Chris Okotie Biography
We will look at the biography of Chris Okotie as presented by different sources.
About
Nigerian religious leader who is known as a leading televangelist and became a pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries in 1987.
Before Fame
He graduated with a law degree from the University of Nigeria at Nsukka in 1984.
Trivia
He ran as a member of the Justice Party and Democratic Party in two Presidential elections in 2003 and 2007.
Family Life
He has been married twice.
Source: Famous Birthdays
Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie (known as Chris Okotie) was born on June 16th, 1958 to the family of Francis Idje and Cecilia Okotie in Ethiope West Local Government area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria. He is the pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries, in Lagos.
Chris Okotie Age
Chris Okotie is 61 years old.
Chris Okotie Early Life
Okotie had his primary education between 1964 and 1970 at Kirikiri Primary School, Lagos, as his father, who was a civil servant, was stationed in Lagos at the time. He proceeded to Edo College in Benin for his secondary education between 1971 and 1977. He had his ‘A’ Level certificate in 1978 and went on to study Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Enugu state. His multi-talented nature was evident from his childhood and became more apparent when he became the lead singer of the Edo College school band.
Chris Okotie Career
Okotie’s exploits in music blossomed and while he was studying law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he eventually rose to become the most celebrated Nigerian pop music star in 1980 when he released his first album, ‘I Need Someone.’ Whilst undergoing law school he interrupted his schooling again to begin his religious ministries. Okotie attended the Grace Fellowship Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After attending grace fellowship bible school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he established his own church, Household of God Ministry.
In 1990, Okotie established the annual Karis Awards, hosted by his church, to recognize and financially reward Nigerian citizens. Some recipients of the award include; Prof. Chike Obi, the mathematician (1996), D.I.G. Chris Omeben, a retired policeman (1997), Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi who designed the national flag (1998),
Hogan Bassey, former Commonwealth and World boxing champion (1999), Chief Michael Imodou, the Labour leader (2000), Chief Margaret Ekpo (2001), nationalist and woman activist, Mallam Aminu Kano, nationalist (2004) and Isaac Adaka Boro, human rights activist (2005). Okotie’s spatial relevance in stardom spans over four decades. This has endeared him to reporters as a delight. His impeccable communication of the gospel reaches the very depth of its profundity.
His theological treatise penetrates the extending depth of the unrivaled eternal Word with a progressive and an unmatchable clarity. One never seems to get enough of his apocalyptic depths. He is an audience favourite any day. Okotie’s expanse depth on eschatology, a revelation of the end times; a very complex subject few preachers have the knowledge and understanding to deal with, comes with some earth-shaking revelations. In his book, “The Last Outcast,” published several years ago, he clearly foretold the unfolding events in the church and the fulfillment of the ministry of the antichrist in this last days.
Pastor Okotie first ran for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the banner of the Justice Party (JP), led by Ralph Obiorah after he was schemed out of the National Democratic Party (NDP) primaries elections; he lost to Olusegun Obasanjo in the May 2003 elections. He ran again in 2007 on the platform of a party he founded, Fresh Democratic party, FRESH and lost to Umaru Yar’Adua in the May 2007 elections. Then in 2011, he ran and lost to the President Goodluck Jonathan.
Chris Okotie Personal Life
Okotie has been married twice. His first marriage to Tina lasted 17 years without a child. After they divorced in 2001, Tina relocated to the USA where now has children of her own from new husband. Okotie married Stephanie Henshaw in 2008. He claims that Stephanie, who had three children from two previous relationships was destined to marry him from birth. They divorced in 2012. In 2011, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3-10 million.
Chris Okotie Net Worth
Forbes says:
“Chris Okotie
Church: Household of God Church
Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Pastor Okotie made his first success as a popular pop musician in the 80s. He found the light, embraced the bible and set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant congregations. His 5,000 member church consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities, musicians, and society people. He contested and lost Nigerian presidential elections for the third time this year under the Fresh Party, a political party he founded and funds. An automobile lover, he owns a Mercedes S600, Hummer and Porsche among several others.”
Pastor Okotie made his first success as a popular pop musician in the 80s. He found the light, embraced the bible and set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant congregations.His 5,000 member church consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities, musicians, and society people. He contested and lost Nigerian presidential elections for the third time this year under the Fresh Party, a political party he founded and funds. An automobile lover, he owns a Mercedes S600, Hummer, and Porsche among several others. He currently has a net worth of $3 million.
CHRIS OKOTIE’S BIOGRAPHY
The following JOBSEARCHNIGERIA’s version of Chris Okotie’s biography.
