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Exclusive Interview with Nigerian Female Grade 3 FIFA Referee

by Abbey Lily
Exclusive Interview With Nigerian Female Grade 3 FIFA Referee.dailyfamily.ng

Pastor Blessing Lydia Oluwatunbi, a grade three (3) FIFA Referee and a Sports Coach/Mentor is the Founder and President of Blessing Liberty Foundation International, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which focuses on the Youths and Teenagers.

 Exclusive Interview With Nigerian Female Grade 3 FIFA Referee.dailyfamily.ng

Pastor Blessing Lydia Oluwatunbi

The NGO organize Seminars to empower youths and teenagers and also go on Sexual Purity Campaigns. She is currently a PhD student at the University of Lagos.
In an exclusive interview with dailyfamily.ng, she spoke about how she has been able to manage career, ministry, studies and cope as a Female Sports Coach.

Can you tell us about yourself?
I am Blessing Oluwatunbi, I had my first degree in Physical and Health Education from the Unversity of Ilorin, a Masters Degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Lagos, I finished as the best graduating student and presently doing my PhD.
I run an NGO which focuses on Sexual Purity Campaign and Career Development for the young people. I am also a Grade Three (3) FIFA Referee which I got in 2006.

Why the choice of Physical and Health Education as a Lady?
I actually wanted to study Accounting as a Commercial student and I had good grades in my WAEC but I didn’t meet the cut-off mark in JAMB. I didn’t want to stay at home wasting time since my younger Sister was already in the University studying Medicine.

My Uncle told me I had four option which was Physical and Health Education, Sociology, French Education and Basic Technology. In that case, I decided to go for Physical and Health Education. Immediately I got to school I got a Mentor for myself, in person of Dr. (Mrs) Dominic who always encouraged me to put my heart to what I was doing and I have never had any regret. Studying Physical and Health Education has really helped my health I can’t just live anyhow or eat anything. I am a lover of sport and my major game is swimming.

How have you been able to manage being a Pastor, a Teacher and a Referee?
It has really been God and I also multitask and I believe every lady must be able to multitask. I don’t believe in one source of income so multitasking has really helped me. I hear God directly and this has really been of great help to me. Towing the path of righteousness really pays. Also, being a Single is really helping me to focus and I also enjoy multiple grace from God…. (cuts in..)

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You just said you are still Single?
(cuts in…) giggled.. yes
Going by that, how have been able to manage the male folks both on the field and outside?
It has been by the grace of God and also I thank God for the kind of parent I have. The training I had as a young lady is really helping me. I came from a very solid foundation; my father is an Architect and Mum, a Quantity Surveyor and they are both Ministers of God who met and married themselves as Virgins.

My Dad has always told us to enjoy our lives as Singles and remain sexually pure. I won’t say there hasn’t been advances and proposals from males but at the end of the day, one just discovers they are not serious. I prefer to keep myself pure for God. I usually key in the word of God because at the age of 16 God spoke to them when I was terribly ill that he needed two things from me; my sexual purity and my obedience that If I can give Him, he will take me far in life. Whenever temptation comes, I always hear these words and also there will be the flash of the youths and teenagers I have told about sexual purity and so I just know I have to keep myself till I am married.

Do you also Coach Males or only Females and do they accept you?
Yes, I train both males and females. I am a Professional in my field so there is no rejection in any form.
Concerning getting married and raising your own family, are we looking at anything soon?
Laughs… I desire to get married and I also believe God to settle me down at the right time. I believe God has ordained each person’s spouse and at the right time, they will meet.
Looking at your family, being the first child what is the relationship like with your siblings and parent?
We are one very closely knitted family where the true love of God dwells. I have a very good and close relationship with both my parent and siblings. They have all been very supportive and encouraging. There is always this spirit of cooperation in the family, we have built that support system over the years.

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What brought about your publication ‘THE PARABLE OF THR FOOTBALLER’?
Waoh! I actually saw an article on soccer and in 2015 I was invited to a new club they were launching then where they told me to make a write-up. It was there that it occurred to me that being a grade 3 FIFA Referee I can write something. So, with the help of my Father and Sister, we came up with something on Football because Football is the in thing now. So I just used the publication to preach on Football. After I printed and shared the first one thousand, I was called upon that some people were still in need of it and I had to print more. It has been accepted both within and outside Nigeria.

As a Referee which game do you play?
My major game is swimming but I love football though I am not a very good player I officiate. I actually have an idea about all the games. The background knowledge is really helping me.

What would be your advice to youths and teenagers?
My advice to young ones is that they should be focused and keep themselves pure. When you are sexually pure, your might is pure. They should embrace Jesus because when they have Him, they have everything.

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