The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Middle-East war: A carnage piercing human conscience

    Middle-East war: A carnage piercing human conscience

    After attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, about 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas, with the goal to force Israel to release Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his government would “take mighty vengeance” against Hamas. The conflict in Gaza has turned everyday life into a relentless battle for survival, with women and children bearing the brunt. Iran, Hezbollah and Houthis are sucked into the crisis too with their citizens bearing the effects. It is a conflict that captured global attention in the latter part of 2024, Assistant Editor Bola Olajuwon writes.

    The Israeli government formally declared war on Sunday, October 8, 2023 on Hamas militants in Gaza, setting the stage for a massive military response to the group’s surprise attack on the Jewish state.

    The Hamas attack on 7 October, 2023 involved a rocket barrage and a few thousand militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking civilian communities and military bases.

    During this attack, 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals were reportedly killed, including 815 civilians.

    The governing leaders of Gaza, Hamas, said the attack was in response to Israel’s continued occupation, blockade, expansion of settlements, disregard for international law, as well as alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the general plight of Palestinians.

    After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched one of the most destructive bombing campaigns in modern history and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages. Ahead of the Cabinet vote, Netanyahu declared that Israel would “take mighty vengeance” against Hamas, even as its soldiers battled Hamas fighters in the streets of southern Israel and launched retaliatory airstrikes that leveled buildings in Gaza.

    Despite the vows of Netanyahu and the now dismissed Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, that Hamas, who they described as “human animals”, would be routed in a flash, the war is still on.

    Palestinians’ relentless battle for survival

    The ongoing conflict in Gaza has turned everyday life into a relentless battle for survival, with women and children bearing the brunt of the human tragedy visited on them. With no homes, schools, and a sense of normalcy, Palestinian young souls navigate a grim reality where the basic need for food has become an elusive luxury. Hunger gnaws at their frail bodies, and the constant threat of violence has robbed them of laughter, safety, and dreams. Hospital facilities have been reduced to rubbles and medical personnel killed and maimed.

    The dire situation forced the world to look beyond the statistics and see the faces behind the crisis. But maddening diplomacy and international interests of unipolar world seems to becloud global leaders. Even United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and his team are helpless.

    It is the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. It is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

    Iran, Hezbollah and Houthi rebels join the crisis

    Lebanon’s Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces across the border since its ally Hamas in Gaza and Israel went to war. The violence on the frontier between Israel and Lebanon is the deadliest escalation since Hezbollah and the Israeli military fought a major war in 2006.

    Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah in 1982, in the middle of Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war. It was part of Iran’s effort to exports its 1979 Islamic Revolution around the region and fight Israeli forces after their 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

    Read Also: Akpabio flags off medical outreach to support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda

    Also, fueled by Iranian military support and expertise, the Houthis used the nearly decade-long war to dramatically expand their military capabilities and cement their control of northern Yemen. Houthis were equally drawn into the war and despite United States-led attacks to serve as deterrent, have not seized in their hatred for Israeli and Jewish-bound ships.

    Iran and Israel had also in recent times exchanged missile and drone attacks.

    ‘Palestinian death toll surpasses 44,000’

    The Gaza Health Ministry last weekend indicated that Palestinian death toll from the war has surpassed 44,000 and about 16 notable Hamas and Hezbollah leaders had been killed by Israel.

    They include Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Lebanon’s Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He led Hezbollah through decades of conflict with Israel, overseeing its transformation into a military force with regional sway and becoming one of the most prominent Arab figures in generations – with Iranian backing.

    Also, the Israeli Army on September 30, 2024 “eliminated” Hamas’ leader Sharif in Lebanon, as it continued to target Iran-backed militant groups in the neighbouring country. One of Hezbollah’s top commanders, Ali Karaki, was killed in the airstrike that assassinated Nasrallah. The Israeli military said more than 20 militants of varying ranks were killed in the strike on an underground bunker.

    Others included Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated on July 31 during a visit to Tehran. He had been the Hamas leader since 2017.

    ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, ‘late’ Hamas leader

    The decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and a top Hamas official puts them in a small group of leaders accused of crimes against humanity.

    Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, were accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. The decision was met with outrage in Israel, which called it shameful and absurd. But Hamas welcomed the warrants against the Israelis, and a senior official said it was a first step towards justice.

