…Says, “The political leadership is swimming in deep waters of hypocrisy and telling us to do what they say and not what they do.”
By Nowinta Igbotako
A newly consecrated Bishop in the body of Christ, Rev. Raphael Osadanomwan Aimufua, who doubles as the General Overseer of TopFlight Faith Bible Church Incorporated, (TFBC) has passionately called on the political class in Nigeria, to lead by example in the fight against corruption in the country.
Bishop Raphael Aimufua made this patriotic call on Saturday, December 21st, 2024, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, in a chat with this Bureau Chief, shorty after he was formally consecrated as a Bishop; and having equally marked his 60th birthday anniversary simultaneously, in a super grand ceremony, which took place at the premises of the TopFlight Faith Bible Church at Uwa Street, Ogida Quarters, Benin City.
Bishop Aimufua said “the present highest political leadership, the President and all his subordinates are not mindful of the destructive chain effects of corruption. Instead of fighting it tenaciously, the current leaders, just like the former leaderships have instituted corruption by participating in it so loudly, that even the blinds can see their unpalatable games clearly”.
According to the dashing and charismatic clergy :”The political leadership in Nigeria is swimming in deep waters of hypocrisy and telling us to do what they say and not what they do. Leading by example is the only one way of curbing corruption. Starting from the presidency; they should punish any offender at the leadership levels and the discipline will gradually and naturally flow to the grassroots. Corruption has grossly affected religion too, to the point that most religious leaders have compromised their spiritual and moral standards”.
Bishop Aimufua declared:”You can not blame them because they are intertwined into a corrupt system. And in an instituted working system, like corruption in Nigeria, every component is correctively affected no matter how hard some try to live above it. Christianity and Islamism used to inculcate moral decorum in humanity in the past four decades in Nigeria. But regrettably not anymore, because there is no longer the fear of God, which to me is the beginning of sane mentality”.
Talking about finding solutions to the problem of corruption, the newest energetic Bishop in town posited:”Leaders at the top level should desist from corruption; religious leaders through the arms of their national bodies and in collaboration with local churches and mosques should awaken and revive the moral and spiritual standards of their faith; government should give a 100% attention to reorganizing the educational system so that it can achieve the original purpose of building and inculcating moral, spiritual and educative disciplines in our younger generation”.
Bishop Aimufua (JP), who was officially consecrated on behalf of the Christian Leadership Forum (CLF) College of Bishops, by Bishop (Dr.) Uzo Onyekwere, (Chief Consecrator) said after his consecration that :”I feel a sense of higher spiritual responsibility, not only to my immediate congregation, but also to humanity in general. At the same time, I feel honored and my work hitherto recognized by God and men. Irrespective of the gross responsibility, I feel a high sense of elevation”.
The spectacularly historic event also recorded the official ordination of the Assistant General Overseer, Topflight Faith Bible Church, Pastor (Mrs) Roli Osebhagimede Aimufua as Reverend in the vineyard of God Almighty.
The visibly elated Bishop Aimufua who profusely praised and thanked God for his spiritual elevation, gave a graphic story of his calling more than two decades ago. In his words:”I was called into ministry in April 2000. It happened at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, Lagos. It was the 2nd day into a 5 day Easter Retreat Camp Meeting.I had an unexplainable encounter that kept me on the floor for a long time. The only thing I kept hearing loud and clear, yet nobody confirmed they heard was ‘if you travel you will lose your family. Do my will and I will make you’. The experience was so supernaturally real and overwhelming that it wiped away every doubt I had ever had concerning my calling, because hitherto two eminent spiritual leaders, a man and a woman of God had told me that I am a Pastor”.
The General Overseer vividly continued “Immediately the section was over during a short break to take lunch before the next section, I couldn’t keep it from my wife. I told her I would no longer travel, but truly I was already bound for Cote d’Ivoire from where I had hoped to navigate my way to France after a year. She was shocked to hear that I had changed my mind but added after she recovered from her shock ‘if it is God’s will, so be it’. She immediately pledged her support to me. That was the beginning of my call to God’s Service.
The classic ceremony which was graced by the biological parents of Bishop Aimufua (Apostle Smith Pullen Aimufua & Rev. (Mrs) Rose Imuentiyan Aimufua); several high ranking bishops, pastors, reverend gentlemen from different Christian dominations, (including members of Great Partners Network, World wide, members of Christian Leadership Forum College of Bishops); parishioners of Topflight Faith Bible Church, also saw in attendance members of Bishop Raphael Aimifua”s alma mater, the Baptist High School Benin City Class of 1984 Set, led by some members of the Executive Committee of the old school association: Mr. Benson Uwadiae (Vice – President); Comrade Igbotako Nowinta (General – Secretary); Yaya Omosun (Public Relations Officer); pastors Chris Eburu and Kerry Obaseki, etc.
The grand consecration of Rev Raphael Aimufua as a Bishop and the celebration of his diamond birthday, will definitely go down as a remarkable episode, as guests were treated to scintillating gospel songs, soul touching spiritual messages, while specially packaged lunch and soft drinks were distributed.
Bishop Aimufua and his royal crown – Rev. (Mrs) Roli Aimufua recently celebrated 30 years anniversary of their wedding.
