Ministry is something most people perceive as a difficult terrain to excel, but this is not the case with Reverend Kanimo Inyang, the pastor of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, (TREM), Ojodu and the zonal pastor of TREM, Zone 14. In this interview Rev Inyang who joined the ministry 15 years ago, bares his mind on what has kept him going and the future of Nigeria.

Q- Who is Rev.  Kanimo Inyang?

A-I am the pastor of  The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, (TREM) Ojodu  branch and also the zonal pastor of  zone 14. I am married to Mrs. Funmi Inyang and we are blessed with three sons, Emmanuel, Daniel and Samuel.I was born on the 20th of July 1962 to the family of Chief O. T. Inyang, from Ikot Ubok Udom in Nsit Atai LGA of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. My father was an educationist who worked and retired as the senior deputy registrar in WAEC Yaba Lagos. My mother was a humble, caring and hospitable house wife. My wife, a caterer by profession had been the greatest thing that has happened to me in life, a very great source of inspiration. In the journey of life when I think I can't do it she will tell me I can, that I should not settle for less.

Q_ How was your childhood life like?

A-I was born and raised up in a family of 12. We are nine children of chief O.T Inyang. We were raised up in  a middle class family and my father was a disciplinarian, who was more into education than any other thing since he works in WEAC. We were all sent to school because my father understood the value of education.

Q- Tell us about your educational background?

A-I started my kindergarten in the University of Lagoon in Accra Ghana, my primary school was in LA primary school in GRA Ikeja. My secondary education was in Olivet Baptist High school Oyo in Oyo state. I graduated with masters in Architecture from the University of Lagos in 1987. I got a diploma in Theology from the GABC in 1996. By the grace of God I was called into the ministry in January 1998 and God has been faithful. I pastured for a year in TREM HQS, before being sent to pastor TREM Ipaja from 1999 to 2005. The last posting brought me to TREM Ojodu that I, by grace of God have pastured from October 2005 till date.

Q- You studied Architecture but went into ministry, what prompted it?

A-Immediately I finished school, it wasn’t intentional. I was in a group called Word Ambassadors and I was inspired by that group. We started going out for crusades and evangelism in places within the country and outside the country and those of us who were in that group largely ended up in ministry. We had leaders like Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Rev. Clem Esemowe and Pastor Effiong and so many others who are outstanding men of God today. The leading into ministry started from this group.

Q- What did your parents and friends say when you told them that you are going into ministry?

A-Especially my father, to him it really didn’t  make sense because he felt after going to study Architecture and coming up with a masters degree and at the end of the day you are wasting destiny by going into the ministry. Because he thought that nothing good will come out of it. But when my mother died and I was able to successfully bury her with the support of my siblings he admitted that ministry is not a crisis after all. Today I can testify to the goodness of God. People are beginning to see that it was not a mistake.

Q- How the journey into the ministry has begins so far?

A-Well, I want to thank God for how far he has helped me because the bible says in all things we should give thanks. I know we have not gotten there but at least we have started and are committed. That is my mind set and that is the way I think. Never going to give up. No retreat no surrender.

Q- What have been the pains and gains of the ministry?

A-My gains are the fact that I have been able to impact on some life's over the years. I have had testimonies of the lives of people changing because of the calling of God upon my life and that has been my greatest joy in ministry. While I appreciate the blessings I get from the ministry, my greatest joy is when God uses me to bless others. My pains are the fact that I still have a long way to go in ministry and I have not made sufficient progress yet. By the grace of God I will get there.

Q- Despite the challenges what have kept you holding on?

A-Once you are in the will of God there is grace  to hang in there until you have the victory. My mindset is that of  a winner. No matter the challenge now it is too late in the day to give up. My greatest source of strength is from the word of God. When I remember that I am in GOD'S plan I rest my case. The bible says " though my beginning may be small my latter end shall greatly increase.

Q- If you have a second chance, would you also choose ministry?

A-Certainly yes. You are dealing with lives and is a golden opportunity to be offered this opportunity divinely to shepherd people. Is golden, is not by power, is not by might and is not even about your educational qualifications. It is the grace of God and if I had a second chance on earth I will do the same thing God willing.

Q- With a lot of commitments how do you relax?

A-I like spending time with my family. I watch TV,  news, premiership,  Spanish league Laliga, UEFA championship league, ATP masters. Africa magic and a few other Dstv channels. I love football and Chelsea was my club but when they started loosing I changed to Real Madrid. You know where you have three big boys who also love football sometimes we disagree during matches. My first son Emmanuel’s team is Manchester United (Man U), my second son Daniel is a Barcelona fan my third son Samuel is not interested in football. So most time when they are at home we watch the matches together and you know that means there will be lots of disagreement which makes the game more interesting to watch. I love sports like I said before. I  played football, table tennis, and was boxing when I was a youth. I spend time in getting information on the internet especially news about happenings around the world. Also to gather materials that is important to me. As for my kind of food. I love vegetables a lot. My favorite food happens to be Edikikong with pounded yam because is delicious. It's about the best food in my opinion.

Q- What are your regrets in life?

A-May be that I have not committed so much time in terms of focusing in the ministry. In terms of preparing personal self. Like studying more, praying more, reaching out and getting more committed to the ministry. I am that kind of person that is not content with the kind of result I have got so far. I desire to do more, so I keep on striving.  I don’t think there will be a time that I will assume that I have been able to do all that God has committed to my hands. Especially when I look at men like my father in the Lord Bishop Mike, these are men who have achieved tremendously and when you now look at my age that I will be 50years I just begin to feel that I have not put in enough. Bishop Mike, my father in the Lord is my role model because he has been an example of anything that you can imagine a man of God should be. He is extremely focused, hard working, a man of integrity and committed to the ministry. We are to follow after such men. 

Q-  When was your happiest moment?

A-Well I have had several happy moments in life. But the most significant one was the day I met my wife. It was my happiest moment because as you can see she is very spiritually sound, a virtuous woman, and very beautiful. You can imagine how I felt when she finally said yes. She has been a tremendous blessing to me.

Q- At  50 what should TREM Ojodu and termites worldwide,  be expecting from you?

A-By the grace of God Almighty the commitment will be more, the focus will be more because I have set my hands on the plow and am not going to look back. I will spend the rest of my life to work hard and continue to be a blessing.

Q- You are almost as old as Nigeria, what is the future of this country vise-a-vise the recent development in the country?

A-Nigeria will get better with time. The real saviours of Nigeria are about to emerge. While I agree we are in the  darkest moments of our journey as a nation. There is hope for Nigeria. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. I see Nigeria entering a new era, a season where things will change for the better.    I see a country where people will love to come and visit from all over the world. Nigeria is a country with enormous potentials, human and material resources are in abundant supply. All we need are visionary leaders not rulers, people who are selfless and willing to sacrifice for their country. If people are making it under this hash working environment you can imagine if our infrastructure improves. When people value human life's and there is peace. When we change our mindset as a people things will take a new turn in the near future. You will discover that Nigeria will become one of the greatest places on earth people will like to  visit. Another   reason is  because our weather is good all year round. I believe that Nigeria will get better in our day.