Right Reverend Andrew Olu Igenoza, a professor of Religious Studies and Rector, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in an interaction with RITA OKONOBOH, speaks on the role of theology in nation building, his take on the suspended (Financial Reporting Council) code of corporate governance and the possibility of women Anglican bishops.
How did you find yourself in the ministry?
I grew up in the Anglican Church and got baptised at 17. That was in 1967. I chose to serve God fully while I was studying at the then Midwest Technical College, Auchi (now Auchi Polytechnic) in Edo State. That was what led me to change my profession from Accountancy at the time. I did my A-Level and then went ahead to study Religious Studies at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). After my first degree in Religious Studies, I graduated as a university scholar and was sent abroad for further studies. I had my PhD from Manchester. I lectured in Ife for many years and attained professorship while there and retired voluntarily in 2007. After I left Ife in 2007, I had the privilege to spend six months at Harvard University on a sabbatical. That was from January till June 2008. When I came back, I voluntarily began teaching here (at the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary) in March 2010 when it was established. I was consecrated a Bishop in January 2016 and became Rector of the Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary has been on since March 2007 and you have been lecturing there since its establishment. What would you say are some of the achievements of the institution?
I served under the first Rector, Bishop Dapo Asaju, now the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, as the Head of Postgraduate Studies. The establishment of the institution was informed by the fact that the global Anglican Church was becoming too liberal – the homosexual debate, challenging the authority of the Bible, challenging the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, among others – and the church felt there was the need for Africans to keep to the Biblical point of view and we did not need to be subservient to the white men and that we could train our own people. So, Primate Abiodun Adetiloye came up with the idea of setting up this place but, it was during the tenure of Primate Akinola that the institution was established. We train bishops, various levels of priests, church leaders, among others. Students are not only drawn from the Anglican Church, but from other denominations, both orthodox and Pentecostal. We teach them the basics of the Bible and they also have to be sound academically, so they can rub shoulders with their mates in different parts of the world. So, we can send qualified manpower to churches and international conferences. The Anglican Church is recognised for what it stands for worldwide.
The seminary retrains bishops. Why would you think bishops need retraining?
There are some bishops who do not have theological background. They may have trained as scientists, educationists, philosophers, among others. However, they need basic theological training so that they can perform their duties with excellence.
The institution is focused on educating clerics. When you consider the seeming imbalance between moral decadence and the increasing number of pastors, what would you say the church is not doing right?
Jesus said that his disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We must affect our society positively – morally, spiritually. There is still some light to check the darkness of the world; there is still some salt to give flavour to society. I am not saying that everything is okay with the church. Here, in this seminary, we pay so much emphasis on moral upbringing. It is true that they say ‘out of the 12, there will be a Judas.’ But I tell my students that Judas Iscariot has come and gone; there is no need to have Judas anymore, so no one should play the part of Judas. You would notice that of scandals that rock Christian organisations, hardly would you hear of Anglican clerics involved. We try to check ourselves. The church is doing the best it can.
Months ago, the Anglican Communion worldwide had issues with regards to female bishops and the Church of Nigeria. In its position, it was stated that for now, there wouldn’t be women bishops. With your background on theology, does the Bible provide for such positions for women?
Let me make it clear from the word go that male and female were created equal by God and all races of the world are created equal. Same way, all citizens are supposed to be equal before God. However, there are cultural problems. Culture is man’s creation and it evolves. There was a time that women could not vote, but today things are different. There was a time slavery was part of our social set-up, but with time, things changed. I believe that with time, we may arrive at the point where women will be able to serve the church as ordained people. Maybe the time has not yet come. In Kenya, for instance, we have female priests but that is because they do not have the cultural problem. Nigeria is a very complex society. What we permit in the South may not be permitted in the North and we have a national church. Until the whole national church agrees, we cannot be in a hurry. The time will come when the question of female ordination will be a non-issue. Let us patiently wait for that time.
In May 2016, in your sermon at the All Saints Anglican Church, Abuja, you called out clerics who focused on prosperity messages, stating that they had got it wrong. How would you advise Christians on creating a balance between affluence and spirituality?
We have to guard against extremes. When the white men came with the gospel, they just cared about our spiritual salvation. They didn’t bother about whether we made money per se. So, it was more or less, a message of poverty, as if poverty is a virtue. Poverty is not a virtue. Our God owns the whole world. Then, prosperity messengers came and focused on material things and forgot the spiritual. And Jesus said: ‘what will it profit anybody to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul.’ The Bible tells us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto us. So, what we need now is priority gospel. We must put first things first. If we serve God wholeheartedly, He can supply all our needs. Those who have denied themselves and followed God have never been disappointed. When God prospers you spiritually, He will add other things.
Following recent events, many clerics have claimed that government has no business in church affairs. With your experience as a teacher of the scripture, what is your take on the recent policy of the Financial Reporting Council, especially as it affects church leaders?
We have to look at the background. There have been many churches in which after the founder dies, confusion, power tussle and endless litigations follow. That is not good for the church. It is required for every church to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). If you register with the CAC, then, it is important to keep the laws of that commission. The recent policy on age and tenure for church leaders, for me, I think is good for the health of the church. The Anglican Church is not affected. The day I clock 70, I will retire. Not even my son can take over from me. I think that regulation is commendable but the government should be careful with the implementation. It shouldn’t interfere too much in church affairs. However, if it is to avoid endless litigation and confusion, then I think it is not too bad.
One of the take-aways from the reactions to that code was Pastor E.A. Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God advising members to join political parties. Should Christians participate actively in politics?
I believe so. Everyone has his/her calling. We have examples of good Christians in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other political parties. The presence of Christians in political parties will instill sanity in those parties. Christians will ensure discipline and integrity. However, whoever chooses to join politics actively must seek God’s approval. Although I’m not a card-carrying member of any political party but I am politically-informed and know who to vote for and who not to vote for. I voted during the 2011 and 2015 elections. Those who want to be card-carrying members can go ahead to do so.
You have had the opportunity to view the education sector within and outside Nigeria. What do you think government must do to get things right in education?
I think our governments have failed us. There is so much money in this country. It is amazing that people have stolen billions upon billions and we are still standing on our feet. The only way we can build human capital through education is to pump in more money and resources into that sector. Examination malpractice must be condemned in all its ramifications. In our days, there was absolutely no room for cheating during examinations. In those days, Nigerian education was well prized in British universities. Now the situation seems bleak. One saving grace is the springing up of private institutions who are trying to make things better. I think that federal and state universities are trying to measure up. We must continue to try.
How would you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration so far?
It is easier to destroy than to build. A lot had been destroyed before he came in and he is struggling with many things – militancy in the Niger Delta, insurgency in the North, the crisis between cattle rearers and farmers, corruption, among others. President Buhari is battling with many things. It is not easy. However, I wish he would do better, as things seem rather a bit slow. Maybe, there would be need for him to restructure his cabinet. He has tried them for a while and he can replace ministers who are not performing. Let him inject new blood into the cabinet and see how things go.
What is your advice for Nigerians on coping with recession?
When I was growing up, I spent the most part of my holidays on the farm. These days, people prefer to dress up and idle away. Even those with degrees in Agriculture do not want to go to the farms. Farming is lucrative. Aside farming, government should find other productive ways for economic diversification. Nigeria is so blessed that there is no reason for us to go into recession.
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