•Dr. Yemi Farounbi
A veteran journalist and Nigeria’s former ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi has called on Christians to live up to their billing as people created in God’s image designed as masterpieces to show forth the glory of God.
He made the plea at the mega summit 2025 of the Kingdom Men Global Network holding in Presken Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos from May 8-10.
Farounbi who spoke on the theme, Masterpiece, said man was created to dominate the world for God’s ultimate pleasure. “Because God created us for his own pleasure we need to work according to his purpose. Whatever you’re doing in this world is not for yourself. It should be for the glory of the one who created you. He also wants you to deliver and have a return on his investment in you.”
Describing every man created by God as His masterpiece, he said: “A masterpiece should carry out God’s purpose in a way that makes him a good neighbour. Jesus did not pray that we are taken out of the world. He only prayed that we be kept from the evil one. Jesus knows that we will have to impact our world. And he knows we can’t walk alone. No matter how rich you are, you can’t walk alone. The world is created as a network. We are designed to impact one another.”
Experience with Bola Ige
Farounbi, an octogenarian recalled his experience with the late former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, and how the late politician demonstrated his understanding of humanity and the need to honour and respect every man since he is created in God’s image.
He said, “When I was working with Chief Bola Ige in the second republic, I had some damning information on his major opponent and was going to call a press conference to tell the world so that Chief Bola Ige would have a smooth sail in the election. But Chief Ige objected to that idea. He said to me that the person I wanted to demarket was created in God’s image. That sent a strong message to me.”
The ex-ambassador then said, “It does not matter who the people around us are as long as they are human beings we have to have regard for them and honour them.
“Servant-leadership must be our concept of leadership if we are to truly make reasonable impact. We must remember that the one we serve once washed the feet of his disciples .
“The concept of humility is critical in our living as masterpieces. We must learn to be humble. God hates the proud. You can’t afford to be proud if you want to carry out Gods purpose.”
Knowledge and character
Dwelling more on the theme, Farounbi said, “When God made us have dominion over all His creations He took it for granted that we will have knowledge of all the things he created. If you have knowledge it is that knowledge that will allow you have dominion.”
Farounbi decried the corruption in the political space wondering why many leaders acquire what they don’t need. He stressed that God’s masterpieces must have character and integrity.
He shared a personal testimony of how he played politics without compromising his Christian principles while also adding, “you don’t go to politics to be good. You have to be good to be in politics.
“That is what will make you live above temptations. For me there was nothing to navigate. I was just being myself when I was in active politics. People know me for who I am so it was difficult for them to even bring things that are ungodly my way.”
Deacon Rotimi Aseperi FCA, Sammie Sax, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Pastor Remi Akano and Pastor Popoola Adams at the conference
Call for action
At the summit the Chief Steward of the network, Pastor Remi Akano urged the men to have a new orientation towards doing the right thing .
“We can’t be doing the wrong thing others do if we want to be God’s masterpiece indeed. We need to begin to pay attention to little little things we think don’t matter.”
Making reference to the Bible, he said we can’t afford to say we have not been taught.
“We have gone through situations that ought to have sharpened us but we take those experiences in our stride. This should not be.
“We need to pay attention to the fruit of the spirit. We have to be different. We can’t leave this place and get angry at the door. We need to carry a new orientation that will truly show we are Christ’s disciples,” he said.
