The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • The prophetic ministry of Isaiah (5)

    In our last write-up titled number 5, we discussed on the six woes’ statement, made by God through Prophet Isaiah, concerning the recalcitrant people of Judah, which had quickened their being taken into captivity in Babylon. Today we will continue on the prophesies of that great prophet of the old, as detailed in chapter six.

    Chapter six

    This chapter, which was where Isaiah was formally commissioned and called, is even more important because, a king in Judah, which God had exalted, who later became arrogant and disobedient, had just died. Verses 1-4 were on the happenings, when King Uzziah, the 10th king of Judah (the southern kingdom) died. He was just sixteen (16) years, when he was saddled with the responsibilities of succeeding his father. He was honoured, popular, and sought the face of God, but he could not differentiate between kingship and priesthood. He delved into priesthood and paid for it (check my book: Sanctuary Message Volume 1, for details about Uzziah, who was also called Azariah or Ozias; II Kings 14:21-22; Matthew 1:8-9; II Chronicles 26).

    Verses 1-4 say ‘In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King. The Lord of hosts”.’

    This chapter was where seraphs were mentioned in the bible, and it showed the importance of the two angels that are called twin-angels, for they perform similar roles in the presence of Almighty God. In book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were sent out from the Garden of Eden, and Cherubs were detailed to guide Eden. The same function was performed by the Seraphs, when king Uzziah disappointed God through disobedience.

    Meanwhile, have we as individuals and nations not disappointed God? Let us consider these cases:

    Case 1: A man was looking for work, he sought the face of God, and God provided what he desired for him. After he has got what he wanted, he started making excuses behind his not coming to worship God regularly again. How he has now been promoted, and he could not afford to fail his boss, yet he can afford to fail God, by not having the time to serve Him.

    Case 2: A poverty-stricken man prayed that God should shower mercy upon him, he cried to God, and became very rich. After becoming wealthy, he used his money on paganism, performing all kinds of rituals, so he can have ‘dominion over his enemies and live long’; he spends millions on weekly parties, blocking the roads from other users; spending his money on prostitution; complains that the churches and mosques in his street are now noise makers, disturbing his peace; he encouraged his children to be disorderly in the society etc. He has forgotten where he started from. He no longer remembers to contribute to work of God, and questions the rationale behind the payment of tithes for ‘it is the pastors that will spend the money’

    Case 3: A woman that has been married for many years without issues, prayed to God, and she became a mother. Thereafter, he pampered the children for ‘I knew what I went through before getting these children’. ‘It is not compulsory that the children should be mandated to serve God’. This is because, ‘we are in the modern world’ – ‘the century when children are allowed to decide on their own, even how and when to serve God’. She has indeed forgotten where she was coming from.

    Meanwhile, whilst the seraphs came out to worship God, to proclaim to the world His awesomeness and omnipotence, Isaiah that had felt disturbed saying he was unclean and should not have been privileged to see the King of kings, was now commissioned to serve as the prophetic mouthpiece to send messages to the people of Judah. In verse 6-8, one of the seraphs with a live coal in his hand, flew to Isaiah, and put the item taken from the altar into his (Isaiah’s) mouth, for cleansing. Thereafter, God requested from the prophet, the man that would be available to go to the people of Judah to warn them, in which prophet Isaiah answered ‘Here am I, Send me’.

    In the subsequent verses (9-13); God was already annoyed with the people of Judah; He wanted to make their heart like that of Pharaoh; He wanted them to pay for their lack of trust in Him; He wanted them to know that He has been the one saving them from the hands of the Syrians, Amalekites and Philistines of this world; He wanted their hearts hardened, so they can serve the imminent punishment, as it was done to Uzziah.

    Relationship of this chapter with contemporary nations of the world

    Have we all not forsaken God of hosts? America and European countries of today, allowed the freedom of their society to encourage immoralities like homosexuality, lesbianism, as against the commandments of God, but one thing is very sure, America can never ignore the nation called Israel. They have utilised their God given gift to improve the welfare of ordinary American. Nigeria is a blessed nation, with mineral resources, but what have we achieved with such divine gifts? Morally, we are better than many European and American nations; but why have those moral standings and religious beliefs not assisted us in fighting corruption and wastefulness in governance. Do we need to be told that, God has made us in this black nation, to embrace Christianity more than those that brought it to this side of the universe? Then why has this not transformed into physical purity. The reason is that, we have been speaking from both sides of our mouth. In Philosophy, there is what is called ‘Intellectual Midwifery’, meaning ‘all has knowledge, but only need to be guided’. Who will now guide us to properly utilise our God-given resources to the benefit of the populace? May we not be punished like the old nation of Judah, Amen.

     

    Prayer point

    Pray that God should not allow the earthly things to take you away from His Kingdom.

    Comments and enquiries to +2348060572904, motailatusanctuarychurch@ yahoo.com

  • Christ Embassy rehabilitates Lagos clinic

    Christ Embassy International Ministries has rehabilitated a healthcare clinic in the Lekki axis of Lagos State in furtherance of its commitment to charities.

