The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Seventh-Day dispel report on fire outbreak in the church

    The President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nigeria, Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi, has described as untrue rumours that a building in the church headquarters was razed down by inferno last Tuesday.

    It will be recalled that  a  newspaper reported (not The Nation) that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Nigeria headquarters, Maryland, Lagos caught fire.

    Owolabi made this known at a press conference held over the week at the church headquarters in Maryland, Lagos, saying that the ugly incident that happened on Tuesday, September 23, in the premises of the church headquarters was due to human error, but we could see God’s intervention in the lives of His people.

    He said, “what actually happened: the accredited diesel supplier of the church came with supplies for the generator. In the process of transferring the diesel into the church storage faculty, the hose conveying the diesel from the supplier tank to the church storage facility suddenly pushed off. The diesel splashed on the exhaust of the pumping machine and it caught fire.”

    He added: our security system was put into action. Immediate contacts were made with fire security profiles in the neighbourhood. Oando and Conoil Filling stations responded swiftly. Others from Onigbonbgo community and passersby joined to battle the fire before men of the Lagos State Fire Service came to collectively put the fire out.

    Owolabi, who was full of gratitude to God because no live was lost, said “to the glory of God, nobody got burnt and no life was lost. The damages were limited to the vehicle that brought the diesel, the generator, and the generator house.  Providentially, the church building, the office complex, and the residential apartments were not affected by the fire.”

  • ‘Insurgency sign of end times’

    The General Overseer of the Wuse District of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Babatunde Idowu, has described the waves of insurgency blowing in the North eastern part of Nigeria and other countries of the world as a sign of the end time.

    He, however, advocated fervent prayers and spiritual intercessions by religious leaders as a way out of the crises.

    Idowu who urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to be deterred in carrying out his agenda for the country said the Church will continue to support him to “surmount the thick darkness and insurgency surrounding the country.

    “Nigerians should continue to seek God’s face, they should not relent in praying and have hope that one day, peace shall return to the country,”he said

    Speaking on the week-long transfiguration programme of the church which ended last week, the General Overseer said the programme with the theme, “positioned for glory” is aimed at winning more souls to Christ and giving hopes to Nigerians despite the various challenges confronting them.

    “The week of transfiguration programme is designed to give worshipers the opportunity to pray and intercede and to also involve in personal ministration while seeking the face of God”he said

    The programme featured  praises, evangelistic prayer meeting and anointing service for all members of the church for divine protection as the year draws to an end.

  • Marriage summit holds

    A one-day all night marriage summit of Holy Fire Overflow Ministry International Ogba, Lagos holds on Tuesday September 30th by 10.00pm.

    The theme of the summit is “Get married soon,…stay married & bloom”.

    The Chief host, Apostle John Ahamzie, said the summit was organised to speak to the mountains, break strongholds, and deactivate evil circles of demonic operations of delay and lack among singles and couples.

     

  • Evangelism group takes off 34 years after conception

    THIRTY-FOUR years after the he received the vision, Pastor Sule Bamgbola has finally launched church Missionary Media Ministry, which is dedicated to evangelism in Lagos.

    The group, according to Bamgbola, is determined “to be the leading source of knowledge and support to missionaries and emerging Christians who intend to fulfill the command of the Lord Jesus by taking missions as priority.’’

    The former accountant with the defunct New Breed magazine said God gave him the revelation of the ministry 34 years ago but he could not actualise it until now.

    “Ten years ago, we took some steps but they did not go down well. But in December last year, the Lord laid it in my mind that we must do something.

    “As far back as 1980, God told me to go into the missionary field. In 1984, we wanted to start, decades passed, another passed and another is passing.”

    He continued: “It is late but I believe the Lord will forgive me. In 1983, I was able to open eight churches in the north through crusades.”

    The guest speaker, Bishop Daniel Obioha, urged Bamgbola not to give up and be courageous.

    He said every ministry or church started from a humble beginning.

