Gerry Wagoner interviews Ayodeji Michael Olumofe, a fellow Seventh-day Adventist from Nigeria.
Hello Ayodeji, thanks for giving us this interview. And thanks for your friendship.
You’re welcome!
Where do you live?
I live in Ede, a small town in Western Nigeria.
Were you raised as a Seventh-day Adventist?
Not at all. I converted to Adventism in 2010. In fact, I’m the only Adventist in my family. Thankfully, I am married to an Adventist.
What does Jesus mean to you?
Everything. He’s the center of my life.
Do you have a family?
Yes, I’m married to a lovely wife, and we are blessed with two children, a boy and a girl.
What kind of work do you do? Hobbies?
By God’s grace, I work in the financial data industry as a Marketing Consultant. Also, I founded and run an online education marketplace startup. My hobbies include reading and music.
What do you like about Nigeria?
A lot. For example, the weather, the food is amazing. Also, we enjoy great personal freedom here, at least in the South. Plus, we are quite conservative here, and I love that.
Have you ever considered relocating to another country?
Yes. And that has been a struggle for me, especially after having a family. I have considered relocating my family to a country with better economy, healthcare, safety, and fewer mosquitoes. Naturally, that would be a Western country. But with the relentless onslaught of liberalism on Christianity and the family in the West, that thought scares me. I don’t want to end up like Lot.
How is the Seventh Day Adventist church doing in Nigeria?
Not so great. The Nigerian SDA struggles with corruption and leadership failure (there were some scandals recently). And we still have to contend with secularism, Pentecostalism, and dwindling membership. On the bright side, WO [women’s ordination] and liberalism are no big issues here.
Have you traveled to America?
No
Who are some of your favorite SDA speakers?
Doug Batchelor, Randy Skeete, and John Bradshaw are my top favorites.
How did Nigeria deal with Covid19?
Pretty much like every other country out there, with lockdowns, social distancing, masks and every other measure born out of fear. But I have to say the government here has lost every credibility on this matter. Nigerians don’t take their leaders seriously on this issue anymore.
How did you become a reader of Fulcrum7?
I don’t remember the exact details, but I do have a habit of seeking out conservative information sources. I must have found Fulcrum7 in this process.
America is experiencing a number of challenges these days. How do people in Nigeria view America?
Contrary to what the liberals say, America is still viewed as a great nation by many countries around the world, and Nigeria is not an exception. Since most people get their news from the MSM [main stream news media], which tend to slant the news in favor of leftist narratives. It’s possible some Nigerians have bought the lies about America (Systemic racism, White supremacy, and so on). But in general, Nigerians still hold the United States in high regard, as an example of what a good nation should be. In fact, many of them would move there, given half a chance.
What are your thoughts on the woke movement?
Wokeism is a religion. It’s the new trick up the devil’s sleeves. In his bid to bring about the collapse of Christianity, he’s masterfully invented another seemingly harmless social movement to deconstruct and eventually destroy it. What we are witnessing right now is a crusade against the truth. Unfortunately, most Christians, even Adventist don’ts get it yet.
The woke movement is a religion complete with an original sin as the cause of present-day evils (e.g., slavery, the industrial revolution), guilty devils (e.g., white people, “climate deniers,” etc.), sacred victims (e.g., black people, poor islanders, etc.) and what John McWhorter calls “The Elect,” or people self-appointed to crusade against evil (e.g., BLM activists, Greta Thunberg, etc.). It has a set of taboos (e.g., saying “All lives matter,” criticizing renewables, etc.). It also has purifying rituals (e.g., kneeling/apologizing, buying carbon offsets, etc).
In your opinion, is liberalism a good thing or a bad thing?
Liberalism is a bad thing. Given enough time, I believe it’ll self-destruct. The problem is that it’ll take everybody down with it.
What is your opinion of the current political situation in America?
It’s more than a shame what is happening in America. It’s safe to say the every power structure has been taken over by people who don’t have the best interest of the nation at heart. The Democratic Party for example, is so bent on ruining Christianity and the American society that one would think they take their marching orders from the devil himself. It’s so obvious that even a blind man can see it.
What advice do you have for Seventh-day Adventists in America?
My advice to Seventh-day Adventists in America is to hold fast to the faith that has been delivered to us. They should understand that social justice is NOT the Gospel, and that the woke movement is anti-Christianity. The church should go back to her primary duty of preaching the three Angels’ messages.
Any final thoughts?
It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to be a Christian, even in the so called free world. Christians are persecuted in almost every way imaginable. But as Adventists, we should not be weary as we are soon going to be home Revelation 22:20). More than ever before, we are to remain faithful to the One who has called us, Who is able to save us to the uttermost (Isaiah 25:1).
Amen.
Ayodeji Michael Olumofe