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REV. OKOTIE SPECIAL: “Why I Spent N110Million On 2 AutoMobiles

First Bank Nigeria

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Okotie’s Rolls Royce is unique.  It is the 2014 Bespoke Phantom Coupe, Series 2.  Exclusively made for the exorbitantly wealthy, the wondrous auto is the brainchild of Rolls Royce Dubai brand manager, Mohammed El-Arishy.  Rolls Royce says that this exotic model is meant to evoke the history of motoring heritage of Goodwood Racetrack.  Sporty and rugged with ostentatious demeanour, the wonders-on-wheel is a delight to behold and possess.
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Rolls Royce was created over a famous lunch in May 1904, after Henry Royce, a successful engineer, struck a deal with Charles Rolls, owner of one of the first car dealerships.  The ensuing series of two, three, four and six cylinder cars broke the mould for engineering and craftsmanship and ushered in one of the best cars in the world.  Rolls Royce’s collaboration with BMW in the last few decades has produced the Phantom series, which was launched in 2003 to revive the brand from near obscurity to one of the foremost symbols of extreme wealth.  The price of the latest edition Okotie bought on Friday, December 20, 2013, starts from $500,000 (N83 million).

The Range Rover Autobiography 2014 model Rev. Okotie launched on Sunday, December 8 (at this year’s Karis Awards) is touted as the world’s most luxury SUVs.  According to its makers, “It epitomizes sophisticated design with immaculate attention to detail.  Its luxury finishing touches combine with a first class experience for driver and passenger to deliver new levels of exclusivity which the brand’s elite customers crave.  The price starts from N30 million.

An unrepentant car freak, Rev. Chris Okotie’s garage is littered with any imaginable posh automobile money can buy. From the Hummers to exotic models of Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes Benz, the dandy clergy’s taste for luxury toys is obviously insatiable.

Okotie, 55 since June 16, 2013, is an influential cleric in Nigeria.  He is the General Overseer of Household of God’s Church International Ministries, a Pentecostal congregation he founded in February 1987.

He was born to Francis Idje and Cecilia Okotie in Ethiope-West, Delta State (then Bendel State).  Okotie attended secondary school at Edo College, Benin City.  In 1984, he graduated with a degree in law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.  Rev. Okotie had to abandon education for a while to pursue a highly successful pop music career.  Together with his contemporaries like Dizzy K Falola, Jide Obi and Felix Lebarty, they stimulated the emerging music industry in Nigeria.

At the height of his pop music success, he returned to school to complete his education and graduated with a Law degree.  While in Law School, Okotie interrupted his schooling again to begin his ministry. He attended the Grace Fellowship Bible School and soon after established the Household of God Church.

In 1990, he started the annual Karis Awards to recognize and financially reward Nigerian citizens, who had served the nation selflessly.

Rev. Okotie’s marital life has been turbulent.  Already married twice, he announced he has separated from his wife of four years, Stephanie Henshaw on Sunday, June 24, 2012, just few days after his 54th birthday.  He later told his teeming congregation he may not give marriage another shot.

A serial presidential candidate, Rev. Okotie ran for the highest office in the land on the platform of the Justice Party, but lost to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the May 2003 elections. He was also a presidential aspirant in the defunct National Democratic Party (NDP), before then.  He was again the presidential candidate of Fresh Democratic Party and lost to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Umaru Yar’Adua in the 2007 elections.

Okotie’s Fresh Democratic Party did not participate in the 2011 general elections.

But Okotie seemed not to have given up in his dream to rule Africa’s most populated country as he constantly tells those who care to listen that his presidential bid is divine.  Contributing to national development through his socio-philanthropic gestures, he recently widened the political space when he challenged the de-registration of political parties including his Fresh Democratic Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  The court would in a landmark ruling declare INEC’s action unconstitutional.  Rev. Okotie also spends close to N100 million annually for the Karis Awards which is equally dedicated to charity.

And not forgetting his mandate and calling, the handsome and charismatic pastor is now celebrating 30 years of dedication to church and priestly commission.  In the light of this, Okotie has now splashed all of N110 million on luxury autos to celebrate Christ and his divine commission.

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