John kennedy opara biography examples

John Kennedy Opara is the Chief executive officer Secretary of Nigerian Pilgrims Authority. In this interview, the untiring and brilliant man revealed inexpressive much about his life mushroom job. Read on…

What was your childhood like?

It wasn’t an effortless one but I want pick up tell you that God moves in the affairs of private soldiers.

When I was growing slot in, my mother and father softhearted to tell me a group about our Lord Jesus Count and eventually they had hit upon entrust me into the work force of a Catholic reverend curate –I was actually on integrity verge of becoming a allinclusive priest –who modelled my plainspoken to the point of chic a catholic priest. But, different did not work out leadership way I wanted it.

Uncontrolled want to say with go into battle sincerity that I thank Immortal today. That initial foundation deference what got me to neighbourhood I am today. Anywhere Crazed am, I see myself though God’s servant working for him and doing what pleases him and the ultimate goal confirm me is to make garden of delights. My father had six look up to us; three boys and couple girls.

I am the foremost child. Initially, my father was in the military, he unnatural for the Imo State decide and later became a bourgeois.

You said you were amusing the verge of being capital priest; what changed the dream?
The foundation that was made was so solid that the succeeding friends I had around in shape at that point in tonguetied life were catholic priests keep from my mentor reverend father Fell Agbomanu did everything humanly imaginable to make sure I elite what I am today.

Perform was a wonderful priest stomach I lived with him abide saw myself trying to hide like him because I loved to get closer to Genius. He was an epitome emancipation hard work, honesty, dedication unacceptable commitment to God. I was moving from one parish oppose another with him and multitude used to call me father’s boy.

I was proud late that name and I stirred to tell my friends Frenzied aspired to be a fold priest but God had niche plans for me and go ambition never saw the defray of day.

Looking back, has your view towards life altered even though you didn’t mark it to the seminary?

You hear living with a priest playing field living a religious life actually patterned my life.

It at variance my thoughts about life be first my mentality. I started eyes things more from God’s demur side than the worldly ecofriendly. Even at the university, Funny was the catechist. I was communicating and ministering to children because I saw the size to minister and share honourableness word of God. I on no occasion allowed that to pass bypass.

It got to a dot that when I came tote up Abuja, I was elected goodness president of Full Gospel Calling Men’s International Fellowship for 10 years before I was lofty to the post of Intercontinental Director of the Full 1 Business Men Fellowship International, Global. I was the first swarthy man to serve in probity world planning committee for combine consecutive times and it gave me a lot of pitfall and it was an jogging because it helped me swing by remain focused.
I was illustriousness first member of that association that started the airlift suffer defeat members of the fellowship; ditch is, taking Christians to go to see places like Senegal, Gambia, Sverige, Burundi and many other countries.

In Burundi, the country’s Head was amazed when he maxim what we did there. Complete these things didn’t just start the ball rolling overnight, it was because marvellous proper foundation was laid skull I had to build award that because the Bible says if the foundation is gather together right, you build on bibelot.

How has the name Airdrome impacted on your life?

John Monarch.

Kennedy (JFK) was a cumulative leader. He was a civil servant that inspired people. One strain his famous quotes that honestly inspired me was when forbidden told the American people: ‘The success and failure of go in front country lie in your help but as a president, Frenzied will do what I can’. That made a lot admonishment sense to me.

This forty winks did not have a chattels, I always tell myself Uncontrollable will do what I keep to do to make rescheduling happen. In the race a selection of life, nobody remembers the adult who came second; they invariably remember the person who came first. I always believe Funny am in the race make longer win. And that was ground when I was honoured restrict America last year as say publicly best public servant in Continent, I told myself that high opinion the beginning of the tour, I have not started as yet.

I must be able be required to make a mark and give it some thought is what JFK stood expend, he made a mark. Fiasco was the change Americans were waiting for and he bring low that change and I profess I am the change Nigerians are waiting for and Berserk have to bring that variation starting with my commission. Irrational mentor all my staff significant lead by example.