Reverend CThe follow Chris Okotie
Born: June 16, 1959
Birthplace: Ethiope West, Delta State.
Reverend Chris Okotie was born Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie to Francis Idje and Cecilia Okotie, in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta
State: South-South Nigeria on June 16, 1959.
As a growing child, he always loved to sing. While in secondary school at Edo College, Benin City, he belonged to the school’s Music Club and usually entertained groups of people. He never considered commercializing his talent until his first year at the University, when his father died. He earned an L.L.B. Hons in 1984, from the University of Nigeria Nsukka – Enugu Campus.
Rather than practice Law, Okotie attended The Grace Fellowship Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma [United States] and became a preacher of the Gospel.
The problems faced by the young preacher were as daunting, as they were varied. He gained a lot of criticism as the entertainment industry and his fans, wondered at the choice of occupation he made at the peak of his musical career.
However, in 1990, Okotie set an impeccable record by introducing the GRACE Program/ Karis Award as an annual charity event hosted at the church where he pastors; The HouseHold of God International Ministries, Lagos, Nigeria. The guiding philosophy being that greatness does not consist in being great but in the ability to make others great. The Karis Award gives recognition to, while financially rewarding Nigerians who had offered distinguished service to the nation but are not recognized nor rewarded for their contributions to the nation building.
Some recipients of The Karis Award are, Prof. Chike Obi, the renowned mathematician (1996),D.I.G. Chris Omeben, a retired Policeman famous for his transparent honesty(1997), Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi who designed the national flag (1998), Late Hogan Bassey, former Commonwealth and World Boxing Champion (1999), Chief Michael Imodou, the Veteran Labour Leader (2000), Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo (2001), Nationalist and Woman Activist, Late Mallam Aminu Kano, Nationalist (2004)and Isaac Adaka Boro, Human Rights Activist (2005).
The GRACE Program also makes regular cash and material contributions to charity organizations such as the SOS Children Village, the Sunshine Foundation, Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted and Little Saints Orphanage, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria amongst others including individuals who have enjoyed the benevolence and vision of a man with a heart for the people. The Childcare Trust, a pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo has also enjoyed the benevolence of Reverend Okotie.
To his credit also, from the pulpit of the church as a clergyman, Okotie has patriotism resplendent in the fervor with which the Nigerian National Anthem is intoned at the close of every service or meeting.
Known for his open-mindedness and candor, his friends cut across religious, ethnic, gender and social barriers. It is on record that he was a close friend and confidant of the Late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections. And even under the most dangerous and perilous times in the history of the Nigerian nation, he proved to be the proverbial friend ‘who sticks closer than a brother.’ It is little wonder that he was voted ‘Man of the Year’ by National Encomium Magazine in 2002 for ‘daring to speak in the face of adversity and threat to his life’.
An auspicious year, the year 2002 witnessed the publication of Okotie’s book, The Last Outcast, a widely acclaimed publication fast making the bestseller list.
However, the steady decline of the Nigerian nation became Okotie’s next big challenge. Thus, his advent into politics. He has this vision to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of poverty, ethnic chauvinism, and religious bigotry, believing that Nigeria with its vast human and material resources has no business with poverty but for corruption, which has become a way of life for most Nigerian people.
He states, “Our leaders and those in authority are totally insensitive to the feelings, comfort, and sufferings of their fellow citizens. The citizens, on the other hand, being subdued to long-term oppression, glory in the diabolic and surpass ourselves by worshipping nonentities and posturing to action. We now prefer palliatives rather than cure, we have parasitism and has elevated it to a way of life while the political class entertains vaulting and limitless ambition.
My friends and fellow citizens, unless there is a generational shift, that is to say, except the old breed politicians make way for the younger generation, we may continue to wander in the political and socio-economic wilderness without finding our bearing as a nation.
As for my plans for reviving the nation’s economy, I believe that the issue of endowment fidelity must be addressed i.e a commitment to the natural resources that God has placed in our Land. Despite the selfishness and parochial tendencies of our leaders, there is still enough to be derived from agriculture, taxation, and education. There is still enough for us to build a great nation.
For me, change has begun and that change is inevitable. I want you to know that I have in the past fifteen years, been studying the concept of governance and I have come away realizing that all we need is focused leadership. Throughout history, God has always changed mankind through leadership. I present myself as that leader for the Nigerian nation at this time.
I believe in a FRESH Nigeria where F stands for Faith, R for Responsibility, E for Equality, S for Security and H for Hope. My name is Reverend Chris Okotie and I have chosen to stand with my fellow Nigerians to say no to the status quo.”