    Netanyahu’s office said the ICC decision was “antisemitic” and he will “not yield to pressure, will not be deterred” until Israel’s war objectives are met. U.S. President Joe Biden called the arrest warrant “outrageous”.

    Can warrant reduce the carnage?

    Qatar had withdrawn from negotiating truce among the parties and the U.S. that had sent top diplomatic and security envoys to mediate too vetoed a United Nations (UN) motion on ceasefire.

    The world is watching whether South Africa’s case, which led to the ICC prosecutors demanding the issuing of the arrest warrants, will finally drag the Israeli and Hamas leaders to the negotiation table.

    However, Netanyahu, who himself has cases to answer, is holding tightly to power and has not achieved the objectives of the war: to eradicate Hamas and its threats and return the kidnapped Israelis and foreigners – most of whom analysts argued would have been killed in Israeli bombardments of tunnels.

    The Israel and Hamas war continues and it will take years to reconstruct infrastructure as well as build peace and mutual co-existence.

  • Maiduguri floods and Majiya tanker explosion

    Maiduguri floods and Majiya tanker explosion

    • DISASTERS OF THE YEAR

    Nigeria witnessed quite a significant number of disasters this year. Early in the year, specifically in the evening of january 16, there was a major explosion at deji oyelese close in old bodija, ibadan, oyo state. Many were injured and about 80 houses destroyed. There had been several ghastly motor accidents that claimed quite a substantial number of lives. Bandits and terrorists also sentenced many people to untimely deaths. There were several tanker explosions and trailers overturning. Several fire incidents with several casualties. Many parts of the country were also hit by devastating floods.

    Indeed, information on 2024 Flood: National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) Dashboard shows that 154 local governments in 29 states were affected by flood this year. Other metrics by the center: 611,201 persons and 83,457 houses were affected, 225,169 displaced, 201 lives lost, 2,119 sustained injuries while 115,265 hectares of farmlands were destroyed. That is for this year alone. And we are sure the figures must be far higher because they are for the reported ones.

    But two of the most significant disasters that shook the country were the Maiduguri flood in Borno State and the tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State.

    The September 9 devastating flood that struck Maiduguri after the Alau Dam in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, (about 20 kilometres away from the state capital, Maiduguri) breached due to structural damage, is significant in several respects. The dam was constructed in 1986 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida for irrigation purposes, flood control, and water supply. It was the second time that the Alau Dam would overflow since 2012.

    Of course, before this incident, there had been torrential rainfall in the state between June and September, when the rainy season peaked. The downpour across the state had worsened the flooding in Biu, Chibok, Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, and Jere local government areas over a period of time. But the collapse of the dam exacerbated the flooding in Maiduguri.

    The state governor, Babagana Zulum, said of the disaster: “I am disturbed by the calamity that befell us on Monday, resulting from the increased volume. We are doing everything possible to provide relief to our people.

    “We will provide all the necessary relief support to you, and we will ensure you return to your houses as soon as the situation improves for the best.” That is Zulum for you. He is one of the governors in the country most beset by mishaps and calamities. Yet, he has always stood to be counted.

    For a state just recovering from devastating pains inflicted by Boko Haram terrorists, the floods were one too many. What with the extensive damage to infrastructure, farmlands and shelters, as well as severe impact on livelihoods. Hundreds of thousands of people were rendered homeless. Matters were not helped by climate variability and human-induced factors.

    Read Also: Town planners hail Tinubu over Dangiwa’s appointment as minister

    The floods, said to have claimed no fewer than 77 persons and led to the displacement of some 300,000 others, further compounded the economic and social challenges that residents were already facing. Major roads, like the Post-Office Roundabout, were flooded, leaving many areas inaccessible. Needless to say that many residents were stranded in certain parts of the city. Emergency services and connectivity were disrupted.

    These were aside the challenges of health care, infrastructural needs, mental health and psychosocial support needs, shelter and, of course, food. Rice farms were completely destroyed as a result of the destruction of the dam on which many of them were dependent for irrigation. This would and is still having serious impact on availability of the product and consequently, high prices. 

