Category: Sunday magazine

Most Rev Musa Panti Filibus has been reelected the Archbishop and spiritual leader of Northeast’s largest church group, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN).

Our correspondent gathered Friday that Panti Filibus emerged tops Thursday night in an election conducted for aspirants. By the re-election, Musa Filibus is set to lead the LCCN for the next five years.

The LCCN Archbishop Panti Filibus who is also the President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), polled 540 votes in the LCCN leadership election against four votes for his closest rival, Rt Rev Peter Bartimawus.

The Adamawa State governor, in a congratulatory message passed to newsmen Friday afternoon, said the LCCN archbishop could be trusted to continue to provide great leadership for his church and work for the unity of Adamawa State.

Fintiri said, “I congratulate you heartily and wish you a successful tenure. I am optimistic that you would continue to provide great leadership to the Church, and look forward to your continuous belief in the unity and progress of Adamawa State,” Fintiri said.

In the statement signed by his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, Governor Fintiri encouraged the LCCN Spiritual leader to work with other religious leaders to confront the evils of the times ravaging the nation.

“I am hopeful that you will continue to use your knowledge and bring your experience and friendship to bear on the peace-building efforts of the government,” Fintiri said.

Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus’ re-election was done with votes from members of the House of Clergy and representatives from the nine Dioceses of the LCCN

A Christian group, the African Cry Out Movement Bible College and Training Institute will open offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan in December

Addressing the press in Lagos Apostle Titi Oluwadare the International President and CEO of ACMBCTI  and the Vision Coordinator of Africa Cry Out Movement disclosed that the college   is a  leadership academy which will work together with churches to raise a new generation of leaders  in the body of Christ by emphasising core Christian doctrines of holiness, humility and Kingdom service.

The intent is to raise leaders to lead churches, the economy and the political space who will then lead the people in righteousness.

“ It’s time for the kingdom’s expansion and governance. The key to this is righteousness. Only righteousness can exalt our nation.

“We are not out to use combative methods. We will not attack any group or individual or condemn any church or criticise any existing method or approach. Our duty is to lay   emphasis  on the truth in the word

which says “ you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

”We want to equip and teach the Saints and empower the body of Christ with accurate knowledge of Christ, his words  and his Kingdom.”.

According to her the minimum requirements for admission is five credits . Candidates will be interviewed after they have submitted their qualifications.

The duration of the diploma is one year. This Graduate diploma can lead to a Master’s degree which is for one year. The Master’s degree can lead to a Doctorate degree which is for three years.

The Presiding Bishop of Holy Spirit, Mission (aka Happy Family Centre), Bishop Charles Ighele Has advised parents to exemplify the values of truth, honesty, transparency and the fear of God to their children in order to raise a chaste generation.

Ighele said this at the wedding ceremony of his son, Ighale to Clementina held last weekend at Marcellina’s Place, Ikeja, Lagos.

The glamorous outing, was graced by family, friends and well-wishers of the couple, all geared up in beautiful and colourful attires that enhanced the already enthralling atmosphere of the event location.

Guest who graced the occasion were a host of clerics, including National Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, South-West and Presiding Archbishop, Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, Presiding Bishop, City Gate International Church, Bishop Robertson Akwazi among others who came from far and near to be part of the celebration of love.

Expressing his delight on the occasion, Bishop Ighele, extolled the couple for making their union a rare and unique one, as they kept themselves chaste until the moment of their marriage.

He said “You see I have had these children, and this boy, 29- years- old, and such a nice boy, is a virgin that has never had a girlfriend. And then, this girl, also 28- years- old, the wife now, a virgin, never had a boyfriend, so it’s a wedding of two virgins which is rare, quite unique.

”I’m not saying that those who lost their virginity are bad, but that there is what is known as secondary virginity, that is if you have been messing around before, and you stop and say from now on till I get married, I will remain chaste. I call that secondary virginity. So, I use this to encourage people and let them know that yes, you can stay and then keep your body.”

While advising parents who would like their children to have pure unions like that of his son and daughter-in-law’s the Bishop said parents should look at the kind of values they want to pass to the children, even to the last generation.

