The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • ENIFO AGODO: How Bruce Onabrakpeya mentored me

    ENIFO AGODO: How Bruce Onabrakpeya mentored me

    Enifo Agodo, known as Nifty, is an artist passionate about issues affecting women. She recently organized an exhibition on contemporary arts and avant-garde fashion titled Adorn at Freedom Park Art gallery in Lagos. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde she goes down memory lane to talk about how it all started, how creativity runs in her family and being mentored by famours artist Bruce Onabrakpeya.

    What inspired your passion for the arts?

    I would say it is in my genetic code. We have so many people in my family that are creatively inclined.

    I have two uncles on my mother’s side that are sculptors and metal workers, Uncle Kevo and uncle Aseve. I also have Uncle Ejiro Agodo who is in his own rights, an artist. So, basically, that is where I learnt from. I started with them and they inspired me.

    What did you see at the beginning?

    My mum used to be a banker and when she’s busy, she would drop me with my aunty who is a fashion designer or with my uncles, the sculptor or the artist. There, I would sit down and they would engage the small girl in their midst by giving me crayons or tell me to design a dress. So, that was part of what I did while I was growing up. So, it kind of nurtured this creative side of me and that really helped.

    One of your works captures your grandma, how did she inspire you?

    My grandma is my champion. There is nothing that you want to do that my grandma would not support you, and that is what she does for all her children and grandchildren. If she is nervous about it, she would tell you in a loving way, that doesn’t discourage you from doing it. She was a housewife but she also made clothes, she is a fashionista who loved handbags and jewelry. But one thing that she loved so much was her clothes gallery and it represented everything that she did. Everything, she did is for her children, she has called me like three times today.

    Apart from learning from members of your family, where else did you develop your skills?

    When I was in Primary school, they weren’t teaching us arts and my mum felt that I needed more in-depth education. She used to enroll me in art based summer camps and I learnt how to knit, sew, beadwork and all that. Funny enough, I think that has helped me in the type of media that I use now. Sometimes, I use fabric, needlework and I like texture. So, I put as much texture into my works as much as possible. By the time I got into secondary school, I met Mrs. Idohi and she is the strictest arts teacher anybody has met. She is an artist now and was very strict. Out of the 34 students, she picked only 6 students to do arts. She literarily picked us and told every other person that they should leave. So, she kind of nurtured that talent and she put it in my head that arts could be a career. I never considered arts as a career despite having uncles and being creative. It never occurred to me then that arts could be a career.

    Is this the only thing that you do?

    I have a side hustle. I am a media consultant, I do Social Media Management for Chuck Gallery in UK and everything I do is still arts related. To be honest, I didn’t go to any art school. I went to Roger Williams University in Rhodes Island to study Media Communication. While, I was there, I decided to take some courses in Arts. I minored in Arts in the University but even then, I still wasn’t taking it seriously. I think the point in which I can pinpoint that I started taking my arts seriously was when I was with my brother in Florida. I printed something I had done and posted it online, for the first time. One of my old professors asked how much it was. It then occurred to me that I can sell this thing and I sold it to him. After that, I put more online and people were buying it that was in 2014. Then we came to Nigeria and I wanted to move my business here but it didn’t work out that way.

    However, I have learnt a lot and I have become surer of myself as an artist. I have found a way to communicate with art and I have found what elements of arts are important to me.

    Most of the works on display focus on women. Is this your focus or it is in line with the 2022 IWD theme?

    First, I would like to say that it is in line with the theme. But to be honest, I am just in an inspiration mood when the subject revolves around women. These include women in my family, people I meet on the streets and I must say that women are doing a lot especially this year. We have made a lot of impact; we have stood up for ourselves especially in topics that we don’t usually talk about like sexual violence and domestic abuse. We are speaking out in a way that has not been seen in years. So, I just wanted to celebrate us, celebrate our gender.

    In addition, I also like to focus on discussions on our bodies. Usually, when I paint a woman, it is not just because her body is beautiful, it is not meant to be sexualized in anyway. Instead, it is to start a discussion on her control. How much control do we as women have over our bodies? It is usually dictated by everybody but the woman. We never know what the line is with what you are wearing. Some people would say that you are too conservative, while another would say that you are showing off too much skin and the goal post is always shifting. So, for me it is actually a conversation.

    Let’s talk about year 2020 and COVID-19 lockdown. What did that period offer you as an artist?

    I feel very guilty about this because for a lot of people that year was difficult. For me, COVID-19 lockdown was amazing. I didn’t have to socialize, I was by myself in the house, painting, drawing and I went live so many times on social media and were so inspired by the silence. I was churning out a lot of works and didn’t feel it financially because people were doing a lot of impulsive buying because they were locked in the house. They would see it, like it and buy it.

    You’ve said so much about your mum and grandma, tell us about your dad?

    My father is the practicality of my works. He is the reason why I know how to value my talent. We also like to joke in my family that the women are right skilled, which is creative and the men are left skilled, which is analytical. My father and my brother are very analytical. My brother would look at an item and say the price is this or that I have not priced it well, I should increase the price. They see things from the business point of view, not just creative side. I am lucky because I have a family that supports each other.

    What are the other things that occupy your time?

    I love travelling. I love the beach. I love my friends. Sometimes, we can just go to somebody’s house, sit down, eat and gist. I have a list of places that I would like to travel to in future.

    Mentoring helps a lot. Did you get people to mentor you?

    One of the people that come to mind here is Papa Bruce Onabrakpeya. He is part of the inspiration for the works. During my first exhibition, I met his aide who introduced me to him and he has been a wonderful person. I think because   have had such bad experiences with people before I met him. When I met him, he was so nice, so helpful and so outgoing compared to where I was coming from. He is such a lovely person, always willing to help and he gives you the impression that we are all supposed to help each other.

    Let’s talk about women and the political space. What do you have to say?

    I believe that women in politics are doing very well. It’s the same for women in technology, STEM, TECH and everywhere. We should be in every single field. We should shine because we can shine. Women are creative, we are strong. We have managed to run households and organizations. We can build empires and we have really broken the glass ceiling. I think we should just continue doing more of that. Today, there are more women in tech, engineering than ever before and I am very proud of that. I think that for me is great.

    What are the other areas that you are likely to go into in future?

    To be honest, I really want to go into the tech space .I was just talking to someone, who is a technologist about how technology is changing and we are moving to the next level. I am also watching the metaverse closely. Mark Zukerberg is breaking grounds with it and making it more realistic every day. I am looking forward to a point where I can have my arts gallery in the metaverse because it is better than it would be here because I am constrained by time, constrained by a certain group of people locally. It is digitally opened to everybody, brings a broader audience, and creates arts that cannot wane overtime. I think technology is where I would like to push into next.

  • CANCER SCAM: New face of internet swindlers

    CANCER SCAM: New face of internet swindlers

    Taiwo Alimi investigates the latest trend on social media whereby scammers use pictures of cancer sufferers to defraud the innocent public. The fact-check digs up valuable information on victims and swindlers.