    The Majiya accident happened at midnight of October 14 when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle. Majiya is a remote town, a thing that made emergency service providers arrive several hours later, according to Dr. Haruna Mairiga, head of the Jigawa State Disaster Management Agency.

    Fuel tanker tragedies have become a recurring decimal in Nigeria because people have refused to be taught something and have therefore learnt nothing. Otherwise, people would not just run but flee when accidents involving petrol are concerned. At least that should have been clear since the Jesse, Delta State, tragedy of October 18, 1998, in which about 1,082 persons died. Most of the victims had gone to scoop fuel from a pipeline ruptured by scavengers. Many Nigerians would still do the same thing in spite of the casualties from previous incidents.

    Associated Press (AP) put tanker explosions in the country in perspective: “Most of the victims in the accident in Jigawa State were burned to death close to the tanker but some were caught in the fire as they tried to assist others, witnesses say. It is a recurring disaster in one of Africa’s top oil-producing countries, where tankers are the main source of transporting fuel across states.”

    To underscore the fact that tanker explosions have become too familiar in the country, another near-tragedy involving another tanker occurred in the same Jigawa State barely a month after the Majiya incident, when a fuel-laden tanker went up in flames at the Jigawa-Kano border. Mercifully, no life was lost but the driver’s assistant was injured and rushed to the hospital. Apparently there were no casualties as such because the incident, unlike that of Majiya, happened in a farm outside the town, and also because of the effect of the Majiya incident, which made people to heed the call of the Kuho Village Head, Alhaji Zubairu Ahmad, not to go near the burning tanker because it may explode.

    Statistics from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) indicate there were more than 1,500 such accidents resulting in 535 deaths in 2020 alone.

    Governor Malam Umar Namadi, who was deeply moved by the disaster, extended his sympathies by words and immediate actions to alleviate the suffering of those affected. “We share in your grief and pain,” the governor said adding that the entire state mourned alongside the victims’ families.

    Even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also sent a high-powered delegation to the state to commiserate with the government and people. He reassured that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, would review fuel transportation safety protocols nationwide. Presently, this is done mainly by tankers.

    Only about a week ago, The Jigawa State Tanker Explosion Investigation Panel that was constituted to look into the immediate and remote causes of the explosion and make recommendations on how such tragedy could be averted in the future submitted its report to the state government. The committee put the death toll so far at 209 while 99 others sustained injuries in the tragic explosion. We can now see why it qualifies for mention as co-disaster of the year.

    All said; this is neither a prayer nor a wish. The bad news is that Nigerians should expect more of such tragedies in the future unless immediate actions are taken by the relevant authorities to avert them. So far, we have had the usual reactions after the fact: visits to the sites of disasters, offering of government’s assistance to victims, financial aids from other states and non-state actors, condolence visits and promises that the last disaster would truly be the last.

    But all of these would amount to wishful thinking if the governments and citizens do not play their parts well. Some of these disasters that ended up claiming lives and property are avoidable only if people would do the rightful. Blocking of water channels should be avoided under any circumstance. Other flood mitigation measures include maintenance of infrastructure — dams, bridges and culverts — land use planning controls, building and development controls, improved traffic access, etc. All of these are important to keep floods away.

    Similarly, it is high time the country minimised fuel transportation by road to reduce tanker accidents and explosions. In the meantime, however, roads must be well maintained so that tankers and other articulated vehicles would not be falling in the process of avoiding potholes. Road safety and other officials must be ready to enforce the appropriate discipline and road culture on drivers, among other safety measures.

    Disasters, whether natural or manmade, are sometimes inevitable. But they can be minimised. It is only by adhering to all these safety precautions that we can minimise disasters in the country.

  • PROLOGUE

    PROLOGUE

    The word seems easy to define. To say someone is vulnerable means many things to many people. He is endangered, in the firing line. To the bandit, it is the women and children, even the old and students. To the employer, it is the unemployed, who wakes up gasping and grasping for bread. The little earner struggles to pay rent, feed or afford transport fare to where he earns a living. He has to move to have his being. It is the little paid versus the padded.

    Who is padded may be panting. So, being vulnerable is sometimes not about being weak, or underdog alone. It might also mean not getting enough, not powerful enough. As insatiable as capitalism. Greed and want can meet at the word.

