The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos APC chieftain Oyasodun dies

    Lagos APC chieftain Oyasodun dies

    Emmanuel Oladesu

     

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Rev. Timothy Oyasodun, is dead.

    Fondly called ‘Iyo’ by admirers, the politician and cleric was the chairman of the party at Bariga Council, Lagos East Senatorial District.

    The senator representing the district, Tokunbo Abiru, expressed shock at the demise of the progressive, recalling that he played a crucial role during the recent senatorial by-election.

    He said:”Revd Oyasodun’s death, no doubt, is a great loss to the entire progressive family in Lagos State, especially in Bariga LCDA and Somolu Local Government Area (LGA).

    Read Also: Lagos APC chieftain Oyasodun dies

    “But we all submit to the decision of God our Creator to call him home at the early hour of December 26, 2020.”

    Commiserating with the family and party faithful, Abiru added: Revd Oyasodun devoted his life to serving God, humanity and Lagos APC at large. Before he emerged Chairman of Bariga APC, Revd Oyasodun had served as Secretary-General of SDP in Somolu and Kosofe LGAs.

    “Revd Oyadosun had also served as Secretary General of UNCP in Somolu LGA; Secretary General of Apex Leaders, Somolu/Bariga Alliance for Democracy and Secretary-General of Apex Leaders, Somolu/Bariga APC.

    “May Almighty Allah repose his soul and grant his immediate and political family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

     

  • …Security outfit denies killing varsity student

    …Security outfit denies killing varsity student

    Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

     

    THE Oyo State Security Network Agency, Operation Amotekun, has said that its operatives did not kill any student of the University of Ibadan, contrary to an erroneous indication painted by some students’ body in several online media.

    Amotekun Oyo in a statement made available by its Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd) said that operatives of the Amotekun corps only had an encounter with a three-man robbery gang, neutralised its leader and handed the two surviving members to the Atiba Police Station in Oyo town.

    The statement reads “On Sunday 20th December, 2020, at about 0040hrs (past 12midnight), a  mobile patrol team of Amotekun operatives from Oyo East and Atiba Local Government Areas ran into an illegal road block mounted around Sabo area in Oyo town, opposite old Isale Oyo Community Bank along Oyo – Ogbomosho express way.

    “While the team was attempting to clear the barricade to facilitate smooth passage for interstate commercial vehicles plying the road, a group of armed men suspected to be robbers fired at the Amotekun Operatives and a gun duel ensued.

    Read Also: Akeredolu: we will recruit more into Amotekun

    “In the process, one of the robbers nicknamed Akin Sarz was neutralized and two others gang members were arrested at the scene with a locally made pistol with catridges

    “The men of Nigerian Police from Atiba were called to the scene while Amotekun operatives handed over the two arrested armed robbers along with the corpse of Akin Sarz to men of the Atiba police.

    “The Atiba Police later handed over the surviving gang members to the State CID Iyangaku, Ibadan for further investigation.

    “Preliminary investigation conducted at Atiba Police post revealed the identity of the deceased as a student of the Federal College of Education Special (SPED),  Oyo and a known cultist.

    “The gang members confirmed that the deceased was their gang leader and that they have been terrorizing the general area of Afijio and Oyo Township for some time”.

    The statement reads further “The questions to ask are as follows:

    “What would a responsible student be doing with handheld gun and bullets at a barricaded spot on a major highway in Sabo Area (Atiba LG) a distance of about 10kms from  Akinmorin in Afijio Local Govt. by 1 am?

     

  • Experiencing the wonders of praise!

    Experiencing the wonders of praise!

    Bishop David Oyedepo

     

    WELCOME to the concluding part of this teaching! I hope you were blessed by the last teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Experiencing the Wonders of Praise!

    We understand from Scriptures that praising God is full of wonders. As it is written, Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11)? Also, the Bible says, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High (Psalm 92:1). Thus, as we do, He in turn does fearful things for us. Praise is a divine secret for all-round profiting in the Kingdom and a good understanding of its wonders will keep us on the praise track all the days of our lives.

    What are the Wonders in Praise?

