The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

Foursquare GO tasks churches on youth mentorship, discipleship

The General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Pastor Sam Aboyeji has charged churches to create an enabling environment for the youths to express their God-given talents as well as expose them to discipleship and mentorship needed for leadership responsibilities.

Aboyeji said this at the church’s second annual interdenominational edition of the marriage, ministry, and marketplace event, tagged: ‘SWITCH 2.0.SWITCH 2.0,’ was held at the headquarters in Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

Themed: ‘Revive, Renew and Recalibrate.’

He said that without true and healthy leadership, the future of any nation, organization, or generation is threatened. “There are no spiritually inclined organisations that can succeed without spiritually healthy leaders. Everything, it rises and falls on leadership.”

He noted that in the missions and evangelistic efforts, reaching the next generation has to be intentional.

He admonished the participants not to be like Eli who assumed that his children would get it and unfortunately, they became the sons of Belial. Neither must they assume like Samuel, who was told by the nation of Israel to his face that his children were not following after him and therefore couldn’t be priests.

He noted that within the church system,” we are blessed with a large population of resourceful, vibrant, and talented youthful population: and it is the vision and focus of the leadership of the church to ensure that we create the enabling environment for this energetic segment of our demography to express their God-given talents as well as expose them to discipleship and mentorship programmes in preparation for taking on leadership responsibilities, both now and in the future.”

Aboyeji cited David in the scripture who declared his intention to pass on his relationship with God to the next generation when he said in Psalm 71: 17-18 ” O God, you have taught me from my youth: and to this day, I declare your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God do not forsake me, Until declare your strength to this generation, your power to everyone who is to come.

“Our administration will continue to create avenues for mentoring the Nextgen-helping them to develop their gifts, allowing them to become partners in ministry and recognize that they are among the church’s most important assets,” he said

Read Also: Ex-Foursquare Church’s G.O. Badejo dies at 74

Citing former US President Franklin Roosevelt, who once said “We cannot always build the future for our youths, but we can build our youths for the future.”

The General Overseer challenged church leaders to set good examples and provide transparent leadership for the church.

“The sins of unhealthiness witnessed in the body of Christ today are disheartening and concerning. We experience incompetence and character summersault on many sacred pulpits which portends a thorough disservice to God’s work on earth.

“The domino effect of this situation is that the errors ascribed to these ministers negatively impact all ministers and the Christian congregation, while an exemplary one exalts the kingdom of God,” he said.

In his sermon, a seasoned marriage and relationship coach and wife of the Bishop of Agape Christian Ministries Inc, Akure, Rev, Mrs Funke Felix-Adejumo challenged couples to prayerful fight for the stability of their homes and never contemplate divorce as the last result of any matter.

Adejumo said that there was a siege from the kingdom of darkness against Christian homes and the need for couples to stay together and fight against any evasion from the enemy is key.

She noted that a stable and godly-centered home would produce godly and responsible children that will be useful to God and relevant and impactful for society.

She mentioned three different types of couples which are permissive couples, absentee couples, and participatory couples, noting that participatory couples help to build a stable home.

May 21, 2023
Osazuwa hosts annual flagship conference, gets new name

The Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International (RACAI) has announced a new tag for her annual flagship conference, slated to hold from May 15thto May 21st 2023 at the RACAI auditorium, Km 10 Benin-Sapele Road, Obe, Benin City. All sessions commence at 3 pm.

Previously titled, ‘Too Faithful to Fail’, the nearly two-decade-old event will now be called ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ to signify a new era of supernatural intervention, impact and expansion for the 22-year-old church.

“A platform for spiritual encounters, we have hosted ‘Too Faithful to Fail’ for 19 years, and by the leading of the Spirit, we are now changing the name of the event as we enter a new era of the ministry”, said Charles Osazuwa, event chief host and Senior Pastor of RACAi.

Some of the ministers expected at the seven-day event include Pastor George Izunwa, Founding and Lead Pastor of Gateway International Church, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Pastor Samuel Olubiyo, Senior Pastor of Triumphant Christian Center, Lagos; Reverend Ntia Ntia, Full Life Christian Center, Akwa Ibom; the RACAi Vice President, Pastor Deborah Osazuwa, and Chief Host, Pastor Charles Osazuwa.

