Connect with us

celebrity radar - gossips

“Having Knowledge of The Bible Alone Doesn’t Make A Pastor” …Grace Christian Church’s Pastor Kunle Yusuf

Published

on

 

Pastor Kunle Yusuf is the chief executive officer and lead consultant, Above Productions Company, a registered company that deals in event management, radio and television productions, sports marketing and public relations consultancy. A media and public relations practitioner of over eighteen years standing covering both print and electronic media, Pastor Kunle, in this interview, shares his life experience including his career and how he was called by God to spread the gospel. Excerpts

 

You are a career person. Are you moving away from your job to run a full ministry?

The answer is quite simple. I am combining my career with ministry assignment. My desire had always been serving God and humanity. But it was difficult combining all this together in another man’s calling. You knew before now that I was serving as a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, but not at optimum level. As a trained PR and media practitioner, it turned out somehow challenging combining both roles together. So, I started praying, asking God for directions. And answer finally came last year; hence my decision to start my full time ministry without cluttering my career path. After all, both are services to God and humanity.

 

What gifts and skills do one need to serve effectively as pastor and how well prepared are you?

The calling of God is without repentance. You must be sure of the calling of God before venturing into it. Part of the issues plaguing Christendom today was that too many people were ambitious but not really sensed the call of God before venturing out. And this is serious! You must attend medical school before calling you Doctor; attend Law school before being called a Barrister. Not exactly the same when we talk about spiritual issues. While your bible knowledge must be above average, that itself does not guarantee a successful calling as Pastor, Prophet, Bishop or any other ministerial callings. While not playing down the knowledge of the bible which is key; that itself is never enough. Talking about gifts and skills you must possess, I will say, maturity is very vital. You must be a mature Christian inside out. You must not be materialistic. You must ignore filthy lucre. Gift of oratory is never enough. You must be word-driven.

The calling is never a meal ticket.

 

When you received the calling, was there a specific area that God asked you to serve in?

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. That is the mandate. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. That is the mandate. To appoint unto them that mourn in Nigeria and abroad, to give unto them beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. That is the mandate.

 

Tell us some of your past experiences in the church that prepared you in leading your own ministry?

This would probably occupy a whole book. Though from a Muslim background, the deaths of my parents changed my outlook to life. That we are alive only is by the grace of God. I started out as a Cell leader; later youth pastor and after marriage, Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I had met and dealt with Pastors with different characters. Some were good; some to the extreme. Few experiences hurt more than learning that someone you trust has lied to you. If you are devout, the effect could be profound, as it was for me in the beginning.

 

Your congregation is interested more in your leadership capabilities; how much are you prepared in winning your members’ confidence?

I think the most important confidence they would need from you is to exemplify Christ. When I started out as a church goer several years back, guess I was eighteen (18) years at the time, I was angry seeing the way things were. I felt I had been tricked, that my hopes and goals turned out to be futile. But I have learnt a great deal. You must look unto Jesus: the author and finisher of our faith. This way, you would never be shocked or surprised at your leaders’ character flaws, while not giving excuses to the ways of Pastors and church leaders, who frittered away the goodwill of their members. Truth is, focusing on Jesus, the head of the church is the way out.

 

What is your understanding of faith?

Faith is never a feeling. It is viewed in many ways, and thus discussion of one’s faith may be difficult without first pinning down which meaning we are talking about. Faith could mean allegiance to duty or person. It could mean firm belief in something for which there is no proof. For me, understanding faith, I always put it in terms of a relationship. When we speak about biblical faith, that I am disposed to, we are speaking in terms of having faith, trusting, based upon relationship with God through His son, Jesus. With that in mind, Hebrews 11:1-2 do come in. Faith believes even when it makes no sense to believe, not because of the proof before you , but because of the trust you placed in the object of your faith. Biblical faith is in a person, the person of  God, ( God the father, son and Holy Spirit) they are one. Faith is never in me or my abilities but on God and His abilities.

 

What is your honest position on tithing and what is it that you are going to do differently that will stand you out as a church leader?

