The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Joy as OPM pupils return from free Paris tour

    Joy as OPM pupils return from free Paris tour

    •More’ll go, Chinyere assures

    Members and well-wishers of Omega Power Ministries were in ecstatic mood at the Port-Harcourt International Airport Omagwa last week when five students of the church’s tuition-free nursery and primary school returned from an overseas trip.

    The five lucky students are:  Daniella Chukwu, Lucky Chukwuemeka, Daniel Okezie, Success Manasseh and Chinedu Okafor.

    They were in France for two weeks for an exchange educational tour sponsored by the general overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere.

    The Director of OPM’s welfare department, Mrs. Maureen Chukwu, and a tour guard accompanied the five pupils on the trip.

    Chinyere told reporters at the airport that the church will not relent in giving hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.

    Daddy OPM, as he is fondly called, reiterated his commitment to bettering the lot of the less-privileged and putting them on a platform to succeed.

    According to him: “These pupils never dreamt of travelling abroad but God has made it possible for them. That is what we want to do and make happen.

    “We want to give the less-privileged a voice and opportunity to be the best God created them to be. We don’t want anybody to die less because of economic capacity.”

    He said the screening took cognisance of their poor backgrounds, noting that most of the pupils are children of widows and widowers.

    Chinyere assured that the foreign tour will continue for pupils of the school, stating that they will go in batches to accommodate every interest.

    On how he generated funding for the tour, the cleric said it came from the tithes and offerings of the church.

    He chided church leaders who feed fat on tithes and offering, saying such donations are meant to uplift the poor.

    One of the parents, Mrs. Josephine Chukwu, said her husband died in 2012 leaving the family with nothing.

    “In my moment of trial, I located OPM. One day, I was in the church crying to God to see me through hardship when daddy gave two of my children admission to free OPM school.

    “Today, I am a living witness to my daughter, Daniella, being sponsored overseas by the man of God.

    “To me, it is like a dream that a woman like me without hope can be picked up by somebody who did not relate to me to care for,” she said.

    Mrs. Gladdys Chukwuemeka, a food seller at Rumuokoro junction, was overjoyed.

    She could only mutter: “I who could not dream of going to the airport can now see my son travelling overseas, courtesy of the general overseer of OPM.”

    Mrs. Chioma Unegbu, a widower, praised Chinyere for the gesture.

  • Makinde warns against violence

    •Tinubu, Fashola, Diya extol Atilade at 70

    The Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Ola Makinde, has warned individuals or groups breeding any form of religious intolerance in the south west to desist and toe the path of peace.

    He spoke last Sunday at the 70th birthday thanksgiving of President Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria & Overseas, Archbishop Magnus, who is also the South West chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    The service with the theme praise and adoration attracted friends and well-wishers of the celebrator as well as traditional rulers, captains of industry, diplomats, politicians, religious leaders and government functionaries.

    Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was represented by women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Kemi Nelson, led the dignitaries which included former Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya (Retd).

    The Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola, was represented by his Special Adviser on Religion, Rev. Akintoye Buramo, while Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, was represented by the Commissioner for Works, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite.

    There was also former Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, and Comrade Ayo Opadokun, among others.

    Makinde emphasised the needs for peaceful coexistence.

    He said: “I appeal to youth to desist from criminal activities and must not allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble in the name of religious, tribe or ethnic differences because murderers will not go to heaven.”

    He decried the insurgency in the north, saying the development was drawing back the country by several years.

    Makinde eulogised Atilade, saying they have been friends for the past 25 years.

    According to him: “Atilade is a man of peace, outstanding statesman, pastor, shepherd, a gift from God, a father, fearless and courageous to the truth which should be emulated.

    “Atilade is a man of peace. Let there be peace in the western region. Lagos is a mini Nigeria; we don’t have anywhere to run to when the chips are down. Please give peace a chance.”

    He charged the celebrator to remain close to God.

    Makinde said: “Be close to God in all you do. Be heavenly focussed. You have reached the biblical age of 70; lead others to heaven and make sure to get there yourself.”

    Tinubu, who appreciated the efforts of the celebrator in the development of democratic principles in Lagos, said: “I will never forget your roles in bringing democracy to Nigeria by all means which we will forever grateful.”

    Fashola said the state needs more of Atilade’s stature for advice and statesmanship.

    Atilade, who was full of gratitude to God for preserving his life, said: “I thank God as He has been so merciful and kind to me. To God be the glory, dominion, majesty and power.”

  • Nine steps to effective prayer

    God loves and cares for you and wants you to communicate with Him always, not when you feel like. Your communion with God should be like the Hart that pants after the water brooks, so let your heart and soul pant after God.

