Were there any prophecy about your birth given to the Ighodalo family?
Well, not that I know of. I don’t think any pastor came to tell either of my parents that this is what your child is going to become. But I do know that, of course, any good parents would have extreme good wishes. So, my parents have extreme good wishes not just for me but for their three children and then we thank God that He has been favourable to my family by His grace.
So, what propelled you to becoming who you are today?
Well, I don’t know who I am, but I know that I have gone through the normal trajectory of life. If you ask me if I planned my life to be like this, I would say no. All I planned then was to be very successful. First of all at business. Secondly, is, influencing the society. And thirdly, is giving some kind of service to God because I was brought up as a Christian but never ever for once imagined that I would be a pastor or to be a reverend gentleman. I never thought of the plan at all. All I knew was that I would work hard, make as much money as I can, being an influencer of society. I wasn’t planning to go into governance, although now I’m thinking it’s not such a bad idea with the way things are in Nigeria. And then thirdly, contribute to God’s work by supporting ministry and missionary work. That was what I thought I would do.
However, something must have been preparing you, even if not noticeable then…
Well, I have always been concerned about society. I think I am a natural leader, to be honest. Most of us in my family, including my mother, were leaders and so is my father. So, even from primary school, I was the Head boy or captain of the class. At my primary school, my teacher naturally thought that in voting, they would vote for me as Head boy but when they voted, they voted for the least troublesome boy in our class. So, that was where I first had my initial baptism into politics and into the fickleness of human beings. You know, they have all promised to vote for me and as a result, I had already started walking with a swagger all over the place, issuing instructions and try to keep school clean and tidy. So, I think their thinking was that if they had voted for me, I would be so tough. (Laughs)
They all promised to vote for me and I campaigned vigorously and nobody voted. So, I remember what the Bible says that ‘who can know the heart of man.’ Then, I remember that you don’t trust people. That was my first lesson and up till now that lesson has never left me. It’s why I really don’t want to go into politics and anybody that’s into politics today would tell you that that’s one of the lessons you learn in politics. But nonetheless, they ended up frustrated with the gentleman that they had elected, who did nothing and who couldn’t be bothered about anything. In Nigeria, we sort of surround ourselves and choose the leaders who we know really cannot do the work, but who we think will serve whatever interest. So, it happened to me in primary school and I saw how the people think, and I never forgot that lesson.
What other valuable lessons did you learn elsewhere, particularly from your parents?
Impeccable honesty, forthrightness, hard work, boldness, confidence to speak your mind and let your mind be heard and do your best whatever you found yourself doing. My parents were very hard working; humility also. While we were growing up in the Government Reserved Area, my mother made us sweep the floor, she made us sleep on the floor, she made us relate with helps in the house. We had to treat them with respect. Each person had his own job in the house and whenever we went to the village, it was what our cousins do in the village we were doing and she would take us to the farm every Saturday. We would go there and work on the farm. We would plant, cultivate and harvest. We would roast corn on the farm and eat. She made us realise that she is the daughter of a farmer and he is the son of a hunter.
They made us realise that ‘this is your background’- you are a humble child from your background. So, don’t think you are going to get away with not contributing your quota by not working hard. We worked hard and eventually she had a poultry farm and everybody worked there and thereafter in the evening, you would carry eggs on your head to sell. That’s the childhood that I had and it has never left me.
Was there plenty of flogging at home as a child?
Not plenty because we were well-behaved. We were reasonably behaved but there was flogging where necessary. I think in all my childhood, my mother only flogged me twice and once by my father. My brother got a bit more (laughs). And my sister got a bit more especially in her teenage years because she was adventurous (laughs). But for me, I minded my business. I tried to behave myself.
If your sister took more flogging than you did, that means no escapades, no sneaking out, for you.
Well, the truth of the matter is that in my house we didn’t need to. We needed to just tell our parents where we were going and keep to our agreement. By the time we grew up and we were real teenagers, they allowed us freedom. Freedom to go to parties and come back. In Ibadan where we grew up, we left for party at eleven and we come back at 2 or 3 o’clock. Neither parent would bother himself or herself. We didn’t need to sneak out in my house. We just needed to let them know that we were going to such and such a place and this is the time we are coming back and they allowed us. So, we had liberty and we did our work. We passed our exams. We did very well in school and we were responsible children. If you ask us to do some things, we would do it. We didn’t drink. We didn’t smoke as such. We were reasonably well behaved in my family. So, there was the usual scolding if you are a bit stubborn. But largely, it was a very, very open family.
How was Kings College of your days? Please don’t say you were not part of the happening guys?
