Follow Us on Google
By Faheem Lawal
Primate of The First African Church Mission (Worldwide), His Eminence, The Most Rev. Sunday Oludare Matilukuro, has attributed the worsening insecurity in Nigeria to the actvities of a few selfish compatriots arming and protecting the bandits.
He said while most Nigerians are pushing for the prosecution of the bandits, some others are asking for their protection, adding that it is no wonder that the criminals are more equipped than our soldiers who are sent to battle them.
Speaking during a valedictory press conference in Lagos, Matilukuro, who is due to retire by September ending and formally hand over the mantle of leadership to his successor on October 4, 2026, raised the alarm that Nigeria is grossly under-policed and advised government to urgently deploy technology in fighting insecurity.
“We cannot survive as a country of over 200 million people with just 400,000 policemen, it is totally against the United Nation’s standard, what is the strength of our military, the Army, Navy and the Airforce put together, if not for the pressure that is on now, to what extent have you employed the use of technology in fighting this insecurity.”
Asked why religious leaders appear complacent in speaking to government on the menace of insecurity, Matilukuro claimed that most media houses publish what government wants to hear. He gave an instance of an interview he granted to a television station where the station allegedly blacked out where he criticised the government and went on air with the portion where he praised government.
He also warned: “In our attempt to speak to the authority, we (the clergy) must also be conscious of our limitations because the scripture tells us to respect authority. In spite of being God personified, Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to ‘Give unto Ceasar what is Caesar’s.’”
Giving his stewardship in his 10 years as Primate, he said he was led by the Lord to evangelise more and build a Prayer City (Shiloh) for the church. This, he said, is located at the Lagos State part of Omu Ijebu. The Prayer City, which is yet to be completed, he said, contains hostels where worshippers seeking the face of the Lord can lodge as well as an auditorium that can seat 3,000 people at a time.
Other News
He disclosed that the church now has more branches in the Northern part of the country than the South which hosts the headquarters of the church.
In spite of persecutions and tribulations from some members of the church that dogged his 10-year reign, the cleric disclosed that prior to his coming on board, there was not a befitting permanent residence for the Primate, a project which, he said, is now 97 per cent completed.
Meanwhile, Matilukuro has humorously declared that the church can never forget his humble achievements in his 10-year tenure in a hurry. Matilukuro, who is due to retire by September ending and formally hand over the mantle of leadership to his successor on October 4, 2026, in a valedictory press conference in Lagos, reeled out his achievements in his 10 years of his stewardship as the head of the church, adding humorously that: “Till Jesus comes, First African Church will never forget they had Sunday Oludare Matilukuro as Primate.”
Primate Matilukuro’s other notable accomplishments include the acquisition of land for the establishment of a model primary and secondary school; and the completion and commencement of activities at the Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute in Ota, Ogun State, a seminary dedicated to the training of the church ministers.
His feat, amongst others, in his 10 years service include his involvement of youths more in the affairs of the church, as well as bringing back the church, which was suspended because of crisis, not only back into the Christian council of Nigeria, but he’s also running his second term as the Vice President of that council.
He advised people going into the Ministry to give their life completely to the service of the Lord because there will be confrontation and temptation.
“It is not an easy office. To succeed or stay long in this office, it is either you give your life completely to God or you fortify yourself with devilish power. But the Bible says on the judgement day, judgement will start from the Chancel, from the altar,” he warned.