    It is not unusual to see extreme-stage cancer sufferers on the highways and streets of urban cities in Nigeria begging for financial support. Lagos is especially notorious for this and you encounter them in all nooks and crannies of the metropolitan with bulging eyes, grotesque face, swollen arms and legs, protruding stomach and bandaged chest area, which is common among women living with breast cancer.

    Sometimes, they parade unaccompanied, but mostly, they have assistants that broadcast their ailments and collect benefits on their behalf.

    The cancer patients easily arouse people’s sympathy due to their physical condition, who in turn part with their money.

    Findings have shown, however, that these cancer victims are themselves victims of a ring of criminals, who manipulate them using their ill health and physical appearance to defraud them and the unsuspecting members of the public.

    Due to the status, size and population of Lagos, the over 20 million commercial nerve center of Nigeria have experienced a greater share of cancer scams.

    Three years ago, the Lagos government began the clamp down in order to rid ugly situation that has become obscene scenes and social scourge to the environment. During the massive action many fake cancer sufferers were arrested with their accomplices.

    The action led to many of them retreating to their dens and only a pocket now parades the Lagos roads.

    However, these scammers have invented a new approach by using the internet through social media to scam even more people.

    DEBBIE OSARERE’S CASE

    On May 5, 2022, a certain Dorcas Ogbeide shared a post in a Facebook Group; Nadia Buhari Fans, of two facing pictures of a young lady on hospital bed with the chest area wrapped in bandage. In the post with a bold inscription ‘A CRY FROM THE DEATH BED, a man claiming to be the sick lady’s husband said her wife; Mrs Promise Amesi is down with cancer and has been on 24/7 life support. He said the family urgently needed a sum of N850, 000 to save her life.

    He added that Mrs Amesi has been on drips and oxygen for two months and that her family has spent all they have on the ailment to keep her alive.

    Mr. Amesi said: “It has not been easy buying oxygen because she can’t breathe, and the doctor said she needed an amount which cost about #850,000 for her medical treatment.”

    Below is the link to the distressed call: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nadiabuarifans/permalink/685851522503390/?app=fbl,

    On the same day, Ogbeide shared the same post on four other Facebook Groups namely, Official Gucci Fans;   https://www.facebook.com/groups/162834709328304/permalink/313590300919410/?app=fbl, Oyerepa Family; https://www.facebook.com/groups/437512891314939/permalink/548216756911218/?app=fbl, TB Joshua official;  https://www.facebook.com/groups/209157440972596/permalink/441689501052721/?app=fbl, and Young Elders GCFR Comedy Fans; https://www.facebook.com/groups/192703632435378/permalink/406647587707647/?app=fbl, making the post go viral.

    About a week before that, on April 29, 2022, Josky Akpan had shared same SOS message on Facebook with the same pictures accompanying the plea for financial assistance from the public, but it was Ogbeide that ensured that the post burst the social with her multiple sharing on the Group accounts she belonged to.

    At the bottom part of the message a bank account belonging to Promise Amesi was printed for whoever wants to send money to her to pay for medical upkeep and save her from the life threatening condition.

    VERDICT

    Investigation carried out by this reporter with the aid of fact-checking tools, however, revealed that the above claims are false.

    Using Tin Eye image search, this reporter is able to establish that, though the cancer patient and aliment were real, her name and bank account were manipulated with the aim to fleece unsuspecting public of their monies.

    The said cancer patient is not Promise Amesi but Debbie Osarere, and the picture was first found on June 30, 2015 on the internet. The link below: tag/health/page/6/ -2013/10/photos-cancer-patient-debbie-osareres/-FirstfoundonJune30,2015, emerged on the reverse image search engine.

    It points to the fact that the scammer used a fake name and fake bank account with the intention to dupe innocent people.

    With the name this reporter dug further using Google Search to reveal the true story and more evidence that it was all disinformation backed up with misleading information with the intention to scam readers.

    TRUE STORY

    This is the true story. The lady’s full name was Debbie Idiagbonya Osarere, a cancer awareness campaigner that succumbed to breast cancer in 2016.

    Her cancer case was widely reported by the media and Osarere became a social media sensation at the point with notable Nigeria online media like dailypost.ng, kemifilani.ng, thewillnigeria.com, aproko247.com, nairaland.com, and lindaikejisblog.com feasting on the human angle story.

    On April 26, 2012, www.dailypost.ng published the story of her cancer diagnoses in which she was soliciting for financial help to the tune of N6million from well-meaning people. Dailypost.ng in the online publication posted her account details and contact details for potential donors. Below is the link to the story.  “Be a Good Samaritan: Help save Debbie Osarere from breast cancer – Daily Post Nigeria” https://dailypost.ng/2012/08/26/be-good-samaritan-help-save-debbie-osarere-breast-cancer/?amp=1.

    In the same vein, nairaland.ng and lindaikejisblog.com followed with other news stories on Debbie’s battle against cancer.

    The pictures that circulated in 2022 and were portrayed as fresh by scammers first emerged in 2012 and were published by the online platforms and on social media to amplify her story.

    For four years this went on until 2016, when she, eventually, lost the battle. The same cancer she tried to create awareness for undid her. Her demise, like her survival battle, attracted both online and social media.

    Lindaikejisblog.com reported her death with this link; https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/04/cancer-patient-debbie-osarere.html, while thewillnigeria.com and kemifilani.ng reported it respectively with their links below; https://thewillnigeria.com/news/brest-cancer-survivor-debbie-osarere-loses-battle-to-skull-cancer/ and https://www.kemifilani.ng/news/so-sad-cancer-patient-debbie-idiagbonya/amp.

    Six years later, Debbie’s pictures and story were ‘resurrected’ by scammers. She was renamed, given a new bank account to match the fake name and circulated on social media with nefarious intention to defraud.

    Their scheme worked perfectly. The link was shared multiple times by some unsuspecting public to spiral it.

    This could be established from the Ogbeides and Joskys that share the post multiple times.

    Nonetheless, Debbie’s is only one of such cases that have rebounded down the years to defraud.

    HUBERT IKOI NKANU

    Fact-checking online platform, Dubawa, recorded a near-similar case of Miss Hubert Ikoi Nkanu that hit the cyber space in 2018.

    The difference is that Miss Nkanu is alive to tell the story.

    Information about her condition was shared on the internet in 2018.

    She was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma with metastasis to the lungs, better known as Wilms’ tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children aged 2 to 5. It occurs mostly in one kidney, but can sometimes be found in both kidneys at the same time.

    According to her father, Nkanu Okoi,the Calabar- Cross River State based, ailment started from the abdomen, which was growing unusually bigger, sometime in 2017.

    “We observed that her stomach started growing big and she was also losing weight,” her father recalled.

    “It made us very worried, so later we took her for a scan at Asi Ukpo Diagnostics to find out what was wrong.

    She was referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where doctors prescribed surgery and 21 weeks of chemotherapy, which was pegged at N900,000.

