The pastor of the Abuja-based Champions Royal Assembly, Joshua Iginla, has gifted a Peugeot 301 car to Nollywood actor, Ayo Emmanuel.
According to a statement issued by the church to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Emmanuel, who is popularly called Nollywood Police was given the car on Sunday at the church premises, which is located in Kubwa, Abuja.
Mr. Iginla’s frequent largess to Nollywood stars and prophecies have been mostly greeted with criticism.
The controversial preacher is believed to be one of the wealthiest pastors in Abuja.
In fact, several veteran Nollywood stars throng his church regularly to partake of his routine largesse.
Some have also gone a step further by relocating to Abuja. When he turned a year older in May, he gave six Nollywood actors and actresses Hummer jeep 3 series, Mercedes G-Wagon and Mercedes CLS 550.
The beneficiaries included Jide Kosoko, Francis Duru, Alex Usifo, Ngozi Osondu, Thelma Nwosu and Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Babaluwe.
In addition he was reported to have given veteran actor, Martins Njubuigbo, aka Elder Maya who passed on recently N1 million to offset his hospital bills.
Reacting to criticisms, Mr. Iginla, who is not a stranger to controversies, said, “It amazes me when people criticise the fact that I assist the movie industry. I have given cars and financial assistance to the poor, needy and church members. I have only given out a fraction of these funds to Nollywood as a means of encouraging them. Compare their lives to Hollywood stars and you will realise we don’t really appreciate our own.
“I wept when Ayo Emmanuel sent me a text few weeks back that he was sick and needed financial assistance. I asked him if he had a car and he said no. He claimed he comes to church via okada or the church bus. I wept because these are the people that make us happy via home movies yet they live a pathetic life. It’s my personal money I used so I don’t see why people complain.”
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