    To the businessman, it is how to earn a profit in a time of plummeting naira. To the buyer, it is how to buy from the businessman. To the hungry, it is where to buy the meal and whether there is a meal at all. To the sick, it is whether they can eat if the money and food are within reach.

    As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.”

    That’s why sometimes the vulnerable is hard to define. When the so-called #Endbadgovernance protests erupted, especially in the North, the almajiri come across as victims of a failed system. But these people wave Russian flags yet cannot identify Russia in a map, cannot identify a map. They call for the army, but never witnessed a soldier on the throne all their lives, cannot even read or write to have studied their tour of duty as leaders. They don’t pay rents, buy in the market, and buy clothes. They live only on handouts, the Nigeria’s peculiar welfare system. So, how vulnerable are they? Vulnerable to be manipulated, especially since it was reported that politicians organised sewing them flags. They would rather buy masara for their sumptuous souls than spend their lean handouts on a piece of cloth they don’t know. They don’t participate in the economy but run errands of rage, in ignorance, on its behalf. A soap opera played out when Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, unleashed them on his palace when he thought he was sending them on the streets against the president. A Frankenstein wonder became Frankenstein monster.

    Who is vulnerable between Nyesom Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, for instance? One claims the law, the other claims the throne. The president is rolling out a new tax bill, and some Northern oligarchs say it is against them. Rabiu Kwankwanso screams; Ibrahim Shekarau sulks; an Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) leader is suspended. But states like Lagos that will benefit say they sweat while others harvest? A skewed federalism.

    The top court appends local government reforms that make a powerful block whimper: the governors. They say the president is chipping away at their powers, the lush allocation. But when the elections come, they hand the constitution and the presidency an uppercut. They sweep all the polls for their handpicked candidates, even in Abia State where the governor wins in spite of his party. The law has hard power, but it is soft power that prevails. Apologies to Professor Joseph Nye of Harvard who coined those terms. Beware of the softie.

    It is most fraught when the ego is involved. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo spews vitriol in a virtual trot to Yale and speaks of Baba-go-slow and Emilokan, but he does not expect the backlash will rub his ego raw over his own doings in office: from Odi to third term to Anambra imbroglio. Or the battle between monarchs and governor, and monarchs versus monarchs. In Kano, the heat is on in the royal family, but it is time that defines who is vulnerable. When Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is on the throne, it is his Aminu Bayero who is vulnerable. It is the opposite when he grumbles from the outside. Both are, at once, in a time warp and time swap. Temporal upstages temporary.

    Read Also: Akpabio flags off medical outreach to support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda

    On the other hand, an election makes the Oba of Benin the winner after years of insolence from the State House. The new governor has restored the power and glory of one of the storied thrones on the continent. And it takes democracy to remove a historic Achilles heel. Democracy enthrones feudal glory. It is a typical Nigerian irony, as typical as Godwin Obaseki now moaning in silence when, only a year ago, he gloats in open contempt of his king. It may be the last time an Obaseki torments royal peace.

    There is also the ego that mixes with oil and dollar and even naira. This is the duel between Aliko Dangote and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). It drags on, and some can see the irony again of a billionaire posing as a populist. But matters get to a boil when it is time to price. The year is, however, ending with a blow from Mele Kyari, who has been quiet in spite of the taunts. The Port Harcourt Refinery pumps back to being. It sets up to be a new year for a heartening oil story. It may be the major story that dovetails into a new year. The drilling continues.

    We cannot forget a little place called Okuama in Delta State but not too little to gain the president’s attention. Soldiers become players in a backwater power game. Where there is oil, there is power, because there is wealth, because there is skullduggery, because there is gangster drama, and ultimately it is a matter of life and death. The underdog can rattle the mighty as soldiers fall to a shadowy ambush. The story starts with gunfire, ends with bonfire. The villagers stake neither bread nor oil in the conflict that ends for them with neither barns nor farms, neither homeland nor homestead.

    While the Rivers State power game impresses with its feints and fights, let’s not forget that Wike is the top public servant for transforming the FCT, from renewing the roads and infrastructure to redefining how to make a city work for all. He embalms the urgency of governance. He wrestles down the high and mighty and demonstrates how high and mighty people can be held to account over the jewel of all possessions: lands.