The 2023 edition of the event is themed ‘Tables of the Covenant’.

May 14, 2023
APC Chairman Oyindasola emerges General Baba Ijo Orimolade Worldwide

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eti Osa Local Government, Aremo Olusegun Oyindasola has emerged as the General Baba Ijo Orimolade Worldwide

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to use their God-given endowments to touch and make an impact on the lives of people around them.

Oyindasola, made the call at the New Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ijo Orimolade Headquarters, Oko Afo Area of Lagos during the church’s 2023 Shiloh anniversary where he was decorated as the General Baba Ijo Orimolade worldwide.

He said his life was about service and giving back to society.

Oyindasola said “Life is about sacrifice, life is about service, it is not how many houses you built or how many cars but how many lives you touch. I love my community, I love Lagos State and my country that is why I accepted to be the Baba Ijo of this church and of course, it is like a challenge that I needed to do more.

“I am very happy because I am from a royal house; we are both Christian and Muslim because they said all the religions belong to the palace so that is why I accepted it.”

However speaking on Tinubu’s emergence, he said this was the first time Nigeria would be having a politician as President.

“This is the only time we are having a politician as President. If you look at Obasanjo, he is not a politician. It is just Yar’Adua that is a politician; he did not stay there for long. Jonathan took over and Buhari is not a politician. This is the first time we will be having a politician as the President of Nigeria.

“A former Senator, a former Governor, a NADECO leader that fought for democracy so he knows everything. He is going to perform because he knows the game. Tinubu will give us 24 hours of light within the four years and when there is light there will be development.”

May 14, 2023
Clergyman to Tinubu: avoid religious, ethnic sentiments

The Archbishop of Lagos Province of the African Church, Ifako Diocese, Lagos State, The Most Rev’d Julius Oludotun Ogunseye, has urged President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to give room for religious/ ethnic sentiments. He also advised him to be wary of advisers or people who are bent on dividing the nation via tribal or religious lines.

He spoke at a press conference on Friday to commemorate the commencement of the 4th Biennial Provincial Congress at the African Church Cathedral in Ifako, Lagos.

Ogunseye said:” Ensure you do not encourage tribal, religious, and political sentiments in your government. Be careful of people who whip religious sentiments as advisers or people who are bent on dividing us via tribal or religious lines. God made us who we are; a nation of many religious, cultural, and tribal affiliations, that makes us more beautiful.”

The Clergyman noted that Nigerians deserved a good living, adding that all sectors of the nation should be rejuvenated.

He said the theme of the congress: ‘Let God arise and restore his church,’ was apt and timely as the church needed to be repositioned toward fulfilling its mandate.

May 14, 2023
Why some Nigerian youths are not thriving – Okonkwo

Addressing the surge in the population of youth in Nigeria and the role of the church, the Dean of Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, Rev Father Micheal Okonkwo spoke to Adeola Ogunlade about the launching of Young Entrepreneurs Actualization Hub (YEAH) which target 1, 000 youths, and other sundry issues.

Why your interest in youth empowerment?

I have been into youth empowerment for a very long time. Every year during my special days, I reach out to the community, vulnerable and empower people around me. In different areas where I have worked in Lagos, I look out for ways to reach out to young people in different diverse areas; in music, food processing and packaging, and various forms of empowerment in terms of maybe buying grinding machines. This is basically more or less like a passion to me.

I see a lot of youths who come to me for contacts and jobs and I try to get jobs for them but it was difficult, I later thought of entrepreneurship instead of promising jobs for them that will not come. The idea of entrepreneurs came as a result of youths trying to get jobs. Some of them have been home for four to five years in search of jobs.

To what extent have you affected their lives?

I have been able to empower a lot of youths. I love music and I have taken some of them through music class and most of them have gone up to do music professionally. I am currently doing a programme around food processing and packaging and over 100 youths have benefited from that intervention in the last one or two year. We have empowered them and set up a plant.

Nigerian unemployment is huge and the government has come up with one form of intervention or the other, but the impact has not been felt?

