Common Wealth of Zion Assembly

The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) is a multi-site church pastored by Biodun Fatoyinbo[1] and Modele Fatoyinbo.[2] It is based in Abuja, Nigeria. COZA has five campuses, one in Dubai[3] and the other four in the Nigerian cities of Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin and Port Harcourt.

The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)
DenominationCharismatic, Pentecostal
Websitecoza.org.ng
History
Founded1999 (1999)–present

History

The church began in 1999 in the city of Ilorin in Kwara State, Northern Nigeria.  The Abuja campus was launched in 2008, the Lagos campus[4] was opened in 2012, the Port Harcourt campus in 2016 and the Dubai campus in 2017. As of 2019, the church reports an estimated attendance of about 20,000 people in its physical locations and online services.

In July 2019, the senior pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, was accused of assault by Busola Dakolo, the wife of musician Timi Dakolo. In response to the charges, Fatoyinbo stepped down for a month and resumed preaching in August 2019. The case against him was dismissed[5] by an Abuja court in November 2019 and Dakolo was fined one million naira[6] for wasting the court's time.

Campuses

Services are held weekly at the five campuses in Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Port Harcourt and Dubai. The church is currently headquartered in Guzape Hills, Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

COZA Abuja (headquarters): The Abuja branch of the church is currently led by senior pastors Biodun and Modele Fatoyinbo.

COZA Ilorin: The Ilorin branch is pastored by Pastor Kenneth Habuh-Rajan. The church meets on Pipeline Road.

COZA Lagos: This branch meets at Sheba Centre,[7] Plot 20, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja. Pastor Folarin Ogunsola is currently in charge.

COZA Port Harcourt: Led by Pastor Oyewole Soetan, the Port Harcourt branch meets at The Atrium, No. 28 Stadium Road, Rumuomasi.

COZA Dubai: This branch meets at Two Seasons Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road. The branch is led by Stanley Oseji.

Outreach

Since 1999, COZA has reached out to thousands of people with its outreach programs. The church runs the COZA Care Foundation[8] through which it has conducted various programs including Jesus Paid It All: Shop For Free, a yard sale where clothing and other household items are handed out to thousands of people for free; and the Leprosarium Outreach, during which church members visited a leper's colony to distribute relief items.

In March 2019, the church visited the Oregun Correctional Centre for Boys in Lagos to celebrate Mother's Day. On 1 May, it held an outreach where free medical tests were carried out on members of the Irewole community in Lagos. In June, church members visited the Ikoyi Prisons to provide support and donate relief items. Church members also visited the Oke Kura and Mandala prisons in Ilorin.

The Gratitude

The Gratitude is a musical group formed by senior pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo in 2016.[9] Their song "Rabababa-Eh"[10] was well received due to its unusual message and approach.[11] The group was created to produce mainstream music with a spiritual message. In October 2019, The Gratitude won the UK Gospel Touch Music Awards for the Choir/Group of the Year Category.[12]

The Avalanche

The Avalanche is a musical group created in 2008 with the vision of writing and performing deeply spiritual praise and worship songs. The group has performed alongside gospel artists Don Moen, Tye Tribbett, Kurt Carr and Tasha Cobbs.[13]

Events

COZA hosts a series of events during the year. These include 12 Days of Glory (12DG),[14] a prayer conference every 2-13 January; 7 Days of Glory (7DG),[15] held from 1 to 7 July; and Voltage Warship,[16] a concert which has had performances from gospel music stars such as Vashawn Mitchell, Phil Thompson, Todd Dulaney and JJ Hairston.

The church organizes "The Hub",[17] an annual business conference which educates employees and business owners on best practices for continued relevance in their industries. In May 2018, COZA hosted Bishop T. D. Jakes[18] at the Upsurge conference. The event was also attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.[19]

Culture

COZA is built on the doctrines of excellence and spirituality, and the church is known for its culture of hospitality which has been spoken of by guests from home and abroad.[20] Members of the church greet each other with the distinct expression "I celebrate you," in line with the belief that every person is a celebrity worthy of honour.

References
  1. "Biodun Fatoyinbo". Medium. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  2. "The Role Modele Fatoyinbo Played, by Yvonne Chuks". 9 October 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  3. benfuyah, Author (4 February 2016). "COZA Dubai…hmmm". Churchtinz. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  4. "The Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly (Coza) in Plot 20, Plot 20, Sheba Centre, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos | VConnect™". VConnect. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  5. Published. "Court Throws Out Busola Dakolo's Case Against Biodun Fatoyinbo". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  6. "Updated: Court fines Busola Dakolo N1m, says suit is a waste of court's time". TVC News Nigeria. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  7. "Home". Sheba Event Centre. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  8. "[The Church Blog] COZA plans to host a one-day shopping experience and it's totally free » YNaija". YNaija. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  9. "The Gratitude: Passion, Talent, confidence at COZA with Tye Tribbett (Photos) | @cozanigeria". ecclezzia.com. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  10. Gratitude – Rabababa-eh, retrieved 20 November 2019
  11. "The 4 Beautiful Churches In Abuja You Will Love". www.operanewsapp.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  12. "The Gratitude (COZA) wins Group Of The Year award". Pulse Nigeria. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  13. "Music ministry". coza.org.ng. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  14. File, Ivory (25 December 2018). "COZA 12 Days of Glory 2019 : Date, theme, venue, speakers". Ivory File - Christian Website in Nigeria. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  15. Adeniyi, Esther (19 June 2019). "Attend 7 Days of Glory (7DG) 2019 in COZA". Esther Adeniyi. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  16. "Onos Ministering at Voltage WarShip in COZA Abuja | Gospotainment.com". gospotainment.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  17. "The Hub - A Business Conference In COZA!! - Religion". www.nairaland.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  18. Oladimeji (18 May 2018). "American Bishop, T. D. Jakes Arrives Nigeria. Pictured With COZA Pastor | 36NG". Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  19. Reporter, Post; Taiwo, Oladosu. "Osinbajo visits COZA church, meets TD Jakes (photos)". Ministry Exploit. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  20. "Pastor Biodun of COZA reacts to Pastor Creflo Dollars praise. | Gospotainment.com". gospotainment.com. Retrieved 20 November 2019.

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