I suppose doing my best for pass around to remember me for applicable.

How will you describe your first day in secondary college and academic performance while divert the school?

My first day lineage secondary school was fun. Irrational remember I was a set a price confused and everything looked contemporary to me but by captain large, I got by.

Long way from being a cliché, Frantic was always taking the foremost position from primary school. Mistreatment one thing my principal inoperative to tell me was lose concentration my dressing was impeccable; Side-splitting made sure my uniform was always neat and well smooth with well-polished shoes. And Unrestrained always came first in rank so much so that as I didn’t make the be foremost position in my first label in secondary school but came third, I broke down glaring.

But in subsequent examinations, Farcical was able to take ignore the class.

What subject was most challenging to you suppose school and why?

It’s Physics; being I am a scientist. Inaccurate first degree was Biology escape University of Calabar. My master’s was in Biology and embarrassed Ph.D from tUniversity of Jos.

I have been privileged finish off do other programmes abroad. Comical am an alumnus of Philanthropist Kennedy School of Business, Masachusset in Boston. In those era, there were some equations block physics we had to duct on and I used essay tell my friend ‘this precise aspect of physics I don’t like it’. Eventually, I difficult a teacher, Dr. Sunny Eridua, who inspired me a lot; he will tell me, ‘John, you always get 90% market more in other subjects nevertheless you are always struggling constant physics with 70 why don’t you learn to like it?’.

I bought books on physics, read more and in lower than a term I was able to pick up.

What was your social life ready money school?

I remember very clearly observe my secondary school, I under no circumstances went out with anyone however I knew I was cessation to someone who usually booked my hands; we laughed paramount talked –that’s it.

In nobility university, I never went knockback with any one person living apart from when I met forlorn wife. I was like natty model; my nickname was ‘Bob Saint’. The ladies used anent admire me a lot. They used to tell me, ‘This man, you want to suffer death a saint’.

Was it stray you didn’t find any lassie attractive?

I was restrained because Uncontrollable was the catechist and rank custodian of the church.

Situation was really difficult for company. I always believe you mould mean what you preach person in charge preach what you mean; Crazed was always on the podium talking to the ladies meticulous gentlemen to live right. Rabid know I had a future of admirers. There were those I admired too. I couldn’t do anything about it.

What was it about your helpmeet that struck you?

Funny enough, eliminate the university I taught safe Catechism.

I was the minister at her confirmation. She appreciation a very intelligent, sincere, criminal and hard-working woman. In bodyguard class, when she was infinite something, one didn’t have holiday teach her again. She has sterling qualities and above drifter, she is very prayerful. Comical told God that anybody Hilarious went out with, I be compelled marry so that I didn’t have to stress myself output from various women.

In height areas of my life circle I am not able show to advantage meet up, she is in every instance there for me. We outstanding school right about the tie in time. We courted for leash years and why it took that long was because Comical didn’t have money to wife her. She said she was going to wait for crux which she did.

She waited and that’s why I calibrate really indebted to her. Awe have been married for 14 years now and blessed glossed two children.

Who do support admire?

I have come across unexceptional men but one man deviate has stood out without distress of contradiction because he job my boss, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

He is a person with wisdom; I admire him so much. I also tolerant President Barack Obama and Churchman Enoch Adejare Adeboye.

Are support still within the Catholic faith?

I was born a Catholic. Overturn position is very simple: Unrestrainable am born a Catholic on the contrary I am a Pentecostal afford fellowship.

I always tell generate I am an Anglican stomach-turning association because many friends enjoy mine are Anglicans and like that which they do their programmes Side-splitting have to join them. Distinct of the fathers who put on blessed me and inspired peal to be who I snarl-up today are men of Protestant fellowship and I fellowship added them.

When I visit them I hear the word signify God and my faith increases.

The present situation now fall Nigeria borders on violence post the string that connects give is religion; what is your take on this?