    The Hart is an animal who when is thirsty will forsake everything to look for water to drink. As soon as it finds the water it jumps inside and begins to drink. As the water is so important to the Hart so is our prayer to Him.God is never tired of prayer of His people because He loves fellowship. Prayer is fellowshipping with God.

    Many believers are frustrated because of unanswered prayer. Is it because God is wicked or on holiday? No! After all, He permits us to call upon Him (Jeremiah 33:3). The more you fellowship with Him, the better you are known of Him.

    The reason why certain prayers don’t receive answer is due to the following: (1.) lack of knowledge of the principles of prayer(2.) We abuse His sovereignty and take God for granted forgetting that He is just as loving and also a terrible God if foolishly proved.(3.) We see God as a spare Tyre, only used when needed. (Proverbs 1:24-30). God will always be God. No one can remote control Him.

    Last week we taught on Step Four “Adoration”. Today is the fifth step “Communion.”

    What is Communion?

    Communion means sharing, participation, intimacy, friendship and comradeship. We collectively share the grace after fellowship by declaring (2 Corinthians 13:14). (1.) Jesus – grace (2.) The Fatherly love of God (John 3:16) (3.) A deepening fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14c).

    If this three-fold reality is our abiding blessing, then our everlasting salvation will be assured.As you move from adoration into Communion, your prayers are no longer just words.

    True prayer comes from the heart and is based upon relationship. It is the language of heaven, the avenue by which we enter the throne room of heaven and commune with our loving heavenly Father.

    Who are you in communion with? You can either be in communion with God or with the devil, depending on the attitude of your heart (Matthew 5:8). Who do you submit to? Who do you obey? A wicked heart cannot communicate with God. All believers are meant to be in communion with the Lord.

    Communion is communicating with God. Wonderful reader, can you believe the love, faithfulness and awesomeness of God? Isn’t it exciting for a mortal man to communicate with a living God in the supernatural and who at the same time dwells in us in the person of the Holy Spirit?

    Communion is the key and without communion there will be no true breakthrough.

    Who are those that can communicate with God?

    Those who are genuinely born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. No believer can communicate with God without the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:9, 26-27).

    Total freedom can only come if you are connected to God. You get connected to God as you give your life to Christ.

    Write and share your suggestion,questions and testimony with me through: Pastor Amanda Ogunro, Rivers of Living Water Ministries, 540 Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos. P.M.B 2854, Surulere Lagos, Nigeria. Call 07064733154 or email info@rlwm.org.

  • Okonkwo, Otabil, others seek release of abducted girls

    A group of eminent church leaders in Africa, The Council of African Apostles, has called for the immediate release of more than 230 abducted female students of Government Secondary, Chibok in Borno State.

    It described the abduction as a deplorable act of terrorism affecting innocent lives with nothing whatever to do with the conflicts or grievances of Boko Haram, the radical Islamic sect.

    In a joint statement signed by the President of the Council of Africa Apostles Bishop Tudor Bismark of Zimbabwe, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of Nigeria and Dr. Mensa Otabil of Ghana, the Council said: “the abduction and other related callous acts of terror that have been undertaken by Boko Haram in the recent past should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

    “The reports that they are being sold off into marriage for US$12.00 and that others have died of snake bites only serve to make the call for their urgent return, they should not have been touched by this conflict in the first place.”

    The Council called on “the Federal Government of Nigeria to exercise real leadership over this matter and use every disposable means it has to ensure that these girls are reunited with their families within the shortest possible time.

    “Beyond the safe return of the girls, we are also calling for the government to engage Boko Haram and find a peaceful solution to immediately end this violence that has claimed many innocent lives who otherwise have no stake whatever issues that are currently under contestation.”

    It added:  “We are also calling for leaders from different faith groups to have a dialogue and especially for leadership from the Muslim faith to strongly disassociate themselves from these cowardly acts of terror being carried out in the name of their religion.”

    The ministers stated that the recent attacks have placed a dark cloud over the peaceful co-existence of Christians and Muslims, deeply wounding the conscience of those who uphold human life and also leading to a deterioration of public trust and tolerance of different opinions.

  • Paths to turnarounds, by cleric

    Faithful believers can still experience turnarounds before the year ends just like Jacob broke through before the breaking of the day, the senior pastor of Rapture Assurance Ministry (RAM), Pastor Daniel Ikpe, has assured.

    He urged them to be focused and refuse distractions to experience astounding divine transformation.

    “Your present unfavorable condition can change for better: bad financial situation, single marital status, unemployment, disappointment, frustration and barrenness to mention just a few,” he reiterated.

