In developed countries, pensioners are kings and queens —Archbishop Odejayi

How did you feel on your appointment as the Archbishop and Bishop of Ibadan Archdiocese and Diocese?

I was at the 46th /11th Biennial Conference of the MCN where I was elevated as an Archbishop. The Conference was hosted by the Archdiocese of Aba at Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Park Road, Abia State, from August 6 to 13, 2018. I was exceedingly happy.

 

As a versatile minister of God, you must have plans for this Archdiocese. What are these plan?

The opportunities we have in the various cities, where the Archdiocese occupies and particularly Oyo State, will be maximally used by the Diocese and Archdiocese to ensure the growth, development and expansion of the church. I desire for the Diocese and Archdiocese to engage in aggressive evangelism which will result in planting of more churches. I also hope to embark on infrastructural development projects, geared towards making the Diocese more financially viable and buoyant. We will build a centre where our youth and people will be trained in entrepreneurial skills. Members will also be encouraged to be more determined to labour in the service and work of the Lord.

 

How do you expect the lay-presidents and members of the Archdiocese to work with you?

Mostly, I expect financial, moral assistance, decorum and candour from them.

 

 What type of assistance do you expect from the head of the church?

I need his assistance and advice. I believe since I am put here by the MCN, I will not be left alone.

 

The country has just gone through another cycle of elections with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  declaring President Muhammadu Buhari re-elected for a second term in officer. What do you think he should focus on in the next four years?

First, I want to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election. Despite the fact that there were inconsistencies during the period of the presidential election. I don’t think that can be ruled out in a way. In the next four years, we expect a lot from the president. Nigeria is viewed as currently being in a state of security quagmire by notable security analysts. Insecurity of life and property has taken the centrestage, via Boko Haram, herdsmen, armed robbery, kidnapping and militancy.  I expect him to evolve a new strategy for the prosecution of the terror wars, especially in team spirit and intelligence sharing among the security agencies. Government should take a hard, and critical look at these challenges.

I commend the president for addressing corruption, but it has not been addressed fully. Corruption has left the country in perpetual underdevelopment. When the corruption war is won, so many things will fall in rightful places for Nigerians. The fight should be intensified without favouritism or sacred cows.

Mr President should also tackle unemployment. Caught in the web of slow pace of industrialisation, especially in Africa, thousands of fresh school graduates join millions in the labour market yearly. The way out for nations is to improve and inspire job creation through sound employment.

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Let me address the area of herdsmen attacks. Fulani herdsmen have become deadlier, killing hundreds of fellow Nigerians and sacking several communities across the country as reported in the newspapers; especially in Benue, Adamawa, Taraba and Plateau states. Government should look into this.

Pensioners are living in great agony and poor condition in a nation, where they have served conscientiously. They are denied the payment of their pensions and gratuities as at when due. In some other developed countries, they see pensioners as kings and queens but not so in Nigeria. How can somebody, having spent 35/40 years serving the country and at the end of the day, is not paid?

Issues of kidnapping/girl-child abduction, poor infrastructural development projects, human trafficking and illegal immigration should be carefully looked into.

 

How would you describe your growing up?

I was born on 19 June, 1963 to Mr and Mrs Eniola Folaranmi Odejayi, of blessed memory, at Yaba, Lagos, where I also grew up. I was bred at the Sunday School of Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba. My parents were from Ogun State. My father, a school headmaster, was from Ijebu-Awa in Ijebu North Local Government, while my mother, a petty trader, was from Iperu-Remo. I attended Yaba Methodist Primary School and Ahmadiyya Primary School, Elegbata, Apongbon, Lagos, where my father was headmaster. My secondary education was at Ahmadiyya College, Agege, Lagos and I later moved to Government College, Ojo, Lagos, the current main campus of Lagos State University (LASU), where I completed my secondary education. I got into the ordained ministry in 1984 and was commissioned a deacon in 1987. I was ordained into the Priesthood of the MCN in 1990, at the Agbeni Methodist Cathedral, Ibadan, Oyo State. I was called into the ordained ministry of the Word and Sacrament at the Trinity (union) Theological College, Umuahia. I bagged my First degree and Masters degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ilorin and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D programme at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. I was preferred Presbyter in 1986 and confirmed in 1998. I was the Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos from 1998 till I was elevated the Bishop of the Diocese of Ikorodu in Lagos State from 2005 to 2015 and also the Bishop of the Diocese of Elekuro in Ibadan from 2015 to 2018. I am an author who has travelled round the world for international conferences. I am happily married to Taiwo Adetokunbo Odejayi (Nee Bada) and we are blessed with three children.