He advised parents to think about the future and not just the present, as well as redefine the values of honesty, truth, God-fearing, and then itemize these values and see how they pass them on to their children.

He added “with these, they are now able to pass all these to their children. But you have to lift it before you can pass it on”.

No fewer than 3,500 peacemakers have been trained to counter religious extremism, oppression, domination and violence by the Omnia’s Institute for Contextual Leadership.

In a statement, its National Coordinator for Nigeria, Revd, Abare Kallah, the teams, which consist of imams and pastors, demonstrated that when the two dominant religions: Muslims and Christians collaborate and build power, public perception changes. It reduces the intolerance, conflict, and leads to increment in affirmation of pluralism.

This collaboration of interfaith leaders has further reduced space for extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP to recruit young residents in the Northeast.

The teams have played significant roles through empowerment providing an antidote to poverty, as young Nigerians have found pathways to entrepreneurial opportunities through skills acquisitions as artisans such as tailors, hair dressers, among others.

Kallah said: “In further pursuit of peace in the region, OMNIA IP teams have also started training of peacemakers in Maiduguri, the ancient city almost wrecked by Boko Haram insurgency.  Seventy-five Christian and Muslim leaders have been trained by me as OMNIA’s National Coordinator for Nigeria. This coming from the backdrop of successes recorded in Gombe from 2017 with trained IP teams  averting  religious implosions and resolving  intractable conflicts. The people of Maiduguri no doubt have disproportionately suffered from Boko Haram violence and need as much as possible to quickly build infrastructure for peace.’’

He added: “Each IP team has about 20 religious leaders – clergy and lay, women and men, some leading congregations of 100 and others over 1,000.’’ He noted that the IP team’s effectiveness and interventions that have saved lives and averted extremists’ religious violence, adding that when the traditional ruler of Tangale, Mai Tangale in Gombe died.

BANKER- turned- gospel artist Chissom Anthony has finally dropped the much-anticipated video of ‘Shout for joy’.

The video, which was produced by Emgenius Records and directed by Prolifik films, was dropped on Tuesday.

Nwobodo, professionally known as Chissom Anthony, is a songwriter and she is enthusiastic about delivering good music.

In her words: “In the presence of God there is fullness of joy, with this new video, viewers and listeners will experience God’s presence and anointing.

“The song with the excellent ambience of the video precipitates a true ethereal consciousness rooted in the one and only true God which spurs the listener with cravings for more spiritual experience.

“Shout for joy’ has been a tremendous blessing to people since it was released. And now, I am so excited that the video of this soul stirring and exciting track is out.

“The song precipitates atmosphere of joy mingled with hope whenever it is played.

“The message in the musical video brings peace, calm and total reliance on God no matter the challenges. Shout for Joy’ aims to make people have total faith in God,” the artist said.

Since she began her ministry as a gospel artist, her story has been one of ever increasing glory and grace.

She hails from Anambra State in Orumba North Local Government Area.

She graduated in Accounting from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and has worked in some banks before her call into gospel music ministry.

The ex-banker has written songs with great lyrical contents and blessed lives with lovely tunes that could have only come from Heaven.

She is happily married and blessed with wonderful kids.

LACE Empowerment’s Foundation, a non-profit initiative of Light House Christian Outreach Center has concluded plans to hold its 2021 Finishing school for 500 young graduates on the 22nd, November to December 1st at the church hall in Oregun, Lagos.

The President of the foundation, Pastor Ayo Daniel, said this at a press briefing held recently at Lighthouse Christian Outreach Center, Oregun, Lagos. The free school will bring together graduates from across the country which will feature personal transformation, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving CV that gets you a job, among others.

According to him, the initiative is committed to change the narrative by upskilling young graduates with both life and digital skills as well as mental and emotional capacity that enables them to be efficiently productive in the demanding market place or workplace in the 21st Century in Nigeria, Africa and the globe.

He said “LACE finishing school is a flagship programme of the LACE Empowerments Foundation designed to equip young and fresh graduates with the required orientation, knowledge, skills and aptitudes required to meet and surpass the requirements for entry  and mid-level effectiveness in  the 21st  entry work place.

