The associates of Vice-President Yemi
Osinbajo, and members of the Olive Tree House Parish of the Redeemed
Christian Church Of God, Banana Island, Lagos, where Osinbajo served as a
senior pastor, in a new interview with Punch newspaper tell what they know about him.
Osinbajo, and members of the Olive Tree House Parish of the Redeemed
Christian Church Of God, Banana Island, Lagos, where Osinbajo served as a
senior pastor, in a new interview with Punch newspaper tell what they know about him.
See excerpts below:
The church administrator Tope Jegede who has known him for about 10 years says
“He is a man of service. As a pastor in
our parish, he is highly respected. His major calling into the ministry
is to touch the hopeless and the vulnerable. I am not surprised that he
got the opportunity to serve the nation because he has always carved a
niche himself anywhere he finds himself. In Olive Tree, before his
involvement in the elections, he had created 10 programmes designed to
touch lives. Some of them include feeding the poor through a programme
tagged ‘soup kitchen.’ He started it in the church without nursing any
political ambition.
our parish, he is highly respected. His major calling into the ministry
is to touch the hopeless and the vulnerable. I am not surprised that he
got the opportunity to serve the nation because he has always carved a
niche himself anywhere he finds himself. In Olive Tree, before his
involvement in the elections, he had created 10 programmes designed to
touch lives. Some of them include feeding the poor through a programme
tagged ‘soup kitchen.’ He started it in the church without nursing any
political ambition.
Through the programme, we provide food for people
that would have gone hungry. Another one is Mercy Cross, which provides
medical insurance for children between ages 0 and 3. There is also a
programme he termed ‘Just Justice’ through which he provides legal
representation for the less-privileged for free. He started the
programmes under an umbrella scheme known as ‘Whom Shall I Send?’
that would have gone hungry. Another one is Mercy Cross, which provides
medical insurance for children between ages 0 and 3. There is also a
programme he termed ‘Just Justice’ through which he provides legal
representation for the less-privileged for free. He started the
programmes under an umbrella scheme known as ‘Whom Shall I Send?’
He is a no-nonsense person. But he
is also a very compassionate person. I can dare say that since I have known him, I have never seen him
get angry publicly. He is always calm. I am not saying he is perfect but
he has allowed Christ to rub off on him.
is also a very compassionate person. I can dare say that since I have known him, I have never seen him
get angry publicly. He is always calm. I am not saying he is perfect but
he has allowed Christ to rub off on him.
One thing he never did was to use the
platform of the church for his political ambition. It took him a while
before he could address the situation. The first time he mentioned
anything about it was when he was elected as the vice-president. And he
told us that he did it deliberately so that nobody would accuse him of
using the church platform for politics.
platform of the church for his political ambition. It took him a while
before he could address the situation. The first time he mentioned
anything about it was when he was elected as the vice-president. And he
told us that he did it deliberately so that nobody would accuse him of
using the church platform for politics.
He has a very good sense of humour. He laughs with his heart, but one has to be intelligent to make him laugh.
How was the church service like after Buhari won the presidential election?
It was like a carnival. Prof. attended
the vigil last Friday. But on that Sunday, we had an overflow. He was in
church the Sunday after the election and the one after. Interestingly,
he did not address the church. In fact, it was the guest minister that
joking addressed him as ‘His Excellency’ and we all clapped and laughed.
the vigil last Friday. But on that Sunday, we had an overflow. He was in
church the Sunday after the election and the one after. Interestingly,
he did not address the church. In fact, it was the guest minister that
joking addressed him as ‘His Excellency’ and we all clapped and laughed.
Dr. Daniel Ismaila (OON), a former Director of Finance and Administration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who has known Osinbajo for about five years now says,
He is not just a very good lawyer; he is
also a very good pastor. He is passionate about this country. We believe
that God would use him to play a key role in the government of the
country. On February 16 last year, President Goodluck Jonathan and
Pastor Adeboye came to Olive Tree service.
also a very good pastor. He is passionate about this country. We believe
that God would use him to play a key role in the government of the
country. On February 16 last year, President Goodluck Jonathan and
Pastor Adeboye came to Olive Tree service.
During that service, Adeboye
told Jonathan that Prof. Osinbajo is one of his sons who, ‘if you give
an assignment, you can go to sleep.’ I have a video recording of that
service. I had thought then that it was a message to Jonathan to see how
he could utilise Prof Osinbajo in his government to turn around
situations. I have always seen him as such, but I did not know that God
was going to take him closer to the centre of power.
told Jonathan that Prof. Osinbajo is one of his sons who, ‘if you give
an assignment, you can go to sleep.’ I have a video recording of that
service. I had thought then that it was a message to Jonathan to see how
he could utilise Prof Osinbajo in his government to turn around
situations. I have always seen him as such, but I did not know that God
was going to take him closer to the centre of power.