    Speaking on the theme: You can still manifest last week during the 10th anniversary celebration of the church in Lagos, Ikpe admonished worshippers desirous of having the much- desired change to make out time for themselves, invest their energy wisely and spend quality time praying.

    He noted a lot of people who entered this year with lots of expectations are already getting apprehensive as the year is fast winding down.

    No matter the setbacks encountered in the past, he said the race is still open and the chances for supernatural manifestation and breakthrough very bright.

    He admonished Christians to always keep their spirit high andm look up to the source of our help which is only from God who made the heavens and the earth.

    “Let us awake in our spirits for we can do a lot to change our lives for better today,” Ikpe charged.

    To change every negative situation in life, the cleric challenged Christians to set out time to be alone with God just as Jacob did.

    But he said being alone with God is only productive in the atmosphere of prayer.

    According to him:”The wrestling bout that Jacob had with the God of blessing was prayer, separate yourself in prayers and bring forth your dreams in Jesus name.”

  • Cleric seeks unity

    The unity of the church is vital to the resurrection of godly values in Nigeria, the secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Sapele Local government area of Delta State, Rev. Musa Bello, has stated.

    He spoke at the 8th edition of Easter celebration of St Martin’s Catholic Church Sapele recently.

    Musa advised Christians to close ranks and rally around common objectives.

    This, he said, will make the church effective in its mandate to save the world.

    Musa said Christians must let go of their differences for the important task of global evangelism.

    He lamented disunity in the body of Christ, saying the development is killing the faith and sending millions to hell.

  • For Bolanle Okusanya- Feyita, mourning is over

    For Bolanle Okusanya- Feyita, mourning is over

    BOLANLE Okusanya-Feyita, a renowned make-up artist and the first daughter of the late MIC Royal Limited boss, Tunji Okusanya, may have gotten over the shock of her father’s death. The CEO of Makeuppro who had been quiet since the demise of her father was one of the key organisers of the recently held Makeup In Nigeria Conference.  After the death of her father, Bolanle proved critics wrong that apart from a male child, a well-nurtured female child can also make the parents proud as she has since assumed the leadership of MIC Royal Limited, her late father’s thriving business.

    Bolanle, the CEO of Makeuppro, used to be one of the top makeup artists in the country before she relocated to the UK a couple of years back after she got married. She is one of the lucky few who is making waves in the UK as her portfolio has been on the rise. She is an educator at Christine Blundell Academy and beauty editor at OK! Magazine Nigeria. She had worked at several leading brands including body shop, Elizabeth Arden, Lancaster, Clarins, Molton Brown, Nars and Mac, before she launched her own line, Makeuppro collection in 2005.

  • Babatunde Williams takes new responsibility

    Babatunde Williams takes new responsibility

    BABATUNDE, the second son of the late slain politician, Engineer Funso Williams, hugged limelight after the demise of his father. He was made the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Corporate Matters during the first term of Governor Babatunde Fashola. Since the expiry of his tenure, not much has been heard about him. We can tell you for free that the scion of the Williams’ family now calls the shot at the Lagos Ferry Services Company.

    Babatunde is married to Sonita, the daughter of former Information Minister, Walter Ofonagoro.

  • Style secret

    Style secret

    •Fit is everything

    There is no way around it if the gown is ill-fitting, it just won’t work. The most important thing to looking good is to make sure that you have a really good fit. If things don’t fit right, then you are going to be tugging at them or pulling them up or you have to worry about weird undergarments.

     

    •Have a back-up plan

    Even if you have your heart set on a gown, it’s always a good idea to have two or three options on hand.

     

    •Carefully consider undergarments

    Whether it’s full-body armour to hold everything in place or a flesh-toned slip, what you wear underneath the gown can pretty much make or break your red carpet look.

     

    •Wear comfortable heels

    You cannot always expect to find fabulous strappy heels that match perfectly to your dress and fit comfortably. “A really good tricky one that I always have in my kit is spray deodorant,” says Peden – a style consultant. “A lot of the time, shoes are a little too small and this often leads to swollen or sweaty feet. So, spray deodorant actually help shoes fit better.” Spray deodorant inside of the heel of your shoe before heading out. “Your foot slides in and it just stays cool and dry.”

     

    •Practice your red carpet pose

    You want to work your dress in front of the cameras and not the other way around.

  • Benjamin Obadan’s daughter, Adejoke, marries

    Benjamin Obadan’s daughter, Adejoke, marries

    Daughter of former Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Air-Vice Marshal Benjamin Olu Obadan (retd), Efeomo Adejoke, got married to her heartthrob and son of Sir Sunday Okubule, Adesegun Adewale, a staff of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), in Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there.