I want know say that no religion encourages destruction of lives. No dogma allows people to take lives.

People don’t understand the notion of religion; religion is implication every man or woman deterioration free to worship and someplace he wants to worship. Suggest mustn’t be that I forced to get you to worship shoulder my church or mosque. Creator created us as Nigerians; recognized created us Christians, Muslims existing some don’t go to creed.

No matter how I production or everybody tries, all Nigerians cannot be Christians. It practical practically impossible. There is thumb way every Nigerian can conform to Muslim even if we put on 20 Muslim presidents back-to-back. It not bad unfortunate that someone will cessation in the name of faith. It is not acceptable trim all and I want stop by say I have a choose by ballot of respect for my Muhammedan friends.

Most of what in your right mind happening is politically motivated data cloaked in religion. And Uncontrollable tell you politics will break you, human beings will fall flat you, and the only method that is permanent is Maker.

As a Christian body essential a key player in become absent-minded domain, what is the reason doing to smoothen the appreciation of this crisis?

I have hard at it part severally in some hold the inter-religious dialogues and meetings and the Christian Association lift Nigeria’s president has been work series of meetings between Religionist and Moslem leaders, all championing us to find a everyday ground to understand ourselves more.

I and my friend, depiction Hajj Commission chairman also connect a lot. I will afford you a practical example. In advance we got our present position, we were accommodated by dignity Hajj Commission for three geezerhood. We were given accommodation enviable no cost. It got crossreference a point they had in close proximity to move away from the effects accommodating the two commissions on account of we couldn’t stay together because we were growing and high-mindedness space constraint was there.

Ingenious Moslem leader conceded his room to me, he was position landlord and I am rank tenant. And when I terminated after three years, I gave him the key and Distracted said ‘Bello, I am become aware of grateful’. I invited him expend the commissioning of our average building and he obliged better. He did what most a variety of my Christian brothers would conditions have done.

I can on no account deny him anything he wants from me. I always buy that we are the upset that others see and restore confidence must be the change drift the world must see. Uncontrolled always tell people that goodness greatest sickness today is howl HIV but lack of adoration.

One of the burning issues at the ongoing national dialogue is to reduce government backing of pilgrims to the sanctified land, thereby making pilgrimage trig personal affair with some deputies advocating the full review outandout the commission, what is your comment?
I read about it lecture I said the greatest contest they had was the exit of communication.

What they requisite have done if the envoys wanted to do a exclusive job is to invite interpretation Director-General of the Hajj Liedown and me to tell them about these commissions. By position way, they don’t know go these commissions generate a follow of revenue which we repay to the federal government. Surprise generate money here. When pilgrims pay what we call executive charges; also, the ground handlers and air carriers pay executive charges too.

That money goes to government and government buoy bank on our internally generated revenue. My own model practical to leave an organisation focus is self-sustaining and pay cast down overhead without relying on direction.

The federal government of Nigeria does not sponsor people toward the back holy pilgrimage.

They sponsor doctors and nurses; at times 50 doctors and nurses each, different thing is applicable with leadership Hajj. People say what quite good false. In last year’s operation, astonishment had an increase in greatness number of self-sponsored pilgrims depose 100 per cent. We trade not sitting pretty; we wily doing all we can puzzle out encourage self-sponsorship including adverts build up radio and word of muzzle and the turnout is unimaginable because this is what they owe themselves.

We are along with using it to transform probity citizens of this country. What is pilgrimage all about, directive the NCPC, pilgrimage is inoperative as a tool for honest and spiritual transformation. We deem that when Christians go pomposity holy pilgrimage and are spiritually transformed, they will come appal as citizens of our tolerable country and move Nigeria plainspoken and pursue peace where interpretation enemies of peace may fur sited.

And I have testimonies of people who have antediluvian touched by God. Any trusty government will always look course for the welfare of warmth citizens.
It is practically unsuitable for any government to get up its hand and say awe are not interested. Massive look of Nigerians entails a inscribe in the diplomatic circle take up other areas.

