Tomorrow, August 14, 2023, the Bishop of Sabongidda-Ora Diocese Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Reverend Augustine Ehijimetor Ohilebo will be a year older. In this interview with CHRIS IREKAMBA, the Diocesan Bishop spoke on his birthday, ministry, why men of God should observe regular medical check up, subsidy removal and the rancour between the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy among others.

How do you feel celebrating this unique EVENT?
YES, August 14, 2023 is my day, to God be the glory. I will be a year older tomorrow. Well, I always feel good celebrating God’s goodness yearly even though I don’t do any party.

How do you intend to celebrate it this year?
I don’t intend to organise any party. I will give thanks to God Almighty for His mercy by holding family prayers and private Thanksgiving. I may also have a family refreshment if I have the funds.

What are some of your experiences in the ministry?
My ministry experiences are both good and funny; honestly, it has been God. He has been very faithful. Some very good priests and lay members of our Diocese, some friends and family members have been very unique and supportive too. There are also some who will never see anything good in what you are doing, no matter how fantastic they may be. Some think it should have been them and not me on the seat. In all, God has been faithful to me and my dear wife has been a wonderful pillar of support.

Do you think Christianity in Nigeria is under threat; if yes, what are the remedies?
Well, Christianity has always been under threat from the beginning and this has always made the church to be stronger and better. The major remedy for this, is for the church to remain focused; be more united, Bible-based and watchful.

Men of God are the most misunderstood people. Why is it so?
It is not in all cases. The misunderstanding sometimes comes from within the group of these men of God themselves and this is because of power, position and wealth some of them possess.

For others, it is because everyone feels that the man of God is a spirit and not a human being who can be sick, weak, sometimes broke and emotional, among others.

Costly assumptions have made people to feel that men of God do not need to be prayed for. There are other reasons based on whatever is bringing the misunderstanding. There are some created by the “man of God” himself.

What are the biological warnings that men of God should watch out for, to avoid sudden death?
I will say here that, you are useless to the people of God when you are dead. Dead people cannot preach or evangelise, it is only when you are alive that you can do these things. It is, therefore, important to look after your health if you are serious about winning souls for Christ.

Regular check up is good because ‘wisdom is profitable to direct; we need to apply wisdom. Deliberately create time to rest, if you are on medication be faithful to them because faith without work is dead.

What is your impression about subsidy removal, Nigeria Labour Congress/ Federal Government negotiation, and the suffering Nigerians are passing through?
I have decided to look up to God concerning the Nigeria situation. Whether we agree or not, some of leaders come to power to play politics with gullible Nigerians.

We have all it takes to sell fuel for #80:00 in Nigeria. We have the crude oil, the refinery and the genuine human resources to use, but we would not use them. What stops us from repairing the refineries in the country?

Fuel subsidy removal is a scam. NLC and Federal Government are playing games, while the average Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty.

Some people are using the ugly situation in the country to enrich themselves. Why some are getting poorer now, there are some who are getting richer through the pains of others. Let us look up to God and maybe have some ‘fate’ in our “government.” We are watching and praying for all.

What is your impression about Nigerian youths leaving the country for greener pastures abroad?
Unfortunately, some of our youths who are migrating are dying on the roads. This country has made life so unbearable that so many young people want to leave the country. It is said that they are lazy, but not all are. What are we creating for those of them who are strong to keep them motivated? Nothing!

They cannot die here; so, some prefer to die outside there. Although we do not encourage this exodus, but painfully, our leaders are not helping matters. For me, I am going nowhere; we are here to fix Nigeria together by the grace of God and it will get better one day.

What is your advice to the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who are at loggerheads?
Both the governor and the deputy are close to me. The governor said that there was nothing like planning to impeach his deputy, so, why the rush to go to court? I advice my brother, my governor to remain focused because this is a big distraction; he should remain resolute, careful and prayerful. His deputy has been with him through thick and thin, therefore, they should resolve their differences as matured people and end well together.

For the deputy, I advise him to remain humble, loyal and faithful. If he is nursing any ambition, which is contrary and agreeable with the vision of his boss, he should drop his own ambition and support his boss.

Finally, what is your advice to Nigerians?
Let us keep hope alive; keep putting in your best, keep praying and looking up to God Almighty. It shall be well.