What pastors must do to help their members during recession —Reverend Owolabi

Resident Pastor of Abundant Life Church, Ibadan, Oyo State, Reverend Tunde Owolabi, in an interaction with RITA OKONOBOH, speaks on his experience in the ministry and offers ways to move the economy forward through agriculture with his experience in the sector. Excerpts: 

HOW long have you been in the ministry?

I was ordained in 1997 as a deacon and as a pastor the following year and I’ve been a pastor since 1998 in the Abundant Life Church.

If you could change something about your life, what would that be?

If I could do something different, I would have loved to know God much earlier in life. Apart from that, I have no regrets by God’s grace.

You are a pastor. You are also very much involved in agriculture. Why is that?

My being a pastor is something that came up along the way. I read Business Administration at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State and graduated in 1987. Since I finished from my youth service, I’ve been in business. I had visited a place at the time and I came across some chickens and I developed interest in the business. My elder sister got five chickens for me for a start and that was how the business started. Of that five, three survived. I sold those three and that was how I realised I could do something in agriculture. It marked the beginning of my journey into poultry. I haven’t been involved in any other business since. At the time, I made money. Then, the Federal Government paid corpers N250 and I sold my fowls for N250 each as well. That was when I realised that I could actually pay myself. It was with that consciousness I went into the business.

With your experience in the business, what ways would you advise government on encouraging agriculture in the spirit of diversifying the economy?

Government needs to create an enabling environment for the agriculture sector. Also, what they have done with respect to single digit loan facilities for farmers is encouraging. We want to see more of that. However, there are restrictions and I think government can broaden that aspect. Government also needs to assist farmers, because the cost of input for the sector is on the high side. In terms of machinery, so much is involved and it costs millions of Naira to bring in those machines, and government can provide assistance in this regard. Funds should be readily available and accessible, so that farming can thrive. There is also the issue of multiple taxation in the agriculture sector and that should be addressed.  For many business owners, they provide much, if not all, of what they would need for the business to grow, including water, electricity, among others and government can provide support. Youths should also be encouraged to embrace agriculture. I tell youths that with the recession, it is an opportunity to create jobs and for youths to make something for themselves. We need to reorientate ourselves.

How would you assess the present administration?

I would give it kudos on the fight against corruption. However, when one considers the hardship in the economy, there would be the need to call the government’s attention to these issues. On a general note, however, I wouldn’t say this administration has performed badly, provided there are steps taken to alleviate the suffering of the people. If you take corruption away from this country, Nigeria will work. Any step taken to minimise or eliminate corruption will go a long way to putting Nigeria on a proper footing. We should give President Muhammadu Buhari, a chance and support him. Beyond the government, we need to change our attitude as Nigerians and contribute our quota to national development. Change should begin at the individual level and the change we desire on the national front will be a possibility.

How would you advise pastors on helping their members cope with this recession?

Members should be more creative. In every challenge, there are opportunities. I always advise the brethren to look beyond what is happen and instead, look for the opportunities they can take from the challenges and position themselves for something better. We have to cut down cost where necessary and we must trust God through everything. I’m positive that Nigeria will come out of this on a positive note. I will advise ministers to pray the more and encourage their members and I know that with God’s help, we will come out of this trying time victorious.