    Yet, the story of a top public servant provides a great scandal. One man, unnamed by the EFCC, erects 753 duplexes. EFCC has done no good for its lack of transparency on the name of the public thief, which makes EFCC a little scandal within the scandal.

    On the international front, the American election is won by Donald Trump, a billionaire who clutches the votes of the poor. He cannot read the Bible, calls Second Corinthians ‘two Corinthians’ and he is a high-profile adulterer. But he leads the Christians to the polls. He is a felon who befriends judges. He taunts Hispanics. They embrace him.

    It gets more potent in the Middle East; who is vulnerable? Hamas or Israel? There is enough argument on both sides. Israel eviscerates Gaza, which is a horror story that even Jewish scripture will squirm to retell. Yet, Hamas holds onto few hostages as bait while kin bloodshed and gore wear on.

    Some may say some stories are more straightforward as case studies of the vulnerable. Take for instance, the victims of the Maiduguri flood. We witness what Joseph Conrad calls the unthinking might of nature. Whole families washed away; kins separated. The old cannot outrun a footless mass of water. They have all the definitions of the vulnerable. No shelter, no food, no money, no heath care. They are at the mercy of the elements.

    Take for instance, the Jigawa tanker explosion. We can say greed plays a role and thus takes away the idea of the vulnerable. But why does hunger not warn them that stealing oil is a scoop of death? But they are poor. They want to steal to stay alive.

    Then we have a high-profile tragedy in the death of Herbert Wigwe and son, and a friend in faraway Las Vegas. A city of gambling, and we have a man whose life is tethered to taking risk, and plops down in a blowup of an aircraft. Is he vulnerable? As vulnerable as even the powerful can. He had money, power, love, prestige. But fate, ever cruel, has no respect for our greats, just as basketball star Kobe Bryant passed away in a similar fashion a few years ago with his daughter in California, which was where Wigwe boarded his own fatal flight.

    Perhaps the most affecting story of vulnerability was the Humanitarian Ministry, where a young and vibrant young woman was put in charge of the vulnerable. It turns out she also suffers from a principal lapse: greed. She lost her job, prestige, and more importantly, her promise. Food and money meant for the poor go the way of avarice.

    Yet the country ends not without policies for the vulnerable. The grains and food palliatives. But many say the politicians hijack them and hoard for 2027 and private beneficiaries. To the vulnerable? Sorry. But the credit loan scheme, the student loan stand out as policies that show promise as many are lining up.

    That is the journey of 2024. The vulnerable Nigerian is The Nation newspaper’s Person of the Year for embodying the pains and resilience in a perilous hour, and for exercising creative audacity in the face of a challenging economy.

  • Yinka Alaseyori, Israel Houghton, Nathaniel Bassey others minister at The Experience 19

    Yinka Alaseyori, Israel Houghton, Nathaniel Bassey others minister at The Experience 19

    Thousands of worshippers gathered under the open skies at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Friday, December 6, for Experience 19. 

    The Experience, which is hosted yearly by House On The Rock, Church, this year came with the theme “Jesus Wins!” .

    The praise and worship event gathers thousands of worshippers yearly and has been held for over 18 years.

    Leading the hundreds of thousands gathered at the venue, and the millions who joined online in worship, areTravis Greene, Donnie McClurkin, Chevelle Franklyn, Chee, Israel Houghton, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Mercy Chinwo, Ebuka Songs, Adeyinka Alaseyori.

    Others are Sinach, Frank Edwards, Prinx Emmanuel, Mr M & Revelation, Moses Bliss, Micah Stampley, Bidemi Olaoba, and the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (LMGC). The event also featured Rachel Adewale and Precious Emmanuel, among others.

    Despite being attended by notable dignitaries and leaders in government, politics, the diplomatic corps, business, and the Church, The Experience remains a free-to-attend concert, thereby allowing people from different age groups, socio-economic classes, or religious beliefs to be part of this incredible night.

    The Experience continues to be a time for believers across denominations, cultures, and nations to come together and offer praise to God. 

    This year, with the theme Jesus Wins, the message is one of unity and victory in the face of the daunting economic and social challenges here in Nigeria, and the atmosphere of uncertainty and unrest across different parts of the globe. 

