By Ebun Babalola
Bishop Dr. George Amu is the first born of his parents, late Pa. George Benson Amu, a former commissioner of police, Owan West local government area of Edo State and late Princess Joana Aina Amu of Afeze Emani, Owan North Local Government Area of Edo State . He was born on August 23, 1941 in Enugu State.

He hails from Sabongida Owan, Edo State. He grew up in both Enugu and Osun State and has been living in Lagos for the past 50 years. He will be 70 years on August 23. He is currently the Secretary General of Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter.

Rev, George is a keen lover of football, athletics, cricket, swimming and tennis.

Life has made me believe that when circumstances go beyond the ordinary, the next thing is to get closer to the extraordinary. I’d many times felt there was nothing to live for. But, my strength is looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.

My first challenge was life as a young man. At 32, I went to borrow money from Law, Hill and Rock. I didn’t take it serious until the lenders came and threatened to sell my house. Then, my eyes were opened and I knew life is a reality.

I used the money to build my house in Mushin. I never knew that there was a legal implication until the auctioneer came and seized my house. It was my wife’s intervention that rescued me.

The second phase was when I was told that my last child (Maria) was dead. That afternoon, I met people in my room including my friend in Eko Hospital who told  me that Maria was dead. The sympathisers said, the dentist who was my wife’s cousin mistakenly gave her wrong injection which led to her death. It was an unforgettable shock of my life.

Bishop George Amu: Like an hawk tree climber, life requires step-by-step approah

The third challenge was at my office. My office roof was leaking, so I decided to climb and see what was wrong. Suddenly, I dropped like a ball. It was a table in my office that saved me. I could have been blind or dead.

Those are the challenges of life that really put me under control. Since then, I’ve learned not to take risk no matter what.

I went to St. Gregory’s College. At school, I was very popular and influential. I became a football captain, prefect and world footballer of the year. I thought that was all until my late father, a former commissioner of police called me and said, “You are rising at a rate that is dangerous and good, but please, note that, the Amu name has been there before you were born. If you cannot add to it, don’t subtract from it. That became my guiding principle. From that day, I took integrity and straightforwardness as my yardstick.

My turning point started when I began to set goals for myself. By the grace of God, I was able to manage my life.
Although, I was born in Enugu State, yet, I went to Ikire, Gbongan Osun State for my primary education. My father’s ADC who hailed from Gbongan noticed the way my parents were pampering me.

So, he advised my father to let me join his brother, a teacher who was living in Ikire, Gbongan for my primary education. His argument was that I was going to get the best training and discipline if I could leave my parents for a while.

Without any iota of doubt, my father took me to Ikire. I stayed there for some years. I was going to the market and doing the house chores. I became very responsible . Then, I proceeded to St. Gregory’s College. That was another point where I realised the importance of life and became very serious with my studies.

After that, I went to Government College and England to study Engineering. I came back and got married.
In 1968, I started my career life with Bewac Limited, Apapa as Sales Engineer. I was there for 20 years. Then, I had problems and I quit to establish my company, Massada Motors and I started Real Estate and Properties.

My life as a Bishop wasn’t intentional. I never believed I was going to be a Pastor. My wife led me to Christ. I was a free-thinker until I escaped a plane crash in October 1, 1980. Then, I realised that there was more to life than what I thought it was. I was a member of a church, Goodnews Mission International, until, the leader of the church became uncontrollable and threatened to resign and he did.

There was nothing to do. Then my wife advised it was a time for me to answer the call of God for my life. That was another turning point for me.When the leadership of the church fell on me unannounced, I realised that I must be trained. I must have theological knowledge which was the reason why I went to Bible College. I did my diploma in Community Bible College. Then, I moved on for my Masters , PHD and other related studies at Faith Bible College.
I knew that to be a pastor requires spiritual, intellectual and doctrinal knowledge. When, I left Bible College  25 years ago, I prophesied that I want to preach the wisdom of the scripture which is why I don’t preach more than 15 minutes on the pulpit.

Even when Idahosa proposed to make me a Bishop, I rejected and told him that until I attain the age of 60 years , I wouldn’t become a Bishop. Unfortunately, he died before I was 60 years. I also said, I will like to be an Archbishop at the age of 70 and I am preparing for that.

At 80, I am ready to go home because my father died at 69. That is why I’ve been living as one with divine mission and assignment. I have also said that after my 70th birthday, I will go to Ikoyi cemetry and buy a vault for myself and my wife. It means that when I die after 70, I won’t  bring pain and shame into my family.

I have five children and till date, I still control them. I sent them Christmas gifts as their daddy. That was the same way my daddy did to me. Until, his death, he was still giving me money every Christmas season even though I was married. So, leadership has been following me all my life. Leadership comes with authority and authority comes with discipline.

I don’t have one best friend but good ones. My friends don’t feel inferior when talking  to me. We talk to each other and move on with life. If there is anything that will bring me down, I will quit. I can also say that what has been keeping me going is integrity.

The most remarkable day in my life was when I met my wife, Miss Modupe Omolola Oredugba and the day we got married. It was another turning point in my life. She is a great influence in my life. Her background was highly religious and she is disciplined and quiet. And I never knew I could meet such an individual.

I was tough unfortunately, she was quiet. I met her by chance when I went on a sporting trip in Ibadan. I just finished High jump when I saw this slim girl walked pass and I investigated and found out that she was the elder sister of one of my boys. He refused to let  me marry his sister and dismissed me because I was tough. Since that day, I was transformed to a lowly and gentle boy.

At our 40th marriage anniversary, some group of people asked her how she was able to manage me. Then, she replied and said, “George is tough and meticulous but he was conscious”, that she can’t do anything with a  man who  is not conscious. On August 23, my marriage will be 43 years.

My strongest point is that, if I make a mistake once, I don’t repeat it. I tolerate fools but if you deliberately continue to commit the same offence,  I will quit. I don’t appreciate time wasters.

My happiness in life is that I’ve been able to fulfill my mission.

I don’t go out without a mission and I forgive easily. The reason why people age easily is the fact that they harbour so much bitterness in their minds. Apart from church activities, I don’t stay out after 7 pm. So, when I realised, it was the grace of God that was bestowed on me to manage my life, I take life step by step.

I want to be remembered as a man that came, saw and  was able to leave a footprint behind. I like to do my best irrespective of any circumstance. I have the best environment, relationship and friendship. I was privileged to have what I had in life and that is the reason why I feared God. I have my feelings. I have peace of mind. People should know that it is not how long they live but how well they have been able to influence people around them positively.

People need to know that there is need to be good to everyone around so as to make a good name for themselves.