Yes, it is sad that the government has carried out a lot of intervention but the unemployment figure is still huge. The youthful age is the best age to do something meaningful for themselves. It is also the time that they can put a lot of energy and guts into profitable ventures. How do you provide an opportunity for them to get into entrepreneurship that endears me to do this? Some of the time is basically more like a passion for me. I decided to invest more in empowering the youths. What YEAH tends to actualize is to involve young people to travel through the journey of entrepreneurship and see what they can do with themselves rather than waiting for white-collar jobs.

They need to use the skills, knowledge, energy, and ideas that they have to make a marketable venture. When a youth is idle, he may be lured into doing negative things. Young people are very talented and skillful and all they need is that guidance and support to actualise their dreams in life and that is what we are committed to doing.

We want them to come together and provide a form of a network where they learn and connect with each other and are empowered in areas of knowledge, skills, contact, and access to funding. We will leverage our partners, who have seen what we have done over the years. There are a lot of people who want to partner with credible foundations who believe that if the youths are engaged, the better for society. We want to reduce unemployment through unemployment.

How will you balance your priesthood service with humanitarian gestures such as this, is your intervention open to people beyond Catholic church members?

I’m busy but I will surely make sure to embark on this project vigorously. As they say, you create time for what you love. I love youths and to see how we can empower them a little bit more. In the next five years, I want YEAH to have empowered 1, 000 youths who will become success stories. We want testimonies of youths who will come back and say that they started from nothing but today are employing workers. Money is not everything in business, you need legal backing, proper accounting, and good human relationships, among others, and we are ready to journey with them until they can be on their own. We are ready to empower between 1, 000 to 2, 000 youths depending on the fund available. For now, we are starting with the faith-based community, I mean the Christian community around us as there is my constituency. In the years to come, we are planning to expand and will make it available to everyone irrespective of their faith or social inclinations. Unemployment does not know religion or tribe, it affects everyone.

What do you think young people should do from where they are to where God wants them to be?

Young people must believe that their idea is possible. A lot of them have disillusioned and they believe that they can’t make it. They have the wrong mental understanding of what they want to do. They also have the wrong model or mentors. They think making it is through short-cut. The first mental reorientation is key. Many of them want the easy way out. We must be able to help youths access the right information. Though new digital technologies have opened us to much information, many youths do not access the right information. Everyone is unique and they need to know that there is gold inside of them but when they keep looking at other people’s goals or dreams, they will not go far in life. We need to help them redirect their dreams. Also, it is important to tell them that success does not come easy and travel with them through that journey. Once they have passion and the right mindset, they often surpass expectations. I have learned that in my journey with youths.

Advice to the President-elect as regard youth empowerment

One beautiful thing about Nigeria is that we have huge human and financial resources. We also have beautiful ideas and lofty programmes that are top notch but the political will and sincerity of purpose in carrying them through with these programmes is the challenge.

The new administration should bring something fresh. Many youths have become disillusioned as successive governments have made promises that they have not fulfilled. You can attest to it that when our youths travel out they excel, so that tells you that it is not about Nigeria but the enabling environment for them to excel is the issue. Nigerians are innovative and energetic. Government must provide the needed environment and they will see young people fly high.

May 14, 2023
‘At 80, I want to live like Christ, wealth is vanity’

An Octogenarian, Mrs. Christian Oigiangbe has pledged to live the remaining of her life like Jesus Christ and serving him all through her life.

Oigiangbe, who is a native of Esan West Local, Iruekpen, Edo State, said this in a chat with The Nation, as she celebrate her 80th birthday today, “I thank God for sparing my life till this moment, I have seen the grace of God celebrating 80 years today, I am accomplished, I have seen the goodness of God in my life, my children and grandchildren,”.

“No words can describe my joys, at this stage of my life; I want to walk in God’s way, I have no ambition again, my children and grandchildren can continue. I am a contented person, wealth is vanity but having God is perfect”, she said.

May 14, 2023
Bolatito Puddicombe’s Top Ten

Bolatito Puddicombe is CEO and creative director of Fabrikana. She shares her favourite things with Yetunde Oladeinde.

Favourite color

My favourite colour is green. I think this color must have picked me because everything I do shares the same thing that green stands for, especially my personality. It is never a dull moment with me; even my business logo is in shades of green!

Favourite life principle

For me, this is, to be honest in every circumstance. I have found myself in hard situations where I stood up for this principle to guide me and never regretted it.

