The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Gbenga Adenuga back with concert

    Gbenga Adenuga back with concert

    Multiple award-winning gospel singer, Gbenga Adenuga, has returned from a self-imposed sabbatical with a concert scheduled for Muson Centre, Lagos.

    Tagged Worship With Gbenga Adenuga (WWGA), the concert, according to him, is “a time of inspirational, reflective and soul-rendering outpour of worship to the Almighty.”

    Billed for Agip Hall of the Muson Centre on Sunday 11th January, 2015 by 5pm, the concert is free but participation will be strictly by invitation.

    Adenuga, in chat with our correspondent, said: “I have been off the worship music scene for a while. I got involved in other things but please don’t ask me what.”

    He confessed to have “so, so missed that part of me and the truth is that I long to return actively to creating worship music and performance again.”

    On the concert, Adenuga said: “I look forward to a great time in God’s presence and in the gathering of real people.”

    He added: “This is definitely not your every Sunday worship experience. It’s some kind of fusion: street, trado, contemporary and church.”

  • In defence of the Trinity

    In defence of the Trinity

    It takes a daring writer to attempt a expose on a controversial and hot issue. That is exactly what Rev. Adedeji Adeoye set out to do with his new book.

    The book attempts to create better understanding on the concept of one God in three persons. For centuries, it is a concept that has sharply divided Christianity. Many non-Christians do not even believe in it, dimissing the concept as arrant nonsense.

    Yet, it is in the troubled waters that Adeoye decides to fish. “I am aware that stating the concept of Trinity runs through the Bible is stirring the hornests’ nest,” he startes. But despite this, the author believes He has a divine mandate to unravel the mystery based on a personal story he shares in the introduction.

    The book, as far as he is concerned, is a fulfilment of a dream a close fellow minister had about him several years ago. Bearing this in mind, he begins the exposition with denials of God’s trinity in part one.

    He refers to several Professors of Theology who have written against the existence of Trinity or declared it a nullity. To him, the mystery has been hidden from professors’ eyes.

    Part two deals with proof of God’s Trinity where the author settles down to really convince doubting Thomases on the existence of the Trinity. Relying on the story of creation as recorded in Genesis 1, Adeoye points out that the passage introduces us to the Spirit of God, God the father and Jesus.

    The Spirit of God, according to him, was what moved. God the father was the one who decreed light into existence while Jesus is the word through which God created the world. “These three personalities, in reverse order, are therefore the God who saw, the God who said and called and the God who moved and also divided,” he submits.

    God the son, he states, is the spokeman of the Trinity while the Spirit of God is the worker and God the father is the thinker. He also applies logics to the relationship within the Trinity to prove that indeed God is one and only.

    Parts three and four concentrate on more and more proofs on the Trinity of God. In Chapter fourteen, for example, the author writes that the trinity of man is a forestate of the Trinity of God. God introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the same vein, God is triune.

    To Adeoye, whoever does not doubt the existence of Abraham, Issac and Jacob should never doubt the existence of God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit.

    This book is highly theological and logical. There are so many references to the Bible and other theological books. The author deserves great credit for the massive research that went into the book. The readers will indeed find the research materials enriching and captivating.

    The author also succeeds in simplifying what otherwise sounds as a complex subject matter. He writes simple and makes his points concise. But he has an obvious bias to prove at all rate that Trinity is a reality. In doing this, he fails to answers several other objections from those on the other side of the defence.

    But all in all, the book is a great work deserving of praise. The scholastic research that went into it is commendable. Believers in Trinity will find several other reasons to back their belief. Those who doubt it will also find reasons why to give it a thought. Indeed, the Christian world will find the book a worthy effort in defence on a doctrine that means so much to the faith.

     

     

     

     

  • How to recover all, by Olujobi

    Christians will recover everything they have lost when they align with the purpose of God for their lives, the General Overseer of Wisdom Church of Christ International, Lagos, Prophet Bisi Olujobi, has declared.

    He spoke at the 10th anniversary of the church in Lagos.

    Olujobi, who began his ministry in Ibadan, Oyo State, over twenty years ago, relocated to Lagos in 2004.

    He said he moved to Lagos in obedience to a divine calling to relocate to the city of excellence.

    On challenges in the ministry, he said: “Definitely when you start something new, there are always challenges and that is a normal routine for anybody who wants to grow and achieve success.

