Prophet Abiara Of CAC talks Nigeria, his initial doubts about becoming a pastor and More in New interview!
Many Nigerians are worried that Boko Haram has carved out a caliphate out of Nigeria. Are you also worried?Well, the Bible has not left us in the dark. It says in the last days, there will be terrible times. So these are terrible times all over the world. It is not only happening in Nigeria, it is also happening in some other parts of the world. When you watch what is happening on foreign media stations, you will discover that it is not Nigeria alone that is affected by terrorism. Satan has polluted the peace of the world; he is fighting the world, and it has already been recorded in the Bible. When you read the scriptures, you will find out that the Bible says there will be wars, troubles and all sorts of calamities in the end times. It is everywhere. It is the end of the age. People say terrorism is Islamic, but as far as I am concerned, the word ‘Islam’ means peace. I don’t see Muslims as killers or violent people. It is just that Satan has taken over the lives of the terrorists, so it is not about religion. Look at the late former president of this country, Umar Musa Yar’Adua; he was a peaceful man. Again, our present vice-president, Namadi Sambo, is a very gentle and peaceful man. There was a time we went to visit him and he was very polite. He is a gentleman and he is a Muslim. Bola Tinubu is a Muslim too and he is not violent. Governor Raji Fashola too is a Muslim. As for these terrorists, I don’t know where they came from. I think real Muslims must stand and let the world know they are different.
Some people say the political enemies of the government are using terrorism to humiliate the government. Do you believe this too?
You know, there are enemies inside the government. Maybe these enemies are using terrorism to attack the government. There must be an inside help. Someone once said he would make governance impossible if he was not elected to power, according to how I read it in the papers. It is very important to find the reason the person said that because what he said has come to pass. That is why it is very important to be cautious when talking. People will remember what you say. Our politicians must be very careful when they campaign. Nigerians are very intelligent; we don’t forget things easily. People record your sins for you.
In the spiritual realm, do you see this as the end of Nigeria?
No. God is with Nigeria. Nigeria must not be worried at all. Nigeria will have peace by the grace of God through the prayers of the saints. It is a sign of the end time and we should pray that these people should change their minds. God owns their hearts and he can change them through our prayers. We should all pray for this country to let peace reign and God will answer us.
What are the bodies like the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Christian Association of Nigeria doing? Are they not worried about the killings of Christians in the North?
They are worried because many churches have been destroyed. You know, Christians are peaceful. If you see a real Christian, he or she is not violent; Christians have the fear of God. That peace is in us. We are praying for peace to reign. We are praying for both the Muslims and Christians.
Has it always been like this in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims couldn’t tolerate one another?
No, we have always loved one another and we used to tolerate one another. But the devil is waging war against us.
What are the challenges of Christians in the North right now?
There is nothing they can do. They must have read in the Bible that there will be persecution and all sorts of wickedness in the end time. I believe they are strong to bear the will of God. It is what the scriptures say. It is just about praying. It happened in the past. Enemies of believers are always at work. In the Bible, they poured hot oil on some apostles. They cut some into pieces. Yet, these people did not deny Jesus. We should just keep praying that the Lord will deliver them.
Recently, the Christian body lost Pastor Sadella after about 70 years on the pulpit. How will you describe him?
Papa was a man of God who believed in the Bible. He loved everybody. That’s why everyone loved him also. When I heard about his death, because I was not around that time, I was unhappy. But I knew that death is a debt. We thank God for what he did through him.
Did you ever work with him?
Yes, he was our father. He even invited me for a programme two weeks before his death. We used to work together.
At the time you thought of establishing your church, did you start before you joined the Christ Apostolic Church?
I did not break away from CAC. I have always been a CAC member. I didn’t break away, but of course, I knew my gifts then. I was an evangelist and when the church authorities saw the talents in me, they encouraged me. I prayed over it. You must work according to God’s will. We are one. I thank God that CAC is not a mushroom church. Now, talk of power, signs and wonders, intellect and miracles, we thank God that He has made us great.
When did you become born again?
My father was a Catholic and my mother attended CMS, but when I worked under J. O. Agoro in 1970, I followed him to a Pentecostal church, Christ’s Gospel Church. To cut the long story short, I was baptised with the Holy Spirit. Then God said I should go for his work. I did not want to hear this because I saw so many pastors who were not okay; they were like paupers. God told me he was the Alpha and Omega and that he would make me somebody. I obeyed the call and thank God today, he has changed my life, and many lives have also been changed through me.