    “You have nothing to fear. The journey is long,” he stated.

    Recalling the story of Moses, who was ordered by God to return to Mountain Sinai, Obioha urged Bamigbola to be bold.

    “Look unto God. He is our sufficiency. Ministry is about sacrifice. It is sacrifice that gives birth to service.

    “Without it, there is no service. God is able to help you. If God is leading you to start a ministry, you don’t need to ask for a kobo. Without sacrifice, you cannot be useful to God.”

    The senior cleric advised that some ministries are vital for church growth and that members who have such a call should go for them.

    He however advised that the ministries should be made to abide by the doctrines of the church and asked to embrace holiness in their works and teachings.

  • Boko Haram not fighting a religious war, says Kasali

    Contrary to popular belief, the Boko Haram sect is not out to Islamise Nigeria but committed to fighting a political war, the Senior Pastor of Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA) Lagos, Rev. Yomi Kasali, has declared.

    Kasali argued that the sect’s ideology and modus operandi confirm it is out to wage a political and not a religious war in the nation.

    If Boko Haram was out to Islamise Nigeria, Kasali reasoned it would have started its onslaught in Southern Nigeria, where Christianity is strong as against its destructive activities in the north.

    Kasali spoke last week with reporters ahead of the annual Giant Killers Conference of the church with the theme Jehoshaphat’s Army, which ends today.

    According to him: “Boko Haram has a political ideology more than a religious agenda. It is a malaise that we should all fight together.

    “It is an Islamic sect with political agenda to ostracise and declare a Caliphate. They are a bunch of fundamentalists against western education.”

    He warned against plunging the nation into a religious war, stating that the war against terror is not winnable because it has been politicised.

    Kasali lamented that the insurgency challenge was getting out of hands because government has been playing the blame game.

    According to him, it will be disastrous to plunge the nation into a religious war.

    Kasali said: “We are losing the terror war because it has been politicised. We are playing politics of religion with this.

    “We should not plunge Nigeria into a religious war because it will be most disastrous.”

    He called on Christians and Muslims to unite and fight Boko Haram, saying the sect is fighting a political and not a religious war.

    The cleric appealed to Christians and Muslims to coexist and not treat themselves as enemies.

    He stated that Nigeria must be willing to confront the various giants such as terrorism, corruption and tribalism confronting it.

    The cleric stated that though having a Muslim governor in Lagos State will not affect governance and delivery of democratic dividends, a Christian should emerge in the interest of fairness and equity.

    The conference, which ends today, featured speakers such as Bishops Mike Okonkwo, Humphrey Erumaka and Pastor Wale Adefarasin.

  • ‘Cattles’, by Radio Nigeria

    LET us welcome GALAXY TV to this medium. Its News at 7 of September 24 fumbled on two occasions: “After a heavy downpour in Abule Otun, Ogun State, residents of the area….” ‘Downpour’ is a heavy rainfall. So, ‘heavy downpour’ is sheer pleonasm.

    “Police parades 48 suspects in Akure” (News reel from the above medium) Reaching for the stars: Police parade

    “FIRS arrests 9 suspects over (for) fake jobs, staff promotions”

    “With them is (are) Mr. and Mrs.….”

    “Ebola: Deploy nurses to (in) school (schools)—NANNM president”

    “Commissioning (Inauguration) of borehole brings succour to Enugu community”

    “Abuja Motor Fair opens Oct. 22, organisers assure on security” Who did they assure?

    2015: It’s fight to finish in Ado” Politics Today: fight to the death/finish

    “Bravo! Our sports loving (sports-loving) governor is 52!”

    “The state chairman, executives and all the members of APC, Imo State (another comma) rejoices (congratulations on this gaffe)

    “Supreme Court swears-in (swears in) 17 SANs”

    “Police kill 4 armed bandits in Delta” There cannot be ‘banditry’ without arms!

    “In as much (Inasmuch) as it is within….”

