Gregory Azemobor, a humanitarian with a slightly unconventional view of how the world should operate, is inspired by what he calls the “realisation of purpose” for which we were created.
It took a couple of weeks to set up the interview, since he is a busy man running his business, the BethelMendels Group, and the charity associated with it, the Gregory Azemobor Foundation. The interview itself was a completely different experience.
First, his patience is unparalleled; even as we encountered technical issues, he remained dedicated to the conversation and even suggested switching to a different platform. For Greg, it was a rare opportunity to speak to the world about his beliefs.
Secondly, he is a genuinely cheerful person who injects laughter into the conversation.
Finally, he has a remarkable ability to articulate his thought processes into memorable quotes.
Before we pressed the record button, Gregory shared some vital information that revealed his mindset and how the interview might unfold: “Success is not measured by how much you acquire, but by how much you distribute.”
The Motivation
“My motivation is the realisation that everybody on this planet were created by God for a particular purpose,” he said with conviction in response to a question about what drives him. He provided some background on how he has always had compassion for the needy from a young age. He described this inclination as a “natural proclivity,” a feeling he refers to as “divine propelling” into his divine assignment on earth.
Regarding sustenance, he asserted, “God is faithful.” Gregory has been helping people for about three decades and preaching a message of love in a world where love is, objectively, a scarce commodity. He possesses a mindset that leans toward socialism or communism and believes that capitalism is the world’s biggest problem because it undermines the very essence of coexistence. He argues that poverty is man-made because humanity has drifted from the purpose of God’s creation, which is to help one another out of love.
He resonates with the Mahatma Gandhi quote: “The earth has everything to meet our needs, not to meet our greeds. The reason why we have the needy is because we have the greedy.”
On Capitalism Being Evil
Gregory believes that the system of capitalism is counterproductive to God’s principles, which clearly define how we should live with one another. These principles are based on the idea that every creation is interdependent, relying on others for peaceful coexistence. A typical example, according to Gregory, is the carbon dioxide we exhale, which is useful to plants, while the fruits they produce are consumed by humans.
Similarly, humans are created to depend on one another. He emphasised, “I am because you are,” and continued, “Humans were not created to live for themselves but to support one another, as we all need each other to survive.” Gregory argues that capitalism is evil because it fuels greed and selfishness, which contradict the principle of coexisting in love. He described these laws as natural laws, which differ from religious laws: the principle of sowing and reaping, the principle of interdependency, and the principle of giving. However, he asserts that humans have designed systems that negate God’s principles, one of which is capitalism.
Gregory claims that capitalism cannot solve the problem of poverty as long as it celebrates the accumulation of wealth while others suffer in poverty. He pointed out that, “neither religion nor government systems can effectively address poverty, but Universal Brotherhood can.” He remarked that it is irrational for 120 million Nigerians to live in multidimensional poverty while the country is home to some of Africa’s richest men.
Concept of Universal Brotherhood
Universal Brotherhood is a term that Gregory uses to describe a world where people live in love and harmony with one another, recognizing that we are meant to coexist interdependently. It is not strictly a political ideology, but rather a social one that encompasses various mindsets that tend to oppose capitalism and organized religion.
Gregory believes that Universal Brotherhood should replace religion if the world aims to heal from poverty. He argues that the abolishment of religion is crucial for tackling global poverty, stating, “Religion is a tool for manipulation, and we are gods.” He elaborates, “Everything we see on Earth is a manifestation of God because He is omnipresent and omniscient; the voice of God is often the voice of your conscience.”
Gregory asserts that Christianity was introduced to Africa for manipulative purposes, claiming that “we were already worshiping things that were manifestations of God.” He identifies the religions closest to the truth as those that promote spiritual enlightenment and self-awareness, citing Hinduism as a positive example. He envisions a world without the Bible, believing that it has caused confusion and distracted people from understanding deeper spiritual concepts—namely, that God dwells in everything and that every living creature is designed for interdependence.
Gregory’s concept of Universal Brotherhood emerges from a socialist perspective infused with a spiritual understanding that, as humans, we share the same values, deserve equal respect, and should have the same access to opportunities.
