I didn’t say Christians shouldn’t vote Muslim president -Pastor Adefarasin
Where and how do you find fulfillment in your ministry? Have you at anytime felt frustrated or strained? My greatest motivation in the ministry is to serve and I feel most fulfilled when opportunities to serve arise. I consider the opportunity to teach and train people an immense privilege. There is fulfillment in seeing a […]
Where and how do you find fulfillment in your ministry? Have you at anytime felt frustrated or strained?
My greatest motivation in the ministry is to serve and I feel most fulfilled when opportunities to serve arise. I consider the opportunity to teach and train people an immense privilege. There is fulfillment in seeing a person’s life really and drastically changed for the better. Sometimes, one has to be patient and wait a while to see real changes because more often than not, changes take time. The degree of positive change that occurs when God takes hold of a person’s life through His word will often astound you. It is very rewarding for me to approach the pulpit and be able to tell people what God wants me to tell them. I am extremely happy when we are able to affect people’s lives positively and provide services that rehabilitate and transform them. Being able to witness drug addicts or ex-convicts get cleaned up and re-introduced into society, as meaningful contributors in their community is a blessing indeed. It is also a joy to see the church growing and expanding into far-flung places, to bring salvation to diverse people.
I can’t say I get frustrated or strained except that I cannot be in two places at the same time. This means that one has to delegate responsibility and unfortunately, people sometimes let you down. These are probably the only frustrations that I experience if I can call them that. However, I don’t think that I get tired of the work of the ministry, aside than getting tired physically.
What will you say about the infrastructure being put in place by the Lagos State Government?
First, on behalf of the people of eastern Lagos, permit me to thank Governor Fashola for indefinitely suspending the proposed tolling of the singular primary and preexistent vehicular artery connecting eastern Lagos to the rest of the world. The suspension of the toll is further proof that he is pro-active, democratically conscious and a listening leader, the kind we need much more in our dear nation. Secondly, I must challenge the federal government to remember Lagos regardless of the partisan differences that may exist between her and the state government. This is my challenge; Lagos State infrastructural development must not be abandoned in the marshalling of federal resources to special projects here in Lagos .
What is your take on the recent mayhem in Jos and Maiduguri?
We condemn without reservations both the dastardly coordinated bomb blasts in Jos and the unwarranted murders in Maiduguri, which occurred on Christmas eve. These unprovoked attacks were barbaric and inhumane acts of terror. When killings/massacre of this magnitude occurs, for no other reason than a person’s choice of worship, It is by law a crime and must be prosecuted as such. If the Federal Government does not put its full weight into investigating these incidents, finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice, such acts will always be a re-occurring issue. Unfortunately, this seems to have been the case in this instance and several others like it.
It must be noted that Nigerians cannot continue to live within the borders of this nation under the threat of terror. The perpetrators of these atrocities in Nigeria are unpatriotic Nigerians whose intent is seeing this great nation degenerate into a broad battlefield.
On behalf of our network of church organizations across the country, permit me to offer our heartfelt condolences and commiserations to the families affected by both of these tragedies. We appeal in the strongest of terms, to the authorities to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. We are saddened by the timing of these events to coincide with what Christians consider to be a season of peace and goodwill to all men. It seems evident that some Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the reality that destiny has brought Christians and Muslims as well as several faiths and ethnicities together in this country. This is a reality we must all embrace. We must all learn to respect the rights and freedom of fellow Nigerians as we all develop the capacity to live together in harmony.
What will be your advice to religious leaders in Nigeria, especially the affected areas?
We respectfully want to further appeal to religious and ethnic leaders in the affected areas to preach and promote peace, equity, law and order to their followers. It is crucial that everything possible must be done to prevent further bloodshed. We do, however, reiterate that the persons behind these horrific attacks must be brought to justice. Where justice is served, and laws are both respected and enforced, acts like this will not continue with such impunity.
A recent publication stated your preference for a Christian President. Why the preference?
An article was brought to my attention in which a writer averred that I had charged Christians not to vote for a Muslim president. For the sake of clarity, this is not true and does not represent my position or that of the church I pastor. The tragedy of this kind of reporting is not just that it comprises statements taken out of context and grossly misrepresents the view it claims to communicate; it pitches to an ideology founded on ignorance and perhaps, fuels the very sentiments that has hindered Nigerians from joining hands and hearts with their brothers and sisters across the length and breadth of this great nation to build a better tomorrow…something we can only achieve when we all come together.
Nigeria by constitution is a secular state. Nigeria is a Federating Democratic Republic that belongs to every Nigerian. As a people, we are multi tribal, multi-ethnic and multi religious. All Nigerians deserve to live in a country that is free from domination by any one tribe or religion. Simply put; religion, like tribalism, has no place in politics. Historically, tribe and religion have always been used as political tools to influence the governance of our country. The perpetuation of this ideology undermines the concept of our democracy, which we hold in trust for future generations of Nigerians. Democratic office must be achieved by due democratic process. The will of the majority of the populace should always be reflected in the choice of all elected officials. I believe that the majority of Nigerians are good, intelligent, hard working, resourceful and God-fearing people. As such, the individuals who aspire and eventually achieve public office must represent the interests of this public majority.
What is your last word?
People of faith across the country must pray for our president, for peace within our boarders as a nation and for the judicious use of our nation’s vast resources for the good of Nigeria and all Nigerians. We must pray for the various sectors in our country especially power and electricity, education, agriculture and manufacturing. This Nation has much to offer Africa and indeed, the world at large. It remains our firm belief that Nigeria will once again rise up to her place of pride and power in the comity of nations.
We cannot afford to stand by and let others decide on the Nigeria we will live in tomorrow. We must not abstain from our duty to register, select a competent candidate based upon merit and vote him or her into office. To do so is to deprive ourselves the opportunity to be represented in the decisions that determine the course of our nation. We also deny ourselves the legacy of bequeathing to our children, a vibrant democracy and a prosperous nation where justice and equity flourish…a Nigeria where righteousness and truth run like rivers in our streets.