“It also avails participants the opportunity to interact with opportunities for employment. LACE Finishing School runs an intensive 5-days, 8hour per day schedule,” he said.

He noted the Lighthouse Advancement in Career and Enterprises Finishing School (LACE), Finishing School programme  was started in June 2017.

According to her, three in four editions of the LACE Finishing school and the feedback from the participants has been impactful.

Daniel stressed that over the four editions, “we have been able to track a good number of participants who got their desired jobs as a result of knowledge they gained while at the finishing school. For some others, they discovered their paths and entries into entrepreneurship.”

He noted that almost every day there is one news item or the other bordering on the changing requirements for effectiveness in the market place or workplace, some of these changes caused by natural; situations such as the global pandemic we all seem to be getting out of or some other industry-induced factors.

He opined that currently, there are learner models to workplaces, and this is due to the demand for better skilled levels and yet a smaller number of human capitals required to complete tasks compared to preceding years.

He asserted that the new data published by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics  pegs the unemployment rate of 33.3% in the last quarter of 2020. Of the 33%, youth unemployment stands at approximately 43%.

He stressed that the rising cases of unemployment is a societal need and “we can’t leave it to the government alone, we are voices in the market place and we are determined to bridge the unemployment gap among our youths.”

As Nigerians continue to work towards the 2023 general elections and the need to build a sustainable nation based on equity, some Church leaders have urged Nigerian Christians to play their part in building the nation by participating actively in the electioneering process.

They stated this at the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Ikeja Province annual Fire Ministers’ conference held in Oregun, with the theme: ‘the Church and Nation Building’.

They said, the Church in Nigeria must align with the plan of God for the country.

Henry Ayoola, a retired general; Tunde Bakare, guest speaker; David Ise-Iyamu; David Kayode Aboderin, and Enyinnaya Okwuonu, the PFN chairman, Lagos State, all took time to encourage participants at the conference to play their roles in the development of the country, especially at the grassroots level.

Tunde Bakare, the senior pastor of Citadel Global Community Church, said

God is going to hold the church responsible for the mess in the nation. According to him, the major role the Church has to play at this time is to keep the saints together.

Bakare therefore posited that Nigeria is currently in the plan of God, not minding the current socio-economic turbulence. He stated further that God would first identify the person and place, and that after identifying the person and place; He reveals the purpose and plan for Nigeria. “You can’t change prophesy with prayer,” said Bakare, stating that God is going to redeem Nigeria by judgment.

Ayoola, a retired general, said Nigeria is not an accident. However, he urged the Church leaders to be proactive in dealing with issues of insecurity and the safety of their Church. “While praying, there are things we must do in the physical,” he stated.

Ayoola said there is a need to do more about security of our churches beyond the physical structure; hence, Church leaders must first understand the psychological factors at play in ensuring both the Church, in terms of building and the people are protected all year round.

David Kayode Aboderin, on his part said for a new Nigeria to emerge, the church must come out and get involved. While Stephen Adegbite, the Lagos State CAN chairman urged Christians to get involved in politics by actively participating at the ward level. Adegbite was represented by Theophilus Ajose.

South West Zonal Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev (Dr.) Toyin Kehinde has joined other Christian leaders and Christ Disciples Bible Church (CDBC) Inc in paying tribute to its late founder, Rev (Dr) Zachariah Ademola Olumolawa who died on October 6.

In his sermon at the burial service which was recently held in Ibafo, Ogun state, the Senior Pastor of Agape Generation International Church noted everyone feels a sense of loss, emphasizing the feeling that someone was lost.

“It is a fact that all of us are in pain but we are praying that the Holy Spirit will heal our hearts,” Kehinde said.

He advised the Church to march on with the leader’s vision as the Israelites did after the demise of Moses in the Bible.

“We are one day short from when we will end it. It’s time to work and finish the race,” he admonished church leaders.

The leadership of the church appointed the Assistant General Overseer (AGO) 1, Rev Moses Babalola Adeyemo as the Acting General Overseer after the interment of Rev Olumolawa.