Favourite hairdo

I love the texture of my hair two weeks after retouching it…no wigs, no extensions, no corn rows, just my natural hair smelling fresh with my hands running through.

Favourite snack

I love granola and dried fruits a lot. They are easy to eat and still give me my required daily nutrients.

Favourite fabric

Being a fabric dealer myself, Made in Nigerian textiles are my go-to whenever I have to choose. We are really blessed in Nigeria.

Favourite part of the day

I like very early mornings before my children wake up…about 3 am. At this point, I have some ME time reading my bible and speaking with God.

Favourite home skill

I am always organizing things in the house. I love to keep something somewhere and find it in the exact same place when I need it.

Favourite Nigerian language

I love Hausa, easy to learn and remember. Whenever I speak the little I know, I get a discount or extra from the pepper, vegetable, and beans seller.

Favourite musician

Whitney Houston is my favourite. Her voice still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

Favourite entrepreneur

I am my favourite entrepreneur. I like what I do and have my personal style for the business. I don’t have a physical store so it enables me to set my priorities right and ensure my customers get very good quality so that they can refer me to others.

May 14, 2023
Funbi Akinyosoye: Mum prepared me for leadership

Funbi Akinyosoye is the Creative Director of Dunamis Events and President of the Association of Professional Party Planners (APPOEMN). Her journey into the sector started while she was an undergraduate at the University of Lagos over two decades ago. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde she opens up about her inspiration, challenges, opportunities, and more.

What inspired your interest in the sector?

All I wanted was to make people happier on their special days, increase their joy and multiply the happiness and gratitude they feel. They are making all things beautiful and the processes that culminate to this day hitch-free.

What has been your experience as the new President of the Association of Professional Party Planners?

It is an awesome heady feeling yet one that is a call to service, a call to make an impact and not just be in office.

Leadership can be very challenging, what are some of the memorable learning moments that have prepared you for this?

Having grown up with a single-parent mom has prepared me for a leadership role quite early in life because I had to understand life from an adult perspective quite early in life. I took on leadership roles at home then because I needed to be there for my hardworking disciplinarian mother. As time passed, I assumed being the go-to person and sounding board for most of my friends, you’ll often hear the statement, let’s ask Funbi if she would have a solution, and by God, I prefer these solutions.

What are your core leadership values that you think will help move the association forward?

I will give you 10. They are integrity, vision, empathy, courage, accountability, humility, creativity, inclusivity, passion, and effective communication skills. All of these I live by.

Did you ever dream that you’ll be successful in an industry you play today while growing up?

Yes, I did, because the Bible says we should commit our ways to the Lord and He shall establish every thought of our hearts.

You studied Marine Biology and Fisheries. How has this influenced your practicing career today?

Education has a way of broadening our horizons and helps us think on a larger scale of possibilities, my course of study has done the same for me.

What lessons has life taught you?

The first lesson life has taught me is to embrace change: Change is inevitable, and adapting to change is key to growth and evolution.

Secondly, I would say perseverance: Life is full of challenges, but those who persist and persevere can achieve success.

Gratitude, forgiveness, prioritizing relationships, helping others, and appreciating the present moment are also essential.

What are some of the changes that you will like to see in the sector?

I would like to see better service quality, a shorter turnaround time to our backend processes, upholding your part of the bargain, and having the integrity to underpromise the clients but overdeliver on the promises. Generally being accountable for all the jobs we deliver professionally.

One of the hallmarks of successful leadership is teamwork. Can you describe the members of your team?

By sheer serendipity and God’s goodness, my executives are a crop of eggheads who are change agents, value-driven, and ready to make an impact by questioning the status quo and redefining the narratives. This winning team is just the right measure in doses to drive change and Innovation in the creative industry.

What advice do you have for young people who want to come into the sector?

Do it right and do it well. Keep improving and raise the envelope and don’t settle for mediocre service because your excellence at your work has a way of bringing you out to the apex in life.

A wedding venue was gutted by fire recently. How can we ensure safety and avoid things like this?

Coincidentally we had a meeting with the Lagos State Safety Commission sometime at the commencement of our tenure prior to this incident. The issue of making certain that our events are safe and ensuring we all as event professionals obey the health and safety regulations to get certified as HSE officials are in the pipeline. This would be driven by the various associations and event industry stakeholders. The importance of safety can not be overemphasized.