Weren’t your parents worried that you wanted to become a pastor?
They were worried. In fact, my mother thought I was being lazy and did not want to work. I lost my father in 1976. My mother was afraid. She asked why I wanted to be Pauper Aladura (prophet). But I was sure I heard the voice of God. The work is harder than secular work. It involves self-denial. People around me were afraid.
What was your dream while growing up before becoming a pastor?
I was a clerk earning 15 shillings then. I wanted to be a great trader like my boss. In fact, I wanted to register a company but God said ‘no.’
Was it easy to take the decision?
It was not easy. I saw many Aladuras ringing bell on the streets and collecting peanuts. I did not want that for my life. But thank God he has never let me down. I have passed through tough times, but he has made things easy.
What challenges did you face while starting the ministry?
There was a time all the herbalists and wicked people in my hometown rose up against me because I burnt their shrine in the night. Then, I was in Ibadan. One night, I bought petrol and went to where they were worshipping. When I got there, the whole city had slept. God said I should be careful. I set their stuff on fire. In the morning when they saw it, they asked who did it. My mother was worried because she knew I was capable of doing it. When they eventually discovered, all the hunters and herbalists gathered in the sun and cursed me that I must die within seven days. My mother continued to panic. Meanwhile, I wanted to see whether God was alive or not. I did not even fast again. Then, I would eat just coconut for 21 days, 40 days and people called me prophet coconut. I asked them one day why they were fighting for their idols. I said they should let their idols come to fight me. Seven days later, nothing happened to me, they were surprised. I trusted in God, and he saved me. There is no other God anywhere.
Just like you, why are there many pastors from Osun State?
It is God’s grace. God has given Osun State great grace. You will see many more men of God from there. It is just by his grace and we cannot query him for that.
We also have the traditionalists who observe the Osun Osogbo, Muslims are there and also Christians. How are they able to tolerate one another?
You know who you are serving. Every other person knows. There is no reason to disturb or fight one another. Religion is a matter of choice.
As a young pastor, were you not worried that no woman would marry you because you didn’t have money?
I thank God. I passed through a lot. I did not have interest in women at that time. I only focused on God. But one day, one man named Prophet Adasofujo called me. He said “this boy, won’t you marry?” Then he called me one day to come and meet two of his daughters. When I got there, I liked the first one I saw because she was educated and I thought she could complement me in the ministry. God did not approve it. The second person was a tailor. God said she was the one. But I did not want her. I was annoyed. Eventually, I obeyed what God said. I married her and today, we have three sets of twins. She is a lovely wife. God made my way good.
Your children are also in the ministry. How did you manage to achieve that?
All my children are obedient, I thank God. Some are pastors, some are evangelists. I taught them well and I am happy they are doing fine in the ministry.
Are you not interested in becoming the president of CAN?
How can I struggle for any position? I support those who are there. Competing for positions is not Christ like. Even if they want to pick me, I don’t have the ability.
People think you are the overall president of the CAC.
We have hierarchy. We have the President, the General Secretary, and the General evangelist. I am not the president, I have a boss. I am in the position that the founder of this church, Joseph Ayo Babalola, held and I like it.
Recently, the governments of the United States and Canada gave you awards. What were they for?
My people in the US organised a get-together because I clocked 50 years in the ministry and the US House of Congress through President Obama, sent a representative and honoured me; they gave me an award right there. My people in Canada also did the same. The House of Commons also did what the US Congress did. I thank God. To be in the ministry for 50 years is by his grace.
Why have you been silent about it in Nigeria?
Nigerians will know when it is time. They too are planning to celebrate my birthday. I don’t celebrate birthdays. When the time comes, I will do the two together.
Are you also expecting a private jet as gift?
Well, if people buy it for me, I will accept it. People criticise those who own private jets. It is not good. If the owners think it is a necessity for them, it is fine. It is a blessing to them. It is not a bad thing. It is like a car abroad. Many have two, three cars. It is when people are poor that they say all sorts of things. You know it is not good to make a poor man a treasurer. Our knowledge of wealth here is poor and that is why we make noise about it. It is not a big deal. If I am given, I will use it. Then if God says I should sell it, I will. If he says I should give the money to the poor, I will do that.
Are you a fulfilled man?
Yes, I thank God Almighty I am a fulfilled one. I am doing his work and will continue to do so till I die.
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