Adeyemo, according to Rev (Mrs) Selina Olumolawa, CDBC’s co-founder and Olumolawa’s widow, was the choice of the late founder.

Extolling the virtues of her late husband, Mrs Olumolawa said: “He was so many things to me. Everything I’m doing in the Lord today was through his support and guidance. He was a caring husband who no one would want to lose but God understands. He was a humble leader who taught me so many things. Rev Olumolawa was ready to part with anything just to bring ease to the people.

“I’m going to miss many things about him. It’s only God who can fill up the great vacuum he has left behind. Rev Olumolawa lived his life for God and immersed himself in service to God”, she said.

In the same vein, the newly ordained General Overseer of the church, Rev Adeyemo described his predecessor as a mentor who lived an exemplary life.

He called for the support of the church as he took over the mantle of leadership.

Rev. Ruth Iwunze is a female Minister of the gospel who believes that the women have all it takes to do exploits for God as well as move their families, community and take the nation to the promised land. in this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about working with women, touching lives, mentored by late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya and celebrating 20 years of her initiative known as Daughters of Destiny.

What are your memories of the ministry when you started?

I worked with so many  pastors and the late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya was very  close to me. I remember the first time I had my first women programme, then it was called Daughters of Dominion.  I remember the  Lord told me to go and meet her. I remember her exact words, she said I have a programme on that day in KICC, London, but if God said I should come and minister, who am I? Pastor Bimbo  stormed FESTAC and it was awesome.  She came and ministered powerfully, she kept coming for our events and we became very close.

What do you miss about  her?

She believed in me and she kept telling me the world would hear about me. She kept speaking into my life and kept saying this is just the beginning.

We were to go to South Africa with some of my women and when I told her that my women didn’t have  visa , she referred us to the consulate who was her member and I was attended to without interview. I went back again when we were about to open our branch in Cape Town. Pastor Bimbo was full of love. We have also had Bishop Margaret Idahosa, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, Mummy Folu Adeboye and so many women of God.

Tell us about celebrating 20 years of Daughters of Destiny?

The theme is Divine Acceleration. We have Mummy Esther Ajayi, her excellency Nnemoma Rochas Okorocha, Bishop Junita Nwedu and Rev. Jane Onaolapo ministering. The Programme is power packed.  These are women who  have  done exploits in different  ways.

What advice do you have for Nigerian women at this time?

There is so much distraction, the enemy is on rampage.  But they should pray and we will conquer all. Don’t get tired of praying and teach your children how to pray. As a woman, you settle everything on your knees. With prayer God will give you victory.

Tell us about life before the ministry?

I went to the University of Benin ( UNIBEN) and I loved God. I  gave my life to God at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I am still doing business and I love to support God’s work. I know what it is to be a covenant keeper. I don’t believe in depending on the brethren for everything.  I import furniture and I have a big showroom. I have been in business for the past 13 years and God has been faithful.

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

I am also a senior manager in Forever Living Products. I have a Foundation that empowers women. I was just given an award last month tagged, Woman of the Word by her Excellency Aisha Buhari. I have been running the Foundation for the past 15 years. Widows are on my pay list, some children are on my scholarship list, school fees and house rents are things that I care about. I also visit orphanages, old people’s homes, female prisons at Ikoyi and Badagry every month. It is a covenant with God.

What advice do you have for women concerning the 2023 elections?

I want women to rise up and be a voice. When you train a woman, you train a nation. If women stand, work together, there will be change because they have a heart, they know what we need as a Nation.

Tell us about your experience working with widows?

I must say working with widows has been a great source of inspiration for me. For our 20th anniversary Celebrations I have about 150 widows that I have made clothes for and they will rejoice and thank God. Every day from 1st November they come and pray in the church preparatory for  the event. They are happy and excited. That gives me great joy and fulfillment.

What lessons have you learnt from life?

To be grateful to God. God gave me children after 18 years. They have grown now. You can imagine when I was praying for women and they were getting pregnant, doing child dedication all those years. Finally, God put a smile on my face. All these years, I have learnt to wait upon the Lord.