Stepping into the septuagenarian stage, Rev Wilson Adebogun Badejo, did not only dance physically to fiesta of praise songs, his inner man, no doubt, was jazzing literally to the outpouring of encomiums from fans at the occasion.
The celebration of the former General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria and founder/chairman of Wilson Badejo Foundation, at the Banquet Hall of Oriental Hotel, Lagos, recently, was a lesson woven in fanfare. And his old friends: one, from his previous farming business and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, were among the high profile guests who spoke about his exceptional qualities.
It was also a night of music and comedy with Demola, a stand-up comedian and Bayo Adesuyi who led the music ministration, but the message for society development, which the celebrant is known for was not lost in the merriment, as Bakare, who described the septuagenarian as a mentor and man of many parts, spoke on the theme: “The cure for extreme poverty and corruption in Nigeria.”
The lecture was not before a welcome address by Senior Pastor of Four Square Gospel Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Rev. Babajide Olowodola, and remarks by Obasanjo, who said he met the celebrant “in a ‘lowly profession’ of rearing chickens.”
Obasanjo who was chairman of the occasion, recalled that he had just left his throne as Nigerian military head of state, and Badejo, a veterinary doctor, was on hand to put him through the poultry business.
Obasanjo disclosed that their friendship spanned the transition of Badejo into a Church Minister, the period of his (Obasanjo) incarceration and demise of his ‘oppressor’, describing the celebrant as a man of God whose vicious prayers saw him through the dark times.
In his lecture at the occasion, Pastor Bakare noted that, “greed, not need, was the cause of corruption in the country.’
The cleric averred that corruption proceeded poverty and the two scourges feed off each other, adding that greed as against need leads to corruption.
He said: “How else does one explain the mysterious billions of naira, millions of dollars and thousands of pounds being unearthed in bizarre locations, including a soak-away pit, an empty apartment, and a cemetery? I understand from budget analyst that the monies traced to the former head of a parastatal could found major hydro and solar power projects, construct major roads and still purchase hundred units of 11kv transformers. That these funds were found idle in their hideouts indicates that they were diverted not to meet the need of the diverters but to serve their greed.”
He added that aside the fact that corruption denies citizens access to resources and opportunities, it encourages laziness, discourages culture of diligence and professionalism.
According to the cleric, seven of the top most violent countries in the world in 2016 were among the top 10 most corrupt countries that year, adding that corruption is closely associated with poverty, failing educational institutions, low standard of living and violence.
Acting president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who sent a congratulatory message to Badejo, described him as a man who has worked and still works diligently in spreading the gospel to various corners of the country and across the world. He also commended the foresight and large-heartedness of the former General Overseer in instituting the Wilson Badejo Foundation, which caters for the poor and vulnerable, amplifying his regular message that the church remains the last hope of the downtrodden.
As he clocks 70, the acting president believes Rev. Badejo’s zeal for serving God will be rekindled, recommending his attributes of self-discipline, unwavering commitment to the truth and love for the poor to younger and upcoming ministers of God and all Nigerians alike.
A documentary at the occasion showed that from his National Youth Service days as resident veterinary doctor at the Obudu Cattle Ranch of Agric Development Corporation, till the point he joined National Veterinary Research Institute, Jos, as research officer, Badejo has always exhibited high level of professionalism. And with a post-graduate degree in Management from the University of Connecticut, Starr, U.S.A, it didn’t take long before he came to limelight.
During his tenure as the General Overseer, the Barley Harvest Project was adopted for the church-planting programme of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. The project involved mega city church planting and strategic engagement of the unreached; over 1, 000 churches were planted in four years. By the end of his tenure in 2009, about 2, 000 churches were planted.
In acknowledgement and appreciation of the grace and call of God in his life, Dr. Badejo and his wife Adeyinka, on May 19, 2007, established the Wilson Badejo Foundation (WBF), a non-profit organisation aims at ensuring that, as much as possible, that no Nigerian citizen is shut out of the nation’s economic system. It provides educational opportunities for indigent citizens in the higher institutions of learning, as well as ensures that no Nigerian citizen sleeps hungry without a meal a day. The organisation also interfaces with the government and other well-meaning Nigerians to empower youth for employment via vocational training and skill acquisition. Over the years, many Nigerians have benefited from the Foundation’s Medical Outreach, which involves free tests, free medication and spiritual counseling.
The gala night was wrapped with the official launch of a book: ‘My Spiritual Odyssey’ – Memoir of Wilson Badejo, with a special toast by Prof. Gana. The former minister of Information described the celebrant as a true friend.