    The event, which attracted faith-based organisations, civil society groups and community development associations, was a major highlight of the Reach-Out Nigeria, an annual evangelical outreach of the church.

    Indigenes of Owode and Addo communities where the healthcare facility is located, welcomed the gesture, saying it is a value-added initiative that will boast the standard of their living.

    The head of the clinic, Mr. Oyekanmi, applauded the quality of work done at the health centre.

    He said: “This place was not habitable at all before the renovation. The walls were cracking and the paint on the wall had peeled off but all of that is not visible anymore and we appreciate their help because this will attract more patients.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Toyin Quadri, commended the efforts of the church but appealed for more government support.

    According to her: “I am really happy to see that this church has come to help us but the thing is that we need doctors here.

    “If an emergency happens at night, we will not have anybody to rush to except the nurses here and we would like that to change.”

    The event, a collaboration between Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (CATHS), a DFID-funded project, according to Esther Samson, has been a boost for the health facility.

    Justifying the need for the project, chairman, Reach-Out Nigeria, Pastor Williams Adedeji, said: “The rehabilitation was a mandate given to us by Rev. Chris Oyakhilome when he asked us to go to our community and celebrate independence by doing something impactful for them.”

  • ‘The problems with today’s church’

    ‘The problems with today’s church’

    The General Overseer of Restoration Bible Church, Kaduna and President of the Mercy Home Orphanage, Maternity and Vocation Centre, Rev. Tunde Bolanta, spoke to Tony Akowe on the challenges of ministry in the last 25 years

    How did it all start?

    The ministry started in November, 25 years ago, even though I have been in ministry longer than that and I have every course to give thanks to God. The important thing is that we followed the blueprint that was prepared for us. We can only be thankful and not boastful because it is by God’s mercy that we are not consumed.

    Many expected you to join the Nigerian Baptist Convention since that is your background. Why did you decide to start the church?

    I was raised in the Baptist Church, a very good church movement and I owe a lot to them. I had a very good foundation in the word of God. My father was a deacon in the Baptist Church. I went to Baptist primary and secondary school and so, I am Baptist in my formation.

    I had an encounter with God when I started reading the Bible and I realised that on the day of Pentecost, something happened to the disciples. Then I started having the desire that if the Apostles had to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, I also needed the Holy Spirit in my life. I just started praying at home when one day, I experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

    I actually thought that I was the only one who had that encounter and I didn’t know where to go because it was very foreign to my theology at that time. So, I went to meet one foreign missionary woman, a Danish, who was our neigbour and told her what had happened to me and she told me that she heard that people still received the gift of the Holy Spirit but she didn’t know much about it.

    I also remember that there was another Baptist boy who I felt should know something about it, and I spoke with him about it. Somehow, I got involved with another Christian fellowship that embraced such teaching and that was where I started moving in another direction because at that time, it was not something that was well embraced in the area where I was raised.

    With that and other encounters when the Lord released me into ministry, I knew that this was an emphasis. I did not want to establish a church or ministry. I went into full time ministry in September 1986 and I started my own ministry in January 1987, and later that year, in November, I started the church. In between that period, I was doing crusades and evangelism in East Africa. I travelled a lot in that area and later the Lord said I should set up a church and raise leaders. I actually did not want to establish a church. With this type of experience, an appointment was set up for me and I met the late Pa LG Elton who was one of the fathers of the pentecostal movement in Nigeria, and he prophesied on me and most of the things that we are doing right now were prophesied by him in 1986.

    I said to him, ‘Papa, please send me to one of your children in ministry who is older and more matured in ministry. I am just a young man just coming up and I am not sure if I am ready for this task.’ But he shocked me. He said to me, ‘the Lord wants you to go on your own.’ It was like a bombshell because I did not think I was qualified. When I left him, the Lord opened the doors in East Africa and I began to minister there. When I was planning to go and consult him again to know whether I was on track, he had died and the Lord confirmed to me that I should not build on another man’s foundation. With all humility, I must say that we started very little and gradually, the Lord began to encourage us.

    Twenty-five years down the line, what have been your major challenges?

    We have always been growing and the buildings have always been too small. We are here today and run four services and our branches are growing. For me, my quest has not been numbers, but to build men and women for God. The Bible says that on the last day, our work will be tested by fire. It does not make sense for you to Pastor 5,000 people and at the end of the day, God says only 20 of them are of quality.

    One of the challenges that we are also facing is the challenge of the nation. If you look very well, you will discover that there is high level of corruption in the nation and majority of this is in the church. People have itching ears and don’t want to hear sound gospel. A lot of our gospel work in Nigeria today is built on shaky foundation.

    It is all about quick result and we are no longer taking time to build men, and when you want to build quality men, people challenge you. Just like we say, something of quality in the market can be expensive and people will prefer to go for cheaper things because they don’t want to pay the price for more expensive ones. Unfortunately, the Christianity of today is built around the man of God, but we are attempting to build it around God so that every child of God knows how to find God for themselves.