    He Exalts our Horn: The Bible says: But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil (Psalm 92:10). As we celebrate God, we exalt Him and He in turn exalts us.

    He Anoints us with Fresh Oil: When we praise Him, He anoints us with fresh oil and that anointing renders our enemies helpless. Thus, the fresher the oil, the stronger our defence. As it is written, And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27; also see Psalm 92:11). Also note that when God lift us up, He anoints us to match the lifting.

    Access to Revelation: Genuine praise ushers us into realms of unlimited revelation. He keeps showing us the path of life as we gain access into His presence and live in His presence. It is written, Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). Rhema is the ultimate of revelation, it is God speaking to us directly from His Word. When rhema comes, faith comes alive; we cannot hear from God and doubt Him, His voice is mightier than the voice of many waters (Psalm 29:3).

    He Beautifies us: As we praise God and dance before Him, He beautifies us. For it is written, Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation (Psalm 149:1-4). It is one thing to praise God in a song and it is quite another to praise Him in a dance. When we praise Him in a dance, among others, He beautifies us.

    In summary, we cannot experience the wonders of praise by teaching, we have to experience it by doing so. We are only entitled to fearful blessing by engaging in fearful praise. No one knows what is in obedience until he has obeyed. However, to enjoy the wonders in praise, you must be born again. If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again! For further reading, get my books: Understanding the Power of Praise and Wonders of Praise.  I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6 a.m., 7.55 a.m., 9.50 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. respectively. Also, you can join our live services via Facebook: David Oyedepo Ministries International, Twitter: @Davidoyedepomin, Instagram: davidoyedepomin, YouTube: Living Faith Church Worldwide, Hebron 95.9 FM, Winners World App, Impact Africa TV (on Startimes and NigComSat), Domi Radio and via the Church Satellite. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: dphprints@gmail.com.

  • RCCG Lagos Province 40 donates toilet to school

    RCCG Lagos Province 40 donates toilet to school

    By Daniel Adeleye

     

    AS part of the Christian social responsibility of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG),  Ogun Province 10 has donated two blocks of toilet facilities for Zumratul Islammiyah Primary School 1, in Akute Ogun state.

    The toilet contains nine holes; three for girls, three for boys and three for teachers.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the two blocks toilet, the RCCG Director of Administration and Assistant Pastor in Charge of the Province, APCiP, Olurotimi Adegborioye said the gesture of giving back to the society was one of the church’s mandates and the teachings espoused by Jesus Christ.

    The cleric who refused to disclose the cost of the toilet facility, said the church is not thinking about the cost but thinking about the lives of the children, saying the gesture will also encourage more parents to enroll their children in the school.

    Read Also: RCCG donates additional 20,000 facemasks to Lagos State

    He revealed that the church has supported up to five schools in the province, adding that the focus on schools was due to the importance of education to the church.

    Speaking on the current surge in the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the cleric noted that if more churches and corporate organizations support government and deployed resources in this direction, the ‘time bomb’ could be diffused.

    “Because God blessed and helped us we must be there also to help others. So that’s why we must do it,” Adegborioye stated.

    Head teacher of the school, Mrs. Bolanle Adedayo, who could not hide her joy, appreciated the leadership of RCCG for the relief the gesture would bring to the school community.

  • Ighele tasks leaders on service at Christmas

    Ighele tasks leaders on service at Christmas

    By Adeola Ogunlade 

     

    THE General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission (aka Happy Family Center), Bishop Charles Ighele has advised leaders in Nigeria to emulate the virtues of service and humility as exemplify by the birth of Jesus Christ, the reasons for the Christmas season.

    Ighele said this in his Christmas Carol nights held over the week at the church in Akonwojo, Lagos. The event featured Christmas songs, drama and many types of holy amusements.

    He said that the need to save and serve Nigerians is what Nigerian leaders across board should learn from the lessons of Christmas.

    He said “for those who understand the true meaning of Christmas, Christmas is a special season to celebrate and enjoy the season the Lamb that was needed for the sacrifice of the redemption of mankind was provided through the virgin birth.

