BISHOP STAFFORD NWAOGU is the founder and Prelate of Praise Centre Church International in Owerri, Imo State, as well as, the current Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Imo State Branch.
The soft-spoken but firm Church leader in this interview with EMMA OKEREKE in Owerri, spotlighted the activities of CAN under his leadership attributing the discovery of the bombs planted at the Winners Chapel in Owerri, as God’s answer to the prayers of the saints. He wants the Governments, Generals, emirs and top Northern leaders to do more to chase away the monster – BOKO HARAM from Nigeria. He also lamented over the level of poverty in Nigeria, saying it is a political strategy to keep the poor in perpetual servitude and ensure that money rather than peoples mandate counted during elections and lots more on pilgrims, taxes, and future of Nigeria.
EXCERPTS:
As the current Leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Imo State, what are the principal objectives you have set for your administration and to what extent have they been achieved?
By the grace of God, last year March, I was duly elected and inaugurated as Chairman of CAN, Imo State Chapter. Since then we have been trying tofamiliarize ourselves with what we found on the ground and getting into reconciliatory moves with those who are offended for one reason or other. Theessence of this is to bring them back. So we have reconciliation as one of theprogrammes which God has helped us to achieve. Secondly we want to make sure that members of the five blocks that make up CAN are carried along in our day to day affairs. Thirdly, we plan to get members enlightened byconducting workshops and seminars. We also plan to have a joint meeting between Church and traditional rulers so that we can work as a team for the progress of the Christian faith and the traditional institution. We have also brought in prayers because we feel that prayer has a great part to play in achieving success. The Bible says that if God does not build, those who buildwaste their time. We plan also to speak out, enter into dialogue to solve any militating factor against the Christian faith. We also partner with the government on ground to ensure respect for the rule of law, development and sensitivity to the plight of the masses.
So in all we work towards having peace, unity and love among the various denominations, difference in doctrines notwithstanding.
Talking about peace, may I know your reaction to the recent bomb threat at the Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel) in Owerri?
From what happened during the Othman empire that brought about the loss of the great and commercial City of Constantinapo, my administration found it pertinent to be pro-active. It was in that view that we organized a special prayer for the state on the 10th of June – Pentecost Sunday. We prayed for Imo State and against the menace of Boko Haram. The next Sunday, a bomb was discovered near the gate of Winners Chapel. So we really thank God and believe that it is the answer to that prayer of Christians at the Praise CathedralOwerri, which brought about God averting the bomb blast. We see it as answered prayer. So we have every cause to thank God because had it happened, the peace we have been talking about would have eluded us. As well as, brought a protracted reprisal. This would not have augured well for the Nation and the State. It really beats my imagination how someone can think about coming to destroy the house of God and destroy the lives of innocent worshippers. Whosoever will think about that or try to do so cannot be aworshipper of any God except Satan. That is why everyone says it is BokoHaram. We are meant to understand that some people were arrested and that among them was a man believed to be the brain behind the aborted bomb in Imo State. However, I don’t know what has become of him.
In the light of what has happened, what is your advice to the faithful in the State and beyond.
Giving what has happened and some other rumours of Boko Haram invading the South East and bombs discovered here and there, I think it is time that Christians became vigilante and pro active in reporting any suspicious person or things to the appropriate quarters.
Should government protect Churches?
I call on the government to partner with security agencies to use their training to give the people of Imo State, the security they deserve to avert the BokoHaram menace.
Has this averted bomb blast affected attendance to Church services in Imo?
No. The people still believe that the prayers of the faithful avail much. They believe that God averted that bomb planted at the Winners Chapel. Every Church and organization is praying that it will not happen again. However, I urge the church leaders to organize enlightenment programmes for the members to be vigilante. All in all, prayer is the most effective weapon.
I commend the security agencies for their prompt response to the informationthey received about the bomb at the Winners. We want them to be responding like that.
Some people believe what is happening also has a political undertone. Do you share this view?
I believe it is a mixture of both. It has a religious and political element. It is apolitical cum religious strategy that went out of control. Someone initiated it but could not control it and some other people have hijacked it for otherreasons.
Is the Federal Government doing enough to contend it?
No is a strange development which the Federal government was not preparedfor. Nevertheless, it has been trying, giving the resources at its disposal and the training which the various security agencies have had before now.
Should Churches and Mosques be taxed?
I don’t think it is possible. They are not being taxed overseas, in the land of those who brought democracy to us. Even America gives Churches money.The government pays tithe to the Churches. It is only country in the world that pays tithe and this is what makes America great and prosperous. So taxing Churches is abnormal. If the Churches and Mosques pay tax, it will bring curses to this nation instead of blessings.
Should Government withdraw sponsorship of Muslim and ChristianPilgrims to the Holy Lands?
Government should continue its sponsorship of Pilgrims to the Holy land because the blessing there from to this land is enormous. So government should continue to do so. Besides, if the money for such sponsorship is withdrawn it will disappear into private pockets.
A Christian is expected to be the light of the world and the salt of the Earth. Are you satisfied with the role of Christians in politics and other spheres of life?
David said, “Lord don’t make me poor so that I will not curse you. But don’tmake me too rich so that I will not forget you”.
The problem is poverty. Poverty now in Nigeria is a political strategy because it is only poor people that you can manipulate in terms of voting. Somebody who is poor and hungry is the one you can give some money to commit crime and he will do so without thinking about the consequences. You cannot do so to the rich and wealthy.
But Nigeria is rich. We have money and I don’t see the reason why poverty should still be in this country. If the money realized in Nigeria is properly utilized, the citizens of this country can literally speaking stay at home without working and get at least N1 million every month.
I thank God for President Jonathan. He is trying because to rule Nigeria is not an easy thing. And ruling a country that is corrupt before he assumed office is not easy. There are distractions here and there. There is pressure of corruption from everywhere. He is trying but I want him to do more to reduce poverty and curb corruption. Poverty has made a Christian not to behave likea Christian. I am not saying that is the right thing to do. It is not a goodexcuse. But bear in mind, we are in a society where nominal Christians are more in number than the committed Christians. That is what to expect.However, there are some Christians who are behaving well but we are talking about the majority.
On 2015 and Nigerian’s Unity
We are praying to God about Imo State and Nigeria. We want God tointervene and curb the growing spate of insecurity in the nation. We urge Nigerians to ensure that those they give their mandate are people who fear God. We are praying for peaceful elections, and church leaders should make sure there is spiritual screening of all the aspirants before elections. Political mandate should not be given to those who believe in what their wealth can achieve. As there is gain in having the fear of God. Again church leaders should not allow themselves to be bought over by the politicians or their godfathers.
Let me make it clear that it is not true that there will be no Nigeria after 2015. Many years ago, we were told Nigerians were driving their last cars. No one believed Nigerians will today be driving good cars. So likewise this rumour will not take place because President Jonathan was wise, I think he listened to God, to set up the confab. We are paying for him so that he will handle the outcome well. Besides, it is important to stress that Nigeria occupies a special place in the redemption purpose of God in this end time. So it is not possible.Instead of Nigeria to divide, those that want Nigeria to do so will leave Nigeria.