Like every good deed, Satan, through the enemies of the gospel, is waging war against tithing. The bible says, ‘I will build my church, and the enemies will never prevail against it’. What this means therefore is there is quarrelling or struggling with the church, but the enemies will never have the final say. That is they will never prevail against it. The truth is: tithing predates Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that many people used the word ‘tithe’ synonymously with any church-related giving. The word tithe literally means “tenth”. Tithe was an obligatory offering from Mosaic law requiring 10 percent of an Israelite’s first fruits. However, a note of caution must be observed: only pay up tithe where you are getting blessed and you are sure the place is a fertile soil.

Share with us your journalism years and academic achievements.

I was a senior correspondent and entertainment writer with Nigerian Tribune from where I later functioned as contributing editor at Society Post, a weekly magazine. Between 2011 and 2012, I worked as the marketing consultant at Unique FM, Ilesa, Osun State. I was the general manager of Breakthrough Television Services Limited, where I produced highly successful programmes such as ‘Check It Out’, a live TV programme on Galaxy TV; ‘Weekend Delight’ on NTA Port Harcourt, Rivers State Television (RSTV); ‘Sports Circuit’ on LTV 8, Lagos, and several others. I was once an associate producer of ‘Child & Society’ on Nigerian Television Authority, NTA 2 Channel 5. Currently, I work as the editor, ‘Straight Times’ magazine, based in Ibadan. For my academic, I hold a National Diploma in Mass Communication; Bsc. Degree in Public Administration and Masters Degree (Distinction) in Communication Studies from the Lagos State University. I obtained post graduate Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College, Main Campus. I’m a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), where I serve as part time lecturer while I’m the former secretary general of the Entertainment Writers Association Of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter.

 

Tell us about your business outfit and how far you have spread.

Above Productions Company is a registered company with Corporate Affairs Commission. We are event managers, radio and television producers, sports marketers and public relations consultants. We produce ‘Entertainment Plus’, a highly successful programme on several television stations in Nigeria. We have extensive experience on event activation and public relations consultancy.  We also produce ‘Family Line’, a radio programme on Premier FM, Ibadan, and other stations. We enjoy, by the grace of God, patronage from Nigerian Breweries PLC, Universal Mccan, MindShare Lagos, Unilever PLC, and Insight Communications, etc.

 

Tell us about your family and how is your new vocation going to impact them?

I’m a young man with budding passion to serve the Lord. I am happily married to Pastor (Mrs.) Motunrayo Olakunle. For now, we are blessed with three wonderful and God-fearing boys; David, Daniel and Samuel. Like their parents, they don’t joke with their faith. I’m a voracious reader and this, they pick from me. My wife is a trained teacher with first Degree in Economics Education. Telling them about my faith posed no problem as my wife was a minister in the church before we met. She did give birth to our children as a Pastor’s wife.

 

The church’s relationship with the state, how should it be?

Jesus commands to ‘render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. The relationship must be mutual. Note that religious organizations helped many countries to draft their new constitutions. In countries like Benin, Congo, Togo and DRC, religious leaders were asked to be speakers of parliament. In Togo for example, a Bishop acted as a speaker of parliament for two years and in Congo, a Bishop acted in the same capacity for almost four years. In Liberia, during the war, the head of the Lutheran church was asked to be the Vice President of the country while people were looking for ways to end the civil war. In Nigeria, the same is playing out as we do have as Vice President a Pastor. The church’s relationship with the state must be cordial so as to guarantee peaceful co-existence of citizens in the state.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

celebrity radar - gossips

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh

Published

on

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh

 

Majority of Deltans are unanimous in their submissions that the name of
Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, a celebrated top civil servant and retired permanent secretary in Delta State Government House has been recorded in the good side of history.

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh

As he clocked 60 today, family members, friends, associates and well wishers have been falling over themselves to pay tribute to a kind hearted and jolly good fellow.

 

Edwin, a scion of the famous Gbegbaje family in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, a family noted for producing top bureaucrats and influential public servants.

For 35 years until he retired in January 2024, he added values to Delta State civil service, deepening its positive nuances and was one of the people that nurtured the civil service of the young state upon creation in 1991 to its now enviable heights, setting it along with others on a trajectory that has made it one of the best in the country.

Gbegbaje’s story is far from the proverbial rags-to-riches . He was born into comfort and high society, but suddenly lost his affluent parents in his first and third years at the University of Jos, but with good counsel and guidance of relatives who were bureaucrats, Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje made a career choice that saw him becoming a permanent secretary at 46, a very rare feat in those days.

