By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Adeniyi Bada.
Life may look simple and sweet for some people but to others, it is a different ball game all together.
Our guest here falls to the other side of life characterised by enormous physiological and psychological consequences capable of weakening the soul and spirit.
Popularly called “Ade Bada” among his colleagues in pen profession, he says life may not be as he had wished but he has carried his cross; daring the storms with equanimity, absolute sense of optimism, hope and prayer that, his present dark tunnel will soon turn to bright light, where he will laugh last and best at the of it all.
This is an interview with a Kogi State born Journalist who has paid his due in journalism practise,a man who, in darkness,wrote an awesome book that is making positive impact in the life of many but ironically, he cannot read it due to sight challenge.
A unionist of note,an inspirational speaker and above all, a man of God overseeing his own church, Sword of Fire Evangelical Ministry (SOFE),a prophetic prayer ministry, where he is winning souls,contributing towords solving societal ills and ensuring moral rectitude as well as uprightness for many people.
Currently battling sight challenge but our guest says bemoaning such calamity is out of his life, as he has carried the cross of his life in an awesome and positive manner that continues to amaze many people, adding that all hope is not lost for him to regain his sight.
Esteemed readers let’s go into the unique world of a fulfilled Journalist turns soul-winning cleric in christendom.
QUESTION: Can you give us an insight into your background?
ANSWER: My name is Adeniyi Ezekiel. Bada.I am a Journalist and Publisher based in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria with experience spanning almost three decades within which period I reported for some National dailies.
They include The Diet, Vanguard, and Provincial Newspaper like Kogi Express, People & Politics etc. before establishing my own outfit. The Public, the paper I have run since 2003 as the publisher/Editor in Chief.
I have equally served as the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council among several other positions of responsibilities.
Also, I have been privileged to serve as a Special Assistant and a Senior Special Assistant to Former Governors of Kogi State.
QUESTION: So, how did it happen? I mean how did you come about your visual impairment?
ANSWER: Well, it all started in the 2014 when I noticed a sharp decline in my vision. I went to the Hospital and glaucoma was diagnosed and all efforts to remedy it proved abortive; from one hospital to another they told me the pressure on the eyes were very high and needed to be brought down to guarantee a level, possibly surgery. Unfortunately, the more I applied those drugs that were recommended for me, the faster the decline in my eyes. I tried all I could, spending fortunes, but all to no avail but to GOD BE THE GLORY.
QUESTION:… (Cuts in) As an African Man, do you in any way attribute your plight to human wickedness?
ANSWER: The truth is that, I didnt give that a thought until my consultant ophthalmologist drew my attention to that aspect, using his vast experience as a case study.
For me, whatever I have heard as the source of my present predicament, spiritually, is immaterial to me. I am not ignoring the realities about human wickedness, particularly in the traditional African setting. But as a child of God with the knowledge of God, I have deliberately refused to dwell on those possibilities.
The story of my life has been very very turbulent, therefore,I am not ruling out that aspect of human wickedness as the bone of my vicissitudes.
QUESTION: How have you been coping with your new status?
ANSWER: It has been awesome; indeed, it has been very interesting. In the last six years of my practical incapacitation, I have suffered untold hardship, neglect, abandonment, deprivation and even isolation.
Infact, it has been a traumatic experience. I have seen the other side of life in its nakedness; I have experienced the reality of life when the tide turns against you.
As a journalist and a political activist, my phones were always ringing, even up till midnight. I receive an average of sixty calls per day but today, my phone lines are practically dead.
However, the joy and my consolation is that, God in His infinite,mercy has not forsaken me. Beyond my wildest imagination, he has not only allayed my initial fears and worries but also raised divine helpers to meet my needs and for this reason, I am particularly grateful to God.
QUESTION: Do you see your present situation as a reproach?
ANSWER: Never, by the grace of God, I have a background that has adequately prepared and equipped me for my present travails. I have an advanced Diploma in Theology which gives me insight into the word of God and as such, rather than seeing my present situation as reproach, I have forged ahead with life with a resilient spirit and sense of optimism. As a matter of fact, God has given me the grace and enablement to achieve uncommon feats. For example, I have authored a book that I cannot read anyway that is impacting lives positively. The feedback that I am getting from those that have read my book titled! “Daring the storms” has been encouraging.
QUESTION: (Cuts in) you mean you authored a book in your present situation?
ANSWER: Of course, I did. The book is the turbulent account of my life, presented in a philosophical and spiritual manner to the public.
Although, the book is highly emotional but it is a must read, particularly to those who are determined to overcome the storms of life. As a matter of fact, I recommend it to every family, because like I used to say, nobody prays for storms to come; but the truth is that storms are part of Human existence.
QUESTION: What other things do you pre occupy yourself with?
ANSWER: In December 2020, my myself and my lovely wife were challenged by the high rate of suicide in the society and we decided to organize a monthly programme, known as TOMORROW CAN STILL BE BETTER. The programme is a counseling and motivational platform, that God has enabled us to use to encourage and reconcile homes.
We have treated such topical issues such as:”Marriage and matters arising”, “Youth mentality and the realities of the moment”, “When trouble comes and how to cope with stress”, among others.
It is one programme that has engaged me with quite a number of issues to deal with on daily basis.
QUESTION: I understand you are a Pastor?
ANSWER: Yes, to the Glory be God I am. Like I told you earlier that God has actually prepared me ahead of my present situation. Until recently, I was an ordained Minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
However, I have by the grace of God, yielded to my apostolic calling which has brought about the establishment of the SWORD OF FIRE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY (SOFEM), where I am currently overseeing as the Presiding Shepherd. I am a preacher of the Gospel and God has been awesome, irrespective of my visual challenge.
At the moment, God has built for use a Chapel and we have several programmes running.
QUESTION: What is it about the ADE-BADA FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL?
ANSWER: As a reaction to the demeaning challenge I have been visited with, and in deference to a resolve to live off disability and catch up with life with sole aim of encouraging others in such circumstances like myself. I have decided to float a foundation known as ADE-BADA FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, to operate in support of those incapacitated by the vicissitudes of life like myself.
To give effect to this, the formal the inaugural lecture of the foundation with the theme, “Discovering ability in disability” The occasion comes up on May 27th, 2022 with Professor Gbenga Ibileye, the Dean School of Post Graduate Studies, Federal University, Lokoja as the Guest Speaker. I have decided to use this platform to give hope to the hopeless, to make them see and maximize inherent opportunities in their disabilities and to rekindle their hope for a better tomorrow.
I have decided to dedicate and leave the rest of my life to serve humanity.
QUESTION: How has it been with your family, coupled with your present situation?
ANSWER: To God be the Glory! My family is intact, united and purposeful in our avowed determination to overcome the storms of life.
I have a loving and caring wife with 3 children that God has empowered me with for me not to feel the impact of my present predicament.
Members of my immediate family have given me hope to live on as if the situation never exist.
It has been a wonderful experienced and great transformation for us as a family.
QUESTION: Are you in any way related to the Late Olympic Gold Medalist and Policeman, Sunday Bada?
ANSWER: Hmm, yes I am. The Late Sunday Bada is my immediate younger brother. I am the head of a family of 8 children and he was next to me. Unfortunately, we lost him over 10 years ago to the cold hands of death.
Thank you so much,sir,for granting this interview.
ANSWER: You are most welcome,God bless you.