Furthermore, he believes that we all carry the presence of the same God within us. These deeper insights, according to Gregory, should inspire humans to live in love and support one another when the need arises. He references the disciples in the Acts of the Apostles, who sold their properties to care for the poor, stating, “They tried to create a system that negates capitalism.” He further emphasises that “despite language differences and nationalities, we are brothers and sisters from the same God. This means I can live anywhere and go to anyone to be fed.” While this may sound idealistic—a kind of utopia—he believes that a perfect world of this nature is possible. He argues that the systems enabling capitalism need to be abolished
The Charity City Project
The vision behind the Charity City Project stems from a deep sense of responsibility as an advocate for humanity. Through his Gregory Azemobor Foundation, Gregory engages in charitable work to spread a message of love and show the proper way to care for others, such as feeding the needy and supporting widows.
“The impoverished children on the streets should be cared for because they are our children in the spirit of Universal Brotherhood,” he explains. Gregory has unveiled the Charity City Project as a statement of his vision to build ten thousand free housing units for the homeless. He emphasises that it is indeed possible to create free hospitals for those who cannot afford medical care, to establish food kitchens for the hungry, and to open a free university for children. This city will exemplify a community rooted in love, illustrating how we should live in harmony with one another.
Furthermore, the Charity City Project aims to send a strong message to selfish leaders around the world that it is possible to live with love, as “you can’t change a system through criticism; instead, you can build a new system that renders the old one obsolete.” The foundation also plans to construct a free university to demonstrate that universities built by churches can operate without charge.
Gregory believes that, by doing so, the foundation will gain more recognition and support. He is confident that God who provides the vision will also facilitate the necessary resources, as God will bring people to support the cause he has been charged with.
The Purpose of Most NGOs: A Call for Authenticity
Despite having written many proposals without success and struggling to find volunteers, Gregory now uses the resources of his company to fund charitable initiatives. The Gregory Azemobor Foundation serves as the social responsibility arm of the BethelMendels Group. Having once been a struggling businessman, Gregory firmly believes in and has experienced the benefits of the principle of giving.
Initially, he found it challenging to support widows, but he persevered and is now a successful entrepreneur. Today, he supports hundreds of widows and offers scholarships to numerous students. What motivates him is his passion and the understanding that his purpose in life is to help others. Gregory has inspired and positively impacted thousands of people around the globe.
“When God gives you a passion and vision, He intends for you to use your resources to bring that vision to life.” This is what I have been doing for the past twenty years. People are eager to collaborate and support my efforts because of my consistency and integrity; “I am not one of the fraudulent NGOs that plague Nigeria and the world, where 98% misuse their resources to fund personal lifestyles.”
Impactful Projects
One of Gregory’s key initiatives is the scholarship support scheme. With over 12 million Nigerian children out of school, he is investing in the future of Nigeria by providing scholarship grants to more than 3,000 students, each receiving 100,000 Naira annually. Despite his efforts, he believes local charity work alone cannot eradicate poverty, because even multinational NGOs like the World Bank have struggled to address this issue effectively.
“The best way to create a meaningful impact is to inspire others to embrace love and actively improve the lives of those around them. My contributions are rooted in an unwavering commitment to the truth,” he stated.
Family Support
Gregory is fortunate to have an understanding and supportive wife who shares his passion for what he does. He thanked technology for helping to maintain communication with family while pursuing goals.
Company Philosophy
The name of Gregory’s business, BethelMendels Group, reflects his childhood nickname, Mendel, and “Bethel,” which means “House of God.”
In his experience, three essential qualities are needed to create change in the world: passion, consistency, and integrity.
“Whatever you pursue, it is crucial to have clear intentions. Unfortunately, many people have corrupted the charity sector, leading to widespread skepticism about NGOs. Genuine humanitarian efforts come from a select few who truly care.”
Personal Philosophy
“One of my favourite quotes speaks to the importance of biography: your life story should reflect what you have done for others, rather than just personal achievements.”Gregory thinks life is ultimately empty without making a positive impact and that the only legacy we leave behind is the impact we have made on others. “True impact arises from awareness—those who create it live on in the consciousness of those they leave behind,” he maintained.
Book Recommendation
Gregory highly recommends reading books by Deepak Chopra, because they provide valuable spiritual insights, and “understanding the truth about life enables us to live more intentionally.”
Gregory Azemobor Foundation: https://azemoborgregoryfoundation.org
BethelMendels Group: https://www.bethelmendelsgroup.com
