Founder and president of New Wine Apostolic Communion Church, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State, Apostle Ayodele Emmanuel Olopade , in this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, speaks on what government can do concerning insecurity in Nigeria and other issues.
What was growing up like?
I was born in Ayede Ekiti, even though I am from Oke Igbo in Ondo State. I had my primary school education at St. Peter Anglican Primary School, Ayede Ekiti, secondary education at Olowoke Grammar School, Oke Igbo and attended Oyo State College of Science, Ile Ife from where I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife to studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Why did you study Politics, Philosophy and Economics?
Actually, I wanted to be a politician. My father is a supporter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I started reading newspapers since I was three years old. My parents introduced me to different kinds of newspapers and I developed a keen interest in politics. To practise politics, we have to impact and affect people’s lives; thank God for the Obafemi Awolowo University that offers that course. We call it three-in-one. With the course, you study about politics, the economy and about man and his existence. So, combining the three would make a person a complete politician. That is what I intended doing, so I went for it at OAU then.
How and when did you receive your calling as a pastor?
I am the only male out of eight children. It got to a stage my father’s family wanted to send my mother away because she couldn’t gave birth to a male child. I later knew this when she was about to die. So, she cried unto God as Hannah did and made a promise that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate the son to His service. After I graduated from OAU, I got a job immediately, but everywhere I worked, it was either I was owed money or my salary was not paid. Nothing I laid my hands on seemed to prosper. So, I kept going from mountain to mountain and I kept getting revelations that my mother made a vow concerning me, that there was a calling of God upon my life. On January 28, 2001, I finally surrendered to God.
What are the signs you received to actually know there was a call upon your life?
I had been praying and I got frustrated. Anywhere I went to, I didn’t receive help, until I was later told that there was a calling upon my life. So, I told God to permit me to test him. I gathered nine brethren and went to a two-storey building to pray. I asked God to let dew fall on us all and let our surroundings be dry. Before I finished that statement, we felt dew on us and we were wet but our surroundings had no trace of dew. The second time, I told God to let dew fall around us but we shouldn’t get wet, just to confirm my calling and it was so. Again, He gave a mandate to wear white and that on the third day after I started wearing it, there would appear white hair on my head to actually tell me He really called me. On the second day, to my surprise, white hair sprung up on my head. I was afraid and astonished, and from that time, I became convinced that I had been truly called by God.
Since 2001, what challenges have you faced and how were you able to overcome them?
The first challenge came from my mother. Being the only son, my mother refused my becoming a cleric, forgetting she made a vow. Few weeks before her death, she called me and prayed for me and released me to do the work of God. I cried because she never waited to reap the fruit of her labour. How I wish she could be alive to witness the success of her child. Another challenge I face is envy of people who have no idea what you have been through in the past. Even people I called my close friends disappointed me. However, in all that, God has strengthened me. There will surely be challenges, but as long as you are on the Lord’s side, victory is certain.
Why did you pick the theme, My Yesterday, My Today, My Tomorrow for the church’s 2017 holy convocation?
It is a yearly programme in which we seek the face of God and the theme is inspired by God. Every human is created by God for a purpose. Unfortunately, some are so caught up in the failure they have made in the past that they are unable to make progress. The future can be affected when the present is jeopardised as a result of the liability of the past. Samuel 11:3 states: ‘If the foundation has been destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The righteous can do something. They can go to God in prayer. Our past is our yesterday; our past is our foundation. When God visits our foundation, He will correct our today so that we can have a better and fulfilled future.
What is your take on the lavish lifestyle of some pastors?
Unfortunately, we have deviated from the Bible for so long and the earlier we go back to the teachings of the earlier Christians, the better for us. I am not saying we should not thank God for His glory in our lives. However, it should not be done with the intention to show off. Pastors should be simple.
Now that the president is back, what area of the polity do you think he should address first?
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was not sufficiently prepared to tackle what they met on ground when they took over government. So, I think all hands must be on deck. When he left for London, Professor Yemi Osinbajo continued. So, he should continue from where Osinbajo stopped. There should be focus on agriculture, and the fight against corruption. Corruption is an epidemic; it is everywhere. Also, they should reduce the wastage of money and resources.
How has the church been coping with the current state of the nation’s economy?
Thank God for my upbringing and thank God for Who He is. I want to say boldly that the recession has not affected my church. We trust God and he has been able in our midst. I make the church members understand two things: I teach them about divine empowerment and let them understand that behind every mess, there is a message. I make them see that they should not see recession in the negative thing, but as a challenge.
Do you believe in restructuring Nigeria?
Definitely, I believe in it. Restructuring must not be only at the federal level. It must go as far as the state and the local governments. Restructuring must be total. We can’t continue to say we are all Nigerians, but when it comes to opportunities and appointments, the story is different. We need to address restructuring in Nigeria.
What is your advice to the government concerning insecurity?
In Nigeria, we are not security conscious. There is need for the government to carry out programmes on enlightenment. We need to know what is going on in our environment. The armed forces should be well-equipped, well-trained and well-oriented. Also, we have lost something in Christendom. God said we are the light of the world, but some churches now use security guards. Where is God’s power? Where is the Holy Spirit that should direct us? We have bypassed the Holy Spirit. I have studied about Moses Orimolade and Joseph Ayodele Babalola and they have done great work, but now, ministers of God have deviated from the work of God and ventured into other things. This will not help us.
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