    “We spent all our money, borrowed money, and even had to sell my bank shares to get money, but it was not enough. So we started looking for help,” Nkanu said.

    The family was advised to reach out to the public for help and so they made videos and pictures of their ailing daughter and the medical report, which were circulated on news websites and social media, soliciting donations from members of the public.

    Soon, donations started coming in and a total sum of N800,000 was realized out of which the medical bill was met and a sum of N75,000 remitted to the family.

    He said his daughter’s case got the attention of the doctors at the UCTH Doctors’ Welfare unit, who facilitated her treatment, surgery and chemotherapy, free of charge.

    He confirmed that Hubert recovered after the surgery and had since started school.

    “We spent six months at UCTH for the surgery and treatment, after which my daughter recovered. This happened three years ago. She has been attending school. I was surprised when I saw those old photos and videos online again with posts asking for money,” he said.

    Like what scammers did with Debbie’s picture and name, they rechristened Hubert Okoi Nkanu, Beatrice Alimi with matching bank accounts.

    Thinking that the case was done, dusted and forgotten, in 2021, three years later, pictures and videos of Hubert before her treatment resurfaced on the internet, but with a different name and a different bank account details in posts seeking financial donations for her surgery and medical treatments.

    The posts were widely shared by many social media users, bloggers and influencers, including ex-Big Brother Nigeria housemate, Ike Onyema.

    PRAISE OLUWADAMILOLA OLUGOLA

    The case of Miss Praise Oluwadamilola Olugola,17, was even more dramatic.

    She was given more than one name and scammers almost denied her a cure as genuine helpers were scared off as a result of multiple identities.

    Praise was preparing for the school leaving certificate examination when she developed an ailment known as sinonasal tumor which affected her eyes.

    Unfortunately, in the family’s move to get funds for medication, 17-year-old Praise became a subject of scam.

    Her father, Pastor Olugbenga Daniel Olugola, said the family had spent over N5million on her healing before turning to the public through social media.

    He said her daughter was in constant pain daily as her left eye was already affected propelling them to go to the public for assistance.

    The call paid off and she was able to undergo the first stage of the required surgery at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, courtesy of several donors who took interest in her plight.

    While the donation was ongoing, however, some people unrelated to the family created fake social media accounts with the pictures of the girl but different names and account numbers to be credited for support. This move really foiled Praise’s further treatments, as some funds could have been diverted into fake bank accounts.

    According to Dubawa, scammers have also been posting her photos and attaching fake names and no fewer than 20 posts have emanated from scammers to defraud.

    Some of the posts faked her as Kehinde Adewale while others use Adekunle Mary Abosede, Rebecca Olamiposi and Elizabeth Damisa.

    Mr. Olugola revealed that Praise has undergone successful chemotherapies and is now in better health, unlike what the scammers portray.

    MODUS OPERANDI

    In order to spread their scams quickly and to more people, The Nation’s investigation revealed that they make use of notable social media forums like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Messenger, and instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, and Telegram. Their main targets are groups belonging to influencers and public figures, where many people can be reached.

    They also use pictures to their best advantage. It doesn’t matter how gory it looks, as far as it arrests people’s attention and pity.

    Some of the social media accounts are new and freshly made but innocent public do not bother to examine this and the fact that they don’t have many followers.

    They are hoodwinked by the pathetic condition of the sufferers to act with compassion. They also change the real name of sufferers, which they use to open new bank accounts where the fleeced donations are deposited.

    Fact-checker Allan Cheboi, said while cyber scammers still find a way to get into cyber space, news organisations need to take fact-checking more seriously. “It is up to media houses be it online or traditional ones to create fact-check desks in newsrooms whose main job is to investigate suspected information and debunk it immediately. It will enable the public to know fake news, misinformation and disinformation. It will reduce incidences of scam posts.”

  • 2023: Victory so certain for Tinubu – Williams

    2023: Victory so certain for Tinubu – Williams

    After our first exclusive interview with Bishop Kayode Williams published precisely on Sunday, April 17th, 2022, and which was hotly debated across different spectrum of audiences including the social media and public space, we reckoned that we had already seen enough of the clergyman. But not so. It turned out that the erstwhile itinerant preacher at The Apostolic Church had made frantic efforts to reach out to our team of reporters to no avail and would later send a WhatsApp message to a colleague well past midnight precisely on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 3.07am thus: “Alh. Yusuf kindly call me. Very urgent and important revelation. There is going to be primary election… Bola Ahmed Tinubu will win. No controversy sayeth the Lord of Host. So many people will be silence (sic) permanently and politically.” Expectedly, a call was placed to Bishop Williams with a promise from him to share more insights on his recent prophetic message. But no response came by the end of the weekend’s production. However, following the outcome of the primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held from Monday June 6th to Wednesday, June 8th, in which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the party’s flag-bearer, Bishop Williams called again, insisting that he had a compelling need to deliver his prophetic message to Nigerians. Speaking in an exclusive interview with IBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF and FUNKE COLE, at his Ikorodu residence, the Abeokuta-born convicted felon who got presidential pardon in year 2000, shared interesting insights on how Tinubu would win the presidential election in 2023 and more. Excerpts:

     

    Precisely last April when we met you, you told Nigerians that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the person whom God has chosen for 2023. In the runup to the APC primaries that just finished and was keenly contested, you said Asiwaju would win with a landslide despite the many hurdles put before him. I recalled last week that you also had a revelation from God where you said so many persons will be silenced permanently and politically. It has come to pass. How do you feel about your prophetic messages manifesting before the presence of everybody?

    I feel very comfortable, even when others are not comfortable with what will happen. Even when a consensus candidate was announced, people started calling that Bishop you said that Tinubu will win. I said there’s no confusion. Forever the issue of Tinubu becoming the candidate for APC has been settled and to top that, God has confirmed it. It is not just for the primaries; come 2023 February Tinubu is going to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Forever oh Lord Thy word is settled in heaven and when something is settled in heaven it comes to reality on earth. So, I’m comfortable because I know what I’m saying is not my own words but the directive of God. It is God giving us the message, His method which is divine is Tinubu. For the matter of Tinubu’s victory in the general election it is settled in heaven. I know Tinubu will win and that some people will be permanently silenced in the political arena because they have done miscalculation, they have been badly advised by the enemy and they are paying dearly for it because they did not focus on God. Thank God for people who came out to support Tinubu at that period, that is a divine intervention. And the people who are really people of God, even people that we hold in high esteem and we expected them to know better to bear the confirmation of Tinubu at that stage came out to say no, ‘I’m stepping up.’ Here’s a man who is supposed to know better to give leadership coming out boldly to say that he is going to be the 16th president. So stepping up now is giving somebody zero? But God has confirmed it to you those who are saying the truth now. So, there’s confusion in their midst.

