Nigeria should make amends for injustice to the Igbo – Superior Evangelist Friday 

Superior Evangelist Michael Friday does not need any introduction, the self-effacing prophet known for the accuracy of his predictions, spoke to  Business Hallmark’s  Adebayo Obajemu, on a wide range of issues, excerpts.

CCC Iyanuoluwa Parish every December normally attracts tens of hundreds to hear what the new year portends, is this year going to be different?

God is God of consistency, He never waivers.  We should not add and we should not subtract from the words of God. He is going to manifest Himself in the life of this nation in the fullest of time. He never comes too early or too late, His punctuality is perfect.

Can you give us a glimpse into your background? 

My name is Superior Evangelist Michael Friday, the Spiritual Head of the CCC Iyanuoluwa Parish, AIT road Alagbado. I have an Islamic background. I did not set out deliberately to be a Celestial because in my family there were no Celestial. We were all fanatical Moslems; but on that day of my conversion it was by divine grace, I received His Grace.

The church God first directed me to , the man of God Almighty used then was Most Superior M. A. Sani in Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos. That was in 1977. I was there and despite my youthful age I was their Prophet and God used me greatly. I was there until I moved to Adetola at Aguda , Surulere parish under Most Superior Balogun of blessed memory. These were great men of God, from there my leader set up another branch in  Okota Palace Way ( Ago Parish 4).

I was there until my leader told me to go to the newly set up branch in Alagbado, Cele along the old Ota road.

I was there until the man of God passed on to join the saints. It was at this period that God directed me to establish my own church. That was 36 years ago. I give God the glory. It’s the Lord’s doing, God has performed wonders on this mountain.

God has really used this holy ground to heal the sick , spiritual and physical sicknesses of hundreds of people, delivered thousands from spiritual bondages,and foundational troubles, undermining their destinies and a lot more. People who come here always testify to the glory of God. It’s not our work but God’s. I will always give God the glory for the anointing on this mountain. In the 36 years of this church, we have not buried a single member, God has always given us cause to celebrate, many teenagers who were here at inception are today’s big men and women in different walks of life , some abroad, some here in the country.

God has used many devoted leaders of the various units of the church, our Father, Superior Evangelist Ibironke, we thank God for his life and how God has been using him, to the head of the choir, the Women leader, the head of the youth and the choir, the congregation in general. It has been a wonderful adventure.

We thank God for where he’s taking us to. You know Celestial Church is a spiritual church, so we emphasize the things of the spirit. There’s nothing in this world, we are all in market place, for the world is a market, our permanent residence is Heaven. The most important gift is salvation.

By the Grace of God , we have another branch at Onimalu in Papa along Ilaro road headed by Senior Evangelist Lanre Aremu.

How has it been managing this huge congregation?

It’s not easy to manage people of diverse background, temperament, character and tendencies, but God has seen us through, given us the wisdom and insight to manage people. It’s just His Grace, even the Founder of Celestial Church of Christ, Oshoffa of blessed memory, it was the Grace of God that sustained him.

It’s because of the power of God that we have been able to stay afloat, challenges normally come from within and without, but when God is with you, victory is always sure and guaranteed.

When you want to air your opinion think it through, when you want to judge a matter, seek His face, think over it, and when you want to respond to issues and talks , think it over. When you seek the face of God always, it will make you a wise man in the eyes of the people.

Christianity is at crossroads not only in Nigeria but world wide, what is your view?

We are in endtime, whether we agree or not , we are in endtime. The Scriptures makes to understand that in the last days, strange things will begin to happen.

The crisis of Faith in the country, the challenge and violence of the bandits, Boko Haram can only encourage we Christians to be prayerful, devote more time to God. Religion is a matter of choice, Christians and Moslems are not supposed to be antagonistic towards each other. We need to be prayerful. Nobody can fight for God , He is sufficient in Himself for any battle. God can not be defeated. He is God. We have witnessed moral collapse, across the globe the fear of God is receding, more and more people, including our youth are drawn into Satanic agenda. We need prayers. What is happening in the country, kidnappings, killings and violence of the bandits and Islamic extremists which normal Moslems condemn too, will soon come to an end. God is on the throne, watching. In the fullness of time it will cease. Nigeria will experience peace again.

What is your advice to political leadership?

Our politicians should seek the face of God. They should fear God. The Scriptures says righteousness exalts a nation, but can we actually say there’s righteousness in our nation today? No, we need equity, justice and righteousness for us to grow and develop into what God wants us to be. There should be more inclusion, the Igbo have been unfairly treated by the system. We need to rejig the system, we need to give the Igbo and some minorities a voice.

It’s not easy to manage a diverse nation. Current President Bola Tinubu is trying, but a lot of people don’t know. Full knowledge of what he is doing to reset the nation will come to the fore.

Our politicians should displays less selfishness and do more for the people who elected them to office.