Professor John Loum is a professor of Theology and director of Seminary’s Ethnic Immigration Institute of Theology , America . He is a man of average height .An easy going and simple man always in his African attire showing his love for Pan Africanism .He says his great grandfather was from Ijebu -Ode, Ogun State, and he is willing to trace his roots to the ancient town. In this interview he speaks about the good old days Nigeria, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan one time best hospital in Nigeria, his love for Chief Obafemi Awolowo. TAIWO ABIODUN met him in St. Louis, State of Missouri, America.

Sir, you said you are partly from Ijebu -Ode in Ogun State and also from Gambia too how come ?
‘So I was told that my great, great grandfather was from Ijebu and he migrated to Gambia where he eventually settled and made a home. I think his last name Thomas was typical given the history of the area . I will trace my roots there anytime the country is settled . I have contacted my sister who will put me through. I am planning to trace my roots when problems like bandits, Boko Haram and abductions must have gone down. I will visit Nigeria. I love Nigeria , it was once a very peaceful country. I need to trace my roots . I have travelled all over the world and do you know that Yoruba has a good culture and moral values which they still maintain. They are the best values. Asked whether he can speak Yoruba , he said Yes of course but little. “Se alafia ni, e se a dupe, awon ara ile nko? he spoke Yoruba language sparingly.
You were in Nigeria in the 60s,70s and 80s, tell us your experience.
Indeed in the 60s, Nigeria was the shining star of Africa. University Teaching Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan for example was unique, none to be compared with in Hospital business in African continent. In fact, the hospital was a place where hardly any type of surgery humanly thought impossible was done perfectly. I was a living witness because I didn’t only live in Ibadan but had occasion to visit a Gambian medical student doing his residency in the hospital. Kings and Queens from other countries used to come to UCH for medical help. The Saudi Prince and his household used to come for medical tourism at UCH, but the news I am hearing about Nigeria now is painful.
I was a student of Emmanuel Theology School, Ibadan while in Nigeria. I went back soon after the Nigerian civil war. Experience -wise those were the glorious days, the naira had much worth and high power and buying power. True democracy, freedom of expression, civil debates every where. You can travel freely, no harassment or trouble at all. I traveled many times between Ibadan and Lagos in hours and safely.
And after the civil war
The professor looked down as if trying to remember some points and declared that he was not in Nigeria during the civil war but went back to witness the ugly result. His words: “I wasn’t there during the civil war but saw the appalling consequences. I experienced lots of easterners, the Ibos looking for jobs. I had a friend, young, who shared some of the sufferings of his people. There were lots of women/girls engaging in prostitution around Ibadan. All was as a result of the civil war.
I was a student in the early 70s and 80s. Through out my stay, I was studying Theology in Emmanuel College of Theology, Ibadan.
Experience at the airport
The professor is not happy with the level of corruption Nigeria has sank into but with caution said, it is not only Nigeria that is corrupt but decried the level of poverty the greed politicians reduced the citizens to. Corruption is not limited to Nigeria but was a growing phenomenon in the 80s. My only experience of corruption was at Murtala Mohammed International Airport ,Lagos. I will give two instances. First at the Immigration point, the officer-a lady held my passport looked at me and asked whether it was me that was on the photo passport. I figured she needed money but was disappointed I did not offer. The second was my boarding pass, it had been sold to someone else, again this happened in the 80s. I remember a Briton who gave her passport to an officer for verification but before you know it the man disappeared with her passport into the thin air.
I copied from Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s vision
Going down memory lane , as a Pan Africanist the professor with nostalgia speaks about Nigerian politics in the 60s to 80s, and was a good follower of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said, ”I recalled going to listen to the late politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo at Wesley College, Ibadan. Subsequently I heard him on national radio, TV during his campaigns. He was a man of great skills ,exposure, knowledge and integrity. He was an orator , a good leader , a visionary leader, a tactful and brilliant politician. He was unequalled. He was a crowd puller . I missed him. I loved to hear him speak to the extent that I copied a lot of his vision,” he said , shaking his head.
Why Liberia and Sierra Leone wars escalated
Loum who witnessed Liberia and Sierra Leone wars is not happy that war almost tore the two African countries apart. He said, I knew of the Liberia/ Sierra Leone civil wars because we were there from start to finish . There were more than one specific factors that caused and elongated the wars beside greed, tribalism, etc. But one major factor is diamond mining. The experience was nothing less than inhuman, evil and political too. The outcome was beyond human imagination.
On Boko Haram
On Boko Haram, he said I cannot comment a lot except to say they are an outlawed, civil group that hid themselves under the name of Islam to commit felony against the country. They are anti Western and terror, sect, quite barbaric in every way.
He continued, ”religion shouldn’t be “sensitive” why must it. All religions have their theology, thoughts, emphasis and ways of expressions, which methods often bring miss- understanding etc.
On fake miracles by pastors
The professor of Theology said miracles do happen as they did in the days of old. The idea of miracles are not new in formal terms, miracles are biblical. Christ performed them so. His disciples. In modern times, it has become an issue especially its commercial aspects which is disturbing. I read Koran from first chapter to the last page, the theology, philosophy of Islam. I am a Christian. There are lots of similarities in Islam and Christianity. We are all worshipping same God. From Nigeria and Gambia we have many families that are Christians and Muslims Religion should not divide us .
Who is Dr Leum
Asked to describe himself, the Theology professor laughed and said, I am Rev. Dr. John Loum. I was born in Gambia where I was raised. At an early age I left for Sierra Leone, where I gained human education and have real life experiences which helped shaped me. God blessed me and my family .I traveled far and wide .I studied in the UK , Oxford, Birmingham and USA.
We are blessed with four boys and a wife. I live a regular life. I live as a Pan Africanist and also like giving back by sharing my expertise and experiences!
My arrival in America
I came to United States of America with my family after the Sierra Leone civil war. I earned my MA and PHD and worked among refugees. I am a pastor and professor of Theology. I love African fabrics.