    “Another feather to (in) your cap”

    “Government of Akwa Ibom State Bureau For Inter-Governmental & National Assembly Relations, Abuja: Galands (Garlands) to Akwa Ibom @ 27” (Full-page advertorial)

    Still from the Bureau: “We have noted with great pride and satisfaction your unparalled (unparalleled) efforts in….”

    “When you demand for it….” Insight: delete ‘for’.

    “FIFA President, Blatter, mourns late Ntiero Effiom” Would Blatter have mourned a living person? Professionally, the headline should have read: Blatter mourns Effiom

    THE NATION ON SUNDAY front and inside pages of September 21 circulated diseased headlines: “Ebola: Confusion over schools (schools’) resumption”

    “Mark, first term (first-term) govs set to return in trade-off”

    “…at no point has (had) either the Nigerian or South African authorities (authority) implicated Pastor Oritsejafor in either of their investigations.” (Full-page advertorial by CAN)

    “…encouraging others to do same (the same) in order to make Al-Jannah.”

    “I hope my successors will see potentials (potential/potentialities) I have put on ground”

    Still on THE NATION ON SUNDAY under review: “We on this occasion wants… (I discontinue, please!)

    “When the opportunity to serve the people of Lagos Central beckons (beckoned) at the upper chamber of our National Assembly, you accepted with a mind set to make a difference.”

    SATURDAY INDEPENDENT returns after a long absence: its September 20 edition goofed: “PDP at crossroads (at a/the crossroads) on who to nominate as flagbearer (sic) (standard bearer)”

    “I don’t bite more than I can chew” Box office: I don’t bite off more than I can chew”

    “Government has made overture (an overture or overtures) to these people, to dialogue with them in other (order) to know how to solve their problems.”

    “Villagers beseige hospital for free treatment” Spell-check: besiege.

    “In this way, life expectancy bulges as the chances of contacting Ebola Virus Disease considerably diminish.” Nobody contacts a disease—‘contract’ is the word.

    “The progressive social option implicit in General Buhari’s analysis is affirmative action aimed at eliminating or drastically reducing poverty.” Get it right: an affirmative action.’ Articles are not optional in count-word environments.

    “It attracted women of notes such as….” Whether two or 20 women, it is still ‘note’; not notes. The same thing applies to ‘men of substance’; not ‘substances’.

    “Led by a warrant officer, the mutineers stationed at strategic positions in and around the premises….” This way: on and around the premises’; never in the premises.

    “The roots of the dialogue reach back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when leaders of the African Diaspora began to advocate for….” ‘Advocate’ cannot accommodate ‘for’ in verbal contexts.

    “To prove that he had not quite forgotten all the stuff that he crammed from such columns in those days, he went on to recite off-head some scientific definitions.…” We recite off-hand. To do otherwise will be fatal!

    “Pupils and their parents will continue to cut corners, in spite of such measures, for as long as the dearth of facilities in our educational institutions remain a permanent feature of our schools.” Simple concord: the dearth…remains a permanent feature of our schools.

    “Watching these kids sing and play together evoke the thought that most adults, if not all, should hold their heads in shame.” Watching these kids…evokes.

    “Prophet Nathan’s famous warning came after the deed has been done.” (Source: as above) Perfect past: after the deed had been done.

    “As the fall-outs of our economic direction accumulate….” ‘Fallout’ is non-count and one word.

    The next six mistakes are from NEWSWATCH DAILY of September 26: “The military indicated that the soldiers were charged for mutiny…” Standard expression: charged with.

    “However, the cost of damages to the installations could not be ascertained.” ‘Damage’ is non-count except in legal reparation.

    ‘As president, Jonathan will have to combat the unemployment problem by coming down….” I doubt if there’s any context where ‘unemployment’ will not be a problem.