    Today, Christianity has been reduced to modernised herbalists, which is not built on the word of God. We have all kinds of services today in our churches while the word of God is relegated to the background. It is now all about the handkerchief, the oil, etc and when you build on this, the foundation is not solid. The place we are in this nation today, we need every Christian to know God.

    How did you come about setting up an orphanage, especially when churches are not known to venture into such areas?

    In the early part of our ministry, my wife and I worked a lot in Denmark and helped to break a lot of grounds. We had it in our heart that we were supposed to touch lives. We had the opportunity of seeing some social works in a place they called Betesta which is a rehabilitation centre. We went in there to see what they were doing. We knew we were supposed to do something to touch lives in our society and so we started praying because you can’t be in an environment like Nigeria and do nothing.

    When I shared the vision with some people, they felt it would be a drain pipe. It is quite expensive and we have spent a lot. When we started initially, we had to put quite a lot of money from our pocket and we still do that and then God began to raise people from the church here and some of our friends outside. As a church, a percentage of our income every week goes to the orphanage and that is why when you look at the children, they don’t look like orphans. There is also a primary and secondary school for them. Some Muslims have come to give us money for the orphanage and that is when you know that something is from God.

    When we first started, we had so many problems, and I did not tell anybody about it but only prayed about it. One Muslim woman came with the exact amount of money that we needed. Our signboard had even been removed and it took her sometime to locate the place. That raised the faith of the staff working there. We also have a clinic there where we have delivered over 3,000 babies. It is challenging, but it also gives us joy. Before we built the orphanage’s primary and secondary schools, we were sending them to schools outside. I just woke up one day and said we were spending too much money sending them to school outside and the Lord told me to start something. I told one of the boys working with me then to start the foundation and the boy told me, ‘oga, there are no blocks,’ and I told him that the ‘Lord said dig.’ They started digging and laughing and one woman came there for something else and saw us digging. She gave us some blocks with which we started the building. That is faith and I have always said that when you work in faith, you don’t need to manipulate the people because God responds to faith.

    It has not been easy, especially when you know that there are people around and one phone call can solve your problem. That is why sometimes, established ministries can have problem because you will keep going to men without allowing God to talk to these men. You become the Holy Spirit challenging them day and night, and sometimes when it is too much, they run away. So, we have seen the hand of God there.

    What are your plans for the next 25 years if Jesus tarries?

    If Jesus tarries, the blue print is in His hand. We hope to continue to touch lives. There are things that God has revealed to us which we have written down. We have the Hope Village, which we are developing right now for different things; we also have a new sanctuary which we are building.

    I hope to continue to go to the nations because one of the callings on my life is to go to the nations to encourage ministers. We have the Ministers Apostolic Network International where we encourage ministers. We are not trying to build an empire because it is all about the Kingdom of God. When you get to Heaven, you will not see a Restoration Church or Baptist or Anglican or any other church. It is just going to be a Kingdom.

  • Mission agency awards scholarship to 730

    No fewer than 730 indigent students from 16 states have been awarded scholarship by Heal The World Mission Incorporation.

    President of the organisation, Pastor Babatola Olukilede, said: “The foundation aims to uplift the lives of orphans, widows, the aged and the under-privileged in the society.

    “Today, we are giving out free scholarship to 730 children in 16 states across Nigeria.

    “We recently inaugurated World Changers Club, as a platform for leadership and career mentoring for students and we are planning to embark on sensitisation tour of natural disaster affected areas.”

    Speaking further, he said: “The award ceremony is also to recognise and encourage Nigerians who have contributed to human development in the society through their financial and moral supports.”

    Some of the recipients are the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Samson Balogun; Oba Isiaka Oyero of Ketuland and Chief Cyril Apokaka.

  • Kissing Femi Jacobs was strictly professional —Linda Ejiofor

    Kissing Femi Jacobs was strictly professional —Linda Ejiofor

    Up and coming actress Linda Ejiofor is not new on TV. Famed for her role in popular TV soap Tinsel, Bimpe, as she’s fondly called by her fans, is new Nollywood sweetheart. The actress who landed her first movie role recently in a movie called The Meeting has been enjoying attention from all quarters. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, Linda speaks about her foray into the world of make believe, her role in the long-running soap opera, Tinsel. She also talks about her experience on her first movie set:

     

    BEFORE Tinsel, what were you doing?

    I was fresh out of school so I went into modelling part-time. While I was doing that, my friend told me about the audition for Tinsel. I didn’t want to do it at first because my dream was to come out of school, work in an advertising agency, behind the desk, 9 to 5 but my friend encouraged me to go for this because she said it’s good money and it’s Mnet. Being the kind of person I am, though just out of school, I was greatly independent. I decided to go to the audition so that at least I won’t have to ask my parents for money. I went for the audition and I guess I impressed them. That was how I landed the role Bimpe on Tinsel.