    The night echoed with a collective victory shout, one that declares Jesus as the light and the only hope of the world.

  • Evangelism key to solving Nigeria’s challenges, says Olu Alo

    Evangelism key to solving Nigeria’s challenges, says Olu Alo

    The Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has identified intense evangelism as the solution to Nigeria’s ongoing challenges.

    He emphasized that such efforts could inspire Nigerians who have strayed to rediscover their path, become responsible citizens, and ultimately contribute to the nation’s transformation.

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Adamimogo School of Prayer and Prophetic Ministry, held at Jesus City along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos, Prophet Alo warned that no nation that abandons God succeeds. 

    He urged Nigerians, irrespective of their status, to draw closer to God and embrace His principles.

    The cleric also stressed the need for genuine men of God who are devoted to spreading the gospel and inspiring people to adopt positive changes in their attitudes and lifestyles.

    While addressing 235 graduated students of Prophet Sam Olu Alo’ Evangelism School, the cleric said products of the school must be ready to distinguish themselves as true evangelists rather than deceiving and time-wasting evangelists.

    He called on church anchors, who are being newly trained to eschew true evangelism, devoid of lies and misleadings of the gospel of Christ Jesu.

    Read Also: Renowned cleric Olu Alo condemns Ekiti killings

    According to him, the actions and outpouring attitude of anyone that claims to be a child, or evangelist of God, would determine the type of name people would call him. 

    On what inspired him to established the school, Alo explained that it was borne out of his personal and spiritual perception that Nigeria as a country deserved to have tutorials institutions, where people are trained in the nitty-gritty of the bible, and also urged others to take a queue.

    In her remarks, the registrar of the Institution, Dr Mrs Rachel Solafunmi said the school runs both Certificates and Diploma programmes, and it is a place to be.

    According to her, for anyone that wished to broaden his knowledge in areas of theology, church work and preaching, among others, saying this had nothing to do with whether a candidate already had attended a seminary before, or not.

    Some of the graduated students, including well wishers commended the giant strides of prophet Alo for developing the inspiration that led him into establishing the school.

    They however urged him to continue in the project of using his resources to draw scores of people.

    In his remark while ordaning Elders and Deaconess at the prayer city, the

    Regional Superintendent of CAC Essien Region, Pastor Isaac Eiyebiokin said Nigerians will laugh at the end of the day when things turn around for good across the nation.

    He said, “We need to relate with ourselves with truth and seek the face of God, God owns mind of people and capable to change our mind for good.”

  • ‘LoveWorld unveils Reachout World Day to distribute Rhapsody to 8 billion’

    ‘LoveWorld unveils Reachout World Day to distribute Rhapsody to 8 billion’

    Christ Embassy, also known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers’ Loveworld, hosted a landmark press conference on Monday, December 2, to launch the Rhapsody of Realities Reachout World Day.

    The initiative, which marks the beginning of a 30-day campaign to spread the gospel worldwide, transforming lives through God’s word, aims at distributing the world’s most-translated daily devotional to 8 billion people across 8,123 languages and over 4,000 dialects. 

    Speaking at the press conference, Director of Church Ministry and Organisation at LoveWorld Nation and a member of its Central Executive Council, Rev. Tomson Amenkhienan, described the occasion as “a first-of-its-kind whole-Earth event.” 

    He likened its simultaneous global outreach to natural phenomena such as the changing seasons, emphasising that Reachout World Day is a spiritual awakening of unmatched scale. 

    “Today, we launch 30 extraordinary days of outreach where billions of copies of Rhapsody of Realities will be distributed across nations, communities, and languages,” he declared. 

    “This is history unfolding before our eyes—a day that saturates the earth with the knowledge of God’s glory as the waters cover the sea.”

    Amenkhienan highlighted the devotional’s transformative impact, describing it as a “divine intrusion into man’s failing world” and a “love-gift from God” that addresses fear, health, and financial challenges.  

    He noted the Rhapsody of Realities, authored by the President of Loveworld International and Christ Embassy Church, Rev Dr Chris Oyakhilome, was more than just a devotional but a “Messenger Angel”.

    He said the daily devotional is available in print, audio, Braille, and sign language formats, it caters to adults, teenagers, children, and even Braille users, ensuring no demographic is left unreached. 

