'Every Stage of My life has been anchored on Divine Direction Alone'

In 2001, I was privileged to attend Bible School at Word Of Faith Bible Institute at Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel, Durumi, Abuja. That was in the month of APRIL. As we rounded off on the last day, we were instructed to study one chapter of the book of Proverbs per day in May.

The month of May has 31 days and the Bible book of Proverbs has 31 Chapters. By this time I was billed to attend a Panel job interview at GTB – it was the last but one stage. After which you then go on for a one on one with the MD/CEO.

Before we got to this stage, we had gone through the stages of submitting CVs and applications and writing 2 earlier stages of aptitude tests. The number of applicants has reduced from over 2000 to 27 or so from Abuja zone alone. The other zones were Kano, Enugu, Lagos and PortHarcourt. From the 5 zones, a training school takes a combined maximum of 25 Trainees Nationwide. By grace, I scaled through the panel interview which was the penultimate stage and was scheduled to meet with the MD/CEO of the bank on 21st of May 2001.

Remember that back in WOFBI we were to read a chapter of the books of proverbs per day. I left Abuja for Lagos on 20th by night bus. Got into Lagos and prepared in a rush to meet up with my interview the next day. I got onto one of the ubiquitous Danfo buses from Berger on the Lagos mainland to The Island. It was right on the 3rd mainland bridge that I brought out my Bible to read my chapter of the DAY.

Proverbs 21, guy on reading the 1st verse I knew I was already a staff of GTB. That Bible verse is one scripture that has been instrumental to my life and destiny. Having activated that verse that jumped into my spirit from the bridge till I walked into the spacious office of the then DMD Mr. Tayo Aderinokun of blessed memory. He was sitting in for the MD/CEO Mr Fola Adeola, who later became the running mate to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 presidential elections. After exchange of pleasantries, Tayo asked me to sit (in GTB the leadership encourages staff to relate by first names, no sirs, mas, madam, Oga or boss allowed). It helps in bonding and seeing one another as friends working towards one goal of making money for the bank.

Surprisingly I was asked only one question:

Tayo: ‘Edward can you tell me the meaning of your names Onoja Edward David?’

Me: ‘Onoja’ is from the Igala words ‘Onu Amoja’. King or a leader of people.
‘Edward’ means Custodian of wealth or guardian of riches. Remember, People’s wealth/riches are domiciled in the bank.
‘David’ is made popular by the First King of Isreal, he was a man after God’s heart and means ‘Beloved’.

‘Edward, thanks for your time. Congratulations. The HR will give you further details.’

Me: Thank you so much sir, I can’t wait to be in the GTB family.

Outside the door, looking up worshipped “ Thank you Jesus”.

My brothers by early June, I was back in Lagos for training under Tutu Sholeye of Learners and Trainers at Ijora Water House. We were 25. 23 made it to serve in the bank. That Team, ECHO Team had 2 Igala blood. Myself and Anthony Amodu a cousin to Hilary Amodu⁩. He was one of those who made it. We came from all the Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria . We bonded like one family even though of diverse tribes and faith.

Brethren, Proverbs 21:1 is a pin code for favour and victory in this earthly time:

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Now let’s go mathematical using the divine formulas to connect my story and the political realities of today.

If PDP’s Presidential Primaries are on 28th of May and June 3rd all party primaries ought to have been concluded by INEC’s timeline, would APC primaries fall on May 21st? Only time will tell. We await our brand new National Working Committee to step us and take charge. Na them dey run it now. And we are lucky to have 4 Kogites and 3 Igala, one by marriage.

Friends believe me when I say, “God is all you need” and by all means and for all seasons.

GO4GOD even when the world says don’t put God in the equation. When you subtract, add, multiply, divide, integrate, and differentiate anything by GOD you still get GOD.

I hope the spirit behind Proverbs 21-1 works for us all in what we seek.

When I say God factor matters in Political matters, e get why. I have heard soccer is a spirit, hence the coinage “god of soccer”?
Can one then say Politics is a Spirit?
Is soccer and politics games of LUCK or Strategy & tactics? Or does it require no God factor, especially when I hear much nowadays, ‘leave God out of it’?

If both subjects above are actually anchored on strategy and tactics, then the strategists or tacticians must rely on the Master Strategist who can also choose to control the affairs and decisions of men in divine fashion, quaintly called ‘remote control’ in Africa. It becomes more mandatory in the case of Politics since it involves people choosing from myriad options that will determine their life and destiny.

Why did David become King, had a successful Kingship without any loss in his many battles even when he was the most unqualified amongst his more qualified brethren, and did not pretend to be the most righteous or pious man alive? Could it be because of his name “Beloved” or was it because he was a man after God’s heart? I am on a voyage to determine that in the next 60 days. I will be sharing my experience in the prayerful belief that it can help even one soul.

Let’s travel with King David of Isreal.