In what practical areas do you think government can help the growth of the industry?

Having empathy when creating policies knowing that we are huge employers of labor and co-contributors to the country’s GDP.

The event industry plays a crucial role in the economy, as it creates jobs, attracts tourism, and increases revenue for small businesses. Some of the ways the government can help the growth of the event industry include providing financial support. The government can fund event-related businesses, offer tax breaks, grants and subsidize expenses such as rent, insurance, and labor costs, especially during challenging times like pandemics, national recessions, and natural disasters.

We also need to promote tourism. The government can collaborate with the private sector to develop marketing materials or campaigns for bringing increased visitors to the region.

The government can review and update rules and regulations around permits, labor compliance, zoning requirements, and licensing that may slow down the planning process or add to the cost.

In addition, the government can provide training or mentorship programs for event organizers and businesses related to event management, marketing, finance, operations, and hospitality.

Improving and creating better infrastructure such as event spaces, access roads, and utilities, can attract events and conferences.

Collaboration and communication are also very critical for the sector. The government can establish task forces with event organizers to share information about industry changes, facilitate communication between key players, and address concerns and challenges faced by the industry.

The government can provide event organizers with options for short-term disaster relief programs or longer-term insurance protection, helping to mitigate financial losses due to external circumstances.

They can also support hybrid events and facilitate public-private partnerships. The government can create platforms for the private sector and various stakeholders to collaborate, exchange ideas and information to boost the industry. And to foster creativity, the government can recognize and reward creativity and innovation in the industry, encouraging new ideas, and enabling event planners to create value-added experiences for attendees.

May 14, 2023
Mariam Bakre: D’banj motivated me in different ways

Mariam Bakre is a comical content creator, filmmaker, and writer. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she takes you into her world, inspiration, and more.

What inspired you to go into the sector?

Professionally, it started about five years ago but I have always been writing. I started creating content for my own pleasure about ten years ago.

At what point did you decide to take your passion seriously?

I always knew that I was supposed to be in the entertainment industry but I didn’t know exactly what it was. So, I was just dabbling in different areas until I finally found my niche. Now, I am known for creating comical content and that was because I would just randomly talk and people would laugh and it was interesting.

So, I told myself what if I actually took this seriously? Then I sat down, created a number of funny kinds of stuff and the reception was awesome.

Tell us some of the things that you have done.

I have a short film that is on YouTube. I also write articles and create content for Instagram. There are over 300 pieces of content on my Instagram page, I mean original content.

How long did it take you to create this?

It’s been cumulative. I started creating content for public consumption in 2019 and in between I have had to take breaks to have my babies. So, if I am removing all those breaks, then it will be about a year and a half since I have been creating content.

What are some of the memorable moments of doing this?

I would say that the opportunity that it has given me is great. It has been amazing working with some of my mentors, people that I would have had to go through a very difficult process to see and work with. They have access to my Instagram, I am in their DM’s and have their contacts. Of course, all that comes just because of what I do.

What are some of the lessons learned from doing this?

I would say that there are different lessons learned from doing this. The major one for me would be to Innovate as you grow in terms of ideas.

I would also describe my experience in the sector as a journey. When I started, I did the funny kinds of stuff and gradually moved on to write articles. Along the line, I co-wrote a script for my short film. It is also a journey of discoveries. First, you think this is one thing that you are good at but whilst doing that, you begin to discover other things, other areas, and innate talents that show you are also very good with this and that. This develops your passion and creativity.

What are the new opportunities for you?

I think that would be working with different brands. I have worked with so many local and International brands. These are things that if I weren’t doing this, I would have had to do a lot of work to get these opportunities. It has opened different doors and I know that it is going to open more doors for me.

What is the secret of looking beautiful and radiant, all the time?

First, I would say good genes. Here, I have my mum, dad and God to thank for that. Interestingly, I don’t follow routines. For me, it is just basically toners, creams, and moisturizers and that is it. Of course, sunscreen is also very important on the list.

What about eating right? Do you have a specific food that works for you?

