Encomium
ON Friday, June 27, 2014, ENCOMIUM Weekly visited the founder and General Overseer, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele in his church headquarters at Oke Afa, Ejigbo, Lagos, where he spoke exclusively on many issues, including the second anniversary of his national revival, new edition of Warnings to the Nations (WTN), and much more.
On Friday, July 5, 2013, you staged a national revival tagged, Achievers Night at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, which was very successful. Is that the reason for the second edition, coming up on Friday, July 4, 2014?
Yes, we had our first national revival last year, precisely July 5, and to be honest, it was a wonderful experience. We give glory to God for that. But that’s not the reason we’re holding another one this year. It’s because God said we should do another revival the same time this year and run it for a particular period which we believe we don’t have any choice so far the Lord has instructed us to do it that way. So, we’re acting according to the Lord’s directive, not as we want. So, that’s the reason we’re having another revival this year. And that’s why we’re having another set of men of God, including Prophets Deji Adebanwo, Fabiyi, Owatunde Masha and more to the crusade. I believe they have been fasting all this while. And people that are coming are going to receive anointing, victory, success, joy, breakthrough and much more. So, the Lord that made that of last year very successful will also make this year’s edition very successful as well. It’s coming up on Friday, July 4, 2014, and we believe it’s already on ground for us and all the people coming. If not God, we wouldn’t have bothered staging it because it’s capital intensive. As the organizer of a revival of that magnitude, you have to be up and doing. And you must be ready to spend a lot of money. So, God who has given us the directive will surely equip us with what we need to execute the programme because we’re doing as He said.
The theme for 2013 edition was Achievers’ Night, what’s the theme for this year’s?
We tagged this year’s revival, Positive Change and Permanent Fulfillment, which is our church’s slogan for this year. We now adopted it for the revival because we discovered we need a change in almost every aspect of our lives, and even everywhere. Everything in our lives, everything in Nigeria needs a change. That’s why the Lord said we should use that slogan so that everybody that comes to that revival would experience a positive change and permanent fulfillment of God in their lives, and they will not remain the same again.
How many people are you expecting this year?
I can’t really say for now but we’re expecting more people this year. It’s the same venue we used last year, and I don’t even know the number of people that can fill the venue. All I know is that the place will be filled that day because we’re expecting as many people as possible.
What are the preparations for the one-day programme?
There are lots in that direction. But first, we’ve been requesting God’s security in terms of prayer, fasting and all that. We believe God is on ground for us.
How are you taking care of the aspect of side attractions this year?
We are inviting a gospel musician, Bukola Adeojo a.k.a Omije Ojumi. There will be drama presentation by women. There will also be musical ministration by our choir, King David Band. Also, the Igbo community in the church will do some presentation. At the same time, there will be healing and deliverance through God Almighty. The prophetic messages and words from the Bible will also flow. So, those attending the crusade will surely sing a new song, the song of positive change and permanent fulfillment.
Also, you will be unveiling your new book of prophecies, Warnings to the Nations, Volume 21 on Friday, July 4, 2014. What are the new things that will differentiate this edition from the previous ones?
Every day, there is always a new word from the Lord. The book is loaded, written in both English and French. We wrote it also in French because the French community is also requesting for the book. At the same time, we’re going to put it on the internet where people who have access to internet can read. We are also producing the book on CDs so that people can play it in their homes. So, those are the things that make this new edition different from others we published in the past. The book contains revelations that cover almost all the states in Nigeria. It talks about the state of the nation, including economy, security, education, health and every other sector.
Can you tell us some of the revelations in the book?
I can’t remember most of them. But let me just tell you a few. For instance, the book talked about what’s happening in Libya presently, that the election will be nullified. Also, that there will be election in Egypt. It is also contained in the book that a terrorist will take part of Iraq. It also talked about Syria’s election.
Warnings to the Nations also talked about the death of Emir of Kano and emergence of Sanusi Lamido as new Emir of Kano and so many other things which I can’t remember for now.
Sometime in October, 2013, you went to Ekiti for peace prayer. Would you say the prayer has been answered now that the governorship election had come and gone, and everything was peaceful?