    Ighele noted that the need to save and serve lost humanity was what made Christ to come to the world by being put into planet earth through a virgin. He left His glorious throne to save and serve humanity.

    He lamented that many typical Nigerian politician, clergy, traditional rulers, business leaders, husbands see leadership as a sign that they have arrived. “They therefore see themselves as big men to be respected and served. They see themselves as people to be adored”.

    Read Also: COVID and Christmas

    Ighele explained that unfortunately, many citizens see themselves like Frans Fanon’s “wretched of the earth “whose only reason for being alive is to take the crumbs that fall from the masters’ table.

    He noted that instead of using leadership to lift up the common man the way they would do to their own children, they use their positions to lift up their loved ones and children and have perfected the knowledge of the crumbs that will make the politically illiterate masses to be happy.

    “And they call this leadership. But there is a third estate that is rising. They belong to no political party. They are not apolitical. They are not partisan. But they have a measure of political literacy and sagacity. The government should sit up to save and serve the people, if not this group will keep getting stronger and stronger until they get stronger than the government”, he said.

    He asserted that the best way to celebrate Christmas is for our hearts to be full of thanksgiving to God for providing us with the offering needed to reconcile us to God and make us sons of God again.

    He said it is a pity that a second wave of COVID-19 infections has been allowed to occur. We should keep doing those things that led to the reduction of COVID-19.

  • Church empowers 750 members

    Church empowers 750 members

    By Adeola Ogunlade 

     

     

    THE New Seraph Church Worldwide has empowered 750 members with various skills.

    The items include freezers, cooking gas, packs of indomie, and coolers.

    The event was the climax of the church’s Christmas Carol that held in Maryland, Lagos. Top personalities in the country, including the traditional rulers, capital of industries, and pastors from other denominations graced the event.

    According to the founder of the church, Dr. Yomi Sholoye, giving is part of Christian life and it was time for them to send poverty away through giving and empowering the less-privileged.

    “This is the first time in the history of the church that we are embarking on a huge empowerment like this and it would cover 750 members across the length and breadth of the country,” she said.

    She added that last year about 15 cars and cash were given out to people by the church to improve their standard of living.

    Sholoye appealed to the beneficiaries not to sell the items, but that they should see them as an avenue to end poverty in their lives.

     

  • Abdul, Jaga others thrill gospel club party with CDO

    Abdul, Jaga others thrill gospel club party with CDO

    Our Reporter

     

    ACE gospel act, Mike Abdul led other artists like Testimony Jaga, Protek Illasheva and others to bring real energy to a gospel club party tagged,  ‘The Xpression with CDO’ which was held at  Cubana, a night hub in Victoria Island.

    The night began with some finest indigenous and urban contemporary gospel artistes such as Kelar Thrillz, Winter Amadin, Bee Cee Moh, who freely expressed themselves with no holds barred.

    Much later, the likes of Mike Abdul, Testimony Jaga, and Protek took their turns to further light-up the atmosphere with their irresistible and danceable songs to the chagrin of those in the house.

    Speaking with journalists, Mid-Night Crew member and special appearance, Mike Abdul, disclosed that the vision of the convener, John Ikeotuonye also known as CDO, has come to stay. He says it has caused a disruption and given hope to as many youths who may not have found expression in the church setting.

    Speaking on the gospel club party initiative, CDO discloses.

    “The club party is an unconventional way to reach the unchurched and disenfranchised with the good news of the gospel and God’s redemptive purposes. God is not stereotyped. He cannot be boxed. He can do anything to reach the unsaved anywhere which is why we are here in a club, he discloses.”

     

     

     

  • Goldberg lights up Ibadan cultural centre

    Goldberg lights up Ibadan cultural centre

    By Afolabi Idowu

    ]

    AS part of its efforts to deliver quality enjoyment to consumers, Goldberg Lager has completed the renovation of the cultural centre at Mokola, Ibadan.

    At the unveiling of the project recently, the Regional Business Manager, Nigerian breweries, said, “It is my pleasure to declare the cultural centre open, for the enjoyment of the public. This one time dilapidated monument has received a complete facelift.”