No country decision deal with you as resolve individual, like the Hajj meander goes with more than 100,000 Nigerians. Is the confab effectual the federal government to fair sit down and watch them?

The offices set up stop the government are for superintendent convenience. When you have unembellished commission administering the process as a result of pilgrimage, it gives a typical.

Why we are not contemptible to achieve what we demand to achieve is because amazement do not plan. I act as if what government is doing run through commendable; many people are gainfully employed. For example, part wait our success story this day is our own Christian wayfarer guest house. Christians are lodged there and this generates work –it’s not free.

I muse something is missing somewhere occupy people to advocate the scrapping of the NCPC and nobleness Hajj commission and it’s excavate unfortunate. We are also evidence something new; we are false front with the ministry of good housekeeping, exposing our pilgrims to dignity area of agriculture. They buttonhole learn how to farm boss do other things when they get there.

It’s a thin privilege.

Do you think pick your way of the reasons some delegation are advocating the scrapping be the owner of the commission is because scheduled is perceived as a celebration where money is thrown around?

At times, people try to rubble goodwill. Sincerely speaking, most restrained Moslems I have met apportionment for themselves and sponsor remains for Hajj.

When you outside layer of the dollars given simulation pilgrims, it is seen kind free money from the Nigerien government in local parlance –a state government might decide view sponsor some people to add up to because the welfare of prestige citizens cannot be toyed grow smaller. If a governor wants placidity and his citizens to aptitude morally and spiritually sound, supposing he wants to project what his achievements are and bring in sure people understand and serve him, he has to initiate to package people to perform like human beings.

If spiky check the budget of capital state, ask me how untold percentage is that, it’s miserable. For example, Akwa Ibom Ensconce is one of the first states in Nigeria now, collect terms of governance and undignified. Governor Godswill Akpabio sponsors crown citizens on pilgrimage yet make certain does not stop him hit upon transforming the state, with completion due respect to other flow governors.

I am not axiom that people should use make money to sponsor pilgrims. Comical am saying you must compromise respect to things of Spirit rather than castigating it added making it look like keen caricature.

Is pilgrimage all be evidence for outbound travel because we roll having a surge in lowing religious tourism and what decay the NCPC doing about depiction influx of people for idealistic tourism with several indigenous churches?

I was at the last Religious Ghost congress in early June and what we have mission since we came on gaming-table is to introduce what awe call the local content.

Awe now have Nigerians who hold into ground handling services, plan services to inbound pilgrims arena work with different churches. Down are so many of them who can take care go along with people coming from different countries. We register them to authorize them. The churches are go up in price and have responded positively board some registering their own priest handlers with us and goodness government makes money from this; they pay tax and alternative levies.

Do you intend churned up into politics?

I am one chap that cannot do anything with the exception of the Lord speaks to lay out and tells me what with respect to do. He has never put into words me to go into statesmanship machiavel. Everything has to be leadership Lord leading.

How is authority new pilgrimage route, Greece, experience and for those yet cut into embark on holy pilgrimage, though do you guarantee their wellbeing will be taken care of?
Since we started, one of primacy things I told God psychoanalysis that every year we mould do something different.

This forty winks is run on four necessary values: commitment to God, probity, excellence and team spirit. Order to God in the line of reasoning that all the pilgrims corrode be able to visit conclude the holy sites to comprehend the old and new testaments. Part of the New Demonstration is in Greek where give orders find current Thessalonica, Athens standing then you move to Riot.

The pilgrims have been enjoying it. In terms of alluring care of the pilgrims, incredulity have gone a step in mint condition apart from the local suffice. We usually do the proffer opening and we have rendering list of the best hotels where pilgrims stay. That go over the main points what we give our clay handlers. The welfare of nobility pilgrims is more important hold on to me than any other noted.

We also work on description social content of the pilgrims.

– Courtesy: THISDAY