Re-election: What I’ll tell Buhari as a fellow septuagenarian —Bishop Owadayo

As he approaches 80, Right Reverend Matthew Oluremi Owadayo, who retired as Bishop of Egba Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), in 2009, doesn’t seem to be slowing down. His memories of the past carry an enviable freshness and he is still in active service on matters of the Christian faith. He speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on how he is finding retirement, what informed his writing a book on Christian history and his advice for President Muhammadu Buhari, as a fellow septuagenarian.

You wrote a book: The Growth of Christianity in Ondo and Ekiti States between (1875 – 1935). What inspired you to write the book?

It was inspired by my doctorate research. It was a long time before I had my doctorate degree, which I got in 1981. When I was a research student at the University of Ibadan, I worked on Christianity among the Ondos and their neighbours as my topic for my doctorate thesis. I limited it to between 1875, when Christianity reached Ondo, and 1935. During that period, the Anglican Church had the monopoly of evangelising the interior of Ondo country. We called it Ondo country, not necessarily that Ondo was a country like Nigeria is, but because that area was known as Ondo province. I am from that area. Also, I discovered that at the time, I had not come across any written history of Christianity in Ondo at the time, so I decided to work on it for my doctorate thesis. However, following God’s grace to work in the church for many years, I also had more insight into the life of the church there, since I had worked as a priest in that area up to the time that I was provost of a cathedral. In fact, it was when I was appointed Dean of Immanuel College that I left Ondo area to come to Ibadan, except on occasions during my first degree and higher degree that I also came to Ibadan. I worked in many places in Ondo, and as such, I had insight into the life of the people and Christianity, in particular. It impressed me, and I thought that it could be a sort of contribution to history and a stepping stone for people, who would write more on the history in the future. That’s why I decided to work on it. The book would be launched on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at 11am at St. Thomas Church Hall, Ondo Road Bye-Pass, Akure. Those expected include Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Bishop Professor Dapo Asaju, Emeritus Professor Oladipupo Akinkugbe, among others.

Following the claim that Christianity took stronghold in Nigeria in 1842, why did it take so long for Christianity to reach Ondo?

When we talk of 1842, Christianity penetrated slowly into Badagry, Lagos, Egba, Abeokuta and Ijebu. It was limited to those areas for many years, but it was spreading gradually. This is not to say there were no obstacles limiting the spread of Christianity in those areas earlier mentioned at the time. However, Christianity did not reach Ondo till 1875. Some obstacles to the spread of Christianity included the internecine wars, as well as the fact that the hinterland, which was a jungle, was not easily accessible. Christianity came to Ondo because of the situation at the hinterland at the time. Aside the internecine wars, there was no peace in the area. There was slave trade still going on, marauders also took advantage of the jungle nature of the area and engaged in looting. There was unrest and social disturbances. There was even kidnapping at the time too and living was generally unsafe. As a result, the Oba, the Osemawe, saw the need to ask for protection for the area, so there could be peace, as well as free trade, and the missionaries had to be invited, because that would attract security provided by government. The Egba people did something similar.

In the 1850s, David Hinderer, a missionary, was in Ibadan. That was when Christianity also took hold in that area. So, Hinderer led a survey committee to see what Ondo looked like and to see how Christianity could be introduced. The team came to Ondo and the people were informed that the missionaries were coming. After some time, he had to go back, because he was a worker in Ibadan. That was around 1872. In 1875, some other missionaries were dispatched to Ondo. Gradually, work began in the area.

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Why did you limit your research to the 60-year period: 1875 – 1935?

Before the 1930s, the Anglican Church had the monopoly of evangelising, but by 1935, new churches began to emerge, so I decided to limit it to that period. Although, when you read the book, there is a projection into the date beyond that time, because it is a continuum. Other orthodox denominations were already around too at the time. However, by the 1930s, Joseph Ayo Babalola came to the stage and his style of evangelism was quite different from that of the mainline churches. He introduced the idea of prophesying and seeing visions, which attracted many people. Up till today, this is what many people are looking for – people who can see the future. There is a projection, however, beyond 1935. For instance, Ekiti didn’t become a diocese until 1966. Before then, there was Ondo Diocese which came into existence in 1952. Although, there were bishops at the time, they were not diocesan bishops. They were more or less reporting to the bishop in Lagos, because of the link to Lagos.