He is not one to talk too much. For me, he is a symbol of humility. I am very proud to be associated with him.
Emmanuel Bassey; the church’s maintenance officer who has known for about four years says
I know him as a
man who keeps to his word. He has touched the lives of many people
including that of my family. Personally, he taught me things I did not
know before.
man who keeps to his word. He has touched the lives of many people
including that of my family. Personally, he taught me things I did not
know before.
He taught me things like taking good care
of my family, especially my children. I used to see him regularly four
months ago, but for two months now, I have not seen him because of his
new position.
of my family, especially my children. I used to see him regularly four
months ago, but for two months now, I have not seen him because of his
new position.
What was the last conversation you had with him?
He called me on the phone some months ago
and asked where I was. He always asks where one is whenever he calls
one on the phone before saying what he needs. I told him I was
downstairs while he was upstairs. I ran up quickly to meet him. He then
jokingly told me that my strides showed that I was still very fit. We
both laughed over it.
and asked where I was. He always asks where one is whenever he calls
one on the phone before saying what he needs. I told him I was
downstairs while he was upstairs. I ran up quickly to meet him. He then
jokingly told me that my strides showed that I was still very fit. We
both laughed over it.
That was the last time I spoke with him. He cracks
jokes with me. His wife is also another person I respect a lot. She
does not say much, but when she speaks, people listen. There was a time I
had a personal problem and I told her. Despite her schedule, she told
me not to worry. In no time, I started seeing the result of her efforts.
I respect her and her husband a lot. Nigerians should expect good
governance. I know that with him, Nigeria is safe.
jokes with me. His wife is also another person I respect a lot. She
does not say much, but when she speaks, people listen. There was a time I
had a personal problem and I told her. Despite her schedule, she told
me not to worry. In no time, I started seeing the result of her efforts.
I respect her and her husband a lot. Nigerians should expect good
governance. I know that with him, Nigeria is safe.
I will miss his sermons. I will miss his
inspiration including his wife’s good nature. I am inspired each time I
see them. If I have the opportunity to see him today, I am going to tell
him that, “Pastor, it is well with you.”
inspiration including his wife’s good nature. I am inspired each time I
see them. If I have the opportunity to see him today, I am going to tell
him that, “Pastor, it is well with you.”
Pastor Ben Ewuzie, Rector, the Redeemer’s International Leadership Academy, Ikoyi, Lagos, whp has known Osinbajo for about 20 years now says,
We met as students in the Bible College. We were in the same
Bible class. Thereafter, he was posted to start a parish of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God. I head the leadership school of the RCCG. He
comes to lecture in the Bible school. We have kept our relationship as
friends and associates.
Bible class. Thereafter, he was posted to start a parish of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God. I head the leadership school of the RCCG. He
comes to lecture in the Bible school. We have kept our relationship as
friends and associates.
We have had an unbroken friendship for 20 years.
While he was an Attorney General, I wanted him to come and lecture in
our academy. I thought he would be quite busy, but when I went to him,
he said, “Pastor, you know I must do the work of God, office or no
office. That should not deter me from serving God.” He came and
delivered his lecture. That is the kind of person he is. He practises
what he preaches and teaches.
While he was an Attorney General, I wanted him to come and lecture in
our academy. I thought he would be quite busy, but when I went to him,
he said, “Pastor, you know I must do the work of God, office or no
office. That should not deter me from serving God.” He came and
delivered his lecture. That is the kind of person he is. He practises
what he preaches and teaches.
This is not the first
time he would be in the corridors of power. He was the Attorney
General/Commissioner for Justice for eight years in Lagos State.
Throughout the duration of his service, he remained the same person and
came out with his integrity intact. Also, he has served in the United
Nations, and as Special Adviser to the Chief Justice of the Federation.
So, he already wields some influence at various circles.
time he would be in the corridors of power. He was the Attorney
General/Commissioner for Justice for eight years in Lagos State.
Throughout the duration of his service, he remained the same person and
came out with his integrity intact. Also, he has served in the United
Nations, and as Special Adviser to the Chief Justice of the Federation.
So, he already wields some influence at various circles.
This is not the
first time he has been exposed to high office. He has done it over the
years and has remained the same person, simple and easy to approach,
with a listening ear, and humble. So, I don’t see him changing now. He
cherishes his integrity.
first time he has been exposed to high office. He has done it over the
years and has remained the same person, simple and easy to approach,
with a listening ear, and humble. So, I don’t see him changing now. He
cherishes his integrity.
He teaches visionary and transformational
leadership in our leadership school. He has had the opportunity to put
that into practice at various times in his life, translating his
classroom teachings to the field, through the various projects he
initiated.
leadership in our leadership school. He has had the opportunity to put
that into practice at various times in his life, translating his
classroom teachings to the field, through the various projects he
initiated.