Born March 24, 1971, Apostle Johnson Suleman is a notable Nigerian televangelist and the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Auchi, Edo State. He just turned 51 and in a chat with OMIKO AWA, he explains why his birthday is important and some of his beautiful moments among other issues. 

How do you feel about your birthday? 
I FEEL pleased about my birthday. Aside from this, I am privileged to be alive year after year to celebrate my birthday. So, I do not understand why some people say their birthdays are “nothing to celebrate about.” Your birthday is a big milestone to celebrate. It is the day you were miraculously born into this world. It is the day you started your life adventure. Think of all the people you have influenced, impacted and loved since the day you were born. How is that nothing to celebrate about?

How do you intend to make this day unique?
This is where we intend to have some expectations and if we are disappointed, that disappointment will lead to more thoughts of, “nothing to celebrate about.” I am always very enthusiastic each time I remember Psalm 139:13-14: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

What are your beautiful moments? 
These are erratic jiffies in my life, and anytime I have them, I cherish them as my last beautiful moment on earth. However, I could remember the beautiful moment I met the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa; the few seconds I spent with him was like heaven on earth. It was not for material things, but to feel the glory of God that surrounded him. Another beautiful moment that I cannot forget so easily was when I met God’s servant Pastor E. A. Adeboye, apart from the high-level of anointing that God has bestowed on him, I keep learning new things on how to be humble, prayerful and more dedicated to kingdom assignment. 

Have you any regrets?
I have no regrets, except lessons learnt. If given another chance, I would allow extreme compassion to overwhelm good judgment. Philanthropists are always victims of opportunists. 
Looking at society today, you will see that the money ritual is becoming the order of the day, would you say it is because the church has failed in its duties?

It has nothing to do with religious organisation or the government’s failure. It is the effect of the breakdown of family values. Greed is now legalised and parents are prompting their children or wards to join the bandwagon, follow the system. No matter what a pastor, an imam or motivational speaker preaches or says, you cannot advise a man who has not advised himself.

Is there any special programme for your birthday?
It is a Thanksgiving Service. I am in an attitude of gratitude. It is a time of sober reflections, to check my excesses and also to self-evaluate myself. Usually, I do give out cars and cash as gifts, but I later found out that I was giving out cars to hungry people who eventually sell them. So, this time around, I opened a free-for-all restaurant to feed at least 1000 people on a daily basis, beginning from Saturday, March 19. This is my own way of saying, ‘Thank You,’ to the Almighty God.

Some people are of the view that the various churches’ empowerment programmes are empty and encourage people to be lazy and unable to think outside the box. How true is this?
People are entitled to their opinions. What is the semblance between empowerment and emptiness? What is synchronisation? When the church is mute, they complained; when the church helps, they say she is empowering laxity and emboldening lethargy. We will keep empowering members and let critics continue to analyse the programmes.

How do feel making so many waves in ministry across the globe?
Making waves? I do not think I am doing enough for God. I am just a village boy.

Apart from Benin City, how many branches do you have within and outside Nigeria?
In Benin City alone we have 62 branches and over 200 in Edo State. We have branches in every state in Nigeria and 61 others in different countries in the six continents of the world.

Outside your televangelism, how are you partnering with other churches and Christian bodies to evangelise Nigeria and the world?
Every ministry has its own strategy. And they are all geared towards reconciling men to God. We are all in pursuit of souls, depopulating hell and populating heaven … that is our meeting point.

How do you feel as a young man always seeing yourself amid controversies?
Controversies are not deliberately courted. At least, no sane man would do that. But when you think outside the box or when you are blunt and speak truth to power, and also, lead people, you are bound to step on toes. Doing this, tempers are equally bound to flair. I was initially worried, but when I found out that certain social media influencer sees my name as a traffic jackpot I tend to overlook the whole issue. This media influencer uses sensationalistic headlines with my name to attract readership and garner income. I have been calm, but this does not mean I am totally happy about it.

Apart from preaching and televangelism, do you have any other business that gives you money for your charity and the kingdom work?
Church does not give me money rather it takes from me. What I spend on members on a Sunday is what the church generates for two months. I have eight businesses. My wife manages most of them and she does so very well. She holds an academic PhD in human resources and business administration.

You once said that the enemies of Nigeria are with its leadership, what exactly do you mean by this?
Sure! The enemies of Nigeria are Nigerians. We have a leadership that has glamourised corruption. The current leadership recovered the looted funds of the previous and current officers and they are ‘relooting’ the loots. Endemic corruption and bankruptcy of vision have become the order of the day. It is unfortunate that most Nigerians are a funny bunch. They celebrate lies and have short memories of events.

Last year, it was rumored that Pastor Adeboye turned down your invitation because of issues concerning your involvement in sexual abuse and other scandals, how true is this?
This is a diabolical lie. Firstly, there was no such thing. The young man who wrote the story (not The Guardian) only wanted media attention after sending different people to reach me. He was told the only way to get my attention was to sell that lie and funny enough some people bought it. Although, many knew it was fallacious. I told Daddy G.O. not to come because I did not want the media to drag him into a non-issue. The event was very glorious and Daddy G.O. sent a recorded prayer on the video to us. So, he honoured the invitation with his prayers.

With your experience, what advice would you give to young pastors coming into ministry?
Make sure you are called by God. You must be very sure of it. Have a mentor or role model. Be addicted to your Bible. Have multiple streams of income because you will lose respect if you depend on the church for funds. Do not joke with the concept of family. You will make mistakes but learn from them. Depends on the Holy Spirit and you will be just fine.

What is your position on tithes and tithing?
I pay tithes. My members do. I wish whosoever that does not believe in it well. But let those who believe in it continue to pay.