    FEEDBACK

    MY brother, thanks for your forage into broadcast news. I am just listening to Radio Nigeria at 4 p.m. (September 23). You won’t believe this: “Cattle rustlers arrested in Katsina State for stealing several cattles (cattle)”! Even if the editor did not know, what about the newsreader? Hope your family is okay? (Sunny Agbontaen/08062998165)

    JUST done with your sweet piece, Spirit of activism. I celebrate your tribe. And at the same time, I feel sorry for our universities. (Charles Iyoha/09099879033)

  • Apostolic Faith pioneer cleric buried

    One of the founding fathers of the Apostolic Faith Church in Africa, Reverend Hector Abimbola Elebute, who died on August 31 at 97 years was buried last Friday after a funeral service at the Apostolic Faith Campground, Anthony, Lagos.

    Though it was a work day, many came from far and wide. It could have been mistaken for a worship session or a congress, but they were there to pay their last respects to the man who was the last survivors of the pioneer fathers of the church in Africa.

    It was a solemn moment of the church and the entire orchestra, in their full regalia and angelic voices, sang solo songs reminding all of eternity. Many wore gloomy faces and starred at the white casket bearing the remains of the deceased, placed at the altar of the auditorium of the church.

    The District Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith West and Central Africa, Rev Adebayo Adeniran, in a sermon entitled: ‘Where art Thou?’, he likened the phrase to go beyond the physical address of a person to one’s spiritual location which determines eternal damnation.

    “Where is your spiritual address? Rev Adeniran asked.

    In a tribute to the late Rev Elebute, Rev Adeniran described the deceased as a true christian, a courageous leader who lived a life of commitment and dedication to the service of God and humanity, who God left behind to guide the trust and raise the standard of the gospel for many generations in love.

    “Over 60 years ago, he began the production of Yoruba lessons in his

    private printing press, providing a platform upon which the church’s printing press emerged and thrived.

    The late Elebute retired from the board of the church in 2012.

  • Walking in wisdom for financial dominion!

    Walking in wisdom for financial dominion!

    We understand from the scriptures that wisdom is the custodian of wealth (Proverbs 8:18-21). That is why, ‘the wiser the wealthier’, is a common trend in scriptures, as exemplified in the following examples:

    • ABRAHAM: He was a man who walked with God and the Bible says he that walks with the wise shall be wise (Genesis 17:1, Proverbs 13:20). Abraham was a wise and wealthy man and the Bible records that he was very rich in cattle, silver and gold(Genesis 13:2).
    • DAVID: He was said to be as wise as an angel. As a result of his level of wisdom, David commanded financial dominion and he lived in the realm of over and above (2 Samuel 14:20, 1 Chronicles 29:3-6).
    • SOLOMON: He was the wisest in Bible history and also the wealthiest (1 Kings 3:12-13). Solomon loved the Lord and He lavished him with the Spirit of wisdom as he requested, thereby making him wiser and wealthier than all men in his days (1 Kings 4:22-28).

    Remember, God, the all wise God is the custodian of the wealth of the whole universe. Haggai 2:8 says: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of (See also Jude 25, Psalm 24:1). From all the above, it is evident that it takes wisdom to walk in the realm of wealth.

    BUT, WHAT IS WISDOM? Wisdom is all about putting God’s Word to work in our lives (Matthew 7:24-25). It implies that wisdom is simply applied knowledge. Therefore, a crave for knowledge is the highway to wisdom (Proverbs 4:7). For instance, we understand that giving is God’s wisdom that launches us into realms of financial fortune. Luke 6:38 says: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

    The reason many people are frustrated is because they don’t understand the wisdom of God behind giving and receiving. It is important to know that there is a time lag between our giving and receiving, just like in sowing and reaping (Mark 4:26-28).