    Talking about prophecies, it is common knowledge that most of the aspirants relied heavily on the prophecies of their General Overseers, Ulamas, or marabouts that see visions for them. But, in your own case, it is different…

    (Cuts in)… I’m God’s raw material and I’m speaking directly from God. I have not been soiled with the bread of the palace so to speak. Of course, I’m not against most of them and I don’t even castigate them for saying what’s wrong. I’m only encouraging them again to go back and seek God’s face because something must have gone wrong somewhere. This is because if God speaks, it will be confirmed. If you say God has not anointed this man and you say there is no way Tinubu can ever be president, are you the one or you’re just calculating or predicting or it’s just permutation? God doesn’t give you a gift and then say before that gift gets to you oooo you must pay tithe. No. God gives freely. So, what I’m saying up till today is that this political programme that is going on in this nation will succeed no matter the obstacles set along the pathway.

    You seem too confident. But how do you convince teeming Nigerians out there that Tinubu is the messiah the country needs right now to turn the economic tide around?

    I never said Tinubu is the messiah, because he is a human being. In fact, we cannot equate a mere mortal to the position of the messiah. Only Jesus Christ is the messiah. But the real language God spoke to me concerning Tinubu is that he is His secret for the 2023 general elections. That Tinubu is His anointed President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God is going to use him. The strategy he (Tinubu) will use is going to be implemented by God. God will be giving him the directive and the mandate. Therefore, he (Tinubu) should not go and sell himself to the marabouts. He shouldn’t think because everybody is prophesying that such people are now prophets. God Himself Has said, at the end time many false prophets will rise up. But at the end God would say to the prophets with questionable character, “Go back, you’re an evil worker.” So such evil workers, whatever they’re saying it is just for their bellies. But what I’m telling you is what God is saying. God Has said He wants to use Tinubu for us. I said the same thing even to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu then. You can see the role he (Akeredolu) played in Tinubu’s eventual emergence. I recalled some years ago when Akeredolu wanted to be the governor, God asked me to write letters to all the Obas, particularly Oba Adedapo Tejuosho. He (God) gave me the directive that the letters should be sent by Oba Tejuosho. And I remembered then that Oba Tejuosho delivered the letters himself. So it’s not a secret thing at all.

    God Has deposited a lot of gifts and talents in Tinubu which God wants to use for the nation, Nigeria. So Tinubu will not die prematurely without fulfilling God’s plan for him on earth. God is going to use Tinubu not just for the Yoruba race but the entire nation. So Tinubu’s coming is entirely God’s making. I’m convinced about that no doubt.

    What do you say about prophets who have made pronouncements concerning the political gladiators including Tinubu and whose prophecies have fell flat…

    (Cuts in). With all due respect to Christian elders, all prophets, I cannot tag anybody a fake prophet or say that someone is not a man of God. No. God knows those who are serving Him in truth and light. Mine is to respect those who I perceive as my seniors working in the Lord’s vineyard just as I demand respect from those I senior too. And if they don’t, that is left to them. I don’t hate them neither will I castigate them.

     

    Now that Tinubu has emerged as the APC presidential candidate, are you willing to join forces with other Christian denominations other than your group to help do God’s work as regards your prophetic vision about Tinubu?

    Of course, we cannot do it alone. As I told you in time past, the Integrity Ministers International Ministry Incorporated (IMIM) is made up of members from different bodies with cells and chapters across the 36 states of the federation as well as in the 774 local government areas. We have leaders across all the localities in the country. We are also members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and we recognise it as the umbrella body of Christians. But because we believe in people that are gifted we engage them too, especially the independent ministers, church founders, most of who are doing very well. We work more with itinerant evangelists, prophets, and it will shock you to know that some of them are resident in hard-to-reach communities and they have never come into the city. But these sets of people pray 24/7 and are very close to the grassroots and can mobilise members at very short notices for electioneering campaign unlike the elite churches where the archbishops, pastors and general overseers cannot vote or compel their members to vote for a particular candidate because of the doctrines and positions they hold. Most of these pastors cannot come out to say what I’m saying boldly right now because they have both PDP, APC, Labour Party, etc, as members of their congregations. But in our own case, even if we have members spread across the different political divide, we can still share any message we receive from God without let or hindrance. This is because God’s message Has no bondage nor boundary and nobody can cage the message of God. As an independent minister of God I don’t require any permission from CAN to deliver God’s message. I will say it at the right time to help my country and that is what has happened in this instance. I’m certain beyond any doubt that Nigeria will not go down. This forthcoming general election is going to make Nigeria arise and shine and join the comity of other successful and more economically developed countries. I can tell you for a fact that this is God’s promise for Nigeria.

     

    What specifically will your members do now to help Tinubu’s cause?

    Ever before the primaries we have been mobilising ourselves because we are very optimistic and 100 per cent sure that Tinubu will win the ticket and become President come 2023. In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 27, verse 8, “And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The Safe Havens; nigh where unto was the city of Lasea.” Yoruba, “Nigbati asifi agbara kaka koja re awade ibiti an pe ni ebute yiyanju. ti osumo ilu Lasea.” Ise awon Aposteli Ori ketadi logbon, ese ikejo. That is what has happened to Tinubu now because the little hurdle he overcame was in keeping with God’s promise. God said he (Tinubu) will pass through a hard terrain. What I’m saying for Tinubu today, I did prophesied the same thing for Buhari that time. I said Buhari will win. The first time, God showed it to me, as well as the second time and it all came to pass. Even for former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, I did the same thing for him too. I recalled at that time that Oba Tejuosho invited him. I told Amosun he was going to be the governor then. But it was very tough because Otunba Gbenga Daniel did everything to frustrate him then. When Amosun came and met some of us ministers in the company of Oba Tejuosho and another Chief Adewolu, I think then the Agoro of Abeokuta. We were all in the same room and we prayed for Amosun. He won the election the first time and when the second term came God said to me Amosun will win again and it came to pass.

    I also remembered that when Babajide Sanwo-Olu was about to contest for the first time in Lagos State and he had issues with Ambode, I called Baba Eto, Cardinal James Odumbaku. I told him Sanwo-Olu will win that election and it came to pass. I also remembered telling Odumbaku about my prophetic message from God about Tinubu’s emergence as President with a document presented to him. I did all these with no ulterior motive in mind but just delivering God’s message and nothing more. These people are all hearing me and they cannot say I later came to them to collect money or something. No. I hold programmes, especially prayer meetings where I make these prophetic messages known to the public.

    What precisely can you say has given you assurance about Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general elections?

    Already God Has shown me what will happen between Tinubu and Atiku. God revealed to me that hence Tinubu congratulated Atiku that means Tinubu will defeat Atiku in the race. Honestly Atiku cannot win. It’s not that I’m cursing him. No. I love him because his wife is also a Yoruba woman. So, when I prophecy, I don’t do so based on hated, sentiments or ethnicity. I also recalled prophesying that Wike will win the governorship elections in Rivers State then. I have not even met Wike all my life but God revealed to me that he would win the governorship elections then even though Rivers State is supposed to be an APC State. Despite working so very hard, God didn’t allow victory for the APC but the PDP candidate won.

