Without a doubt, our nation is awash with thousands of men of God who have done great exploits for God. Many of them have become such phenomenal successes that the astronomical rise of their ministries and their fortunes has continued to confound many. A lot of them have gone on to build larger than life images for themselves that sometimes take them rather too far away from their flock. More than a handful of these accomplished men of God have been variously described as too ‘worldly’, too money-driven, sometimes too arrogant and too controversial. But still, there are indeed a few men of God who have stayed true to the word of God, remained focused and undistracted by the ‘worldly’ things of life and, above everything else, remained humble. One of such men of God is Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Lead Pastor of the Trinity House.
Despite leading a flourishing ministry like the Trinity House, the eloquent and incredibly brilliant Pastor Ituah has never stopped to surprise people with his steadfastness, consistency, dedication to God and His word and astonishing humility. Pastor Ituah simply does not know how to go about with chips on his shoulders like several other equally accomplished pastors often do. He keeps his things simple. He dresses simple. No flamboyance. He lives a simple life. He clearly has an aversion for men of God who flaunt their wealth in public. He does not get drawn into unpleasant controversies and has never been known to drag issues with anyone. Living a simple life, according to him, is also one of the reasons why he has remained ever so young looking such that it’s so difficult to place his age.
The hugely loved and amiable Pastor Ituah was at the well publicised 70th birthday ceremony of top society lady and gold merchant, Jokotade Oni, held at the prestigious Balmoral hall inside Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. He presided over the service. Those who were probably listening to him preach for the first time must’ve been stunned by his incredible knowledge of the word of God. Just before he left the event, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) spoke briefly with ever cool, calm and collected Pastor and asked him to share with us his thoughts on the state of the nation. And he was kind enough to oblige us. Enjoy excerpts of the interview.
I know, sir, that your have expressed your concerns over the state of the nation at different fora that you have spoken. Right now, we are just a few days to the end of the year, what are your expectations for the coming year?
For the coming year, let me be honest with you, the present government can do a lot if they’re determined and if they’re sincere. And also if they are really ready to work the system. But if they just think that, well, they’ve captured Nigeria and it should be business as usual, then it will be business as usual and we will not go forwaerd. So, I’m just praying to God that God will give them the sincerity, the sense of purpose, the determination to do the changes and make the sacrifices that can transform Nigeria. Nigeria stands on the threshold of history and we shouldn’t lose this moment. So, it’s an appeal to them to try and see what we can do. And if they make it business as usual, we just keep limping along and won’t be able to make the kind of quick impact and changes that we need to make, but let’s wait and see.
Like many other Nigerians, you also had your concerns about the way and manner the elections were conducted and how the eventual winner emerged, but having been at the helms of affairs for monthsrunning now, what is your honest assessment of the President Tinubu administration?
I think they could’ve done a bit more. They could’ve made a few more deep and far reaching changes.They could’ve done a bit better. They’ve made some very good appointments, there’s no doubt about that, there are others that we are waiting to see how it will go. But I think, like I’ve said, they have a great chance. But I think they could’ve done a bit better. I think the circumstances in which they came in has not given them the gravitas to do as much as they could’ve done. A lot of people were disappointed. We wish that the BVAS had worked. We wish we had actualy had full transmission of those results as we had hoped. We wish that they had not gone back to manual and then left this kind of lacuna where people are not sure, whether they won or not.So, right now, there’s still this struggle for legitimacy and for asserting themselves that has distracted the government a little bit. But let’s see, I’m hopeful, I’m a perfect optimist in Nigeria and I do know that things would definitely not be as bad as they were during the time of president Buhari.
Concerning the issue of the subsidy removal, do you think it could’ve been handled better?
The only way it could’ve been handled a bit better is if they were better prepared. I think the president’s statement took everyone by surprise, so he decided to push it through. The element of surprise was important because if he didn’t surprside Nigerians, they would not have allowed that subsidy to be done. But they should’ve done a bit more quiet background work so that as soon as they made that announcement, they could put in all the necessary things they needed to put in to make sure that the thing went transparently. But it’s okay, I’m glad that the subsidy is gone anyway, although I hear that somehow or the other, it’s not fully gone, they’re still subsidising a few things. So, we really don’t know what’s going on. But we need to get rid of that subsidy. We need to get the refineries working and we need to make sure Nigeria can produce, that’s what we need to do.
Finally, sir, what’s your advice to Nigerians regarding their expectations for the coming year?
Well, Nigerians should be ready to work hard. And we are at a mode where we should be ready to help ourselves. We can’t keep waiting and waiting and waiting for government. Let everybody roll up their sleeves and let them help themselves. Let them start producing, let them start adding value, let them start manufacturing, let them start exporting. Let them start fixing their own roads, doing their own water, continue doing their own power. Let them just run with these things and not wait for any government to do anything for us, that’s my advice to Nigerians.
One more thing, sir, how come you’re always looking ever so young all of the time, such that it’s so difficult to place your age?
It’s just the grace of God and a simple lifestyle. A simple lifetyle is it for me.