I am a foodie. I like food but I don’t eat too much. Here, I must say that discipline is important and you will know what works best for you that way. Exercise is also very important. I don’t work out but I like to do my daily two hours walk, four or five times a week. I also love to eat fruits. Watermelon is my favorite and I like Agbalumo which is actually seasonal. So, in place of agbalumo, I take watermelon often.

Let’s talk about your husband, is he also in the sector?

He is in the sector, doing tech by the side. He is the CEO of PRAX Media, a creative Agency where we connect brands to their target audience by creating content for them.

What are some of the other things that you share in common with him?

We are both home buddies, we like to stay indoors. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I remember that a lot of people were complaining about staying indoors, not going out. But that was the ideal scenario for us. We are obsessed with each other’s company. We like to stay at home.

A lot of young people complain that there are no jobs or little opportunities for them. What do you have to say about this?

Of course, there are so many opportunities. It just would not come as fast as they wanted. I left university about 8 years ago and I have been creating things since then. The truth of the matter is that it took a while before people started accepting me. A lot of people just want to come into content creation because they see the glamorous side of it or sometimes it is about the financial gains. From experience, I will say that you cannot do it for money and enjoy it. You have to do it from the passion side, whatever it is and then the money will look for you.

What did you study at the university?

I read Mass Communication and I have done two 9 to 5 jobs. My first job was with Cracks Media, where I did my National Youths Service. Then I moved on to work with DKM, another media organization that DBanj used to run. I don’t know if he still does that.

What are your memories working for Dbanj?

I worked at his company where I met him one on one

He was a great boss. He was always interested in his staff, and he influenced and motivated us in different ways. He is a superstar and when you see what he is doing, you tell yourself that if DBanj can do it, then you can do so as well.

Are you also interested in Music? Is it a calling?

( Laughs). Well, I used to think that I would sing or go into music when I was young. But, I think that ship has sailed. Interestingly, one lesson that I have learned in the past is Never say Never.

How has doing all this helped your entrepreneurship journey?

It has been a very great eye-opener that working with celebrities influences you. You see people doing different things and you are motivated to think that if these people can do certain things, you can also do the same.

What kind of books do you like to read?

I read books a lot. I love to read memoirs and fictional books. Reading biographies can be very inspirational. You learn a lot reading about people’s lives, their experiences. Interestingly, some of the things I learned from all the books is that there is no straight path to whatever you want in life.

Are there women that you see as role models?

There are lots of women doing a lot of great stuff out there that I admire. The list includes Viola Davis and Michelle Obama and to bring it back home, I admire people like Kemi Adetiba and Sola Shobowale. There are so many great women inspiring others out there.

May 14, 2023
Look forward to fulfilling years under Tinubu – Bishop Williams

Presiding Bishop of Christ Vessels of Grace Church Inc, as well as the National Coordinator, Integrity Ministers International Ministry Incorporated (IMIM), Bishop Kayode Williams believes in the unity of the country despite all its imperfections. Little wonder as one of the staunch supporters of President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has come hard on clerics who have been fanning the embers of war and division in the country over the outcomes of the 2023 general elections. He spoke with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf. Excerpts

As a staunch supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who even went as far as prophesying his victory ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries and the general elections, how do you react to certain clerics in some quarters spewing hate speech, calling for cancellation of the entire process?

When God speaks it is very clear. God revealed to me at the time that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is His choice for Nigeria for the 2023 general elections. There is no controversy in God’s words, neither is God is an author of confusion. Never. All I have to say is that all those who think they can spoil the work of God cannot succeed. Never. Personally, I think it’s rather sad that supposed men of God have been heating up the polity ever since the 2023 general elections were concluded. Many of them have assumed the position of God cursing, swearing and proclaiming doom for the country. My question is this, why are they playing God? A winner has emerged from the election already. Yes, they don’t like the choice of the president-elect. No problem. But is it enough to rain curses on the country and its people? No. Why not allow the court to decide the fate of all the contenders? God said that He will discipline some of them because He doesn’t want them to die now so that they will see the glory of God in Nigeria, a new Nigeria. He said that He will punish them for misleading the people, for saying God said what when God has not spoken. You need to listen to what some people are saying that they will burn Nigeria. Majority of them have become demonic. God said that I should go and warn them that any man of God that said that there will be confusion on that day May 29th, He said that I should tell them that He will put confusion in their midst. God said that there will be no bloodshed. God said that Nigeria will be congratulated worldwide. God will use Tinubu to turn around Nigeria’s fortunes for good. God said that those of us that are ministers of gospel should return to our first love, which is preaching the gospel and not to become ministers more concerned about who is building the biggest cathedral, where is the spirituality? People are now worshiping them (pastors) and idolizing them. They are not worshipping God again, so God said that He is not happy with them, and He is ready to visit His wrath upon them.