    “Rhapsody heals the sick, delivers the oppressed, and raises the dead. It’s a solution to all of life’s questions, making it the perfect tool for global Gospel outreach,” Amenkhienan added, urging media houses to amplify this life-changing initiative. 

    Clinical Director of LoveWorld Medical Centre, Pastor Dr Emeka Eze, emphasised the role of technology and media in the initiative. 

    He unveiled digital tools such as the Reachout World Day app and the innovative Tap2Read wristband, which simplifies access to devotional content. He also highlighted partnerships with tech and media organisations, encouraging social media influencers and local media outlets to join the movement.

    “The Gospel is good news, and this event is reshaping narratives worldwide. From military sectors to academia, everyone is part of this global mission. No matter where you are—city or village, metropolis or remote area—you will feel the impact of *Reachout World Day”, Pastor Eze said.

    A member of LoveWorld’s Central Executive Council, Evang Eddy Owase, commended the founder’s vision, noting the devotional’s ability to bring “beauty and joy to the whole world.” 

    He described the day as a moment when “heaven is at attention,” calling for everyone—partners, ministries, and volunteers to actively participate in the campaign. 

    “No community or city will be left out,” he asserted. “Reaching 8 billion people in one day is rare and vital. Together, we are changing the world.”

    Director of Church Growth International, Pastor Lanre Alabi, provided insights into the meticulous planning behind the event. He detailed how LoveWorld’s global network of churches, foundations, and distribution centers had been mobilised to ensure seamless coordination across time zones and geographical regions.

    Read Also: LoveWorld tackles languages extinction with 7,000 translations

    “This effort began months ago,” Alabi noted. “Today, synchronised teams worldwide are distributing millions of copies, leaving no corner of the Earth untouched.”

    Speakers repeatedly emphasised the inclusivity and universality of the event. Through its blend of traditional and digital channels, Reachout World Day seeks to transcend barriers and unify humanity under the Gospel.

    “Let today’s history not elude you,” Dr. Eze urged. “Join this unprecedented event and make your mark in transforming lives.”

    As Reachout World Day progresses, the LoveWorld Nation calls on individuals, media outlets, and organizations to embrace this movement, which promises to etch its place in the annals of history.

  • Egbona hails Gov. Otu, wife on consecration as Apostle, Bishop

    Egbona hails Gov. Otu, wife on consecration as Apostle, Bishop

    The House of Representatives member from the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State, Dr. Alex Egbona, has rejoiced with Governor Bassey Otu and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, on their consecration and installation as apostle and bishop, respectively, by the Voice of God Christian Mission Incorporated. 

    Egbona said in a statement on Tuesday that it was not surprising that the General Overseer and President of the church, Her Eminence ArchBishop (Dr.) Ananwan Lawrence Itam considered the Governor and his wife for the exalted spiritual responsibility.

    The lawmaker said he was certain with the Governor’s new office, the people of Cross River will experience a new phase of sweetness. 

    He said: “It gladdens my heart to hear that my governor, Senator Bassey Otu, the man who is bringing sweetness to governance to our state, has been considered and anointed as an apostle in the vineyard of God.

    “I am also excited that the First Lady and mother of Cross River State is now a bishop. It speaks to their commitment to the expansion of the kingdom and the good life of humanity. It confirms that the people of Cross River did not make any mistake when they elected the governor to be on the saddle and show direction on how to take the state to higher heights.

    Read Also: Egbona distributes medical facilities to Abi/Yakurr health centres after training workers, free outreach

    “Even before the consecration, the governor had ruled with the fear of God. What it means is that we will experience more days of conscientious governance characterized with integrity, fear of God, service to the people, fairness and better days of sweetness.

    “The people of Cross River will be the greatest beneficiaries of this elevation. This is one of the greatest things that has happened to our governor and all we need to do as a people is to pray ceaselessly for him and his family because to whom much is given, much is expected and they will need God’s grace to succeed.”

    Egbona congratulated the Governor and the wife, even as he urged all Christian leaders in the state to rally round the governor and support him to succeed both as governor and servant in the vineyard of God.

