Primate Ositelu
The immediate past Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has finally confessed that her NYSC Exemption Certificate was forged and has resigned her appointment. Share with us the lessons the Nigerian youths can learn from the incident?
The current policy on NYSC is not known to many Nigerians in the diaspora. I believe that Kemi Adeosun was a victim of circumstances. She most probably trusted those who recruited her for the job of Finance Commissioner in Ogun State to get her an exemption based on her age, but not having the full information and not knowing their intentions, she has done the most honourable thing to do by resigning her appointment, which is very un-Nigerian. She has proved that she is a woman of integrity.
The lesson for our youths is to always keep their integrity intact, no matter how lucrative the job and pay may be. Serving your country or any organisation must not be a do-or-die affair. And to those in the diaspora, they will surely need assistance to go through the bureaucracy in Nigeria, but they should insist to be part of all necessary processing, before finally coming home for any assignment or contract.
It is 20 years of your Enthronement as the primate of TCLPFW. Early next year, it will be 20 years of Democracy in Nigeria but most Nigerians have not really enjoyed the dividends of democracy. What should the government do to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from democracy?
Nigeria started the presidential system about 20 years ago (1999), and from all indications, it is too expensive for the country, as it allows only a minute percentage of resources for the development of the country, while the largest portion goes to payment of salaries. Apart from that, the operators of the presidential system are making the situation worse, as many of them are not interested in the development of the country, but their own private purses. If we continue like this, the masses will not benefit from democracy. When people have gone through two different experiences, it is reasonable for people to choose the better way out of the two. During the First Republic, we had a parliamentary system; the cost of running government was not as much, compared to the present presidential system. Furthermore, we had healthy competition among the regions. The regions were doing things that were first in Africa. For example, the first television station in Africa; the first stadium in Africa, the first skyscraper in Africa; free education, etc. Can someone tell me what the federal or any state government has done in Nigeria since 1999 that is first in Africa? To make matter worse, we are experiencing corruption till date to an unbelievable level. For instance, Kenya constructed a railway, wagons and stations from Nairobi to Mombasa for only US $2 (about Lagos to Abuja). But Nigeria is constructing a similar railway and wagons for $12 Billion US, without much to show for it. The train stations in Nairobi and Mombasa are structurally better and more beautiful than our international airport in Lagos.
Our political leaders know all the problems, but they don’t want to do the needful because it will not favour them any longer. All we need in Nigeria is Fiscal Federalism and Regional/Zonal parliamentary government. The ceremonial president of the country will be rotational in order to give every region a sense of belonging. Only regional policing will stop the senseless killings in the country by herdsmen and bandits.
If the opportunity presents itself can you become a politician?
Yes. I was a part-time politician in Germany. But as a Full-time Minister of God, I will have to step down as the Primate. I believe in what the Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23). I believe in facing any assignment/job squarely. And I know that I can turn the situation of Nigeria around in less than four years, just as I have done for TCLPFW. The key to that is the motto of my administration: Transparency, Accountability & Godliness (TAG).
Did you know or was it predicted that you would one day head TCLPFW?
As a matter of fact, I didn’t know and it never crossed my mind. But according to the Constitution of the Church, the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church that assembled on the Holy Mount Tabieorar in August, 1998 and after seven days fasting and prayer, said that God revealed to them that I should be proclaimed as the New Primate. The only thing that may be inferred is my name – Okikiolaoluwa.
As a direct son of the founder of TCLPFW, what legacies did you inherit from your father?
By the grace of God, I inherited from father faithfulness, thoroughness, orderliness, contentment and the fear of God, just to mention a few. To God be the glory, these are the legacies I inherited from my late father. May his gentle soul continually rest in perfect peace.
What was growing up like, especially in a polygamous setting?
Growing up in our large family was a blessing. All the children were under same control. My siblings and I did everything in common. We were also the best of friends and siblings. For example, tailors come to work in our house for about a month prior to the Yuletide season to make dresses of the same stuff for us, but different styles as each chose then, and we all ate together.
What was your ambition while growing up?
My ambition when growing up was to become a medical professional, an agriculturist or a computer scientist.
How did you end up becoming a pastor and the head of your father’s church?
The Church is Christ’s Church. God used my late father to establish the Church. Becoming a pastor was God’s doing and it is marvellous in my sight. God actually prepared me for pastoral duties without thinking of it. While I was still a Computer Consultant, I on my own, without any cause, started pastoral studies at Hagen University in Germany. Now I know today, that was part of God’s plan for me.
Do you feel fulfilled?
I feel much fulfilled. Pastoral work used to be my hobby. Now my hobby has become my occupation. I love what I am doing. I have in the past served as Part-time Pastor while I was still working as a Computer Consultant. I’m very happy doing what I enjoy doing.
Share your memorable/unforgettable moments with us?
I can’t forget the 22nd of August, 1998 when I was proclaimed as the New Primate of TCLPFW, because it never crossed my mind and was totally unexpected. I was very overwhelmed.
Do you have any regrets becoming a pastor?
I have no regrets at all. Not of any kind. More so, I enjoy doing pastoral work.
It was my hobby and has now become my main occupation. Thanks to God, I am not materialistic and all the legacies I inherited from my father and mother helped me a lot in life.
How would you describe your mother?
My mother was a faithful, loving, prudent and loyal person. She was very prudent and contented. I inherited these legacies from her. May her gentle soul continually rest in perfect peace.
How rich is His Eminence?
I am very rich spiritually and I am grateful to God for the virtues He endowed me with. For instance, I am more interested in the growth of the Church in all ramifications than in personal growth.
Is any of your children toeing the path of ministry?
No.
How were you called into the ministry?
As mentioned earlier, I started pastoral studies in 1991. Before then, I was acting as Assistant Pastor in the “African Christian Congregation” in Frankfurt /Main, Germany. And by the grace of God, I pioneered the first branch of the Church in Germany in 1993. According to the Constitution of the Church, the incumbent Primate can proclaim his successor as directed by the Holy Spirit.
In the absence of that and according to the constitution, the Council of Prelates (Archbishops and Bishops) will come together on the Holy Mount Tabieorar to fast, pray and inquire of the Lord who the next primate should be.
The late Primate died without proclaiming his successor in office. Therefore, the Council of Prelates came together and monitored by the Board of Trustees, to inquire of the Lord who the next Primate should be, and after seven days of fasting and prayer, they came up with my name without any other name. To God be the glory!
Why do members of the Church wear white garment?
We in TCLPFW wear white garment for two major reasons:
Where do you see TCLPFW in the next 18 years when the church will turn 100?
By the grace of God, I see our church carrying out the greatest commission – of taking the good news (gospel) to all nooks and crannies of the world. God being our helper.
How do you feel having sat on your biological father’s seat as TCLPFW Primate for 20 years now?
The last 20 years have been very fulfilling. It was just like yesterday. To me, it is like a continuation of my father’s primateship. The principles of my style of administration are from him, naturally imbedded with modern technology.
By the grace of God, TCLPFW has witnessed unprecedented and tremendous development – spiritually, physically and materially in the last 20 years.
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