Against the atmosphere of tension over the May 29th handover date, there are fears in some quarters that some people are planning to install an interim government in place of a democratically elected government. Are these fears valid or unfounded?

May 29th will be hitch-free so sayeth the Lord. Nigeria will be great. On the 29th of May, Nigeria will be great to the glory of God’s kingdom. So, Nigerians should not be afraid because Nigeria will experience the touch and move of God, it will appear like when the dove came down with a prophetic message from God. God said that there will be no coup, it will be a smooth transition. Nigeria will be peaceful. Just like God said before the elections He said that there will be uproar, upheavals and threats, tension and so forth, yet Tinubu will emerge the winner at both the primaries and the general elections because he is the next president of Nigeria. I was really disturbed when the revelations first came to me. But I don’t play with God. Why should I play with God that saved me from the prison dungeon? He saved me and brought me out to raise me for His kingdom. Listen to what some people are saying that they will burn Nigeria, but God said that Nigeria will be congratulated worldwide. He said that He will bless Tinubu with long life and sound health; that people that are exaggerating about Tinubu’s health saying things that they do not know, should just watch and will see how God will use Tinubu to turn Nigeria around. Nigeria will so change that it will be competing with Dubai, people marvel at the greatness of the country that God will bring through Tinubu’s administration. He will use Tinubu to lift Nigeria to a greater height that the critics will be baffled. That all the people that have turned themselves to demigods, He has finished them. God said that He will use Tinubu to turn things around and we will have a new dawn in the country.

There is a lot of anticipation as to what will be since you already said the inauguration will be hitch-free. Now, what would you like to see within the first 100 days of Tinubu in office as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

Within four days of his inauguration, Tinubu will come out with people who will show that it is a government of integrity, and they will work well to improve the economy of the country. God Has said He will give him (Tinubu) the energy to pick the right people to join him to do the work. He will touch so many areas that will rebuild the nation and put it on the spotlight. The inauguration will be heavenly celebrated. Among the proposals of the renewed hope which is in itself prophetic divine message meaning that God has a hand in it. In fact, the programme Tinubu is going to implement is a divine step socioeconomically. It will be followed by the will power of governance to translate. As I said earlier, note that the first four days he will come out with people which will show that it is a government of integrity, though people will say some of them have been in government before, but they will work well to improve the economy of the country. Indeed, it is a new dawn in the history of Nigeria as we usher in a government truly people-oriented, committed, passionate and ready to serve the public good. I see Tinubu doing lots of positive things across Nigeria and nobody will be left out of the massive project for Nigeria renewal under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Should Nigerians look forward to fulfilling years under a Tinubu presidency?

Surely, we all should look forward to a greater country. In Lagos state for instance, we have seen the good work of the current administration who’s going to take over from himself. Like Lagos that will benefitting from the divine glory, the rest of Nigerians too will prosper beyond measure. Lagos is extremely lucky. There is no gainsaying the fact that the young man (Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu) there is God’s agenda for Lagos State. Thankfully, he has also been surrounded by people who can do it but all he needs to do is to open his eyes more to look for new talents that will also join him. As they say, you don’t change the winning team. What do you mean by the winning team? Even in football it is when they start shopping for new players that they pay for that they begin to lose. All I am saying is that there are people with greater talents that are flourishing unseen in the jungle of the world, and they are very close to the seat of power but have not been given the opportunity, yet they have the capacity. let Lagos tap into the unseen, forgotten talents that have not worked for him before. Creativity is what we need now that is what Lagos needs. Whenever Tinubu talked, he talked about Lagos, he did not abuse Buhari; he was so intelligent. He told people that this is a renewed hope. So, we are expecting loaded actions from all states even the PDP states will cross over.

May 14, 2023