'I Will Do Anything To Serve God’

By XAVIER NDAH

“I had told myself that I will never be convinced to wear any uniform again till I die but for God I would do anything to serve Him.”
These were the words of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Otta farm football field, Otta in Ogun State penultitute week when he was made the Grand National Patron of the newly constituted Pentecostal Chaplains International (PCI).Obasanjo was fully dressed in his white regalia, inducted, and officially commissioned as the Grand Patron of PCI.
In his acceptance speech, Obasajo said: “When I was approached by PCI, I was optimistic because I had risen to the rank of a General in the army and more than once a Chief Executive. I believe that God has given me all that. That was why on May 29, last year, I said to myself that till I die,  Nigerians can decide to bury me with any uniform they choose, I would never wear any uniform again. But when I was asked to be the father of the organization, it was not easy for me,” he noted.According to him, “For the service of God, nothing could stand in my way. By the way, I said that to myself and I am saying it to myself again, and God should hear it again.”Making reference to the word of God in Acts of Apostle, Obasanjo reminded the corps members that they were called to serve, which should come in form of visitation and the welfare of the under privileged. “Go therefore and preach. We have the mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ to go about doing well.”
He called on those that have accepted to join the group to be reminded that they have imposed on themselves double discipleship. For those who were promoted he warned not to misuse it as demotion can come their way anytime if warranted. “For those who are promoted you can be asked to be demoted just as some policemen were demoted.
Do not be attracted by the uniform alone but you must take along with the discipline that it demands. Age in this world does not make you more experienced. Some are old and some are old fools.”
He warned them to be wary of the press who are waiting for a loophole to criticize and condemn. “As a young organization, you have the press to contend with. Here we must be ready to make sacrifices. Make sacrifice for the good of the organization that is when you seek for assistance. We must not be tired of doing good, our reward would be here on earth and thereafter. “Because your contribution and sacrifice are not recognized by the press, then you will stop doing good, it will be surely used against you.”
While performing his duty, he elevated Major General Okafor to the rank of (Captain General.)
He also  cut the one year anniversary cake as well as commissioning of new officers. On their decision to choose Obasanjo as Grand Patron despite the reports and negative perception against him by Nigerians, Captain Okafor said that Obasanjo was one of the few leaders Nigeria had had that actually affected the lives of Nigerians positively. “He was chosen for his credibility and steadfastness and the role he has played in the military in this country and most especially his Christian background.
 He is the man that the Biafra trusted when there was civil war in this country as God used him  to end the war.
The Biafra surrendered their flag to him as a great hero.”
On the reason for the project, Captain Okafor said that they  are determined to evacuate those unfortunate prisoners. These are those that were born in the prison. We intend to evacuate these young ones and create a new life for them. “It is worthy to note that PCI has within one year trained and commissioned about four hundred officers established her National secretariat in the FCT, established commands in seventeen states of the Federation, has been working with traffic officers to decongest the roads.”
On who is eligible to enroll, Captain Okafor said that any person who is a child of God that has compassion for humanity is qualified to enroll. Are they going to compete with the other law enforcement agents in arresting law breakers? Captain Okafor said that they only order for the arrest of law breakers. “We order for people's arrest. We do not arrest or detain people as it is the constitutional right of the police.”
The Chaplain Corp which boast of seventeen commands in seventeen states has no less than 400 corps members who were successfully commissioned a year ago to empower Christians to assist in restoring law and order in Nigeria.