The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Nigeria’s crusade team ignites revival in Burundi

    Nigeria’s crusade team ignites revival in Burundi

    •Over 500 accepted Christ 

    No fewer than 500 Burundians last week gave their lives to Christ at a three-day crusade organised by Lagos-based Abraham Evangelistic Ministry (AEM) in Bujumbura.

    The crusade with the theme God of all nations attracted thousands at the expansive ground of Zion Temple Church in the city.

    The President of AEM, Bishop Abraham Olaleye, who led the team from Nigeria, stated that Jesus remains the ultimate solution provider to all human problems.

    He charged Burundians to embrace Christ, assuring that the nation will witness spontaneous progress should Jesus become their master.

    According to him: “If Burundi embraces Jesus, if you would find Christ, every blessing hiding from you will find their way to you.”

    Olaleye added: “When Jesus shows up in Burundi, every great thing you cannot imagine will begin to spring forth.”

    Jesus, he said, does not just save from sins but also makes living worthwhile.

    Launching into the prophetic realm, the fiery evangelist said: “Foreign investors will begin to come to Burundi. Very soon, fewer than the fingers of my hands, Burundi will become the centre of development.

    “Burundi may be small but it will perform great feats in Africa.”

    Rev. Toyin Kehinde urged Burundians to shun sins and embrace the light of the gospel.

    He stated that God is looking for souls to save, saying Burundians stand the best chance to accomplish their destinies in Christ.

    Bishop Joseph Akintunde, who delivered a touching message on the finished works of Christ on the cross, challenged Burundians to turn their lives over to God.

    He assured that all the bitterness of sin as well as contending forces will give way when they succumb to the leadership of Jesus.

    President Pierre Nkurunziza, who attended the church’s service conducted by the team, held the congregation spell bound with testimony of his survival from a childhood sickness and years as a rebel leader in the bush.

    He attributed his rise to prominence to God despite a rocky background, urging Burundians to trust in Him.

    “I never asked to be president; I only told God that if he saved me from the war, I would serve Him. I am where I am today by the grace of God.

    “Since He bought me this far, He can do the same for you and much more,” he assured.

    He thanked the team for braving the odds to come to Burundi, stating that the country can never remain the same again.

  • Etisalat rewards customers with trip to Brazil

    Etisalat rewards customers with trip to Brazil

    Etisalat Nigeria recently rewarded some customers with a 7-day all expenses paid holiday to Brazil during the just concluded 2014 FIFA World Cup football competition under the Company’s ‘Going the Extra Mile’ [GEM] programme.

    The trip is part of the company’s customer loyalty proposition for high values customers to improve their experience on the network.

    Speaking on the company’s rationale for this reward, Director, Consumer Marketing Segment at Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa said, “Our customer loyalty program, Etisalat GEM reflects our continuous drive to provide our customers with the best experience on the network. Etisalat is always Going the Extra Mile (GEM) to reward its customers and help them achieve their dreams. The trip to Brazil is one aspect of our GEM initiative to delight our loyal high value customers. Mr Oniwon’s testimony is a demonstration that Etisalat rewards customers for being part of its network”.

    For Abuja based GEM customer, Job Oniwon, the trip was a dream come true courtesy of Etisalat Nigeria.

    He said, “Prior to Etisalat’s decision to send me to the Samba country, I had always dreamt of watching the World Cup live but I never knew Etisalat would make my dream come true. I count myself lucky to have benefited from Etisalat’s sponsorship.  I enjoyed every moment of the trip to Brazil. My most memorable moment while in Brazil was the day I watched the Nigeria-Argentina match live at Porto Alegre. It was scintillating and very exciting. Equally fascinating was my visit to Santos City, precisely Museu Pele (Pele’s Museum). The historical sporting archive in the museum remains engraved in my memory.’

    An elated Oniwon expressed gratitude to Etisalat for taking him to Brazil and giving him what he described as ‘a first-class treat’.

    In just 5 years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of 19 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include  easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

    Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 15 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 150 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.

  • Foursquare church brainstorms

    Foursquare Gospel Church, Orile Iganmu,  will hold its annual general membership meeting today.

    Various ministries and departments will present their activities and efforts to advance in the course of the gospel in the last one year.

    The annual meeting will also witness presentation of the church audited accounts for the church year 2013/2014.

    At the meeting, goals for the new church year and other strategic initiatives to advance the course of the gospel will be discussed.

    In a statement signed by the Chairman AGMM Committee, Bro. Eric Ojisua, the programme will be a time of refreshing in the presence of the Lord and fellowship with one another.

    According to the statement, the Senior Pastor, Pastor ‘Femi Akinwande is expected to challenge leaders and workers to re-dedicate their lives to Christ and work for the spread of the gospel.

    It holds at the church auditorium 39, Nurudeen Street, Orile Iganmu.

  • An HIV-free generation

      It begins with you

    Worldwide, Nigeria has the second highest number of new infections reported each year, and an estimated 3.7 percent of the population are living with human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). The number of people living with HIV is 3, 400,000 in Nigeria.

    Young people are the mostly affected by the AIDS epidemic.  According to UNAIDS, every day an estimated 2 500 people aged 15-24 are infected with HIV and this accounts for more than 40 percent of new infections of all people aged 15 and over.

    HIV (human Immune Deficiency Virus ) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The virus damages or destroys the cells of the immune system, leaving them unable to fight infections and certain cancers.