    Why were you skeptical about going for the role?

    I was skeptical because I had done three months in University of Ibadan studying Theatre Art. My elder brother was the one who bought me the form for Theatre Art. My dad asked me to come out because no daughter of his’ will become an actress. He was strongly against it. I kept begging him because I was already enjoying it within three months but he insisted I stopped and I came out of UI. Sometime after that, my friend told me about acting. By then I was past eighteen. I felt I was old enough to make a decision and just tell my parents. If they think it’s right then, fine. I first went to my mother. She was fully behind me or I was behind her (laughs). She went to meet my dad and spoke to him that he should let me do it. At first she didn’t want it herself but I convinced her, that acting was something I loved to do. She spoke to my dad who then looked at Pete Edoche, Olu Jacobs, RMD, Joke Silva, Rita Dominic, and all the good people and acting good roles. That was when he allowed me go for it. Today, my father is very proud of me. He points at me, saying ‘that’s my daughter. She’s Bimpe on Tinsel. She’s in another movie called The Meeting.’

    When I first saw you in Tinsel, my first impression was that who is this girl with a ‘sharp mouth’? Is your mouth that ‘sharp’ in reality?

    Yes, but in a way, the writers made me this. I’ve been stuck. I was shy but the writers made me like the character. I’ve been shooting that character for four years so it has to be me. I have to be like her. I don’t even rehearse. If I read a script now, I just know how she’s going to say it. I know how she’s going to act it and how funny it’s going to look or sound. So I just go and do it. When I’m with my friends and I talk, they always get surprised.

    Don’t you scare the guys away with your ‘sharp mouth’?

    No, I don’t drive guys away with my mouth. Don’t you think guys like girls who talk? I don’t know any guy who likes a girl who just keeps quite and doesn’t talk. So, please, let me talk.

    It is said that you are the longest running cast member on Tinsel. Tell us about the experience.

    Playing Bimpe role has been a blessing because I walk on the street and people scream when they see me. I didn’t use to have that reaction. I smile and wave. Even if I’m in a bad mood, I have to wave. They are my fans. They are the ones putting me here now. It has been a blessing. I get called up for other jobs because of the character and because of how I’ve played it. That was how I got called for The Meeting.

    Could you tell us about the other jobs the Bimpe character has fetched you?

    I did a short film. I am in the movie Heroes and Zeros which was recently premiered. I am also in The Meeting. My first major movie is The Meeting.

    What is the difference between you and Bimpe?

    We have one major difference; I’m not a dumb blonde. I’m not stupid. Bimpe is clueless.

    Don’t you sometimes get bored acting the same character for four years?

    I’m still loving Bimpe, so there is no sign of boredom at all, not even the slightest inch of it. If the next script comes out and it’s a Bimpe character, I will jump at it. I love that girl. There is no time for boredom. Even for other characters there is no time for boredom.

    Does your contract prevent you from doing other soaps?

    Yes. I can’t do soaps but I can do movies. I’m allowed to do movies.

    It must be very financially rewarding then

    It’s okay. I’m not complaining.

    Being on the set of Tinsel for four years, have you taken a liking to a particular person?

    I like everybody, they are all my friends. We are like one big family. Everybody likes everybody. I can’t point out who I like more. We are all friends. We go out together, we hang out together. We watch movies together.

    When I visited the set, I noticed your closeness with Chris Attoh…

    Chris is my friend. He’s in a serious relationship, so know that I don’t take a special liking to him.

    What was the experience like on your first movie set, The Meeting?

    With movie it was a different experience all together. Soap is multi-camp while movie is one camp. Apart from the fact that on Tinsel, I’ve been playing this character for about four years, movie set is something I’m getting to know, so I have to go everyday for rehearsals, get to know the character, talk about it with director, Mildred Okwo. She’s an intense director who wants the best. She would sit us down and ask the characters to relate. You have to love your character if Mildred Okwo is preaching it to you. She will ask you if you love your character. And when you tell her, she will ask if there is anything you want to add to your character.

    Before The Meeting, you probably had your perception about Nollywood. Has it changed in anyway?

    I had the perception that Nollywood movies were not really doing well but when Mildred called me, I read the script and saw that it has a fantastic storyline with A-list actors on the movie. With what she went through to make this movie a success, my perception has changed. I think Nollywood is going somewhere. They are going far.

    What did you see in the script that makes the storyline fantastic?

    It touches several aspects of the Nigeria life from political, economic, artistic, love and others. What I love more is the political aspect. It is something every Nigerian can relate with. I could actually put my money on it because it will be a blockbuster.

    Could it be that playing the supporting lead is the catch for you?

    Trust me, playing supporting lead wasn’t the catch. What caught me at first was that I had to work with Mildred because she’s a producer to reckon with. Also

    I had to work with Rita Dominic, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Femi Jacobs. I’ve worked with him on Tinsel before, so I know how he acts. I had to work with Kate Henshaw. The second thing which caught me was the storyline. I wouldn’t say yes to any job if the story wasn’t fascinating. That was what caught me. I played Ejira, a girl in her 20s who lives in Abuja. She’s chic, mischievous, down-to-earth, and smart. She can also be unpredictable, opinionated and not afraid to say her mind.

