Prophet Ejike Nwachukwu, the senior pastor of Rhema Deliverance Mission in Nnewi, Anambra state needs no introduction. In this interview with OKECHUKWU ONUEGBU, he said traditional rulers especially from the S/east are responsible for the greed prevalent among youths, the reason for which many Igbo names featured on the recent FBI list.
Nigerian Christians appear segregated. Having been in the field for long, why do you think that is so, and how can it be solved?
If you remember the prayer that Jesus prayed before he ascended into heaven, He said, ‘Father, I have done thy work; I pray that they may be one, even as we are one’. If we are one, nothing can come between us in this nation both politically and otherwise. The talk about islamisation of the country is a fallacy because I don’t actually believe in that. If the Muslims are working hard to islamise Nigeria, Christians should also work hard to Christianise the country. Jesus said, ‘Go ye into the world and multiply and make disciples of all nations’. So, why are we complaining that Muslims are working hard to islamise Nigeria? The problem is that Christians are not together; we are fighting ourselves; we can’t come together under one umbrella. It’s unfortunate that the other day, the Catholic Church pulled out of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). What Nigeria needs at this point in time is divine intervention. Apart from it, more troubles are yet to unfold. If you remember my last interview before the elections, I said President Buhari would win the election whether anyone likes it or not and I told you what would happen with regards to uprising in the country. What is happening today? I told you that after the election, we should get set to witness more crisis in Nigeria. Nigeria is yet to face massive revolution. Watch out! In all, let me tell you, no matter what is going to happen Nigeria will not disintegrate. The country would remain one indivisible country. What we need is for Christians to arise and conquer what is fighting us.
Of late, Christians seemed to be the target of killer herdsmen and bandits especially in the South. What do you advise them to do?
What do you expect Christians to do? It’s the duty of government to protect its citizens. I think it’s time to call for a security summit in this country. It’s long overdue. The president should call for a security summit. Former President Obasanjo in his recent open letter to the president called for a security summit. I will advise that he should not hate the message. You may hate the messenger but don’t hate the message because that message is very sensitive. It is time to call for a security summit in this country. Even traditional rulers in this country have a say in what is going on. I think the president should involve them in the security summit because every monarch knows the nooks and crannies of his village which is where these heinous crimes are committed.
Recently, an Igbo son, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was attacked in Germany by IPOB. What’s your take on that?
The attack was uncalled for, but the truth remains that it is also a warning to our political leaders that a time is coming when, if you refuse to perform, the people would stone you on the streets. So, I think every political leader, irrespective of party affiliation or position of authority should get up from their slumber and perform. If you fail to perform, I am sorry at what may happen to you. Do you know that there are some political leaders here in Anambra who don’t earn the respect of their people any longer because of bad records? They feel so insecure to walk on the streets now. This is why every leader must make sure they perform while in office.
What is your view on the recent ban placed on the issuance of foreign exchange for the importation of certain foods into the country?
I think the president is trying to make Nigeria to be self-sufficient in food production. He believes that his government has performed, but I think it’s too harsh on the economy at the moment. For me, the time is not yet ripe for it because it would cause more hardships to the masses and make food items in the country to skyrocket, and when prices of food items are skyrocketing, you are causing more hardship to the masses. The elites will not feel it but the masses will suffer it. Look at a bag of rice being sold for N18,000 in less than 5 years. I think he should relapse that executive order, it’s not yet time for it.
Names of young Igbo boys topped the list of people arrested for fraud by FBI recently. Do you think it augurs well for the nation?
Igbo are known for trade and Industry. It baffles me and pains my heart that we can be seen in that light. This is not what Igbo nation is known for. This is not Igbo of late Professor Dora Akunyili, late Professor Chinua Achebe, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Philip Emeagwali and others.
We are industrialist, traders; we make money in a genuine way. But look at what our brothers are doing? Who are we to blame? Our traditional rulers, of course, because they have commercialised honour in Igbo land. They confer chieftaincy titles without knowing the source of the wealth. Our traditional rulers are to be blamed for whatever our Igbo youths are turning into as they have set it as an example that every December as long as you come back with a very big jeep and you go and give your traditional ruler a very fat envelope, he will give you a title. I thought that chieftaincy title is reserved for men of integrity and honour but when our youngsters come back, you don’t ask them how they make their money or what they do but you set it as an example to other youths in the village. What do you expect? Next year, they would all travel to Malaysia to go and kill and answer Onwa 1. Our traditional rulers should encourage the youths to be educated. They should stop recognising Yahoo boys with chieftaincy titles. When you are celebrating such people, you are giving others the go-ahead to emulate them. Let them celebrate good success because the Bible made us to know that there is good and bad success. Good success comes from God and hard work.
What is your general advice to the Christendom?
If you are reading this paper, God is talking to you. Whether you are a pastor, bishop, Rev Father and whoever you are, know that Jesus did not die for you alone. He died for all and He said as many have received Him, to such He gives the power to become the sons of God. So, know this that you are not the only one that is going to heaven. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. God spoke to me 12th of May 2019, when I was in America. He said to me that the greatest gospel one can preach is a practical love to one another. If you can’t show love to one another, the gospel you are preaching is nonsense. I am not just talking about the love you feel, but practical love. There is need to respect your fellow being irrespective of what he or she preaches, don’t judge but embrace everyone and let us all call on God for the peace of this nation, if we unite as Christians, the devil would run away.