You were born in the 1930s, a little around the time Christianity had taken its root in Ondo. How would you compare Christianity of that time to what obtains now?

There is a marked difference, although it’s the same Christianity. During that time, when people were propagating the gospel, it was the mainline type of ministry. At that time, you had to get formal training before joining the ministry. What helped the church advance in a way was the provision of education, which brought a lot of enlightenment. That was why St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, was founded in 1896 for the training of people for church and school activities. Some graduates of the school served in dual capacities – church and school. Invariably, some of the early leaders in education graduated from St. Andrew’s College. The first governor of Ondo State, late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was a product of the college. Being a product of the college, he was influenced religiously and spiritually to live a life of commitment, dedication and service to his people. He was working in the school as headmaster and also helped out in the church, even if he wasn’t a clergyman. There were many like that, who had the vision to rally round the people.

Christianity, at the time, was different, because not many who found their way into the ministry received formal training. For instance, during Joseph Ayo Babalola’s time, many of his followers became evangelists, and some of them didn’t have training. People who would lead people need to be trained; there is no substitute for training. Babalola had the vision and was very religious though. Anyway, what later emerged was that he was so popular as an evangelist. He established his ministry in Ilesa area, but some of his ‘disciples’ were not as informed and gradually, people started founding churches and it became so easy. The excesses of some of such people led to some problems. Today, we also see these things: there are many one-man churches and they are not answerable to anybody. In the mainline churches, this cannot happen. You are responsible to the leadership and there are laid-down principles if you want to be a minister. In places where I worked, we founded many daughter churches, by the grace of God. When I became bishop, we had not less than 30 churches added to the existing ones before I got to Abeokuta, but not one of the churches belonged to me. However, there is much improvement nowadays, because more people are educated and evangelism is becoming more pronounced. In the past, not many people could read or write but things are different now. There are also more institutions for training.

How about the prosperity gospel? Was it this pronounced in the past?

No. However, at the same time, in the past, people were given the hope that if you believed in God you would do well and prosper, which is true, but it is not always the case. You could be very good and still have challenges. That being said, it is a fact that for the spread of the gospel, we need money to support different arms of the church.

You’re a historian. The Federal Government, at some point, scrapped History from the education curriculum. Now, there are moves to bring it back. How important, would you say history is in the education of a people?

Well, everyone has history in life. You need to know your past, so you can understand the present and even project into the future. If you don’t know your past, it’s like being ignorant. I don’t know what made them take that decision to remove it in the first instance. History is vital. Everything calls for some knowledge of history. I remember visiting home after being in London one time. I had a mosquito bite and two weeks later, when I returned to London, I was sick, and subsequently isolated. The medical personnel had to go into the history of tropical diseases to get treatment for me. History is very important. Every aspect of life calls for the study of history. Even in politics. Campaign promises become history. Mistakes of the past, which is history, can be improved upon. Even in Christianity, the Bible is a book of history. In fact, the history of previous evangelists is also important as a way to appreciate our faith.

How are you finding life in retirement?

It’s been very interesting. By the grace of God, these past years, I have been kept busy with writing. First, I published my autobiography and now, this book on the history of Christianity. Life would become dull if you’re not busy. If you’re not busy, you’ll feel tired. There have been challenges but I thank God it’s been interesting. For a man of my age, writing can be quite exhausting because you sit for long periods, which is not very advisable for my age. However, in all, it’s been very interesting.

You’re a septuagenarian like President Muhammadu Buhari. However, while you’re retired, President Buhari has declared his intention to seek re-election. If you could talk to him as a brother or a friend, how would you advise him?

It depends very much on him, if he thinks that he is fit to lead the country and if his health allows him. Being a president, you need to be very energetic to perform up to people’s expectations. As head of state, you must, to some extent, be dashing, and firm in decision making. People are saying he hasn’t fulfilled all the promises he made, and that he hasn’t been taking action as quickly as expected. One thing I admire very much about him is that he’s determined to fight corruption, if actually he’s fighting corruption, because corruption has blackmailed us in this country. However, as things stand now, if it’s not Buhari, who else? He has very bright chances of having a second term, because almost all those expressing interest have been alleged to have mismanaged the resources of the country. This is why some persons are crying for restructuring. So, it really depends on him. Our duty is to pray for the leaders. It is sad that even many leaders, who are Christians, when they get there don’t behave as Christians. We will continue to pray for them though. We trust God for His divine intervention.