Bishop of Ilaje Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Right Reverend Adeyemi Adeniji, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks about national issues and life in the vineyard.
How do you see the current situation in the country, especially regarding the increase in the price of petrol?
As a Nigerian, we are in pain, and nobody is happy about it. The most pathetic situation for me is the devaluation of Nigeria’s currency. It is so bad that the currency we view with dignity and honour is gradually becoming worthless paper. Things were not as bad as this in the olden days. We need to pray for restoration because it is only God that can help us since everyone is affected. We need to pray. I can imagine how aged Nigerians will be feeling over the current state of the nation, having witnessed the glory of this nation many years back. Prayer can do a lot, so we should not relent.
There is no doubt that the church at large will be feeling the heat of the outcome of the decision regarding the removal of subsidy on petrol. How do you see this?
Personally, I stand for the truth and this is what will distinguish any individual. The Bible even says that “You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” If you follow the trend of the petrol subsidy issue, it began from the era of General Ibrahim Babangida and it was during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era when the then labour leader, Adams Oshiomhole made noise about it. The nation has subsidised trillions of naira and it has become a serious burden. They know those that are feeding and benefiting from the subsidy. Nigeria has been on this issue for a long time and if they say it is time to remove it for our country to move to a greater height, so be it.
But adding to the pains of Nigerians is the main concern. Maybe this is how God wants to save us. Have we ever heard anyone return money into the coffers of the government in the history of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). It only happened in the time of the current Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. When Umaru Yar’Adura mandated that unspent budgets should be returned to the treasury, did they comply? Is the JAMB registrar a Christian? Are we saying Christians have never been in these positions? Did they return money into the government’s coffers?
Is the church at large doing enough for the liberation of the nation?
Yes, we are, because our archbishop has never relented in speaking the truth to the leaders of the nation. Other clerics across various denominations also air their views on the state of the nation and proffer solutions. We have been speaking on what God told us to say. But the question is, are they listening? Those in the corridors of power hardly have the time to listen or pay attention to what we preach. They only listen to people that tell them what they want to hear. Those tell them they are doing well and that all is okay when things are not going fine. I have been following Nigeria’s politics since 1979. I am aware that our forebears also did the same back then, but they didn’t listen, and this is why we are where we are today.
I am a grassroot person. For example, I reside in Igbokoda where there is no electricity in the last 14 years in the senatorial district and there are about 100 filling stations in the whole Igbokoda. This area housed Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, and about two or three schools of science and technology, as well as technical schools. It is also a part of Ondo State that is producing oil and there is no electricity in this area for 14 years. I have been using solar in the Bishop’s Court. Early this year, petrol was sold for N700 in Igbokoda when it was between N200 and N250 in other places.
How has the experience been in the vineyard?
We thank God for His backing. I was consecrated bishop last September through the grace of God, having been a priest for over 30 years. I have been in the ministry since a young age. God has been sustaining us despite the challenges that come our way. The journey has been interesting and I have not relented from the core mandate to promote the gospel and win souls. We also made it a point of duty to always speak truth to power. We thank God for our lives and what we have been able to achieve in the ministry till date. I have no reason to regret being in the vineyard.
I thank God for seeing me through to the level of becoming a bishop and granting me the grace to carry on with the responsibilities that come with it. It is a leadership of a higher level that every segment of the church looks up to. So far, the experience has been awesome and we are grateful to God. It is the peak of my career. In the Anglican Communion and it is written in the Bible, we have three orders: deacons, priests and bishops. It is not a do-or-die affair if one does not attain the level of a bishop. What is certain is if you are made a deacon, you will become a priest one day and it will only take the grace of God to become a bishop. We have 165 dioceses in the country and we have over 15,000 priests. So, it takes God’s grace. In our communion, if you are a Yoruba, you cannot be a bishop in Igbo or Hausa land and vice versa. You can only be a bishop in your locality. That one is elected a bishop in our communion is grace.
What would you have become if you had not been a cleric?
Since the beginning of my education, right from primary school, I have been having the dream of becoming a lawyer, but God has a different plan for my life. He said I won’t be a secular lawyer, but a lawyer on the pulpit preaching to people and saving lives. I am so sure that if I had not become a priest, I would have become a lawyer, which will make me more involved in politics. Though I am not a lawyer, I have a lawyer in my family.
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