    Was it challenging for you to interpret?

    I didn’t really have any challenge interpreting the role because the director, Mildred made it easy for us. If she had any problem with the way you interpret a particular scene she just tells you. I didn’t have to fidget because she tells me to relax and enjoy the scene. Maybe I would have had challenges interpreting the role but with the likes of Mildred, Rita, Nse and Kate my fears were completely gone. The entire cast made me comfortable. That’s where I learnt the true meaning of that the maxim, never judge a book by its cover. It’s so true because they are all nice people. I was comfortable with them. They helped me with researching about my character.

    With a lot of up and coming actresses out there, why do you think you were picked?

    I think they saw what they think Ejira had in me, the down-to-earth, mischievous part of me. They looked at me and said that’s our Ejira. That was how I landed the role.

    For an up and coming actress, one will say you’ve started off on a very good foot. So what will inform your decision to pick up a script?

    If the script doesn’t stereotype me as Bimpe, I will pick it. I don’t want to play a Bimpe. I want something challenging. I would pick a script if the story is good.

    So right now, what is your dream role?

    I’ve always wanted to try a role that has to do with multi-personality disorder. Acting two three people at the same time is not easy but it’s something I would love to play because I think being good is overrated. Too many people are playing good roles. So let me do something else.

    So, what was it like kissing Femi in The Meeting?

    Femi na my paddy now. No be lips-to-lips? I kissed him and there was nothing to it. We are friends. We were friends before The Meeting. We were cool and comfortable with it.

    Does that mean there was no chemistry?

    There was. There had to be chemistry for us to be cast together. We are both professionals so it didn’t go beyond that. He’s my friend and I’m his friend.

    Apart from acting, what are your other interests?

    I model part-time.

    What did you study in school?

    Sociology

    How has it helped you with your acting career?

    If I can’t study a person’s character, how would I be able to act the person? I have to sit down, study someone before I can interpret them. Sociology actually helps me because it’s the study of man and his environment, how the society affects the man and the man affect the society.

    Presently you are enjoying the attention of featuring in a Nollywood movie. As you know it does come with its own pain as time goes by…

    When I get to that bridge I will cross it, but by the grace of God I won’t get any scandals.

    What other things are in the pipeline for you in terms of movies?

    There are some scripts I have right now but I can’t talk about them yet because I don’t know if I would get the role. I have to go for a reading first, but the scripts are there.

  • Untrained leaders are ruining the nation, says Adeyemi

    Untrained leaders are ruining the nation, says Adeyemi

    The founder of Daystar Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has attributed the dearth of quality leaders in the nation to absence of leadership institutes.

    He lamented that leaders in Nigeria are never trained and prepared, but expected to perform.

    Adeyemi spoke last week ahead of the annual Excellence in Leadership conference of the church with the theme “the making of a leader’’.

    According to him: “Our challenge is that we do not train leaders in Nigeria. There are no accredited institutions that teach leadership.“

    He said it would be wrong to blame leaders for non-performance since they were never trained.

    “Before we blame our leaders and accuse them of incompetence, we must ask ourselves if we trained them. Who mentored and modelled them?”

    He said those in public offices are already too late to be trained because “many things are thrown at them.”

    The cleric added: “They don’t even have time to rest and read let alone think.”

    This lack of leadership training, he informed, is why the institute has been at the vanguard of preparing future leaders.

    Over 20,000, according to him, have been graduated in the last 10 years. The conference holds from November 9-11.

  • Abiye Day convention in Ede

    God will work’’ is the theme of this year’s edition of Abiye day convention of the Christ Apostolic Church Oke Baba Abiye Ede, Osun state.

    The convention holds from November 14-16 with daily vigils at the popular prayer mountain.

    No fewer than 20,000 participants are expected at the event that will feature intensive prayers and word ministrations.

    Invited speakers include Dr Francis Bola Akin-John, Pastors Segun Olatunde and Bisi Akande, among others.

    Presiding pastor of the church, Funso Akande, assured that God will move in a mighty, unprecedented manner among participants.

  • ‘Why prayer alone will not save Nigeria’

    ‘Why prayer alone will not save Nigeria’

    The senior pastor/founder of Royal House of Grace International Church, Port Harcourt, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, is a rare preacher with intense passion for national transformation. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on how to fix the nation and how the church can fill the missing link

    Why do you hardly grant media interviews?

    Well, I am not one of the media freaks around. I am just there as a Nigerian. I love my country passionately, praying in my own little way that God will work through the minds and the hearts of all Nigerians.

    Do you mean all Nigerians, not just the leaders?