You know I’m a pastor… (Laughs) Well, I didn’t have the opportunity of meeting Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, but we heard a lot about him. Enahoro, Ayida, and so many others were Kings College old boys. The elite of Nigeria went to Kings College because the school was established to produce people who would lead in this nation. That was our training and inculcation. It was so in the late 70s and 80s when things in this nation started going astray. One of my classmates then is the present Emir of Kano. We started from Form 1 to Form 5 together. We were very close friends and we are still close friends till today. What you have in Kings College is a very strong ethos, a very strong culture. We consider ourselves to be kings. From the very day you get to the school, they tell you that you are intelligent, hardworking and that you are designed to lead. They drum it into you. In my own time, we had what we call federal character, some kind of way that you have children from the then 12 states. The best in each of the states were represented. They took 12 purely on merit. The best 12 in common entrance n Nigeria came in on merit. I think I came in best 12 on merit. Then from each state, they would take the 6 best. So, we had a collection of Nigeria in Kings College. But as at that time, we didn’t realize where everybody was from. There was no dichotomy; no religious bias and where you are from did not matter. Immediately you got to that school, whoever you were didn’t matter. There were a lot of very intelligent people there. You never fail in Kings College. From day one, they tell you that you have to pass and we usually get the best result in both O and A levels. They gave you this boldness, confidence and discipline of keeping to time, play sports. You have to also be social like somebody was asking me. I remember the first outing I went to. I wore my shorts and I was going and a senior boy pulled me back and said how can you go and be looking for girls, wearing shorts? Come on, go back (Laughs). Go and wear your trousers and be a good Kings College boy.
Where did you learn to be this trendy?
I think, more of home. I think my father was quite a good dresser and as you get exposed, you knew what’s right from wrong and how to put a few things together. My brother is also a good dresser. So, I’m sure that’s where we picked it from and one or two people who we looked up to as mentors. You just have to look appropriate. I don’t know if it’s dandy or not, but look appropriate.
How did you receive your calling?
Well, what happened was that after I graduated, I did my youth service with Price Water House. After that, I started business. I worked very hard. I made a lot of money but sometimes, the goalpost kept shifting and frustration came in and I was wondering to myself that why are things not happening the way I thought. Then, there was emptiness inside me and my mother, I must remember, prayed very hard. She saw that I was being adventurous as a young man. She couldn’t give me instructions. So, she came to me one day and introduced Jesus. She prayed with me and I knew that there was a connection between my peace of mind the next day and the prayer she prayed with me the night before.
So, I knew indeed there was God, who is interested in me and answers prayers. So, she brought one of her pastor’s friends to come and talk to me. He spoke to me and I asked him a lot of difficult questions about the scripture. Somehow, he gave me the right answers and I gave my life to Jesus Christ. So, the idea was to go to God, work with Him and let Him guide me and let me serve instead of just being a social animal all over Lagos. So, that was how I started going to church – The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Freedom Hall. Eventually, I started a church in Denmark. I came back and started a church in America. Then I came back and they said go and pastor a church in Gbagada. This is my story.
How rich is Pastor Ighodalo?
Well… (Laughs) You need to come and look at my bank account. I won’t consider myself rich in terms of money but rich in terms of goodwill. I work hard. I run an accounting practice. So, I don’t live off the ministry. I am chairman of many companies and I am involved in other several organisations. So, I give largely to the ministry. I enjoy ministry, it’s a calling. Maybe one day, ministry will be able to support me, I pray. But for now, I do my best. Let me just say that God has been able to meet my needs.
When you see them ask them… (Laughs)
Everyone has unforgettable moments. Any shocking one?
I have many memories but there’s none that’s so shocking. Kole Aluko and I were like brothers when he passed on. When you see someone looking invincible, very articulate, very strong and also a Kings College boy… That’s one of the things that shocked me. Of course, another very significant watershed in my life was at RCCG because I had put in everything I had into that ministry. So, when I had to leave suddenly, it also stopped me a little bit in my track. But overtime, we bounced back and recovered and everything is now okay.
Are you romantic?
Well, I love my wife. Initially, I wasn’t romantic but the Bible has taught me to be romantic. If you read the songs of Solomon, you will see the ultimate in romance there. Then, you will learn that love is a decision and not an emotion. For God so loved the world, that he gave…and love gives.
Many are worried that corporate, fashionable men of God like you are turning some people away from the ministry because they do not resources to emulate their adored pastors.
That’s unfortunate. I think we will all look inwards and see how we can change that. That is not the intention. I don’t know. If you say corporate, I dress decently and I am not flamboyant. And I am approachable. So, I think of where I am going before dressing so that I don’t put people off and I don’t look like I’m coming out of the dustbin. So, I try to find that balance and that’s what I do. Even my wife, I insist that she’s moderate in her dressing so that the whole church is not under pressure because they see an overdressed pastor’s wife. And if you come to our church, everybody comes as they want. In fact, you just come in a simple dress- T-shirt, loafer and jean; so that people will not feel intimidated.
Is any of your children going the ministry way?
Well, I’m not going to insist any of my children go into ministry. I want them to find their own passion, their own calling, their own purpose in life. I’m not going to insist on my children doing anything that I have done. I want them to chart their own course, led by God and that’s very important.
Question: In one sentence, describe your philosophy of life.
Fulfill your purpose according to the leading of God.
Are you running for political office in future, sir?
Not at the moment but if the opportunity presents itself, I will.
and then