In an interview conducted three years ago to celebrate his 57 years, he offered a glimpse into his life, challenges and triumph. “I come from the larger Gbegbaje family in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. We have quite several branches of the genealogical tree. We have the Abesan. The patriarch of the family is Chief Gbegbaje Dasone.

“We have Oloyo Gbegbaje and Ogidi Gbegbaje. My parents were civil servants like myself. My mum was a social welfare officer who rose through the ranks.During the late Ambrose Ali administration in Bendel State, she was appointed permanent secretary. My father was a medical doctor.

“He was the first radiologist in the defunct Bendel State and second in the country. My father was the chief consultant radiologist in Bendel State. I also have an uncle, Mr. K Gbegbaje who was a permanent secretary. When he retired, he became the Chairman of Bendel State Civil Service Commission. I have an uncle who was the first Accountant-General of Kwara State. He was in the northern civil service in the 60s.He later became Chairman of National Oil. I am from a family of bureaucrats. I attended Emotan Primary School in Benin.

“I proceeded to Edo College. When I left Edo College, I had the desire to leave Benin. Even when I was admitted into UNIBEN to study Economics and Statistics, I wasn’t enthusiastic. So, I got admission to study Political Science in Jos in 1981. Prof Emovon from UNIBEN was the Vice-Chancellor in Jos at the time. As I was entering, Jos ceased being a campus of the University of Ibadan. I was there from 1981 -1985. I graduated before my 21st birthday.

“Unfortunately, I lost my dad as I was entering the university in 1981. When I was just getting into my third year, I lost my mum.

It wasn’t easy being the eldest among my siblings. In fact, I was encouraged to come for Christmas holiday in Benin without knowing that the evening of my arrival in Benin was the period of my mum’s service of songs.

“I didn’t have an inkling that such a thing had happened. I didn’t even hear that she was ill. I was shocked when I saw canopies in my compound at Ovie Whiskey Avenue close to Ekhewan Campus. A prominent Jos-based businessman from Ughelli encouraged me to visit home for Christmas.

“I graduated in 1985 and taught at a secondary school in Iko-Eket, Cross River State. Just as I was finishing, there were some advertisements for jobs. I didn’t see the one for NNPC early enough.Towards the end of 1988, my uncle who was the Chairman of Bendel State Civil Service Commission, said since I couldn’t get a private sector job, I should participate in extended interviews, especially since I had sat for ASCON examination.

“He advised me to start a career in the civil service. By the end of 1988, letters of appointment were out. I wasn’t conscious of the fact that the person who resumes first becomes the senior in service. I didn’t resume early. My uncle said I was supposed to have resumed instead of waiting to resume in the New Year. A few of my friends who were conscious of it had resumed and they became my seniors in service. I resumed on January 3, 1989.

“That was how my career started. We were supposed to come in as administrative officers Grade 7, but at that time there was a decree. So, by the time we came in, we were designated as personnel officers. We were regarded as the special class.

“Upon the creation of Delta State on August 27, 1991, we all had to move to Asaba. In fact, the movement was swift.
We were all not fully prepared for the swift movement. There was a surge of human beings into Asaba with the state creation. A lot of us couldn’t get accommodation in Asaba when we came. In fact, I stayed in Ibusa for nine years. It was when I met my wife that we moved to Asaba. A lot of my colleagues were sleeping in the offices then.

On his retirement, the Delta State governor praised Gbegbaje’s contribution to the growth of the state.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, at the retirement thanks-giving service of Gbegbaje, urged civil servants in the state to emulate his virtues.

Speaking at a grand reception in honour of the celebrant at the Events Centre, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori described Ogidi-Gbegbaje as an intelligent, humble, diligent, transparent, process driven, selfless, accountable and compassionate bureaucrat.

While congratulating the retired Permanent Secretary for his diligent and patriotic service to the state, Oborevwori said Ogidi-Gbegbaje was very helpful in the last seven months of his administration.

According to him, “a lot has been said about Sir Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje and I also have a personal experience about him while I was Speaker and in the last seven months as Governor of Delta State, we have worked very closely and he helped me to settle down quickly.

“Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje played his role very well, he is diligent in his duties and was always giving good and useful advise wherever he worked.

