern living and with essential facilities within range.

Type F is known as Standard Apartment and it  goes for N 8,200,000 (eight million two hundred thousand naira) and is introducing park setting home designed with the concept of space, practicality and movement.

 Affordable Apartment is the name of Type G and it would be worth N 4,900,000 (four million nine hundred thousand naira). This is an apartment with encouraging community living designed with the concept of safe and practical with central open space playground.

Sources insisted that work will soon commence on the project in earnest and that Bishop Oyedepo is totally committed to its realisation within the next couple of months. They added that interested buyers have started making bookings with the church.

Investigations revealed that the land was acquired by the church few years back and will stretch from Ota to parts of Sango that leads to Lagos State. Resources for the construction of the estate are said to be on ground as the man of God always finds a way around all his pet projects.

“Bishop is passionate about this project just like others before it. He doesn't believe that anything is impossible. You may be looking at the money that it is much, but Daddy will source for it. He has done it before. He believes that as a child of God, you must be ready to move mountains. The estate is a progressive project, people come from far places to attend service in the church, so it would be better to accommodate them here and it would be easy for them to come for services,” said a source.

An observer however, faulted the high cost of the buildings in the proposed estate. The fellow, who preferred anonymity, said the prices of the buildings show they are for the rich. He added that churches should consider the poor whenever they embark on such projects since Jesus Christ took care of the poor.

All the same, Bishop Oyedepo has continued to show that he is a different kind of cleric who thinks big and does big things no matter the odds, and with the proposed estates, the world is about to see another side of the renowned cleric.

May 08, 2012