FEB, the son of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, in this new interview with Punch, talks about his father’s life and ministry.
Please tell us a bit about yourself
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| Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Blessed memory and his First Son - FEB Idahosa |
I am FEB Idahosa, the son of (the late) Archbishop Benson Idahosa and Archbishop Margaret Idahosa.
Currently, I am the President of Benson Idahosa University and also a minister in Church of God Mission International, Nigeria. Alongside the administrative duties of the church, I also oversee the different organisations my father started.
How much influence did your dad have on the career choices of his children, and you becoming a minister of the gospel?
My father’s influence pushed us to excellence. He wanted us to become doctors or lawyers. However, dad believed we should pursue both our professional careers and the gospel, and with both, one becomes a formidable force to reckon with. My sister is a lawyer, my elder sister is an administrator and one of my sisters is an interior designer. But the calling of God (upon us) is still very strong, as it comes through the pedigree, so to speak. Each one of us is a minister of the gospel in different ways and in different parts of the world.
What are some of the values your father inculcated into you?
Dad taught us, and the church, a lot. He taught us to be confident in our own skin, and to use our skills effectively. He taught us about life; that one should not blame one’s circumstances for the things around one; but that you should know God has put inside of you everything you need to succeed, and you can succeed anywhere. There were so many things he taught us. We have published several books on his teachings, values and the principles he shared with us.
How does it feel to be the son of such a famous preacher? What kind of father was he?
It is a privilege which I do not take lightly. Growing up was normal. It was not like dad would come home in the evening and start speaking in tongues all the way through, from dinner time to breakfast. He was a normal father, who played with us and talked with us. When we acted wrongly, he spanked us. When we were home at weekends, he would cook breakfast for us. We were a regular family. His status as a revered Archbishop did not make him any less of a human and a father to us. I enjoyed growing up with him. I am very privileged and blessed to be part of the legacy that brought the charismatic growth of the gospel to Nigeria.
Did you travel with your father for his preaching engagements in Nigeria and around the world?
I was blessed by God that before my father passed away, I got the chance to spend nine months with him in Nigeria and, in those months, we travelled around the country and around parts of West and East Africa. In those months, he shared his vision and thoughts about what God told him. Looking back now, those were treasured moments for me because I got to hear directly from him and see faith in action; seeing miracles and God work through him in different places. I am blessed to be part of that legacy. Not only did I see faith in action, I also got to understand the ministry and how it works. Those nine months gave me a priceless foundation.
How has your father's legacies opened doors for you?
One cannot deny the fact that having influential parents helps in one’s life pursuit. But at the same time, you must also work hard and forge on in your own path. You must have the personality, knowledge and work ethic to take you through the open doors. The influence helps to open the door. But you must also do your part to take you to the next level. That is where the grace of God comes in. It is always a privilege to be introduced as Bishop FEB Idahosa, the son of Archbishop B. Idahosa, and that almost always opened doors for me. But I think where I am most blessed is with his friends and ‘sons’ of my father, whom I have been privileged to work with. My father was a blessing to so many people and their ministries in different ways. And many of them come back to show they have not forgotten that he was a blessing to them; they also want to make sure they are a blessing to me. I have told myself that when I am older and their children come up, I must continue the same thing, by being a blessing to them too.
Beyond being known as a famous preacher and Archbishop, what kind of man was he?
He was a man that was called from, and by God; one who showed what faith in God can do. We had said that if a man that was thrown into a trash bin as a baby could grow up and be used by God to speak to presidents and nations, and was able to travel to over 40 countries in his lifetime, then you can imagine what God can do through all of us who are a generation ahead of him. God used dad tremendously in this nation and as an example to us. A friend of mine described him as the ‘tsunami’ that changed the face of the gospel in Africa. In the 1970s, again, he began televangelism by starting a programme entitled ‘Redemption Hour.’ Then it was very rare to see people preach on TV; it was unheard of in Nigeria. But now, it is so common. This was the kind of influence he had and today we can thank God for a man who started things we are following today.
Did your dad have a nickname?
Yes, people said he had ‘fire in his bones.’ He believed in raising people and influencing them to do just as great as the work he did in his days. Now, other people have established bigger churches and universities; these are the kinds of things he would have been happy to see because they show he pioneered something good and people followed in his footsteps and they are doing even more.
What are some things Nigerians don’t know about your father?
He was committed to his family and to the gospel. There were times when he would forgo luxuries to ensure the gospel was preached. Whenever he travelled, he came back with gifts and donations from other people, and he would put them into the university. He wouldn’t buy the fanciest cars; instead he would put the finances we had into the gospel, to build a university, to build a church and so on. God rewarded him for these by having people give him things. He gave tithe, not 10 per cent, but 90 per cent of his income. Despite that, he was still able to leave a comfortable life and take care of his family. He sent all of us to schools abroad. His commitment was to the gospel first, to ensure God’s word was preached around the world.