The prayers we showered on Ekiti land can be organized across the country. As a prophet of God, you must ask God what to do and He will surely tell you what to do at an appropriate time. If we pray very well, I believe there will be at least 70 per cent peace in the nation concerning 2015 elections. No matter the situation, I believe God will use part of the prayer in Ekiti for the peace of Nigeria as a whole come 2015. He will make peace our portion in 2015. We should all call on Him for the peace of our fatherland irrespective of our religion, tribe or political party. We tried our best and God used us as part of the peace initiative in Ekiti. And I thank God for He has answered our prayers. Our fasting and prayers didn’t go in vain. I want the Federal Government to emulate this. Let us sue for peace through God, not the police or any ministry. It’s God first before we talk of any police or security agents.
The tale now is that you’re closer to Fayose and that you have dumped Fayemi. What’s your take on this?
I don’t know what you’re talking about. I am not a politician. I only went to Ekiti for peace prayer and God has answered the prayer. Glory be to God for that. All I know is that I have done what God has directed me to do.
But the belief is that you’re the one who prayed for Fayose…
(Cuts in) I am free to pray for anybody. I am not in the bondage of any human being. I always act according to God’s directive. I don’t know anything about what you’re saying. I don’t know anyone of them but it’s quite interesting hearing this. I am from Ekiti State and going to Ekiti for the peace initiative wasn’t man made. It was in accordance with the Lord’s directive. That’s just what happened exactly.
Let’s talk about Nigeria’s political and economic situations right now. What can you say about these aspects?
I am neither an economist nor a politician. All I am going to say is that when Warnings to the Nations is out, it contains everything one needs to know about Nigeria, including 2015 elections, whether PDP or APC will win. But what I will just say is that if APC leaders pick a wrong governorship candidate, APC will lose Lagos State. Anyway, the party has not even picked any candidate for now. Also, the party should unite in Ogun and Oyo if it doesn’t want to lose the two states. They must seek the face of God. Some politicians are devils, they are power intoxicated. And they berate God so much. They may say they don’t need God. My advice is that President Jonathan should consult God more so that he can get directives from Him. Although, PDP will still retain the federal seat, it’s not for APC. APC should be very careful so that there won’t be crack in its national level. I still see that some people will dump APC. Even those who are in APC already will decamp to PDP. There are some states that APC won’t pick at all. For instance, PDP will still win in Abia and Rivers. But I won’t say much on that until July 4, 2014, when the book, Warnings to the Nations, will be out. We still have to be very careful about the activities of terrorists in the country. The government needs to be very prayerful with these insurgents. Also, on the issue of kidnapping, we need to be very careful and prayerful. The government has to work very hard on these two aspects. We should also pray against bomb blasts in any of the states in the South-West, especially Lagos. That’s why we need peace prayer in Nigeria. If the government can take it serious, September 29 and 30, then October 1, 2014, should be declared for prayer and fasting, which both Christians and Muslims should be fully involved. That’s the only way we can achieve peace.
Otherwise, there will be red alert on the nation. Let’s also pray nobody dies at the Villa, and strange things will not continue to happen towards the 2015 elections. We’re going to witness a lot of dramatic things before the elections, even within the Governor’s Forum, among the politicians. Also, we should pray that we don’t lose any prominent businessman in Lagos. The following people should also pray fervently for their health: Shinkafi, Shehu Shagari, Adamu Ciroma, Bode George, Bola Tinubu, Omonoba Ereduawa, Obi of Onitsha, Obong of Calabar and Emir of Zauzau in Borno.
Also, Aliko Dangote should pray very well so that he won’t lose and be bereaved at the same time. He should pray to avert anything that will make his business have a setback. We should also pray for our First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and all other first ladies throughout the country. The president himself should also pray against any unknown attack.
Ramadan is here again, what do you have for Muslim widows this year?
There is a bumber package for Muslim widows this year. We will give them veils, Qu’ran, beverages and food items. We will be doing this every week till the end of Ramadan. Also at the end of the fasting, we’re going to round it off by buying them clothes, bags, veils, food items and cash for the celebration of Eid-dil-Fitri.
How much have you budgeted for this?
I don’t need to disclose whatever amount I spend on it. It’s a private issue between me and my God.
Do you expect reward from any quarter for doing this every year? From who?
I don’t expect such from anybody and I am not doing it for national award. I am only acting according to God’s directive. We did similar thing for Christian widows during Easter period, and we achieved greatly. We give glory to God for everything we have been able to do in the lives of these people, and we shall continue to do more as directed by God.
– TADE ASIFAT