    I also remembered somebody called to inform that the late Ajumobi was going to contest and that no man particularly from the old western region has ever won election twice in Oyo State including Bola Ige. I told the person Ajumobi will win the second term election and break that jinx. I said something is wrong with the land and God will change that situation but Ajumobi’s future is in the Hands of God. As I learnt in the course of my career, even if somebody is going to die and God reveals it to you; you don’t need to tell somebody that he will die because when that man prays very well, God can change the situation. So my message is going to Nigerians undiluted without bias but pure revelation.

     

    You said a while ago that you have been delivering prophecies consistently over the years to so many politicians. So what benefits have come to you through these prophecies all these years in terms of patronage and all?

    (Cuts in). I did the same thing for Baba Obasanjo. Before he came out of prison, I told Oba Tejuosho that he (Obasanjo) will come out of prison to become the president. To the glory of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I never went back to beg for anything. But I can tell you that the first benefit that I had in government was when Obasanjo invited me to Aso Rock after consultation with the Council of State, where all the governors and former heads of states met and they gave me presidential pardon. That for me is the best gift I can ever have which I think is more than money. I can show you a copy. It was gazetted. I was pardoned alongside Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and Salisu Buhari, the erstwhile Speaker who was impeached for certificate forgery at some point in time and two journalists as well. I can’t exactly remember their names now. I’m not begging for anything per se. No. Of course, the only government that I can say I gained any form of monetary reward from is the then Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola. Every time I’m celebrating my birthday on July 30th, he always sent Rev. Adebiyi then his Special Adviser on Political Matters now of blessed memory to me. Rev. Adebiyi and I were both classmates at the University of Lagos, where I did my Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management after my imprisonment. For the eight years Fashola was the governor, I used to receive the sum of N500, 000 for me to celebrate my birthday then. God told me I must not be covetous. Don’t forget I used to be an armed robber and God divinely operated me to become a man of God. I should respect Him. The reason why I have members in all the states of the federation is because I was General Evangelist to The Apostolic Church Nigeria in charge of Lagos and Western/Northern Areas (LAWNA). That enabled me to mobilised men and women from states to states. That is what gave me the opportunity of meeting different people and made friends as well as contacts across the country. And now I have them as members and we have been consulting each other ever since. God Has ordained me not just to prophecy but to work for His cause. That’s the gift God Has given to me and He said I should use it to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and humanity as a whole. In fact, at some point I had to sell off one of my cars to organise prayer meetings we held in the course of undergoing the divine assignment for Tinubu presidency. I did this out of conviction because I believe very strongly that nothing and nobody can stop God’s work. The work must go on.

    What is your last word for the APC flag-bearer?

    Finally, while we join other teeming supporters to congratulate Asiwaju for winning the APC primaries and wish him well as he goes into the campaign trail proper, we want to sound some note of caution to him too. They call him Jagaban. He only knows that it sounds funny and powerful. But the attributes of God in his life will not diminish. God Has fulfilled His own promise to him so he should fulfil his own promise unto God too. He (Tinubu) must not avenge, revenge, or fight for himself because God Has already fought for him. Let them be fighting themselves and licking their wounds. This is because so many people because of what has happened to Tinubu have been wounded. So he should not compound their problems. I’m challenging him today that the gift he has from God is very delicate so he must struggle seriously not to disappoint. God Has elevated Tinubu and even the angels are rejoicing because of him. He must not miss that chance and he must not overdo it. God Has given him a very good supporter in the woman that he married and that is Senator Oluremi Tinubu. He is a Muslim and she is a Christian. Let him understand the language of her advice. That woman would be instrumental to his winning the elections because she is a true woman of God. So I’m begging Tinubu to give that woman the opportunity to advise him on some things that are important. It’s true that not all advice must be taken but when it matters most her advice as a woman of God must be taken seriously. His coming now is just like a father of the Nigerian nation. He is not just a presidential candidate. No. He must see himself like that. The Lord Has revealed that Tinubu is the next President through whom God will use to change the destiny of this great country.

  • TINA UGO: I studied successful entrepreneurs across the world

    TINA UGO: I studied successful entrepreneurs across the world

    Creativity makes her would go round. From churning out pieces that are sustainable, Tina Ugo shares the secrets of her success, converting simple things into exceptional items , exploring different areas like interior decoration and lingerie production, business coach, travel consultant photography and more. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she takes you through her journey especially her passion for designing in the past ten years.

    Tell us about the recent achievements in the sector as a designer?

    Some recent achievements in the sector would be that the brand is now retailing in over 20 countries including the UK, USA, Nigeria, Canada, 15 countries in Europe, North Africa and the UAE.

    Another highlight for me was when  I was contacted by the Facebook business team, so they could showcase my brand during the Black history month as part of their  “She Means Business” event to celebrate successful Black Female business owners.

    Also my recent feature in Yahoo also means I am definitely doing something right with the brand.

    What was the experience like at the beginning?

    At the beginning, it wasn’t easy to get trusted artisans to work with, both in Europe and Africa. It took a few years to eventually sort production out, then I had to deal with figuring out how to get my pieces on the shelves of retailers amongst other things.

    You are also into interior designs. How would you describe the experience?

    Interior design has always been my passion. Designing and Redecorating a space is actually one of my escapisms apart from travel and photography.

    When I was younger, my late mum would always be amazed at how I changed and arranged the layout of my room every other week.

    After I became a mum in 2015, I decided I would start monetising my interior design skills at some point, so I had to prep myself and enrolled for an online Diploma course at the Interior Design Institute, London.

    What inspires your designs?

    My designs are inspired by Colours, Vintage pieces, African Arts and Culture, hence the colourful, retro and afrocentric theme that runs throughout our designs.

    What are the challenges you encountered?

    Some of the main challenges I have encountered in my Entrepreneurial journey includes; raising funds to scale up the business and getting trusted and reliable team to work with.

    The fashion industry is a capital intensive sector and because I operate with the global fashion calendar, I will always design new collections irrespective of the stock we still have from previous collections.

    Tell us about some of the memorable moments as a Business and life coach?

    I mentor and coach a number of people including budding Entrepreneurs, I’m passionate about teaching people about Start Ups and it always gives me joy each time my mentee launches a new Business.

    I feel fulfilled listening to them tell me about their visions and helping them actualise it.

    You are also a travel consultant.  What are some of the changes you would like to see in the sector?

    I’d like to see a more inclusive travel sector.

    As a Travel consultant, I would like to sensitise more people, especially my Black community on the importance of travelling as that is the easiest way to learn about other people, culture and diversity.

    And the myth that one has to break a bank before they can travel or have a vacation is false. Travel requires long term planning in order to benefit good deals.

    What has been your experience making lingerie?

    My lingerie business is one of my most fulfilling ventures because it was one of the easiest to set up.

    There was a gap in the market for it and I just went for it.

    I decided to launch it during the pandemic in 2020 because people didn’t need to go out at the time and needed to feel good while at home.  Hence the sale of lingerie, sleep wear and lounge wear increased.

    What are the new areas that you are looking at?

    The new area I hope to delve into in the near future will be the Real Estate.