“Your service to humanity is something worth emulating and I must say that I enjoyed working with you. I congratulate you for 35 years of unblemished and meritorious service to the government and people of Delta State.

“We are going to miss you, the civil service will miss you, the machinery of government will miss you, you are retired but you are not tired, and your service is still needed.

“I want other civil servants to emulate your commitment to duty. So my message to other civil servants is that they should emulate Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje.

“If you look at his journey in the civil service from Bendel to Delta, you see his commitment to duty. Today, he has finished strong and we rejoice with him and his family”.

Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, congratulated the celebrant for a successful retirement from service and urged other civil servants to emulate his kind virtues and commitment to duty.

From all indications, Edwin Ogidi-Gbagbaje is worth celebrating, he has touched numerous lives in the last six decades.

At the cusp of his 60th anniversary, the social and the civil service landscapes pulse with milestones he has achieved thus reasserting his worth as a rare force of nature. As family and friends join him in celebrating his 60th birthday, the image that pops into head is that of his genius and the passionate intensity he possesses, literally squizing water from stone as far as the public service is concerned. His brilliant performance as a permanent secretary, Delta State Government House, has earned him another appointment. He is currently the Chairman, Delta State Bureau for Pension and has been giving a splendid account of himself.

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

“In All Life’s Hardships, Keep Your Smile” By Prudent Ludidi

Published

on

"In All Life's Hardships, Keep Your Smile" By Prudent Ludidi

“In All Life’s Hardships, Keep Your Smile” By Prudent Ludidi

Let’s talk about a powerful tool that can help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and hope. That tool is your smile.

 

Life can be tough. It can throw us curveballs, test our resolve, and push us to our limits. But in the midst of hardship, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We forget to smile, forget to laugh, and forget to live.

"In All Life's Hardships, Keep Your Smile" By Prudent Ludidi

Your smile is more than just a facial expression. It’s a symbol of strength, courage, and determination. It’s a beacon of hope that shines brightly, even in the darkest moments.

When life gets tough, it’s tempting to frown, to cry, or to give up. But I urge you to do the opposite. Smile. Smile through the tears, smile through the pain, and smile through the struggles.

Smiling doesn’t mean you’re ignoring your problems or pretending everything is okay. It means you’re choosing to rise above, to find the silver lining, and to focus on the good.

Your smile has the power to transform your mindset, inspire others, diffuse tension, and heal emotional wounds. It’s a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and fear.

Think about it. When was the last time you smiled? Really smiled? Not just a polite smile or a forced grin, but a genuine, heartwarming smile?

Smiling can:

Reduce stress and anxiety
Boost your mood and energy
Improve your relationships
Increase your resilience

So, how can you keep your smile shining bright, even in the face of adversity?

Find the humor in difficult situations. Laughter is a powerful way to shift your perspective and lighten the load.

Practice gratitude daily. Focus on the good things in your life, no matter how small they may seem.

Surround yourself with positivity. Spend time with people who uplift and support you.

Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and prioritize self-care.

Remember, your smile is contagious. It can light up a room, brighten someone’s day, and change the atmosphere.

In all life’s hardships, keep your smile. It’s a reminder that better days are ahead, that you’re stronger than you think, and that you’re not alone.

Your smile is your superpower. Use it to overcome obstacles, to uplift others, and to create a ripple effect of joy and positivity.

Don’t let life’s challenges steal your smile. Keep shining, keep smiling, and keep pushing forward.

You are stronger than you think.

You are braver than you feel.

And you are capable of overcoming anything that comes your way.

So, smile. Smile with confidence. Smile with courage. Smile with hope!

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

Lagos State’s Stability is a Barometer for Nigeria’s Stability – Amb. Tukur Buratai

Published

on

Lagos State’s Stability is a Barometer for Nigeria’s Stability – Amb. Tukur Buratai

Lagos State’s Stability is a Barometer for Nigeria’s Stability – Amb. Tukur Buratai

 

The Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS, Nigerian Army) and Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Ambassador (Lt General rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR has said that Lagos State has all the qualifications of a modern city and is one of the most populated cities in Sub – Saharan Africa. He went further to affirm that Lagos is also indicative of the degree to which Nigeria’s economic, political, social, and cultural landscape is deeply embedded within the global system.

