Rev. Dr Felix Ilaweagbon Omobude is a statesman, renowned preacher, and General Superintendent of Gospel Light International Ministries (New Covenant Gospel Church). A former President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), which he led for eight years, Omobude is a firm believer in the Nigerian dream and an advocate for peaceful coexistence. His life’s work has been devoted to empowering people across all walks of life to contribute meaningfully to national progress.
In this interview, Ayoyinka Jegede, Omobude speaks candidly on pressing national challenges—from insecurity to political division—and offers practical solutions for rebuilding Nigeria.
Speaking on the relentless wave of banditry, killings, and nationwide insecurity, Omobude describes the situation as “beyond alarming.”
According to him, no sensible citizen can remain unconcerned when farmers can no longer access their lands, and people cannot travel freely.
He stresses that tackling insecurity requires joint effort.
“Every Nigerian must see insecurity as a collective problem. We must cooperate with security agencies and support every effort to restore peace.”
The clergy maintains that prayer remains the church’s contribution, but structural reforms are equally necessary. One of his strongest recommendations is the decentralisation of the police:
“Nigeria needs state police—and even local government police. The locals know their terrain; they understand the environment better than officers posted from far away.”
Although he acknowledges concerns that state police may be misused by politicians, he insists that clear legal frameworks can guard against abuse.
To him, decentralisation is essential to combating criminals who operate freely within local forests and communities.
Christians have suffered, but today no one is spared
Addressing claims that Christians are the primary targets of violence in northern Nigeria, Omobude notes that Christians have indeed paid a heavy price—especially during the early stages of insurgency when churches were targets.
However, he observes a shift, insisting that “These criminals are no longer sparing Muslims. Even mosques have been attacked recently.”
He warns that some criminals deliberately stoke religious tensions to destabilise the country, while politicians sometimes exploit religion for political gain. He calls for national unity and religious tolerance. “If God wanted Nigeria to be entirely Christian or Muslim, He could have made it so. We must respect His decision for us to live together.”
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On whether the government—past or present—has done enough to address insecurity, Omobude is unequivocal: “We cannot say the government is doing enough when insecurity is not declining.”
While he commends the sacrifices of the armed forces, he insists that the government must “take the war to the hideouts” of criminals and match their evolving strategies.
Omobude once identified three factors dragging Nigeria backwards: ethnicity, political partisanship, and religion. He believes these remain at the heart of Nigeria’s stagnation. “Nigeria needs a credible leader—one who is sincere, capable, and willing to make sacrifices. Tribe and religion should not be the basis for leadership choices.”
He warns against glamourising corrupt leaders simply because they share one’s tribe or religion, saying the politicisation of religion has hurt both evangelisation and national cohesion.
Assessing the current economy, Omobude speaks from the perspective of an ordinary Nigerian. “What ₦50 could buy two years ago, even ₦150 cannot buy today.”
He acknowledges the government’s decision to increase the minimum wage but argues that the cost of living—such as rice being about ₦100,000 a bag—overshadows wage increases.
He challenges leaders to ask themselves critical questions: Are the roads better? Is electricity available 24/7? Are hospitals better? Is healthcare affordable? Is the nation safer?
Leaders, he insists, must welcome constructive criticism and work to leave Nigeria better than they met it.
While acknowledging divisions among denominations, Omobude notes that true Christians—those who have received Christ—are united spiritually.
The way forward, he says, is to focus on shared Christian values and handle doctrinal disagreements “in love.”
Contrary to the belief that politics is too dirty for Christians, Omobude encourages Christian participation. “Gone are the days when we left politics to others. If it is dirty, we must go in and clean it.”
He admits that Christian politicians have not brought the level of change expected, but urges patience and continued engagement until positive influence increases.
Omobude believes Nigeria urgently needs reforms in institutions such as the judiciary, INEC, EFCC, and the police. “Without law and order, a nation goes nowhere. The judiciary must be independent. INEC must inspire confidence. The police must be trusted.”
He emphasises that true reform is when institutions outlive governments and operate without interference.
With rising hardship pushing more children onto the streets, Omobude warns that Nigeria risks nurturing a generation of frustrated, uneducated youths who may later turn against the country.
He proposes free and compulsory education from primary school to JSS3. Prosecution of parents who refuse to send their children to school, aside from the government intervention to bring street children into classrooms
“Any investment in education is the right investment. These children are the future—and the danger if we ignore them.”
In his closing remarks, Omobude calls for humility and responsibility from those in authority:
“A man can receive nothing unless it is given from heaven. Leaders are accountable to God and to the people who elected them.”
He urges Nigerians to hold leaders accountable and also contribute to nation-building. “The Americans built America. The Britons built Britain. Nigerians must build Nigeria.”
Urging unity, patriotism, and collective effort, he concludes, “We cannot remain beggars with our children migrating everywhere. We can turn this nation around by working with the government of the day and doing our part to make Nigeria a better place.”