    Tell us about the people you admire?

    I have great respect for people operating in the property market. I admire resilient and hardworking people: Because I have studied most successful entrepreneurs across the world and they all point towards these attributes as part of the reasons for their business success.

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life?

    My late mum remains my biggest influence. We had a very close bond throughout her lifetime and I learnt a lot from her.

    What is your definition of style?

    Style for me is a way of saying who you are without saying a word. It goes beyond fashion and should be a reflection of one’s lifestyle.

    There are lots of prospects in photography, what are some of the lessons learnt as an amateur photographer?

    As an Amateur photographer, I’m aware there are absolutely lots of prospects in photography.

    However, at the moment I use photography as a form of escapism.

    I am not monetising my photography skills yet, I hope to do so in the future though.

    What message do you have for young people who want to be serial entrepreneurs like you?

    My message for prospective Serial Entrepreneurs would be to take one step at a time; Entrepreneurship is a journey and not a race or competition.

    Always Start Up with something you are passionate about. It’s easier to monetise something you enjoy doing daily.

    What are some of the other things that occupy your time?

    I’m an Extroverted Introvert, so I absolutely enjoy spending time alone in my own space.

    Hence one of the other things that occupy my time is reading. Most times I’d rather spend time reading than meeting up with people to be honest.

    What message do you have for Nigerian designers today?

    My message for Nigerian designers would be; keep doing what you do as African Fashion is the new Cool.

    Literally all the Big names in fashion today have created pieces and collections that have clearly been inspired by African Fashion.

    What is the secret of looking good?

    In my opinion there are no set rules for looking good; to be honest as the term itself is quite relative. What works for one person may not work for another, so I guess it’s an individualistic choice and what routine works.

    How often do you visit the Spa and how does it work for you?

    I visit the Spa once or twice monthly because I’m a workaholic, so I need to de-stress as often as I can. My mental health is very important to me as much as my physical health. So, I understand the importance of Spa visits.

    How do you pamper your skin?

    I don’t have a strict or rigorous skin routine. However, I have a relaxation soak weekly and my daily skin products include vitamin C capsules, Collagen serum, Tumeric cream, and Shea butter or Argan Oil lotion

    What are the things you avoid in your diet?

    I try to avoid salt in my diet as much as I can. I also opt to grill most of my meals rather than frying. I eat more fish and sea food than I eat meat. I love my fruits and vegetables as well especially as smoothies.

    What won’t you do in the name of fashion?

    I won’t be caught dead in a fashion trend that does not resonate with my personal style.

    Do you have an exercise routine?

    I do brisk walks daily and usually walk a minimum of 5km-8km every day.

    Sometimes I use the treadmills especially when I’m on vacation though I prefer my brisk walks to be honest.

  • DENNIS AIKORIOGIE: I make sure I give back to society

    DENNIS AIKORIOGIE: I make sure I give back to society

    He saw and conquered. This aptly describes the experience of Dennis Aikoriogie, the co-founder of Go Read Information Technology limited, a tech company that impacts education across the world. Inspite of the many odds, he was faced with early in life, his determination to excel kept him going at different times. His experience cuts across marketing, Civil Service, business and maritime.
    He is also CEO of Global Hobnob Nigeria Limited and Global Hobnob LLC New York involved in shipping, residential services, household items and portfolio investments.
    In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, the serial entrepreneur takes you into his world and passion for the less privileged.

    How did your childhood prepare you for the things you do now?

    Having lost my dad after secondary or high school, many people thought I will not have a university or college degree. My Mom, who was a civil servant, had to see me and my sibling through school, though the resources was not too lacking plus support from relatives, we acknowledged it would have been easier and better if my dad was around. My Christian background as a Catholic also shaped what I do right now, the brotherly and agape love taught had a deep root in me. I understood the importance of the corporal of works of mercy.

    What is the inspiration behind your Foundation?

    I have relatively fair number of friends and followers on Facebook, very frequently they kept on asking me to show love, which I did by sending call cards and cash support. While growing up I have seen many people struggle through school and everyday life. This coupled with the experience of losing my dad and how my mom had taken care of us, made me come to the realization that I must give back to the society no matter how little. On June 2021 to mark my birthday that year the Dennis Aikoriogie Foundation was born, and I reached out to widows and the needy, before the launch of my Foundation, I had supported other charities in Nigeria.

    What impact had your foundation had since inception?

    As an emerging non-profit that is solely funded by me we have been able to impact the lives of the underserved and unserved in Nigeria, with fundraiser I have initiated. I have had the support of family and few friends and we have served people in Benin, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Imo and Abia. We believe we could do more with the right sponsors and partners.

    Tell us about your companies GoRead Information Technology Limited and Global Hobnob Nigeria Limited?

    GoRead is an emerging company I co-founded with a friend to introduce an innovation to private and public schools, that makes learning easy, educational materials accessible and affordable. Global Hobnob Nigeria Limited is the production and exporting arm of Global Hobnob LLC New York, where we ship food and cash crops overseas.

    You’ve worked in different capacities, across sectors, how did these work experiences impact your life?

    I have worked in the banking, insurance, public and private sectors, every sector comes with its own unique experience and these experiences have shaped and impacted me greatly.

    Kindly tell us about your other projects and activities?

    I am working on an outsourcing and HR companies in Nigeria and the United States to provide services to American companies and provide jobs to teeming Nigeria youths. I also intend in the nearest future to dabble into Oil and Gas, Fashion, Real Estate and invest in some Franchises.

    As a businessman with vast experience, how would you rate the economic growth of Nigeria in the business world?

    Post-independence, Nigeria has not experienced much economic growth. I believe we have the potential to compete in the business world, we have not had the right policies to put us in the right footing, issues like access to capital, ease of doing business, lack of industrialization for which epileptic electricity could be the contributing factor have hindered our growth and development . We keep on exporting products with no value addition which makes Nigeria products less competitive on the global stage.

    Tell us some of the things you have done to touch the lives of the less privileged ones?

    The has been a number of free medical missions and outreaches, which we have organized in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Benin.

    In addition, we have scholarship and tuition assistance programme. What we do here is that  we have helped indigent students pay their tuition and have given scholarships to see them through school. Recently, we also distributed free notebooks, pens and other materials to Ancilla orphanage school in Imo State.

    In addition,  we have a programme for widows and from time to time, we have reach out to widows in the community. They need support, encouragement and counselling. We have also  provided food items and cash donations to support their families.

    Also, we have a program that focuses on youths and women empowerment. For this,  we intend to equip youths and women with the right kind of entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy to survive in modern business world. And upon completion of such training we set up them up in the skilled area they have just acquired knowledge and  we also intend to leverage on fintech.

    Water access, sanitation, and hygiene is also very important for us. So, we are working on providing clean and portable water to rural communities and educate them on sanitation and hygiene.

    These are short and medium term or operational goals, the long term or strategic goal is having an orphanage, in the orphanage we are going to build school and hospital to provide services freely to the community.

