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Archbishop ISAAC IDAHOSA Tells City People
Bishop Isaac Idahosa is the presiding Bishop and the Senior Pastor of God First Ministries Inc. popularly known as Illumination Assembly, Lagos. A church he started over thirty-two years ago in Minna, Niger State, his ministry is rumoured to be worth over three billion naira. But it must be said that Archbishop Isaac Idahosa pays very little attention to wordly materials. He sees the enormous resources available to him as nothing but the tools with which he has to propagate the work of God and spread the gospel far and beyond the shores of his native land, Nigeria. And this he has done diligently and consistently over the last 33 years or so when he went into full time ministry.
His church, God first ministry, has grown in leaps and bounds. The news of some of Archbishop Idahosa’s astonishing testimonies from his congregation have traveled far. He has also drawn more and more people to his church on account of his uncommon humility and unassuming nature. Unlike many Pastors who have reached the same pedestal as Archbishop Idahosa and who go around carrying themselves as though they are God’s Personal Assistant and voice on earth, Archbishop Idahosa remains humble to a fault. He never goes around with chips on his shoulders, he remains accessible to his members, even to the ones some may consider as ‘ordinary members.’
In 2023, this good looking man of God who turned 60 a couple of weeks ago but certainly does not look his age, stunned many when he joined politics and emerged as a shock running mate to New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) national leader and presidential flag bearer, Senator (Dr.) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. It came as a big surprise to many at the time who couldn’t imagine Archbishop Idahosa going into politics. And if he would join politics at all, many would’ve expected he would be found in the company of his kinsmen and not with a northern political party like the NNPP that is replete with strong northern Muslims who may not be able to accommodate not just a practicing Christian but an Archbishop for that matter as a top hierarchy member of the party. But somehow, this strange marriage between the Archbishop and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso appears to have worked pretty well as they have both developed a strong bond over the last one and half years that seems to have defied logic. They love and respect each other. The chemistry between them is uncommon. Archbishop Idahosa does not hide the fact that he revers his principal and has total trust in him and his capability to take the NNPP to greater heights. Senator Kwankwaso also loves his running mate, he described him as a good man during his birthday tribute to Archbishop Idahosa when e clergy celebrated his 60th birthday weeks ago.
Archbishop Isaac Edahosa gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1979. He was born in the predominantly Muslim north, precisely in Minna, Niger State, where he and his siblings grew up. He had his formal education there, and enjoyed scholarship up to university level in Niger State. Young Isaac Idahosa, who said he was influenced by those great men of God who were then coming to the north to preach the gospel of salvation to the people in the crusades, began serving God at a very tender age. And in 1985, he went to a Bible College to acquire deep knowledge of God. Idahosa is a qualified mechanical engineer with all it requires for him to secure a lucrative job. However, after graduation, according to him, he lost his peace because that wasn’t what he was destined to do.
The Lord spoke to him about pioneering a work for him, after which he went into fasting and praying to get more instructions from God. He started out his ministry, God First Ministry, in Minna, with just 50 kobo. He narrates: “I remember approaching one of our family friends there, called Idowu Maya, and I shared my vision with him, and he offered to give me his boy’s quarters to start my ministry. I was there with my guitar, and I was playing this guitar every day to the point where I started attracting the attention of neighbors and students in the neighborhood. After a while, the boy’s quarters could no longer contain the congregation, and Maya’s family decided to give me their living room. But despite the gesture, our population was increasing by the day. At that point, I told Mr. Idowu Maya that I was going to rent a two-bedroom apartment, and I found one for 6,000 naira, and remember, I had only 50 kobo, so I left disappointed. However, on my way, I saw an abandoned building with an inscription on the wall that read, ‘God owns this house.’ Immediately, the Lord told me, this is where I want you to start your ministry.”
“I made inquiries about the owners of the abandoned property. I was told that it was owned by one barrister who died mysteriously in connection with the case he handled in court. He ran mad, and thereafter died mysteriously. I also learned that the next and last person that occupied the said house died in the same manner. So when I indicated my interest in moving into the apartment, the people were full of fear, but I was not in doubt of the word of God, because my name, Idahosa, implies hearing from God. Thus, I was directed to see the then father of Chief Justice of Niger State, who was in charge of the property. I met him, and he obliged my request to move into the building free of charge. I immediately gathered my student members and neighbors who helped me to clear the area. I moved into the building with a single spring bed given to me by Mr. Maya in 1989. While living in the house, I was going to the bush and take my bath and ease myself. Today, I preach loudly and faster because of the way I started. Then, I had no money to procure a microphone or a speaker. I used to preach using a microphone that was connected to a stereo cassette.
The first time I got an invitation to come and preach in Cotonou, the capital of Republic of Benin. It was like an open door for me. I came from Minna to Lagos, with the intention of boarding a flight to Cotonou. I didn’t know I could travel to Cotonou by road, a trip which was paid for by one of my members then, who is now a pastor in one of the churches in Minna. He actually helped in setting up my ministry, even though God later told me that the money was not meant for me. Also during that period, I was invited to come and preach in Zaria, where many souls were saved. After many years, God directed me to move the church to the southwest. That’s how I came to establish my church in Lagos.”
“I first established my church in Surulere, before moving it to Ajah area of Lagos, where the church is now headquartered. The first overseas country I travelled to as a minister of government was Jamaica. It was sponsored by one of my daughters in the church. Today, however, I have travelled far and wide, spreading the gospel of salvation to so many major countries in the world. In God’s words, He gave me anointing, grace and favor.But He warned me to beware of love of money, opposite sex and pride. According to Him, these three things can destroy a man any day. It has been my watchword, and I thank God for His mercies and grace upon my life. My father used to say to us, you can control nature, but you can’t cheat nature. If I decide to go to the beach today with my family, people will raise eyebrows. They will forget that I am also a human being, like them.There was a time I visited one of the fast foods in Ikeja with my family. Instead of enjoying myself there, I ended up praying for people who gathered around me. Serving God comes with a lot of challenges and denials. I am also a musician. I have three albums on my credit. I released my debut album, Don’t Give Up, in 1998 in Germany, followed by the second and third albums.I didn’t attend any school of music. Music runs in the blood of my family.”
Archbishop Idahosa has been married to his wife, Christie for thirty years and they are blessed with two lovely children, Christabel and Osagie. A writer, inspirational speaker and gospel artiste with three albums to his credit, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, who is called ‘Prophet Talk Na Do’ by his admirers, was decorated by the Lagos State Government as one of the few Mayors of the Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA).
He has received a United Nations Peace Ambassadorial award, for his immense contributions to the growth of humanity and peaceful co-existence through evangelism and Pentecostalism.
– WALE LAWAL
(08037209290)
