‘People are crying and fasting but God has released everything’

It’s by teaching. What we do as a ministry is to save a dying life. There are people today who’re not sure of the next meal. So when we intervene, it’s like giving hope at that point. But in the long term, teaching is the answer. That’s why we call people to come to the […]

It’s by teaching. What we do as a ministry is to save a dying life. There are people today who’re not sure of the next meal. So when we intervene, it’s like giving hope at that point.

But in the long term, teaching is the answer. That’s why we call people to come to the fold. A lot of people are just there because they believe somebody should help them! Look, success in life does not depend on luck or chance. It depends on enlightenment and to succeed is a choice. We want to put that tendency in them. Something you can do to survive is there in your hands.

So where is the hope that all these destitute in the streets will reduce in number?

I don’t like calling the government! government! Nigerians are fond of saying government should…Everybody has something to do. What is needed is to open the eyes of these people.

Truly, in advanced countries, taxes are paid and they are used for things like these—to direct people and all that. But we are telling our people, take up your destiny in your own hands.

Unfortunately, people easily catch the wrong thing. They don’t have much money and the little they have, they go taking things that don’t help like drugs. Such a person has no future.

All hands must be on deck, government, religious people and all. But whatever money we have, let it be used for what it is intended.

Now, it appears that if you belong to the privileged class, you risk being kidnapped. What can the church do in curbing this?

Prayers! Two, speaking—reaching these people [kidnappers] where you can reach them. Evil things are really one. If somebody can steal ordinary salt in the market, the person can one day steal a big thing. What is happening is part of the evil that is already on ground. In this great country, we see assassinations, we see people kill to take [the victim’s property].

Kidnapping is not unusual. It is one of those things we said will happen in the end time. That is why one must stand firm in the Lord because we need the Lord now like never before. In whatever form evil manifests itself, it is still evil.

But it will be very good if the security agencies charged with the task of checking this do it well. I don’t want to talk about corruption—that would be discussed another day. Corruption!

What is your word for Nigerian women as the country is 49 at independence?

There are mixed feelings—49! what do we have to show for it? But as long as there is Nigeria, a living dog is better than a dead lion, I have hope for this country!

I urge the women to come out, it is time! The role of women in any nation, in a community, whatever it is, is very significant. If you train a woman, you train a nation—women’s presence will bring things into proper perspective. We must involve more women in the things that are happening in Nigeria. We have proof—women that have been in involved in leadership have delivered. One or two may have failed. But where one fails, 10 men have failed. Women have tread grounds men would think 100 times to tread.

We are not saying men are weak! I’m very proud of our men. But if we don’t make use of our women, we will still be going round the same circle.

From Margaret Ekpo to Dora Akunyili, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, these women really impress me. If they were put behind, nobody would have ever known that something good can come out of a woman. Women should be given opportunities and women should step forward. We have that tenacity.

Men should allow women to come out, let’s save our country, let’s save our future, let’s save our born and unborn children.  We have to act—if you bring in the natural, God brings in the supernatural! So we can’t be leaving everything to God. People are crying and fasting but God has released everything. Nigeria is a big country.

When do you think Nigeria can have a woman president?

That is when we have a sincere and genuine democracy. That is when there will be transparency and accountability in governance, rule of law, integrity, morality, access to information, free press. Let the truth come out and let us know it! That is when a woman can rule.