    If you could have an audience with the President of Nigeria, what would you tell him to do differently?

    I would advise him to ensure that there is stable electricity in the country because it plays a catalytic role in small and medium enterprises, which are the drivers of any economy. To ensure a credible electoral system is in place, strengthen and liberalize democratic participation and try as much as possible to demonetize the political process, simply put. It is also important to build strong institutions.

    Lastly, my word to him will be to ensure the security of lives and property, appointing capable people in position of authority.

    How do you relax?

    I try as much as possible to spend time with my family despite the busy schedule. Occasionally, we go out to events church, parties and watch movies together. I plan to spend more quality time with my family, going on vacation, sights seeing etc. We are currently working and building the foundation to financial freedom to enable us ample time for family and leisure.

    What drives your desire to support the poor?

    I wanted a platform that is official and recognized to give back to the society, a system and structure of goodwill I will establish and even outlive me. I have supported other charities in the past, I wanted a legacy that can outlived me and will be proud I set up even when I am not around.

    How will you describe  the journey so far?

    We started on the right footing, we did the registration fully in Nigeria, we have done some registration in the United States and still working to get it in full compliance.

    We have carried out free medical missions in Benin, Abuja, Port Harcourt. We also did menstrual education and free distribution of sanitary pads in Owerri. We have equally distributed free notebooks, pens and other materials to Ancilla motherless and orphanage schools in Owerri.

    One memorable moment was the children Christmas party organized for over 48 orphanages in Benin. This was done in collaboration with Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender issues, during the 2022 Easter celebrations. We supplied food, toiletries and cleaning items to orphanage homes and also  partnered with another foundation to distribute hot foods to rural communities in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. We are working on setting up our operational base in Benin City. We also intend to operate from Buffalo New York, where we will address substance abuse and helping people find their purpose in life.

    How many lives have you impacted and where?

    We have impacted close to 10,000 lives, particularly we have impacted more than 5,000 lives with our free medical missions across Nigeria. We hope to impact many lives in the upcoming months and years.

    What are some of the challenges?

    Funding is a major challenge, because most programmes and activities are driven by funding, there are a thousand and one charities out there and people are jostling for the little funding available coupled with the issue of trust, most grant makers find it difficult to spot the right foundations who have put transparent system and internal controls in place and actually doing the job.

    Who are the beneficiaries of your benevolence?

    Anyone who is in need can benefit from the foundation, we do not discriminate against color, tribe, sex, and religion.We accommodate people with diverse background and orientation.

  • Apprehension over new Lagos PFN chairman

    Apprehension over new Lagos PFN chairman

    Apprehension has engulfed the Lagos chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) over the impending emergence of a new chairman.

    The last occupant Bishop Sola Ore passed on in 2021 leaving his vice Apostle Eyinnaya Okuwonu to complete his term.

    The body is set to elect a new chsimran in June, a development that has created uneasy among church leaders in the Lagos Pentecostal fold.

    Some PFN church leaders, who spoke with The Nation, expressed worry over one of the chairmanship contestants accused of throwing money around to buy favours.

    They said the PFN leadership should investigate four-year sermons and activities of all contestants so that Christians in the State would know that the best person is leading them.

    In their private groups, virtual meetings and discussion, they said it would be disastrous for the State to make mistakes in choosing any character known to be shady in the terrestrial and spiritual milieu to be chairman.

    In a WhatsApp group meeting, Pastor Mike Ojo said: ‘We are silently observing the developments to see where the tide will blow. We wonder if the church fathers in Lagos would pander to the revival or burial of the image of the pentecostal Church by the choice they want to make in the weeks to come.

    “One of the characters showing interest is well known for his shady deals within and outside Nigeria. There were reports of him impersonating the children of one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal movement.

    “He would deprecate the supernatural and miracles by telling people to touch his sweat and make payment to see the power of God in their lives. He was alleged to be sleeping with women in his Church and found in shady relationships with men and women of questionable characters.

    “Suddenly, he came into a questionable wealth which he flings about as offerings to buy Church fathers so he would be reckoned with and chosen as the chairman of Lagos PFN. We are watching the development to know if the Lagos PFN would further drown its image or rescue it.”

    Apostle Okunmade O. Isaac, in Ikorodu said this is the time for the Lagos movement to assert that eternal life is weightier than money.

    “There has been speculations that this character is going about throwing the weight of his money to become our leader in Lagos. Some of us have decided to watch and see the credibility of our leaders.

    “We don’t elect our leaders. We cede the power to people we regard as fathers. A body will sit on Tuesday to check the image and records of those interested in leading the pentecostal body in Lagos.

    “This body will recommend two names to the South West chairman, and the chairman will present the names to the National President, who will pick one name.

    “In the first place, this process of selecting a state chairman is questionable and flawed. You cannot place an organisation as big as Lagos PFN, the hub of the Nigerian Pentecostal movement, in the hands of one or two people.

    “There should be a proper selection method where more people, even the Church as a body, would be involved. This imminent selection of Lagos chairman will show the credibility of this process.”

    Pastor John Mike Nliam of a Pentecostal church in Okokomaiko, raised concerns the PFN fathers in Lagos should bring out the profiles of the candidates and do a thorough investigation of their activities and contents online, rather than just sitting in their offices to pick a name to lead such an office so holy.

    Also speaking on the contestants, Bishop Simon Bode Ololade of Power of God Bible Church in Sango Ota said he has refused to associate with the pentecostal body because of suggested craze for money, power and influence of some of the members.

    “Just anybody, once you can dole out the cash, can be ordained a Bishop. Being a bishop has been elevated to a status symbol, especially in the South West.

    “Someone with a very dappled pedigree was consecrated a Bishop. Today he is scheming to be the Lagos Chairman. He has been giving offerings all over the place to be selected.

    “He was also said to have been a fundraiser for Lagos PFN recently, where he attempted to work himself into the hearts of Lagos PFN big wigs. All these shenanigans are known to us. ‘But we watch if money will buy him the job.”

    Pastor Tola T. Okeowo, one of the RCCG parishes in Egbeda, Lagos prayed that the image of the Pentecostal movement, which is currently challenged by the activities of shady men like this archbishop, will not plummet any further.

    “It is time to build our image, have a strong body that can stand its own anywhere, especially now that the nation is going into a serious political era and the Church must dictate the pace. Any attempt to sell our leadership to fundraisers and exploitative characters would bring negative results,” he said.

  • God gave us mandate to raise people of integrity – Ojo

    God gave us mandate to raise people of integrity – Ojo

    As Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC) continues its 20th anniversary today, its Presiding Archbishop, Joseph Ojo, speaks on the journey of the church in the last two decades and God’s faithfulness to the ministry agitation for a president of Nigeria from the Southeast, and the need for Nigerians to allow peace, equity, and justice to reign in the country, Adeola Ogunlade was with him. Excerpts:

    The ministry will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in June: 20 years is truly a great achievement for a ministry like this; can you share with us the success stories of CKC?

