Boko Haram is war against the Church- Nigerian Cleric

Reverend Theophilus Olaolorun is the Pastor in-charge of Shalom Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos. In this interview with DAPO AKINREFON, the cleric speaks on Boko Haram insurgence and other sundry issues. Excerpts:
DESPITE the declaration of state of emergency in some northern states, the Boko Haram sect continues its murderous attacks. Would you say the attacks are targeted?

The Boko Haram thing is a war directed at the Christian faith. The Nigerian state is under attack too. I believe that the insurgence is not just a political weapon to deal with the current leadership as some people are believed to be behind the murderous campaign. They are actually benefitting from it economically and politically.

Rev. Olaolorun

How are the perceived sponsors benefitting from the campaign?

Economically, they gain blood money through the supply of weapons of destruction; while politically they wield influences across the land.

The phenomenon did not start today. In the 80s, there was the Maitatsine riot in parts of northern Nigeria. Shedding of innocent blood is satanic. So, if Boko Haram continues to kill and destroy under whatever guise, they are fulfilling just one agenda, which is beyond economic or political gain.

No true religion would encourage wanton destruction of property. The government should continue to ensure the safety of every Nigerian, no matter the cost.

There was also the issue of child marriage that recently provoked controversy. Was it right for the National Assembly to table such matter?

Child marriage is absurd. It has brought to the fore the credentials of those who make laws in our country. Nigeria is not an Islamic nation. It is nauseating that in spite of other serious national issues begging for urgent attention, our law-makers are gambling with the future of female children.

This cannot be enforced anywhere except in places where back-wardness is celebrated. It is nothing other than a return to the dark ages where women are relegated to the background and treated like properties. When you force a child into marriage, you have automati-cally limited how far such a child could go. The potential in such a child is crippled such that she won’t be able to compete favourably with others in her world.

What is the Nigerian society gradually turning into?

The society is becoming more and more materialistic, chaotic and highly volatile. Good morals and values are no longer inculcated. The spirit of neighbourliness is fast eroding. There’s the fear of what might happen the next moment.

The upper class cannot move freely. They watch every movement around them with an eye of suspicion. The lower class is desperate, hungry and hope-less.

You recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of a daily devotional, Spiritual Diet. What impact has it made in the lives of those who use it?

The Spiritual Diet started in 2003 with the purpose of reach-ing the world with the Word of God and since then, we have been daily providing spiritual nourishment to thousands through Christian meditation and practice of Biblical prayers.

Majorly, a Bible passage is selected for each day and there is a brief explanation on it. There are indications that Spiritual Diet is serving the purpose for which it was established 10 years ago. The ministry has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria to other countries of the world.

I understand the devotional is distributed free to all who wish to have it, including free supplies to missionary universities in Nigeria. How is it sustained?

At the beginning, we thought of selling it and actually, we sold the first two editions. We started the free distribution with the third edition, Nov-ember/December 2003, that was captioned, “The Gift of God.”

Spiritual Diet is the only bi-monthly indigenous devot-ional that is distributed free. There are factors that deter-mine where we distribute and the quantity we distribute. We have concern for university students because they are the leaders of tomorrow.

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