    In his remarks, the National Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni expressed appreciation to the people of Oyo state for their support over the years adding that Goldberg will continue to deliver more enjoyment to residents and visitors of the state.

    Ori-Oke, the ultra-modern recreational facility now comes complete with an elevated experience that includes a cluster market, standard car park, a new central gate, stencil branding/permanent visibility and many more. Offering unique experience which is a destination for relaxation, fun and excitement

    Goldberg is a brand that celebrates and associates with not just the cultural beliefs of the people, but also believes in keeping values and traditions alive and fresh as a way to shape the future. This is why the brand embarked on the makeover of the popular facility.

  • Insecurity: All hope is not lost says Anglican bishop

    Insecurity: All hope is not lost says Anglican bishop

    By Adeola Ogunlade 

     

    THE Diocesan and Missioner of Lagos Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Olumakaiye has said that the successful rescue mission of the Kankara boys in Kastina has resuscitate our hope in the overall leadership of our dear nation.

    Olumakaiye said this in his Christmas message to Nigerians, yesterday in Lagos, said that as we commend the federal government on the successful rescue mission of the Kankara boys, we can now resuscitate our hope in the overall leadership of our dear nation believing that hope is not lost on the present security challenge.

    He noted that with a concerted effort, the security of our nation will bounce back, adding that we trust God to work through our leaders and all of us to make this nation a better place.

    He however called on Nigerians to support the government to achieve the kind of nation we desire.

    He said “this year 2021 ahead is our year of surprising victory as individual, families and nation, the Lord will go before us and fight all our adversaries and save us from every form of devastation.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Senate moves to legalise Hunters’ group

    He continued “yuletide season is here and in this spirit of ebullience, we must not all acknowledge the peace Christ brought us at his birth many years ago”.

    Olumakaiye posited that as a nation, we need Jesus to restore our leaders-followers relationship, government-citizens relationship, so that the platform for a well-ordered and balanced life void of kidnappings, killings, hatred, suicide, terror, plague and bad governance will be achievable with eternal destiny in view.

    “He is the only reason we can truly love peacefully with God and man. Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace because He restores every broken relationship, provides a well-ordered ad balance life, and offers the assurance of eternal life”.

    Olumakaiye posited further that without peace, the continuity of life would not possible, stressing that the right relationship with God is the foundation of living in harmony with all his creation. In Jesus, our fears  in death are removed and replaced with the gift of eternal life

  • Expert tasks Nigerians on fashion industry

    Expert tasks Nigerians on fashion industry

    Our Reporter

     

    INTERNATIONAL professional model and Creative Director, Kaydav Models Agency, Oseni Kayode Hammed, has observed that, when properly harnessed, the fashion industry promises to be more viable and even bigger than the petroleum industry.

    In terms of economic growth, Oseni noted that the fashion industry has provided gainful employment for youths in the country.

    He therefore advised the government to do more in repositioning the sector, so as to derive the inherent benefits in the sector.

    Speaking to journalists recently, Oseni explained how huge and impactful the local fashion market is, stressing that such a sector needs to be turned around for good.

    According to him, the career line has taken a lot of young ladies out from prostitution and has also discouraged other social vices by keeping the youths busy.

    Emphasising the importance of the fashion industry, the model said “we are working in that aspect. In this aspect of the government, I will never stop saying they should have a vision for this industry. It is not all about petroleum. The fashion industry is even bigger than that of petroleum. Yes, everybody wears clothes every day, but not everyone uses petrol. We have people that trek, board motorcycles and some don’t have generators at home. If you see someone that doesn’t wear clothes, you will call the person a mad person. So, fashion is everything,” she said.

    Going down memory lane, Oseni explained how his journey into the fashion world started. He said “Like I said before, I started as a musician 15 years ago and I use to take my normal music pictures and people always accredit it calling me a model. So, from there I decided to input modelling into it because we have a lot of professional music artistes that are also models. So, from there I started doing it and people were reckoning with my brand, and then I started organising my own personal company, made it official and I started out with my models. Modelling goes beyond posing for cameras, it is a career on its own that people can do to make money”.