    We began this commission by the grace of God on the second day of June in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2002, and ever since,  it has been a tremendous testimony of God’s grace, God’s mercies, God’s goodness, God’s provision, and God has seen us through: like Jesus, Himself had favor with God and with man. One of the things that God has given to me as a servant of God and a minister of the gospel is that God has granted me the grace to have favour with men and with God Himself, and that favour actually helped in the past 20 years. We have seen CKC from nothing and today by God’s grace with all sense of humility God has definitely blessed us and we are grateful to God for what we have seen in terms of infrastructure – the buildings, schools, membership, the branches, and the spiritual solidity of our members – God has been faithful.

    At the beginning, God gave me a seven-point cardinal objective, which we have been pursuing and we have done these logically and it is helping us. God gave us the mandate to make people, disciple them, and at the end of their walk with Christ on earth, they will make heaven. And also to raise a people of integrity, that all members of CKC believe that when they are interacting with other people, they stand out; they are respected because they are men and women of proven integrity. We also have the mandate to take Christ to everyone that may not have known Him whenever we meet them in our day-to-day walk with Christ. And to equip the saints for the ministry and to build ideal and Godly families and marriages, and to the glory of God, we have marriages being built around these tenets and God has been so wonderful in all these 20 years.

    In the last 20 years of the ministry, you must have seen some prophecies come to pass while others fail. When prophecy fails; what would you say is responsible? Is it that God did not speak clearly to the prophet or what?

    I believe that prophecies don’t fail – I believe it. Predictions do fail, but not prophesy. People that are given predictions have no prophecies. God’s word says in Revelations Chapter 19:10 “the spirit of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy; the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy – no prophecy is of private interpretation. What people don’t understand is that there are genuine prophecies that have their timing. It may not have been fulfilled in your time – there are prophecies that Jesus Himself gave that today they have not come to pass; it doesn’t mean they will not come to pass. Men just want a quick fix – shortcut in everything and it’s not supposed to be. Every godly inspired prophecy has their time and at the time that God wants it to happen, it will come to pass. They are quite different from predictions – many people who claim they are prophesying are only predicting, and unbeliever can predict; native doctors can predict, you don’t need to be filled with the spirit of the Lord to predict, but you need to be filled with the spirit of Christ to prophesy. Now, the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).

    Over the years you have been very vocal about this administration and its style of leadership: now that the vice-president is contesting, what is your view of his candidacy?

    All I can say about the vice-president’s candidacy is good luck Sir. Good luck to him; I wasn’t there when the Lord ministered to him or spoke to his heart, so I can’t say anything for or against him.  So, I wish him all the best.

    Many are saying that the two major political parties should zone their presidential ticket to the Southeast; do you support such a call?

    You know, Southeast presidency, if it is God’s will for a South easterner to be president; so be it. But there is something light that you will get on the platter of gold (Deuteronomy 2:24) God said: ‘Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand…..begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.’ Nobody will just give you because you come from the Southeast – contend with it. Do all you need to do logically, politically and otherwise, and cross the bridges you need to cross. So, good luck to South easterners – if you want it, contend it and God definitely will not abandon those who contend for what belongs to them.

  • ‘Wesley’s life of holiness worthy of emulation’

    ‘Wesley’s life of holiness worthy of emulation’

    Archbishop of Lagos Methodist Church Nigeria, The Most Rev. Isaac Olawuyi, has called on Christians to imbibe the life of holiness, sacrificial giving and love for the poor exemplified by John and Charles Wesley, the founder of Methodist Church.

    Olawuyi stated this at a symposium themed ‘John Wesley’s Conversion: Its significance today’, organised by the Council of Knights, Methodist Church Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, where the virtues of John and Charles Wesley on sacrificial and their commitment were extolled.

    John Wesley was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist, who led a revival within the Church of England known as Methodism. His tools for founding of Methodist Church were open air preaching, fervent evangelism, ministering the gospel in songs, advent of love offering and revival of fasting, which were not there before. They pioneered these frontiers that added colour to the Christianity.

    He said: “As we celebrate the lives and times of John Wesley, we are calling for a reawakening of the life of holiness and sacrificial giving among Christians that exemplify the life of John Wesley and his brother Charles.”

    He lamented the spate of messages in many denominations that emphasise the acquisition of material wealth with fewer teachings on holiness which prepares men for heaven.

  • Odesola condemns bloodshed, says Nigeria belongs to all

    Odesola condemns bloodshed, says Nigeria belongs to all

    Continental Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Continent Three, Pastor Johnson Odesola has called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for an average Nigerian to  live in any part of the country without any form of molestation or intimidation.

    He also called for religious tolerance that would abhor violence and killing of human beings created in the image of God in the face of any small disagreement.

    Odesola gave the call yesterday on the heels of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)’s instruction to churches that peaceful demonstration should be carried out within the confine of their churches to register the church’s disapproval of killings in the country and particularly, Christians, in the event of small provocation.

    Odesola said: “This peaceful protest is actually very necessary because Nigeria is a secular country and not a country with just one religion which calls for tolerance and protection of every citizen on the part of the government.

    “We must be friends whether Christians, Muslims or people from any other religions with one another and more importantly as citizens in a secular country such as ours and it is high time we realized that Nigeria is for everyone and not for a certain set of people”.

    Also speaking, the Assistant Pastor in charge of the Province and Administration, Pastor Adebayo Adeyemo, said the protest became necessary because there was an increase in evil in the country where wickedness has multiplied. He added that the common news in Nigeria these days are blood-letting, kidnapping, and other vices and since God hates shedding of blood, any country where blood is shed will be cursed with an adverse effect on the economy and the governance.

  • How we are attracting youths into African Church – Primate

    How we are attracting youths into African Church – Primate

    The New Primate of The African Church, Archbishop Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe, has said that the African Church is making a frantic effort at including its youths in the scheme of things and positioning them for greater impact within the church.

    Abbe said this in an interview with The Nation at his inauguration as the 12th Primate of The African Church held over the week at The African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, Broad Street, Lagos.

    Tagged: ‘Redeeming the Time, Ephesians 5:16,’ brought together church leaders, clerics, gospel music artistes, and technocrats.

    According to him, the youth remain the future of the church, thus empowering them and positioning them to lead effectively in the church is not negotiable. “I want to thank God for the lives of our youths as they are in different categories and they are doing tremendously well.”

    The prelate said: “We have a lot of programmes that bring our youth together-crusades, retreats, and empowerment seminars that open their eyes to the modern day reality, and the scriptures are not left behind. Everything that we are doing now is backed by the scriptures.”

    He added that the era of elders ignoring the youths in the scheme of things is over in the church. Today, youths are leading some of our dioceses and provinces, and they are doing well in the development and growth of the church.

    He posited further that the African Church remains pure, undiluted, and committed to the task of evangelizing the world for Christ.

    He said the Africa Church has no other agenda than that of Jesus Christ. “Jesus came to save the world and give salvation to mankind, and that is the topmost aspect of our agenda as a church. We are committed toward evangelizing the world for Christ.”