    Biblical Wisdom for Acceptable Giving

    • We must give in FAITH: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…But without faith it is impossible to please him… (Hebrew 11:4-6). Therefore, it takes faith for our seed to be acceptable.
    • We must give CHEERFULLY: 2 Cor. 9:6-7 says: …He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
    • We must give WILLINGLY: 2 Cor. 8:12 says: For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath… We must not give under pressure, or we miss our rewards.
    • We must give in LOVE: Our giving to God and the poor must be love-motivated (1 Corinthians 13:3).
    • We must give HONOURABLY: It is not every seed that God receives; He receives only honourable seeds. We must understand that what is considered honourable for one is considered dishonourable for another. Therefore, we must give what is honourable at our level per time (Malachi 1:6-8, Proverb 3:9-10, 1 Samuel 2:30).
    • We must give SACRIFICIALLY: Anytime we offer our seed, we must let it bear a cost on us. For instance, David purposed not to offer burnt offerings to God, which cost him nothing. After he offered his ‘costly’ seed, the Lord was entreated for the land, and the plague ceased in Israel (2 Samuel 24:24-25).
    • We must give TIRELESSLY: This is because we can only reap our harvest in due season, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

    Remember, we are ordained to walk in financial dominion and Jesus died, among other things, to connect us with the blessings of Abraham, which includes financial fortune (Genesis 13:2; Isaiah 51:1-3).

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

    Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books:

    Understanding Financial Prosperity, Covenant Wealth and Winning The War Against Poverty.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

    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

  • Adeboye condemns abortion, approves use of contraceptives

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has condemned the act of abortion as ungodly and not biblical.

    Adeboye made this known at the monthly prayer and thanksgiving service organised for pregnant women at the RCCG, National Headquarters, Throne of Grace, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

    The programme tagged Shout of Joy brought together thousands of waiting mothers and featured bible teachings, prayers, prophetic ministration and anointing service.

    According to him, the bible condemns abortion in its entirety and othe church is against it because it is ungodly and unbiblical.

    He said that although God is not against family planning as it is permitted to prevent pregnancy among married couples but as soon as the sperm meets with the egg, any attempt to abort it is not biblical.

    Adeboye, who spoke through the Special Assistant on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said “you can prevent pregnancy but once the egg and the sperm meet and is formed, anything that suggests that it should be terminated is against God’s word.”

    On when the life of the pregnant mother is at risk and the option of abortion is being considered, he said “the option of abortion is an option preferred by medical professionals but as Christians, we believe in miracles and that God is able to take away every problems.”

    “There is nothing God cannot do even if the life of the woman is at stake; pray for a divine intervention and God who created the universe knows what to do in any situation we find ourselves as we look up to him in faith.”

    He gave a testimony about God’s miraculous intervention on his wife whom medical personnel had said would not be able to give birth again because her womb had been damaged; Adeboye said “today we have all our children without any ceasarian operation because we trusted in God that cannot fail.”

    He encouraged pregnant women to always take time out to rest, eat well and avoid too much stress as life is too short to live carelessly.

    Adeboye opined that children will definitely fight themselves and give mothers tough times during pregnancy but mothers must not come themselves up. He said “play your part in the training of your children, watch and be careful that you don’t stress yourself.”

  • Ministry gets worship centre

    The Federal Ministry of Water Resources on Sunday inaugurated its staff worship centre.

    The Christian Staff Fellowship Chapel was built by the ministry for its workers.

    Declaring the chapel open, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe charged staff of the ministry to keep the fire from the altar burning.

    Ochekpe urged them to be steadfast in their faith, while also urging them to be dedicated and committed to God.

    She said: “The fire on this altar must not die, you must keep it glow at all time. It is our responsibility to make sure that the fire must not die.

    “I believe if we dedicate ourselves to God because he is a faithful God, if we are not ashamed of the gospel and stand firm, the ministry will shine like light.

    “As Christians, we cannot separate our lives as Christians and civil servants. They must all be the same. If we stand firm and resist the devil I believe it will flee from us.

    “I have always said on different occasions that angels will not come to repair Nigeria, it is us that will repair it.

    “If we think of what we will eat and drink and cut corners to get, we might not get there.”