    “We have started the ministry over twenty years ago but we moved to Lagos ten years. We started at Ososami in Ibadan, Oyo State. Things are going well there, we have a branch in London too”.

    On how ministry in Ibadan is different from Lagos, Olujobi explained: “We can’t compare the way people attend churches in Ibadan with the way they attend in Lagos because Ibadan people attend churches very well.

    “If you talk of the spiritual aspect of worshipping God, the Ibadan people are trying.  They believe that they must make heaven. They care less about wealth.

    “But here in Lagos, if you don’t preach about how people are going to make money and be rich, they won’t listen to you. They believe they have come to Lagos to make money so that is the area where worshippers in Lagos are different from Ibadan people.

    “However, when a man of God knows what he is doing, he will balance his message and carry everybody along.”

     

  • Firm set to launch “iOpenHeavens”

    Firm set to launch “iOpenHeavens”

    Open Heaven, a daily devotional book written by The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian of Church(RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is set to be launched on mobile apps iOpenHeavens effective from January 1st, 2015.

    The  Chief Executive Officer of CREO Consulting Ltd, Seyi Fakoya made this known in a release last week.

    According to him, iOpenHeavens promises to go a step further in revealing God’s word daily.

    “I am excited about the Open Heavens mobile app launch, we have worked in-house to bring the best user experience yet to users of this amazing devotion.

    “I am glad that we are custodians in partnership with Daddy G.O and his team in bringing the content into people’s mobile devices.”

    He said that mobile app also known as “iOpenHeavens” will be available across mobile platforms such as Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java, Kindle, Windows OS Laptops and PC.

    “The app will allow users of the daily devotional written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye,” he added.

    He stated that the functions of the Open Heavens 2015 app will include daily study guide with day-to-day devotionssun, quick access menus,  bookmarking, devotional Sharing capability, allows you to read previous and future devotions with a calendar feature,  audio Listening, among others

    Fakoya added: “the Open Heavens Mobile App will also be available in teens and French language with subsequent release in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.”

     

  • Retraction: RE: RAJI RASAKI

    Retraction: RE: RAJI RASAKI

    IN our story titled Raji Rasaki hotel up for grabs published on page 30 of  Sunday, 16 November, 2014 edition, we stated that D-Castle Inn, Ibadan belongs to the former Military Administrator, Brigadier-General Raji Rasaki.

    We have since discovered the information is not true. General Rasaki is not the owner of the hotel and has nothing to do with the hotel.

    We hereby retract the story and regret any inconvenience the publication might have caused the retired general.

  • Stephanie Hornecker finds love

    Stephanie Hornecker finds love

    STEPHANIE Hornecker, the daughter of ex-beauty queen and actress, Regina Askia, has been struck by cupid arrows. The beautiful model has found love with Kogi prince, Musa Ado-Ibrahim, grandson to the king of Ebira land in Okene, Kogi State. The lovebirds, we gathered, have been dating for a while now and have been spotted together at different outings. Stephanie is the product of Regina’s dalliance with her French business man lover, Patrick. The young damsel is one of the models causing stir in the modelling world. Stephanie and her mum co-modelled a 2000-N-Six Cleansing range of products.

  • For Lanre Folawiyo hope rising

    For Lanre Folawiyo hope rising

    DEVASTATED, no doubt, by the death of his late wife, Fadeke, a beautiful lawyer and one of the daughters of the late Otunba TOS Benson, Lanre Folawiyo who heads the family’s energy company dotes so much on his son, Amil, and he is not keen into rushing into marriage. However, 10 years down the line, the single father of one is giving marriage another shot.

    The marriage ceremony, which is a strictly family affair, we gathered, is billed for Belgium. Already, sources say an introduction ceremony was recently held in Accra, Ghana, to seal the union because the bride-to-be is half Belgian and half Ghanaian.

  • Exploring The Secrets Of Success! (4)

    Last week,we studied about the power of discretion. I said discretion is divine insight in the approach of any given task. I showed you why we all need discretion and how we can access it.

    As I conclude this teaching this week, I will be discussing, The Demand Of Skill in our quest for success. Recognize that success is God’s plan for you and I, to be glorified and end up successful (Romans 8:29-30). However, there are certain forces that must be applied, if success is to be attained. Skill is one of such forces. There is a demand of skill, if you must enjoy success.

    What Is Skill?

    Skill is a learned ability to carry out a task in a satisfactory manner. Another word for ‘skill’ is ‘excellence.’ Skill is a vital force we must engage, if success will be a reality in our lives.