    Causes of HIV in children

    Most HIV infections in children are passed from mother to child during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breastfeeding. However, thanks to preventive treatment regimens, the incidence of mother-to-child HIV transmission is decreasing. In 2009, an estimated 370,000 children contracted HIV during the prenatal and breastfeeding period, down from 500,000 in 2001, according to UNAIDS report.

    Other causes of child HIV include:

    •Blood transfusions.

    •Illicit drug use.

    •Sexual transmission.

    Symptoms of HIV among children

    •Failure to thrive, which is the failure to gain weight or grow according to standardised growth charts used by pediatricians.

    •Failure to reach developmental milestones during the expected time frame.

    •Brain or nervous system problems, characterised by seizures; difficulty with walking, or poor performance in school.

    •Frequent childhood illnesses such as ear infections, colds, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

    How to lead the change

    1)      Live a positive life

    2)      Create awareness in your school, home, market places about HIV and how children can protect themselves from the virus.

    3)      Volunteer your time, skills with a community based organisation, children and youth friendly initiatives that address behavioural change among children and teens.

    4)      Lead the change with your ideas, voice, and demand for a more pragmatic intervention programmes from government and other stakeholders on HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment among young people.

    Remember that the future belongs to you and the only way you can make a change is to stand up and be counted for what is right.

  • Christian group supports Ikuforiji’s gov aspiration

    A religious organisation, Christian Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC), has thrown its weight behind the aspiration of Lagos State Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, to govern the state in 2015.

    The Chairman of the Christian anti-corruption body, Bishop (Dr) Francis Shopekan, disclosed this at the weekend while presenting the outstanding leaders award to the Speaker in his Alausa Ikeja office.

    Shopekan, who came with the executive members of the group, said: “We have been reliably informed that you want to be governor of the state; we will like to be one of those who will give you support for this project.”

    He explained that having observed the Speaker and how he has been leading the House of Assembly for a long time, he said: “You are a good man, contrary to the negative impression some people have about you.”

    The award, according to Shopekan, “is being given to you after you have been duly nominated and recommended by well-meaning people in the society.

    “We want you to know that we have carefully followed your track record, works and all activities since you resumed office as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly.”

    He argued that Ikuforiji’s “untainted integrity, fight for good governance, commitment to the development of the Lagos State and Nigeria and your exemplary leadership qualities, distinguished you as the best man for this award.”

    Ikuforiji expressed his profound appreciation to the organisation for the award.

    He said that the Assembly’s commitment to selfless service and good governance stemmed from the consciousness that Lagos State is a special place and as such deserves excellent treatment.

  • Child’s play

    Child’s play

    With the long vacation for schools fast approaching, the National Troupe is preparing to host the fourth edition of its annual Children Creative Station Workshop (CCSW). The workshop is conceived as a long vacation theatre workshop for children between the ages of five and seventeen and it is primarily aimed at exposing participants to general theatre practice and appreciation of the creative arts.

    The 2014 edition according to the coordinator of the project and director in charge of Drama of the National Troupe, Ms Josephine Igberaese, would begin as from the first week of August 2014 and will run for a period of one month. She also disclosed that at the end of the creative workshop exercise, the participants would be expected to put up a performance that will detail all they have learnt during the one-month training period. ‘What we are doing is in line with one of our objectives which is to encourage the development of children’s theatre. But beyond that we have used the project successfully over the last three years to groom future theatre practitioners who may want to take up a career in the theatre and allied genre like taking part in Nigeria’s Nollywood’’.

    Explaining further that one of the other objectives behind the exercise is to engage the children creatively during the long holidays

  • Senator Seye Ogunlewe gives out daughter in marriage

    Senator Seye Ogunlewe gives out daughter in marriage

    It was a day of joy for Adeola Ogunlewe, the daughter of former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, as she exchanged marital vows with her heartthrob, Moses Edewor.  The event was held at Anchor Event Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos. Olusegun Rapheal was there.

  • Beautify your neck with scarf

    Beautify your neck with scarf

    WE would be talking about beautifully patterned scarves. This accessory which has been used down the ages is back with a bang!

    Beautiful scarfs, with a good colour mix and designs can add to one beauty. Scarf’s can be tied round the neck or simply hanged or wrapped round the head. With a beautiful scarf, you could even look more gorgeous than those wearing more expensive neck jewelry. A scarf that is colourful and stylish could brighten and beautify the face. Scarves are now very conspicuous everywhere, be it at socials, in the office and at places of leisure. Some are cheap while others are expensive. Whether cheap or not, the way you tie and knot your scarf will go a long way in determining how gorgeous you will look. This season simply wrap it round your neck, scarves are the hottest neck accessory!

  • Church holds prayer summit, convention

    The inter-denominational quarterly prayer summit organised by The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM) Int’l, aka Prophetic & Solution Chapel, Lagos holds on Monday August 4 from 8am to 3pm.

    The summit precedes the second Holy Spirit convention of the church with the theme provoking amazing miracles.

    The convention holds from August 5-9 with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, August 10 by 10.am.

    Venue is Sekunderin Int’l Miracle Prayer Mountain, Iyana Agbala Tuntun, New Ife Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The host, Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade- Joel, will lead other ministers including Apostle Tim Gbasha (Lagos), Rev’d Dr. Joshua Telane (Abuja) and others to the events.

  • Power Park Mission church’s camp meeting

    The Holy Ghost Fire Camp of the Power Park Mission Church International holds from August 17-24 at 32, Oluwakemi, Temitayo Street off Shangoremi lane Powerline Isheri-Berger, Lagos.

    The theme of the event is Thy Kingdom come (Luke 11:2).

    The Chief host, Apostle Dennis Elum, said the programme is for spiritual uplift of participants.