Why suicide among youths is on the increase —Prophet

General Overseer of Wisdom Church, Ketu, Lagos State, Prophet Bisi Olujobi, in this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, speaks on the church and national issues.

How would you advise Nigerians on how to overcome the trying times of the country?

What we need is God’s intervention and we should all let God intervene because what we are facing presently is beyond human understanding and capacity. Unfortunately, those we choose as leaders and thought can assist us to make things better are doing the opposite. Now, the only way out is for God to take total control. It is only God that can take charge, bless us and change the fortunes of our nation. God actually has plans for us. He will make available blessings in different ways and in different places. However, our leaders are not helping matters. Instead, they are mismanaging the things that God has provided for us. That is why we all need God’s intervention. He would certainly put the right people in the right places and they would lead us to the promised land.

The situation of the country seems to have made some young Nigerians to contemplate ending it all. How do you see this?

I think people, especially those who may be contemplating suicide, should have a clear understanding that it is only God that makes things happen. One of the reasons for high level of suicide is because some people depend so much on the government and have great expectations from fellow men. Many believe that things would work out if they put in more efforts. Unfortunately, things are not working according to their plans. If you look at what is happening in Nigeria today, it is tough for many. However, we should not base our hope on the things that we see around us. The best thing for those who are frustrated and want to commit suicide is to place their trust in God. When you cast your burden upon the Lord, automatically God will take care of your problems. Apart from government, God has plans for everyone. If you go through the Bible, you see people that passed through some problems, but at the end, God blessed them. Also, I would advise people not to compare their lives with that of other people. This is one area where a lot of people make mistakes.

How would you compare the church of the olden days to what we have today?

The church of God was not like this when we started the ministry. Then, people always put their mind on the things of God, they were more spiritual, but things have changed today. Majority are running after money today. Also, the propagation of the gospel and preaching on salvation were the priorities of many clerics and the church was spirit filled, enthusiastic about the things of God and at the same time focused. Also, the government then made adequate provisions for the people and things were working fine. But now, if you tell people that this is the way of salvation, they would not listen to you and the big question is what are they going to eat. This is why things are different now. People will not want to listen to any pastor that only preaches and does not address their problems. Unfortunately, some preachers now focus on the problems and do not bother to talk about the kingdom of God anymore. I believe that God would intervene in the church and in every area in this country and the world at large.

How has it been running this church?

God has been a great influence and He has been helping us with abundant grace since the ministry started. We thank God that the church has grown in leaps and bounds. We started in Ibadan, Oyo State, in 1990 and it is about 30 years now, we also have a branch in Lagos too which has been on for about 15 years. We have also established a new branch in Abuja, among other branches.