Dr. Chukwuemeka Odigbo is the General Overseer, Land of Grace Healing Ministry, Ikotun, Lagos. He spoke to OMIKO AWA on why Christians must shun reprisal attacks and why much prayer is needed in the country.
Same sex marriage
It’s an abnormality for man to marry fellow man or woman a fellow woman. Same sex marriage is not God’s plan for mankind, it is one of the sins God held against Sodom and Gomorrah, when the cities destroyed. God created man for a woman vice versa, so, same sex marriage is outright madness and one of the signs of the end time. I laud government for outlawing it and pray for those practicing it to repent before it’s too late.
What’s your take on the sporadic bomb blast across the country, especially those targeted against the churches and Christians?
It is the enemies of this country, working to sabotage the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and in no time God will bring them out. All we need is God’s intervention for peace to reign.
Are you saying there should be no reprisal attack on Boro Haram for attacking Christians?
Like Papa Ayo Oristejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said, Nigerians should pray about the sporadic bombing across the country. He gave the theme of the prayer programme as ‘let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end.” We need to pray for God to touch both the members of Boko Haram and their sponsors to have a change of mind, value for human life and property. From a close observation the bombing has gone beyond religion and we all need to pray for God to calm the situation. However, those behind the bombing should know that he that ‘killeth a man must surely go down, for you can’t take life made by God and go scot-free. He will surely punish the perpetrators of this evil. He is there watching, and according to Proverbs 26:27, which says, ‘whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.’ God is taking note and will in due time mete out punishment. I pray for God’s forgiveness in their life. I will urge other Christians never to take up arm against the bombers, for the Bible in Exodus 14:14, says, ‘the Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” All we need are prayers, because the battle is not physical. It is only through prayers that we can silent those tormenting the people and want to make the country ungovernable. Nigeria is God’s own country and He will surely fight the battle for His people.
Will the division of the country not bring an end to these crises?
Nigeria is God’s own country and no man or woman can wake up to divide it. Besides, we should ask those clamouring for the division of the country how many countries they have created. So, let’s allow God to do things in His own way, if it is the best for us, God will surely allow it. I think all we need in this country is prayer, especially for the president; he needs God’s intervention to run the affairs of this country.
What’s your view on fuel subsidy removal?
God knows what He is trying to do with Nigeria concerning our oil and with time things will normalize. We should bear with government, prayer for God’s wisdom for them to rule us and also for peace in the land. Let give them room to implement what they have promised to do with subsidy fund.
What would the New Year look like?
2012 is a year of possibilities; people will find things easier than the previous years. People will not struggle to get most things. However, this will be possible on the condition that they truly believe and seek God, in truth and righteousness, not minding what is happening around them. Aside from seeking for prosperity, people should seek for God and live a righteous life because righteousness is a defense.
Advice to other church leaders
We should not see ourselves as lord over others. Whatever you are doing put God first, worship Him in truth and spirit, be sincere to Him and He will lift you up. No matter your title — Bishop, Reverend or Pastor — you need to worship God in truth. And for those clergy that use their position to intimidate others, I would remind them that God has placed them there as a Shepard; they are to use their positions to help man and better the society rather than cause injuries.
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