Nigeria Needs Compassionate Leaders- Olakunle Yusuf

Pastor Olakunle Yusuf is the Lead Consultant of Above Media and the General Overseer of Grace Assembly Christian Church.

In this interview with Kunle Bakare, Yusuf speaks on how he began his ministry and what is required to lead the country out of her present hardship.

What are you into?

I am into Public Relations and Media Consultancy, Marketing, Events Management, Above the line advertising and a content provider. We have an array of programs both on radio and television stations across Nigeria. Our soar-away television programme; Entertainment Plus, runs on several stations. Our Family and entertainment oriented program, Family Line, also runs on several stations. I was an entertainment writer with the Nigerian Tribune from 1999-2006. I was a Producer and General Manager of Breakthrough Television. I am now a columnist with Yes International Magazine.

For how long have you been doing this?

My career spans over two decades. I received my first salary as an associate producer in November 1998 and I have not looked back ever since. Before then, I was the editor of our church magazine and I also manage artistes pro bono.

What are the challenges of the job?

The challenges are numerous. First, as a pastor, we are in the ministry of encouraging and motivating people. But people think you are super rich, not knowing that you are only doing what God is leading you to do. Secondly, sourcing or getting sponsorship has been difficult. I remember when we started, content providers were few in number, so getting sponsorship was relatively easy, compared to the present scenario, where every Tom, Dick and Harry now saturates the media space.

How do you surmount the challenges?

Passion keeps me going, and then the grace of God is there. I’m a purpose-driven. If you recall there was a time Nigerians were described as the happiest people on earth. I don’t know how true it was, but then if you can survive in Nigeria you can survive anywhere in the world, and you have to keep re-inventing yourself. To some people, our environment is toxic. But some of us believe in new possibility and new Nigeria. We are determined to make it work for us, but our government must assist us. There is a deep seated distrust between the leadership and the led, and this cynicism is never misplaced. The people in government don’t deliver their promises to the people.

Who are the people that inspired you?

Jesus. I also look up to the likes of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God ( RCCG). He is a devout Christian and a committed father to many of his spiritual children. He is an example of humility and diligence. At 80, his eyes are not dimmed. He is strong mentally and he is spiritually alert. His artistry at church planting is legendary, and he is a continual source of inspiration.

What are your views on the current spate of violence in Nigeria?

From the tradition of constrained public management, we now have a deterioration in the relationship between the citizens and the leaders. The trust of Nigerians in the government is declining. The distrust seems to cluster around some phenomena. There is a popular resentment in public bureaucracies that remains undiminished ever after democracy returned to the country in 1999.
The government, as a matter of urgency, must address why citizens are losing confidence in the governments and their political leaders. The government must address why cost of commodities are sky rocketing. I have said it times without number that what people enjoy at any time is a result of leadership, and what they suffer is also a product of leadership. Today, we need leaders with the hearts of warriors and with compassion; leaders who will run to catch up with the flag Christ carries ahead of us. It’s time to rethink governance in Nigeria.