By Wilson Adekumola
The founder of Harvest Field International Church Ota, Ogun State, Reverend Francis Ekundayo, has said the sudden surge in the infection rate of COVID-19 in Nigeria was caused by the elites who came into the country unchecked at our porous ports of entry.
He made the observation in a chat with Church Times at a recent event to mark his 20th anniversary on the pulpit.
Rev. Ekundayo, Pastor Julius Ajala and Mrs. Tolulope Ekundayo at the 20th anniversary event on the pulpit of Rev Ekundayo
Second wave caused by VIPs
He said, “The second wave of coronavirus is caused by The VIPs who came to the country without being checked at our ports of entry. This virus is not a Nigeria virus, nor an Africa virus. As a matter of fact, it is not a spirit. It is obvious that the virus is common among white people because of the rate at which they are infected. It has more to do with their weather condition and nature.
“We can prevent this virus from spreading because it is not a spirit, it travels through people. People are traveling down without observing the safety protocols most especially the VIPs. The senators travel nobody checkmate them, the governors travel no one checkmate them. They contracted the virus abroad not in Nigeria here. If there is thorough monitoring at our ports of entry, we can contain it. There should be a mechanism or measure to checkmate people who come into the country. This should involve all without exemption.
Rules are for the poor
“I noticed that any rule and regulation made in this country is for the poor masses while we give exemption to the high-class persons. There should be a machine to test people coming in even if it is the president. When it is discovered that something is wrong with whoever is coming in such should be treated accordingly by taking him or her to the isolation centre for 14 days.
They did not get it from the poor people on the street because they don’t mingle with them. They always go with a security apparatus so how would they have contact with the poor people. Since they lifted the ban on flights most of them have been travelling without being checked. There was a report that some people connived with medical personnel to get a fake result. How will that help matters?” He queried.
He stressed that if we must curb the spread of the virus we must look into our ports of entry. If the virus is no longer coming in, we can contain the one we have because the rate of survival in Nigeria is high.
Ekundayo: 2021 will be better
While noting that 2020 was a tough year, he declared that 2021 will be a year of recovery urging Nigerians to move closer to God in prayer. “The Year 2020 was a tough one, nobody expected it. It was marred by pandemic, banditry, then EndSARS. Though there were prophecies nobody thought it the way it happened. It affected everyone including our ministry but the grace of God saw everybody through.
“It was not medical care; it was God who helped us to overcome that turbulent year. Nobody knows what 2021 has for us but the spirit of God has revealed to me that this year will not be tough like last year. Not that we will not face challenges this year but it won’t be tough like 2020.
“This year is for recoveries. We only need to be closer to God. Whatever may be the challenge this year God has a solution for it. I see this as a better year than last year. Those who will be patient with God will experience the goodies packed for this year. “
Leaders playing politics with security
On insecurity in Nigeria, he said, “It is a game of politics. In fact, it is political. You can hear of a governor as being the sponsor of banditry and kidnapping in the north. We would hear that some kidnappers were being arrested before you knew it, a certain governor would go there and release them. They are using it against themselves. Nothing we can do to stop it unless those in power realize that what they are doing is to the detriment of their people.”
Ekundayo, who expressed his displeasure at the incessant kidnapping of church leaders, asserted that “firstly, people believe church leaders don’t have security apparatus around them and that makes us accessible and vulnerable. They also hold the notion that when they kidnap church leaders money will come out from the church. We don’t go about with security, so, it is very easy to kidnap church leaders. It is only prayer that can stop this horrible act. We need to pray for divine intervention.
But I think if the country is ok nobody will be involved in such a crime. I still want to believe it is the situation of the country that paves way for these evil deeds. But it is so sad that the people in power are not seeing it that way. It is the decadence of the society and economic downturn that encourage crime. We need to correct society; we need to remedy the economy.” He advised.
Church members on Ekundayo
The event which was celebrated on a low key drew reactions from some church members; these include Pastor Seun Sonaike who described the event as a double portion of blessing.
He noted that it coincided with their prophetic Sunday. “The event is a wonderful one and double portion of blessings because the 20th anniversary coincided with our prophetic Sunday. I joined the church about ten years ago. I can tell you that since I met the Lord through Reverend Ekundayo my life has never remained the same.
In her own words, the Harvest Brigade Commandant, Mrs. Temitope Olatunji said she was glad to felicitate with Pastor Ekundayo. She said God used the church to change her status.
Baruwa Samson, who is the youth leader, it is a great event to appreciate God’s mercy in the life of Rev Ekundayo for the journey so far. He said, “I thank God that through the help of our father in the Lord I am now a graduate.”