    No, not at all. The mistake we always make in Nigeria is that we always put the blame on leaders and leadership. That is where we make a big mistake. We define leadership wrongly and until there is a new orientation of what I call the people’s power, we won’t make much progress. The people believe that it is leadership that has the power and so we must blame the leadership for everything. Until the people know that the power lies with them and not the leadership, we won’t move forward. Everyone in leadership is supposed to serve you and be answerable to you. But we don’t seem to believe and think like that.

    Isn’t that because Nigerians have been pauperised and battered to the point that they no longer believe anymore in themselves?

    It is not about that. It is about our orientation that should change. We have to change what we tell people in the churches, schools and religious organisations, particularly the universities. The moment there is a new orientation and people begin to think differently, then they will act differently. But once what we are telling them is wrong, they will do the wrong thing. I will give you an example. Many years ago, the Ayatollah community was exiled and sent to France while the Seer of Iran was in Iran ruling. Ayatollah stayed in Paris, talked into tapes and sent them to Iran until the people were indoctrinated and they removed the Seer. So, it is a question of indoctrination. On December 1983, General Buhari and Idiagbon overthrew the government of Shehu Shagari and do you know in 20 months, Nigerians were indoctrinated on War Against Indiscipline (WAI)? They stopped throwing things on the roads. So, I do believe that the moment the academics and religious leaders develop what I call the transformation theology, then it can be taught in marketplaces, religious houses and government circles, we can change this country. The lecturer on campus wields tremendous influence. The people believe so much in the man behind the pulpit. So, when they combine, change will come. But the challenge is what are pastors telling people?

    Okay, how do you assess messages coming from the pulpits lately?

    Look, I believe in the Bible. I believe there is an Old Testament. Some parts of that are very relevant to the New Testament. I believe completely in the New Testament. But I am a little bit worried when we begin to teach more on miracles and prosperity. There must be something wrong with the kind of prosperity being preached today where only very few men, especially those of us at the pulpit, are prosperous. I believe in a prosperous nation and not a prosperous individual. If I am the only prosperous man around, I am a poor man really. I do believe in miracles and prosperity but there is a teaching on prosperity that is misleading people. If we are not careful, the religious sector will preach miracles to the point that we would only look to heaven for everything. I can tell you this: The people in Japan do not pray or hold all-night meeting, yet Toyota brands are everywhere. The economy there is incredible. The people in Dubai do not hold anointing and miracle services like we do, yet in 25 years a desert has become the attraction of the whole world. So, the question I ask myself is it that the God of heaven and earth is so deaf with all the volumes of prayers we offer in this country? I am not saying it is wrong. I live my life praying. Or are there something we are supposed to do that we are not doing? Are there things we should do that we are asking God to do for us? Let me tell you, God will not sweep the streets of Lagos for us. He will not build skyscrapers or world-class airports for us. We have got to do those things for ourselves. Another thing we do is we criticise leadership without providing alternative. Criticise with alternative propositions.

    So, prayer alone cannot save Nigeria?

    No, it will not. It has not fixed any nation. Prayers won’t fix the bad roads. It won’t give us airlines. This is the 13th year of the new millennium but we are still using generators and polluting the environment. We are the highest importer of generators in the whole world. We are still importing petroleum products when our refinery in Kaduna is the largest in Africa. We produce 2.7 million barrel of oil every 24 hours. If you multiply it, we are getting over N37 billion every 24 hours. Why do we import what we have? So, if it is only prayers, believe me we have prayed enough. There is something else we have not done. We have to go back to the primary and secondary schools up to the university and start teaching patriotism, time management, positive values, hard work, excellence and others. Another rising generation will begin to think differently. The role models we have are those with questionable wealth and we make them chairmen of occasions and offer them chieftaincy titles. So, the average man growing up believes if he gets money anyhow, he will be celebrated. So, while we are praying, we need to change what we are teaching people in our churches.

    At what point did the church miss it?

    In the 70s, there was massive teaching on holiness and righteousness without prosperity. When the message of prosperity came, it overtook all the relevant doctrines of the church. There are some pastors today who never underwent discipleship. They can get born again in January and do 90-day crash Bible teaching. They start pastoring in the next 6 months. Do you think any medical school will graduate a student in 6 months or even years? Today, we produce pastors in 90 days. Someone who has this background will do a shoddy job. Until we realise this, we are doomed. We must disciple people irrespective of how powerful and rich they are. If a governor joins a church, he should undergo discipleship. If someone works in a brewery and is ordained a pastor, what will he preach? You can’t preach salvation to people on Sundays and from Mondays to Fridays you are busy brewing beer for people to drink. So, we must return to discipleship. We are teaching the good life but we must preach Christ.

    It’s amazing you hold these views. What was your salvation background like?

