Evangelist Peter Kolajo, the head of God of Fire Global Evangelical Ministry (GOFGEM), Osogbo, Osun State, in an interaction with Oluwole Ige, speaks about moral decadence in Nigeria, proliferation of churches, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s war against corruption, among other issues. Excerpts:
What informed the name of your ministry, God of Fire Global Evangelical Ministry?
God told me that a lot of people have come, as He sent them, and have encountered fire. Moses saw God of fire on Mount Sinai, but the God of fire did not dwell inside Moses; as God said, Elijah called fire from above and fire answered him. After he had worked with the fire, the fire returned to God. If not, he would not have fled before Jezebel as stated in the first book of Kings, Chapter 19. A lot of ministers that were called saw fire. But God that is fire sits and dwells in me to work with fire at this end time. So, God gave us the name, God of Fire Global Evangelical Ministry.
What do you think is responsible for the imbalance between church proliferation and moral decadence in Nigeria?
We are already getting to the end of this world; that is why we are witnessing this worrisome trend. God said in the Bible that at the end time, many prophets would come and say that they are the prophets of God and many people would be deceived. Anybody that does not stand firm in Jesus would be swept away by the whirlwind. Many that found themselves in ministry were not called by God. Some that were called by God have used worldly things to destroy their calling. God set up this ministry, GOFGEM, to make amends and find solution to numerous problems confronting the people.
Nigeria is currently faced with the problem of insecurity. What would you suggest as the way out?
What is happening is that Nigeria is submerged by forces of darkness. If you take a critical look at Nigeria, you will discover that the level of sins is very high. Most of our leaders are not honest and the same thing goes for some pastors and other so-called ministers of God. The way out is for Nigerians to look onto Jesus at this point in time. That is why we are coming up with a crusade entitled ‘Dry Bones Must Rise Again.’ Nigeria’s bones are dry and it must receive life through Jesus Christ. My advice for Nigeria is that it is only God that can save this nation, not any individual, policies or political office holders. Any nation that embraces idols will not know peace. But God has stretched forth his hands to give life to Nigeria abundantly, if only she will cling to God and God alone.
What should people expect from the forthcoming crusade?
The crusade starts on the 10th of December till the 16th of the same month at Freedom Park, Old Garage, Osogbo, Osun State. The first six days of the programme starts by 5:00 p.m., and ends on Friday which happens to be the vigil. The vigil will take place from 10:00 p.m. till dawn. People should endeavour to come. We have invited people in government, traditional rulers, politicians, traders and everybody to these prayer sessions so that we can pray to liberate Nigeria. The goodies in this country, which Satan had placed embargo on, will be released by the power of prayers and there would be comfort for the people. After this crusade, I see that all our glories in Nigeria will be restored and everything will be back to normal.
What is your take on President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption?
All Nigerians should support the war against corruption being spearheaded by President Buhari. You will recall that I said some leaders, whether past or present, are dishonest and have short-changed this country through their corrupt acts. They have to face the music and return whatever amount of money they have taken from the coffers of the nation. However, the most important part of it all is for all categories of people, most especially those at the helms of affairs, to repent and shun corrupt acts and other vices, capable of slowing down the progress of Nigeria. So, we all owe it a duty to support Buhari in his campaign against corruption in the country.
Do you see any hope for Nigeria’s current economic situation?
Yes. But we have to seek the face of God first so that His mercy can bring about economic turnaround for our nation. This economic recession is self inflicted because we have failed as a nation to save for the rainy day. Apart from seeking the face and favour of God, there is need for the Federal Government to assemble economic experts, who would restrategise and chart a new economic blueprint that we can follow as the path out of economic recession into economic prosperity. With God on our side and if we do the needful as a nation, we would be out of these problems.