    Why Is Skill Important?

    •Skill earns you respect (Hebrews 5:13): Some people are unskilful with the Word of God. People may not like you for your grammar or eloquence; but they will respect you if you are skilful.

    •Skill opens doors: For instance, David was skilful at playing the harp. Apart from that, David was a mighty man of war and skilful in leadership, without any formal training (1 Samuel 16:18; 1 Samuel 17:34-36; Psalm 78:70-72).

    How Do We Acquire Skill?

    •We acquire skill by training: For example, Abraham armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants (Genesis 14:14). Also, the unskilful men who David trained, later became mighty men (1 Samuel 22:3; 2 Samuel 23:8).

    We must explore every opportunity to learn or to improve on our ourselves for better/greater skills.

    “Through practice: Also we must think of what God said in His Word about us, and seek training along those lines (Philippians 4:8). Look for opportunity to improve yourself.

    Keep at it until the best comes out of that. The more you put to practice a talent inside you, you become more skilful (James 1:22-25).

    •By divine endowment: For instance, Bezaleel was divinely endowed in designs and construction (Exodus 35:30-34). Also, Daniel and his companions were endowed with special skills that empowered them for dominion (Daniel 1:17; Daniel 6:26-28). God gave Daniel and the Hebrew boys knowledge and wisdom. For instance, Daniel prospered in the reign of King Cyrus. He was relevant in a foreign land for 65 years, according to Bible historians. He had skill to interpret dreams, etc.

    Solomon was divinely endowed with wisdom. This made him to be skilful without learning it. So, we must trust God in this aspect – divine endowment. No wonder Solomon was wiser than all men in his time and his fame spread far and wide (1 Kings 4:29-34).

    John the Baptist was in the bush, where he was divinely endowed. Also, David was divinely endowed. He is still celebrated today because of skill.

    Note that divine endowments put the believer at an advantage over others (Proverbs 18:16; John 3:31). Divine endowment has no match anywhere in the world. There is nothing in one, except that one has made extraordinary input in one’s life.

    Friend, the power for skill is for those born again. You become born again, by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for this, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Cleanse me with Your Blood. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!”

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books: Success Button, Success Systemsand Exploring The Secrets Of Success.

    On Thursday being January 1, 2015, people all over the world will be celebrating the New Year. I know you are set to usher in the New Year. It is not a time for you to get drunk! Before then, you should be able to take stock and make a resolution to obey and serve God with all your heart. I wish You A Happy New Year!

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Bola Akingbade glitters in retirement

    Bola Akingbade glitters in retirement

    BOLA Akingbade is sure a gold fish who has no hiding place, especially in the corporate world. He is known to have done many progressive jobs for different corporate entities. His last point of call was telecommunication giant, MTN, where he held sway as Chief Marketing Officer, sitting on an annual budget of two billion naira. After eight years of eventful service, he retired. Earlier, he had worked with Nigerian Breweries.

    Few years after retiring, the seasoned marketing strategist is still glittering. Sources said he is into private consulting. His company, Brandville, established a strategic pan-African partnership with Big Time Africa to offer innovative mobile marketing solutions to African mobile network operators. But the hardworking man still finds time to socialise with his ilk.

  • Firm set to launch “iOpenHeavens”

    Open Heaven, a daily devotional book written by The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian of Church(RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is set to be launched on mobile apps iOpenHeavens effective from January 1st, 2015.

    The  Chief Executive Officer of CREO Consulting Ltd, Seyi Fakoya made this known in a release last week.

    According to him, iOpenHeavens promises to go a step further in revealing God’s word daily.

    “I am excited about the Open Heavens mobile app launch, we have worked in-house to bring the best user experience yet to users of this amazing devotion.

    “I am glad that we are custodians in partnership with Daddy G.O and his team in bringing the content into people’s mobile devices.”

    He said that mobile app also known as “iOpenHeavens” will be available across mobile platforms such as Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java, Kindle, Windows OS Laptops and PC.

    “The app will allow users of the daily devotional written by Pastor Enoch Adeboye,” he added.

    He stated that the functions of the Open Heavens 2015 app will include daily study guide with day-to-day devotionssun, quick access menus,  bookmarking, devotional Sharing capability, allows you to read previous and future devotions with a calendar feature,  audio Listening, among others

    Fakoya added: “the Open Heavens Mobile App will also be available in teens and French language with subsequent release in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages.”