    I got saved on September 11 1985 when I was on my way to commit suicide. My legs and hands were rotten. I woke up that morning ready to kill myself but I went to the family’s library and saw a book written by Evangelist T.L Osborne titled The healing of Christ. I read it and surrendered to Christ. I woke up later and found my legs and hands were healed. I joined the Church of God Mission where I joined the believer’s class. My teachers were sound but I never knew God was going to call me. I never knew through pastoring, someone was going to buy me a car or build me a house. My foundation was never what I will get out of ministry. I was only preaching and God started blessing me. I have always known that holiness is a must. I am not a perfect man but I am still growing unto perfection. I want to see a transformed Nigeria that people will line up to get visa to come here. I have never seen a nation so blessed like Nigeria, apart from Israel and America. We call ourselves the giant of Africa but we don’t have a national carrier. So, we must not blame leadership but ourselves. I don’t belong to those who will derogatorily abuse leaders or gather youths to abuse them. I will rather gather ideas and send them to leaders.

  • Though I’m married, guys still chase me –Azeezat

    Though I’m married, guys still chase me –Azeezat

    Rhythm and soul diva, Azeezat Allen, fondly known as the Queen of Love, believes so much in love and is known to perform majorly love songs. The graduate of Mass Communication shared with ADETUTU AUDU her new role as a board member of Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, how she has been able to sustain her 10-year-old marriage in the era when divorce is the order of the day and why she has remained scandal-free.

     

    NOW that you are on the board of Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, what is the experience like?

    It has been a great experience, especially working with other members of the board, including the staff of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) to ensure that right owners are duly paid their entitlements. And come December 11, 2012, we will be distributing a staggering amount once again to right owners.

    It is also very challenging because many people still don’t understand the concept of copyright in Nigeria, and inculcating this into our culture seems a tall order. But we believe, and when you believe, you can achieve.

    Musically, what are you working on?

    Presently I’m at the post-production stage of my new video for ‘love without language’ aka ‘Damba’. I’m also putting together my new band, called ‘The Energy Band’

    Apart from music, what other things do you do?

    Apart from music, as you know, I’m a member of the board of COSON. I’m also the Assistant Coordinator of the Female Musicians’ Association of Nigeria. We are presently putting together several projects to further dignify the womenfolk in Nigerian music. For instance, we are putting together the Female Musicians’ Hall of Fame, and we are also working on the singular biggest archive of female artistes worldwide. Right now, it’s www.femannaija.- blogspot.com. Personally, I’m working on bringing back Hair’volution, my hair magazine, both online, TV and in prints.

    You are one of the few celebrities whose marriages have survived the test of time, what is your secret?

    My marriage is at the feet of the Almighty God, and anything you put at His feet, He doesn’t trample on. No, He uplifts and protects.

    What lessons has marriage taught you?

    Marriage has taught me to be closer to God, to put Him first before anything or anyone, tell Him everything. Also, marriage has taught me the importance of patience and the virtue in commitment.

    The hip-hop culture is fast eroding our cultural values, do you agree with this?

    Truth is, Nigeria is not living in isolation. We are affected by the world around us, and they are also affected by us. Even though we are doing hip hop, we are doing it our own way. That has given us headway in global music terrain. Don’t forget that many people in the western world are now wearing print pants or trousers that are inspired by our Ankara, dancing Azonto, and enjoying our brand of hip-hop music. So you can’t say hip hop is eroding our culture, but rather it is rebranding, dignifying and edifying it.

    What do you think is the problem of Nigerian music industry?

    I don’t really like to say that we have problems. In this life everything is a process. Anything that looks like a problem now in the Nigerian music industry is all part of our growing process. And we will definitely get there. The fact that Nigerian artistes can now collect royalties from the use of their musical works by radio and TV stations is something that long seemed like impossibility. But now it’s happening. It means other great things will come to pass; it is only a matter of time.

    Many have argued that if you had not married your manager who doubles as your hubby, your career would have gone far, what do you think?

    Hmmm, that’s interesting. Those people must have a crystal ball that is specially revealing my life to them.

    Describe your sense of style

    My sense of style is dictated by the principle of creative simplicity and comfort. My style is an extension of who I am, and who I am is creative, colourful, va va voom, yet simple.

    How have you remained scandal free?

    I was well brought up by my parents, especially my mom. She did a great job of training me. My mother is a no-nonsense woman, and though I’m no longer under her roof, she still would let me have it if I did anything untoward, so also my dad; Even my brothers and sisters, as a matter of fact my siblings. So if I get into a scandal, my whole world would fall apart because all my loved ones would turn their backs on me. I’m answerable to a lot of people, including God.

    What fashion item can’t you do without?

    Unbelievable, but it is true, my shea butter. Once it is missing from my collection, everything else scatters. It is multipurpose, you know. It is great for my skin, and wonderful for my health. That is beauty item. The fashion item I can’t do without will have to be my hair.

    What crazy thing has a fan done to you?

    I think it will be guys calling me and assuming that even though I’m married I would want to get down with them.

    You seem to love moving location, why?

    I’m a gypsy, honestly. Thank God I found someone who shares that interest with me. But to some extent, I’ve satisfied that craving.