 

Lagos State’s Stability is a Barometer for Nigeria’s Stability – Amb. Tukur Buratai

He made this assertion on Wednesday 20th November, 2024 as the keynote Speaker at the Second Edition of the Lagos State University of Education Security Summit, with the theme: Insecurity, Cost of Living and Good Governance in the 21st Century.

 

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai, while delivering the lecture in a paper titled: Lagos in Nigeria’s National Security and Defence Architecture: An Analysis.

 

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai postulated in his paper that, “The presence of strategic military installations, the verse Atlantic Ocean and extensive coastline has placed Lagos State on the strategic defense map of the Armed Forces of Nigeria”, He said further that, ” While the sea provides a strategic economic status it could also be vulnerable to external attacks across the ocean”.

 

In his paper, Ambassador Tukur Buratai reiterated that the Lagos State government should begin to look at the options and implications of having its own security.

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai also emphasized the urgent necessity to bolster our nation’s troop level to 800,000. He said a larger and more robust force will enhance operational readiness, improve our country’s capacity to respond to various contingencies, and strengthen our alliance on the international stage.

 

 

He also called for the establishment of a Marine Corps for the Nigerian Navy to be strategically stationed in key regions such as Lagos, Borno, Cross River, and Port Harcourt.

 

 

He also raised the pressing issue of the persistent lack of stable power supply in Lagos. He asserted that the Lagos State Government must urgently prioritize the development of independent power generation.

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai also lauded the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s strategy regarding security in Lagos, which provides an example for governor’s throughout Nigeria. He said the governor recognizes that genuine security transcends mere physical presence or reactive measures. He commended the governor’s innovative approach, which has redefined the urban governance, and has also set a benchmark for other states to follow.

 

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai also recalled that during his tenure as the Chief of Army Staff, he had the distinct privilege of witnessing the fruitful collaboration between the Nigerian Army and Lagos State under the leadership of Former Governor Ambode and now Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 

 

Ambassador Buratai, during the lecture, also appluaded the Lagos State Government on its infrastructural development in Lagos State, especially the Red and Blue Railway lines.

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai also commended the Federal Government interventions in the development of Lagos State, while applauding the construction of the Lagos to Calabar Highway, he adviced the Lagos State and Federal Government on the security implications of opening up the high way, he suggested to the government to be proactive by early planning for its security when opened and becomes operational.

 

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Education, Prof B. B Lafiaji-Okuneye welcomed Ambassador Tukur Buratai to the institution. In her words, she said, ” The great warlord and global peace ambassador is visiting our great institution for the first time. Sir, we appreciate you and what you stand for. Your desire for a Nigeria that is peaceful and safe, where the citizens and residents are free and are given every opportunity to prove their worth and contribute to the growth and development of the nation is evident “.

 

 

While making his contribution during the summit, the Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Lagos State, appreciated and commended Ambassador Buratai for adding value to the security summit and more importantly adding value to the Lagos State University of Education. The Commissioner also drew the attention of the participants of the summit to parts of Ambassador Buratai’s paper, where he elaborated on the strategy of social inclusiveness rather than the use of force to curb insecurity.

 

 

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Barr Tolani Sule on behalf of the Lagos State University of Education, presented a Plague of Honour to Ambassador Buratai for his role in nation building.

 

 

Other discussant at the Summit included, HRM, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, (Arolugbade 11, the Oloja of Epe Land and the Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs), HRM, Oba Momodu Afolabi Ashafa ( The Aladi of Ijanikin Kingdom), HRM, Oba (Dr) Aina Josiah Olanrewaju ( IKUYAMIKU 1, the Oloto of Oto Awori Kingdom) and HRH, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja JP ( ALADESHOYIN, the Paramount Ruler of Odo – Noforija Kingdom), all of whom spoke on the theme :Insecurity, Cost of Living and Good Governance in the 21st Century.

 

 

The event which was attended by various Traditional Rulers, Members of the Governing Council and Senate of the Institution, the Commissioner of Tertiary Education in Lagos State, Barr Tolani Sule, Captain of Industries, Security and Para Military Chiefs in Lagos State, various invited guests and the students.

 

 

Ambassador Tukur Buratai’s delegation to the summit included, Lt General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), Former Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Colonel Emmanuel Adegbola (rtd), Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, Alhaja Toyyibat Adeosun, Alhaji Isa Dogo amongst others.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending