Why I Don’t Advise People To JAPA

• GENESIS Prophet, ISRAEL OLADELE OGUNDIPE

Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, better known as Genesis, is one of the most followed men of God in the country. People love to listen to him speak. When he speaks, his words are often filled with lots of wisdom and very instructive life lessons. The prophet, who heads Genesis parish of Celestial Church of Christ, has a way with words and phrases that often captivate his listeners. For somenone who says he never saw the four walls of a university, he sure knows how to express himself sufficiently well in English, and not only that, he is quite creative with his words. It must be said that he has really done well for himself, improving himself and elevating himself to the level where he has gotten to today.

A couple of weeks ago, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) had a brief interview with Genesis and got him to share his thoughts about the state of the nation, his impression of the President Tinubu government and what he thinks about the ‘JAPA’ syndrome that has hit the country.

It’s a few days into the new year, what are your expectations for Nigeria from the government?

I am always positive in whatever I do, regardless of whatever is going on in the country. You know, God is greater than government, so I embrace Godment more than government. Of course, we can as well react, we can as well complain, we can tell the world what we’re going through, but when God is in charge we’re going to have a stressless year because there is no country that is perfect. And I am not saying this to defend what is going on in our country, I am widely traveled and I know what is happening in other climes. But I have come to realise that if God is going to turn things around for us and build a new chapter for us, sometime he will build us through hardships. He will build us through trials. Hardships and trials sometimes help us to rediscover ourselves, make us to discover new opportunities, make us discover God, make us discover what we have not discovered before. Because great things must always come from the deep. So, sometimes, when we’re going through whatever we’re going through, it’s to make us realise some things are meant to be changed. Some things are meant to be redefined. I try not to sound too religious whenever I’m talking about Nigeria.

You sound very optimistic about Nigeria’s future, what do you say to those who are leaving the country in search of greener pastures everyday?

It’s just like the question someone asked me not long ago, wanting to know what I think about people relocating out of the country, and I said it’s not about relocating out of the country alone, if you wish to relocate, I’m not going to discourage anyone, you must’ve seen reasons why you need to relocate. But you must ask God, if I relocate, am I going to accelerate? Am I going to grow? Like I said, I am not discouraging anybody from relocating, if it’s a decision you have taken and you’re sure that’s the only way you can do exploits, you can go ahead and relocate. But if you believe in Nigeria, you can stay behind and push through the obstacles. As for me, I believe in Nigeria. The United States of America is over 300 years old, Nigeria is not up to 100 years old. I have been to the USA several times and other parts of the world and I have realised that most times, we should allow time, season, to be in charge of our decisions before we start getting too anxious. But at the end of the day, it’s up to whoever wants to relocate and whoever wishes to stay.

You were one of those prophets who came out clearly to say that you believe in the government of President Tinubu. Right now, he has done a few months in office, how would you rate his performance so far?

Well, I am not a politician, I am a prophet. And I do not dabble into predictions to get validated as a prophet. When that video came out back then, the truth is that the video was doctored. They made it look like I was campaigning, but I wasn’t campaigning. That is a story for another day. I was actually saying nobody should teach people who they are supposed to vote for. But it was doctored to look like I was campaigning. Well, maybe it was to the good of the new president. When I was attacked about it, I could not really say much, only put out a few words to explain what happened. But this is what I will say. When President Sheu Shagari was in office, people were cvomplaining. When Obasanjo was there, people complained. Even in America, when Trump was there, people complained. Biden is there now, people are still complaining. If another person gets there tomorrow, people will still complain. Stop complaining and get something doing with your life.

There are so many people expecting a whole lot from the Nigerian government, but I ask, have you been able to develop yourself? Have you been able to upgrade yourself? I didn’t go to Bible school, I didn’t go to Theological school, I dfidn’t go to the universty or the polytechnic, but I started developing myself everyday not expecting anything from the Nigerian government. So, I am not going to rate anybody. If he is not doing the right thing, God knows the right thing to do. But its not about killing ourselves, its not about fighting ourselves. By the time we start fighting ourselvs or killing ourselves, it does not affect them in any way. You know the Yoruba adage that says when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. I’m not one of those that condemn. I will never condemn. It doesn’t matter if people are saying this president or that president is not good, the important thing is to profess is that, God, let that season or administration favour me.

What you profess out of your mouth matters a lot. When Shagari was in government, my father was a tenant. By the time Obasanjo got there, I became a landlord. When Buhari was there, people said it was tough. When Goodluck was there, it was bad luck for some people. But its not about the president that gets there, its about your optimism about the season, understanding that, no matter what it is, things will work together for my own good. We have seen lots of youths doing great things. My son didn’t relocate, he studied here and he was able to come out with good results. That’s why I don’t believe in relocating before you can become successful. So, I’m not going to criticise the president and I’m not going to rate him by any parameter, we are all looking and we are all watching, let God take control. But here is my word to our leaders, whatever they are doing, they are making down payments for the future of their children. I am not in support of anybody, but as a leader, whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim, whatever you do today is what your children will benefit from tomorrow. Whatever you do today will be your legacy tomorrow. What will people say when you’re no more there? What are they saying now that you’re still alive? Whatever you’re doing now, keep doing it. If you’re doing bad, keep doing it. God will not abandon this country, you will pay for whatever you sow. And remember, if you’re doing bad, your children will pay for it, your grandchildren will pay for it. Some of them will pay with Cancer. Some of them will pay with sudden death. But above all, let us keep praying that God should direct their path

Finally, where do you get your passion and the energy with which you always speak from? From way back when I first got to know you, you have always been filled with positivity, where do all of these come from?

(Smiles) I was born into Islam and grew up as a Christ Gospel Apostolic church boy. I am not overly religious because I believe Christianity is not a religion but a way of life. I believe in love. I believe in purity of purpose. I believe in equity. Sincerely, I believe in love and the Holy Spirit has been my biggest partner. Just like our mummy that we are celebrating here today, we have known ourselves for over 30 years and I have been a prophet to her for over 20 years to the glory of God and I have not, for once in my life, called her and say, mummy, send me one naira. I have never charged any billionaire in my life. I have never said to any rich person, ah, Holy Spirit said we are going to pray, bring one thousand naira and I guess that’s one of the reasons why we are still together. That’s why I have been connected to so many powerful people in Nigeria to the glory of God because integrity is connected to the prophetic. I have always been praying, oh, Lord, don’t let me begin to see myself like I’ve arrived, oh, Lord, renew my humility, because the moment you stop humbling yourself, you start grumbling and you start fumbling. But to the glory of God, God has been faithful to me, guiding me, leading me, directing my path.