  • Good night, Mama Sheila

    Good night, Mama Sheila

    Taiwo Abiodun, a reporter with The Nation on Sunday, met and interviewed the late Mrs. Sheila Solarin who passed on last Sunday several times. In this report he relives memories of his encounters with her.

     

    I shall pass through this world but once; any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show my fellow creature,

    Let me do it now, let me not defer it or neglect it

    For I shall not pass this way again.

    -Etienne De Grellet (1773-1855 )

    “Babalawo , do you have Tai Solarin’s children’s phone number? I heard that Mama Sheila is dead, please help us confirm,” Kofo Osagie, a colleague from the office, called me last Sunday. Immediately I heard the name Babalawo I knew it was from the office, for that is what my colleagues call me. Grief, shock and confusion enveloped me. It was shattering and it made me unstable. My handset almost dropped from my hand, it was as if I had been possessed by the Parkinson disease. I called Corin, she didn’t pick the call. It was strange of her not to pick my call. At this juncture I began to suspect what Kofo told me might be true. I decided to send a text asking her about Mama. In a jiffy, she in one word sent a text saying, “Confirmed.” Oh! It’s true, Mama is gone. I wept like a baby. This was the second time I would weep in my life. The first was when my mother died at 79.

    Adopted mother

    I broke down and tears cascaded down my cheeks. Mama dead? Few hours later, I started receiving calls from home and abroad asking me the full details and her last hours as if I was there when she breathed her last. When I got to the office the next day some of my colleagues including Joe Agbro Jr,, Udezie Edozie, Yemi Ajayi, Ronke Rafiu, and a host of others. Even my older brother Yemi Abiodun, called from Akure, among others to console me. In fact, I received over 30 calls. It was then I believed that I am one of her adopted children.

    Yes! I had interviewed her several times. I had spent a whole day with her times without number. In fact, we had become family members as I too shared my problems with her asides from the official job.

    I used to ask her many questions from the sensible to the nonsense, civilised to uncouth, foolish or wise, yet she would not turn me down. I have asked about her romantic life when she was young, the medical problem she ever faced and she told me it was cervical cancer. I told her that I am a friend to her parrot as I sighted the parrot in her house, she told me that we had that in common. I have demanded from her why she did not use walking stick at her age, and she replied “I don’t need it.” I have asked her why she kept Ghanaians, Togolese in her house, and she replied “What is wrong in that Taiwo? They are okay.”

    “Where is your pet dog Rosa?” I once asked her. I used to tell her that she was like the Nursery Rhyme of Mary’s lamb that goes with her anywhere Mary goes, but Mama would jocularly tell me that she was Sheila and not Mary and Rosa her dog was not a lamb, too. The giant dog, Rosa later died due to old age.

    I have asked her why she did not have a gate in her house [there is now] and she replied, “I have nothing thieves would steal here.” I once asked her who owns the herd of cows in the school and she replied, “They belong to my son, Tunde and that is his business, I keep to my house here, he too keeps to his business nobody disturbs another.” I remember I asked her why she uses eye glasses and hearing aids and she said “I cannot hear very well again and I cannot see very well. What of you Taiwo?”

    I remember she asked me to bring my twin brother if truly I am a twin, and I told her that my twin brother, Kehinde is still alive but in far away Canada. She said, “That is what Yoruba will say when they have no twin brother or sister again, anyway let us meet one day or do you want me to come to Owo?” she jocularly asked. I promised to bring my twin brother to her whenever he comes to Nigeria. Unfortunately, that would never happen again.

    Call her a stubborn agitator, tag her a non-realist. Label her an atheist, in fact, she was a humble woman and a gift to Nigeria and should be called the Biblical Deborah who fought for the Israelites.

    Anytime I mentioned the former military President General Ibrahim Babangida, she would say “I cannot forgive him. He contributed to my husband’s death. Babangida incarcerated my husband for months just because he was fighting for a just cause,” she would say.

    I asked her why she did not go to church one Sunday morning when I went to interview her, she responded “And why did you come here on Sunday morning when you know I should be in church. Church? I don’t go to Church. I am an atheist. I am always busy.” And when I told her it has been long since I went to Church she was excited. She gave me a parting gift, a book titled Humanism by Barbara Smoker. Apart from this I have eight books from her because she always gave at least one anytime I go there to interview her.

    She was simple, approachable, loyal, humble and down to earth, unlike the so called affluent and arrogant Nigerians whom you have to fill forms and wait endlessly to see.

    Till she died,Mama was still teaching old people how to read and write. She later abandoned the class and converted her motor garage into a classroom as she could no longer trek to the school again. Till her death, she used to mark errors found in newspapers, as she once confided in me that Nigerian papers are riddled with errors but they are trying.

    Now that I, sorry, we, have lost a mother, it is good for us all to give her the last respect and celebrate her. This was a woman who chose a lowly lifestyle for our sake. She left the comfort of Britain for Nigeria where the roads are bad, no electricity, no security of life and where there is no respect for human dignity.

    Goodnight Mama, Good night Tai’s wife.