How I Became Chairman of Company My Poor Parents Were Just Employees
so many compromising things as a pastor and chief executive officer that my position demanded of me, but which I didn’t do. I was very firm. I stood my ground, struck a balance and said no when the need arose.
In retirement, what keeps you busy?
In retirement, the ministry has kept me so busy such that I am involved at the board level of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria. I still sell Insurance. I get business; get an underwriter and play the role of an intermediary. That keeps me busy. I am never idle because I hate being idle. I am restless. There was a point in my life I was doing a professional course, attending a Bible college and studying law at the same time. I finished all the programmes simultaneously.
What’s the hardest part of the ministry for you?
Managing people; the ministry has to do with ‘thus says the Lord’. Perhaps, it could be you that God could be speaking to, your followers may believe you, but sometimes they may also doubt you. There could be conflicts. I thank God for the flock that God has made me a shepherd upon. There has been wonderful cooperation between my council member, the church of God and myself. There has never been any conflict.
Pastors tend to read a lot. What kinds of books have you read that have shaped you?
I love reading. As an insurer, lawyer and pastor, I must read. My books cut across management, entrepreneurship, motivation and religion. I read local and international authors.
Do you feel any sense of regrets in life?
No, I thank God. My heart is full of appreciation for how far he has brought me in life because I never knew I will get to this level in life because of my poor background. For God to have taken me thus far, it could only be God, so I feel fulfilled in life. I have a beautiful wife who is very loving, romantic and takes care of me. God has given me four children of which three are married with children. With that and many more, I have no regrets.
Talking marriage, how did you meet your better half?
Our meeting was destined. We met as teenagers and decided not too long after then we were going to get married. In those days, there was no technology, so the first time I saw her, I knew this was the woman God wanted me to marry. I wrote a letter to her and was eager to get a reply from her. I didn’t get the reply on time, so I found a way to get in touch with her. She told me she would think about it. I went for the chase, and after some persuasion which took months, I got a reply from her agreeing to my proposal. There and then we started our relationship. This year marks our 34th wedding anniversary.
What were those things you saw in her that made you decide she was the right choice?
It was her character. I saw her to be a quiet, intelligent, respectful and humble lady. I saw in her, inner beauty and someone whom I believe we could be together for life. I tested her in so many ways. She was a teacher. And that was the kind of profession I wanted, so that my wife would be able to take care of our children and teach them. Foundation is very important to me, so that’s why I chose her – being a teacher. And I thank God for it, no regrets.
Is that to say that 34 years in marriage have been a smooth ride?
Life is certainly full of ups and downs. If I tell you that we haven’t quarrelled for a day, I’ll be lying. Each time we’ve had differences, we’ve been able to resolve it without a third party.
Who is more romantic? I think we are both romantic. We spice up our marriage regularly. My wife likes us taking a walk around the estate, holding our hands, which I have not been doing regularly. We share good and tough moments together. Don’t forget I am a pastor and a teacher – I practise what I preach or teach.
What does feel it being a grandfather?
I feel ecstatic. Giving out one’s daughter in marriage is one of the things that every father looks forward to. It is scriptural. I feel so great because I gave out two daughters, who are twins, in marriage same day. They also married twins. It was a historic day of joy for me. I felt pains of joy giving out my twin daughters in marriage same day. As grandparents, my wife and I jubilated, lifted up our hands and hearts in praise, thanksgiving and adoration to God. It was fulfilling the scripture seeing our children’s children.
What does it feel like being 60? At 60, I feel young. Age is just a number. I feel healthy, young and great. Like the biblical Joshua, I feel I still have so many mountains to conquer.
What advice will you give advice young pastors just starting out?
Know the God that you serve and serve the God that you know. Love the Lord according to the scripture because the God we serve is a jealous God. Know God intimately, be righteous, be holy, serve him and do his will.
Does God ever change His Mind?
God can change his mind. He’s a righteous, holy and sovereign God. He does as he pleases and no one can question his authority. To that extent, God changes his mind.
Will there be sex in heaven? I don’t think so. It’s a matter of opinion. The Bible says there is no marriage in heaven. My belief is that in heaven, there’ll be no male or female. We are all equal.
Are you saying those who rapture would be hermaphrodites in heaven?
I am not saying we’ll be hermaphrodites. I don’t think there’ll be room for sex in heaven because it’s a holy place where we’ll keep praising God day and night.
You are a very busy man, how do you handle stress and pressure?
I thank God, I am a family man. I love playing with my children and grandchildren which reduces stress. I listen to gospel music – I like country music also. I enjoy singing. I play table tennis very well. Sometimes, when I want to relax, I read.
You’ve raised a lot of people, what’s the impulse behind it?
I like giving. I feel happy when I give. When you look at my background, having come this far with God’s help, I learnt the act of giving. My wife can also give anything. We complement each other. There is nothing too small or too big for me to give. More so, Jesus gave His life, the best to us. I’ve not seen what can stop me from giving. From experience, when you give you receive. Giving is a gift, so I thank God for the gift of giving.
There are two relatives, sons of my siblings who told me they got admission into higher institutions and I paid their school fees, just to find out three years later that it was a lie. The Holy Spirit ministered to me to find out, so I asked the parents to go. They found out that the boys were not in school. It pained me to my marrow.
The boy I trained and had first class and I never went to his school for a day. I paid the school fees and the father did the monitoring and gave me progress reports. I felt so excited that he came out of school with such result. I felt joy in my heart that I have not wasted my resources.