Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi is the President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Nigeria. He opens up to KEHINDE OYETIMI, stating that orthodox churches are losing focus, just as he chides the nation on many issues. Excerpts:
WE have had a turbulent 2012. Based on the events in last few weeks in the new year, will you say we have started on a good note?
You said we had a turbulent 2012. That is not objective enough. It depends on the angle from which you view this. Some had a challenging 2012 while some had a joyous 2012. But as a nation, I will admit not admit that it was all bad. If I should claim that it was all bad, it would mean that we have forgotten the goodness of the Lord upon our country. The Yoruba believe that no matter how dark the sky looks, there must patches of brightness.
So if we are to take the inventory of events in Nigeria, we have reasons to praise God; we have reasons to be sober and to reflect upon the sad moments that we had as a nation.
You must have read the deluge of negative prophecies by Nigeria’s clergy at the commencement of each year. This is noticeable in advanced climes. How do you feel when you see this?
It all depends on the sources of the prophecies that you are talking about. Not all that claim to be speaking for God are actually representing God. Some people’s prophecies are based on their imagination; some prophesy to cause fear and anxiety. Some prophesy to cause anarchy.
But the Bible is very clear. I have one prophecy that I know is very outstanding. This is that righteousness exalts a nation. I want to plead with our political leaders, traditional leaders, institutional leaders and other categories to practice righteousness. If this is done, Nigeria will be exalted. We should not allow any prophecy to intimidate us. We serve a God that is all capable and almighty.
You said we had a turbulent 2012. That is not objective enough. It depends on the angle from which you view this. Some had a challenging 2012 while some had a joyous 2012. But as a nation, I will admit not admit that it was all bad. If I should claim that it was all bad, it would mean that we have forgotten the goodness of the Lord upon our country. The Yoruba believe that no matter how dark the sky looks, there must patches of brightness.
So if we are to take the inventory of events in Nigeria, we have reasons to praise God; we have reasons to be sober and to reflect upon the sad moments that we had as a nation.
You must have read the deluge of negative prophecies by Nigeria’s clergy at the commencement of each year. This is noticeable in advanced climes. How do you feel when you see this?
It all depends on the sources of the prophecies that you are talking about. Not all that claim to be speaking for God are actually representing God. Some people’s prophecies are based on their imagination; some prophesy to cause fear and anxiety. Some prophesy to cause anarchy.
But the Bible is very clear. I have one prophecy that I know is very outstanding. This is that righteousness exalts a nation. I want to plead with our political leaders, traditional leaders, institutional leaders and other categories to practice righteousness. If this is done, Nigeria will be exalted. We should not allow any prophecy to intimidate us. We serve a God that is all capable and almighty.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church has not been participating in elections because it holds services on Saturday. Don’t you feel cut off from governance?
Naturally, we didn’t feel so good in the last elections that were held. We feel disenfranchise. We humbly appealed to the authorities and it appears they have started listening to us. We believe that all things being equal all Nigerians not only Adventists will be given equal opportunities to exercise their civic rights.
Leadership should encompass the collective responsibility of every Nigerian. Therefore they should not eliminate any group of people based on the day that elections are held. We have a good number of days when elections can be held. At the end of the day, you can say that elections have been held freely and fairly. That is what we have been recommending to the government.
Should you look at the growth of churches across the nation, would you say that they have contributed to the development of the nation or they aided in the drive towards corruption as the nation marks its hundred years since amalgamation?
I want to tell you that at the time that Nigeria will be marking her 100 years since amalgamation so also will the Seventh-Day Adventist Church be celebrating her 100 years of her presence in Nigeria. The church started here on March 7, 1914. The church and Nigeria are partners in the centenary celebrations.
Nigeria has reasons to celebrate. Not every country that started was able to experience 100 years of existence. For the mere fact that we are united as a nation despite all the political, economic, cultural and religious differences, we are to celebrate and appreciate God. If there is any institution that has contributed to the progress and civilsation of Nigeria, it is the church. In the area of education, many of our schools were started and built by churches before the government came and took over them. Many of our political and institutional leaders today went through the walls of the schools built by these churches.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is the proprietor of the Babcock University and it is today one of the first set of private universities in the country and was rated as the best in West Africa recently. That, for us, is a very big contribution.
Also, I want to disagree with anybody that Nigeria would have made more progress if the regions had been left the way they were. Look at Togo, Benin Republic, Gambia, Sierra Leone and some others. What is their population? They are more or less like regions. We had three regions in those days. If we had remained so, those three would have developed at the detriment of other areas. We have 36 states. Osogbo is under serious development by the Aregbesola. Look at Akwa Ibom, it is one of the best in Nigeria. Look at Akure and Ado.
Regional segregation does not necessarily bring development. What brings development is quality leadership, human resource management, honesty, prudence and total violence against corruption. The United States of America has over 45 states and it is one of the best and largest countries. Look at China. Amalgamation is not the problem but leadership and corruption.
What would be your reaction and fears concerning the agitation for the recognition of gay clergy in the Catholic and Anglican Churches? These are referred to as orthodox churches. Where is their orthodoxy?
Let me confess to you that the so-called orthodox churches or mainstream churches have disappointed God. They are a problem to God. What is the definition of a church? In the Greek language, it is called ekklesia. It means to be called out. It is a group of people that is called out for holiness, righteousness, peace and unity. It is a community of believers. There are some things that should not be mentioned in the house of God. When all these issues are mentioned, that means the church has deviated from her primary assignment and the church is already polluted. It is time for the church and her leaders to go back to the holiness that it was known for. It should point people to Jesus Christ and prepare them for his coming.
The issue is disgraceful; it is embarassing to have a gay as a bishop. If the foundation is destroyed, what will the righteous do? It can never happen in our church.
Also, I want to disagree with anybody that Nigeria would have made more progress if the regions had been left the way they were. Look at Togo, Benin Republic, Gambia, Sierra Leone and some others. What is their population? They are more or less like regions. We had three regions in those days. If we had remained so, those three would have developed at the detriment of other areas. We have 36 states. Osogbo is under serious development by the Aregbesola. Look at Akwa Ibom, it is one of the best in Nigeria. Look at Akure and Ado.
Regional segregation does not necessarily bring development. What brings development is quality leadership, human resource management, honesty, prudence and total violence against corruption. The United States of America has over 45 states and it is one of the best and largest countries. Look at China. Amalgamation is not the problem but leadership and corruption.
What would be your reaction and fears concerning the agitation for the recognition of gay clergy in the Catholic and Anglican Churches? These are referred to as orthodox churches. Where is their orthodoxy?
Let me confess to you that the so-called orthodox churches or mainstream churches have disappointed God. They are a problem to God. What is the definition of a church? In the Greek language, it is called ekklesia. It means to be called out. It is a group of people that is called out for holiness, righteousness, peace and unity. It is a community of believers. There are some things that should not be mentioned in the house of God. When all these issues are mentioned, that means the church has deviated from her primary assignment and the church is already polluted. It is time for the church and her leaders to go back to the holiness that it was known for. It should point people to Jesus Christ and prepare them for his coming.
The issue is disgraceful; it is embarassing to have a gay as a bishop. If the foundation is destroyed, what will the righteous do? It can never happen in our church.
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