The annual YNaija 100 Most Influential Nigerians list is out with the 2016 edition. This list celebrate personalities “who have greatly impacted the Nigerian society” in the entertainment, religious, administrative and more fields of endeavour.
This year, Pastor EA Adeboye, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, TY Bello, Prophet TB Joshua, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Poju Oyemade and more were part of those who made the list and for good reasons as well.
According to the Managing Editor Isime Esene:
In our annual tradition, we take a look back at the 100 people who have defined, re-defined and moulded the days of our lives in 2016, as part of our mission to focus our largely youth audience on the issues and ideas that truly matter.
Innovators, creators, political players, entertainers and activists of all ages – you won’t find a more definitive list anywhere else.
Read excerpt from the list below:
Faith:
Enoch Adeboye
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is your favourite GO’s favourite GO. Perhaps the most influential religious leader in the country, Pastor Adeboye has stated that his aim is to put a branch within five minutes of every human on earth. Every year he comes closer to this goal as he continues to minister to his devoted flock.
Sam Adeyemi
Reverend Sam Adeyemi is the senior pastor, Daystar Christian Centre and founder, Daystar Leadership Academy, a resource centre dedicated to raising a new generation of leaders that will serve as catalysts for the transformation of Africa. DLA’s alumni currently numbers over 30,000, drawn from all spheres of life including business, corporate and private sectors.
T.B Joshua
Millions of faithfuls, from all over the world flock to Prophet T.B Joshua’sSynagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) for his famous prophecies and life-altering interventions, millions more follow his teachings from the safe spaces of their home televisions and also online where his YouTube channel presently boasts over 400,000 subscribers.
Cardinal Anthony Okogie
His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie at 80 years of age may be settled into retirement but he has certainly not lost his voice, nor the importance of his calling, as he continues his fight for good governance, equality and speaking truth to power at every turn.
David Oyedepo
The founder and presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide, (also known as Winners’ Chapel) is in many ways also the most important private Nigerian investor in education. His work with Covenant University, Landmark University and the Kingdom Heritage model primary and secondary school franchise is unrivaled in its commitment to excellence.
Poju Oyemade
Pastor Poju Oyemade is the senior pastor of the Covenant Christian CentreLagos and convener of The Platform, an annual Independence Day event where prominent business and political citizens (that are believers) share how they thrive in their industries applying principles founded in the Bible. In 2016, the Platform attracted speakers like Peter Obi, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and Sam Adeyemi.
Art:
TY Bello
You know you are one of the most powerful persons alive when you can take a local bread seller, glam her up, present her to the world on the cover of This Day Style no less, and alter the course of her life, perhaps forever. This Day Style may not be the force it once was but Bello’s photographs of the most buzzworthy figures are still as important, and no Sunday is quite complete without her work staring at us boldly, daring us to look away. We dare not.
Others who made the list include Mai Atafo, Mo Abudu, Osagie Alonge, Linda Ikeji, Toke Makinwa, Aisha Buhari, Akinwunmi Adesina, Akinwunmi Ambode, Amina Mohammed, Atiku Abubakar and many more.