  • Emmanuel Egboh: A mission of endless possibilities in Nigeria’s security sector

    Emmanuel Egboh: A mission of endless possibilities in Nigeria’s security sector

    Founder and CEO of Advonics Services Nigeria Limited, Emmanuel Egboh, is one of the few Nigerian businessmen focused on helping to enthrone and entrench a safer country, writes Kemi Joseph.

    Turning entrepreneurial excellence and acclaim into an art form is not the stuff of vacuous or unambitious individuals. It requires passion and perseverance, ingenuity and industry, as well as the uncanny ability to see goldmines where mere mortals see landmines.

    Though a self-effacing and silent force of nature, Emmanuel Egboh, founder and CEO of Advonics Services Nigeria Limited, a best-in-class security company offering a wide range of high-tech security products and services for the telecoms, maritime, aviation, transportation, and logistics industries, represents the best of Nigeria’s new breed of businessmen identifiable by their peerless grit and guts, crystal-clear vision, patriotism, and relentless pursuit of excellence against all odds, the accretion of which has seen them breaking the glass ceilings.

    Egboh’s business aptitude and leadership approach in the security sector are helping to push and challenge the bounds of entrepreneurship while garnering jaw-dropping successful results.

    Indeed, he would have been forgiven or overlooked by society if, like his contemporaries, he profited from the widespread insecurity in the nation by joining in fanning its embers.

    After all, fuel subsidy profiteers and enablers are still roaming the streets freely and enjoying their loot. However, Egboh’s patriotic instincts would not permit such.

    He took the road less travelled by opting to help his beloved nation to sanitise and stamp out insecurity through an ethical and humane approach that led to the recalibration of the corporate identity and objectives of Advonics Services Nigeria Limited, a company he founded in 2003 as a carrier for private sector services in specialised home automation.

    Under Egboh’s leadership, ASNL has grown from a peripheral player into a trusted name and partner in the security industry with a proven track record of delivering innovative and reliable solutions on a regional and global scale while offering a wide range of high-tech security products and services tailored to the telecoms, maritime, aviation, transportation, and logistics industries.

    He cites 2007 as the year the company’s clientele tripled in size. “Thanks to the purchase of hi-tech security and safety equipment,” he recalls with gratitude.

    Between 2009 and 2013, ASNL successfully partnered the Imo State Government in municipal transportation transformation and security support equipment for the Government House and the State House of Assembly.

    In 2018, the company signed a deal with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Aviation to secure the railway terminals across the federation and deploy its high-tech liquid explosive detection system at the airports and borders.

    Read Also: We will continue to defend our mandate in Rivers, says Fubara

    A year later, it introduced the EI-LS1525 Liquid Security Inspection System to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which adopted and launched it across Nigerian airports.

    This device can detect hazardous and explosive liquid gels in sealed containers at airports. The company has introduced other innovative security solutions to solving insecurity at airports, train stations, and borders.

    Egboh says the years between 2020 and 2024 were the period the company took a quantum leap towards attaining its growth trajectory with major footprints in the aviation and rail infrastructure.

    Egboh is now recognised as an entrepreneurial genius for adroitly positioning ASNL as the leader in the deployment of tomorrow’s technology in both the rail and air transportation systems, critical government infrastructure, and border security to protect the country and its citizens from major internal and external threats.

    No wonder some of ASNL’s clients include federal ministries and agencies notably Aviation, Transportation, FAAN, and even the Department of State Security. What more? Awards and applauses have continued to flood in from all over the world.

    For helping to tackle insecurity in the most populous black nation in the world, Egboh was the recipient of the ⁠2023 African Leaders of Integrity Merit Award by African Integrity Magazine in Accra, Ghana.

    The president of African Integrity Magazine, Ambassador Onwordi Onichabor, disclosed that the international recognition of integrity is bestowed on citizens of all nations, who have proven themselves as an embodiment of integrity, honesty, transparency, and accountability, and distinguished themselves in business and notable contributions to society.

    Egboh was also the recipient of ⁠Africa’s Most Outstanding Maritime Security and Logistics Services CEO of the Year 2024 by the Board of African Leadership Review.

    The board states that it remains committed to showcasing the continent’s brightest talents and highlighting the impactful work being done to drive Africa forward.

    The African Leadership Review Awards aims to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of African leaders in various sectors on the continent.

    “We started this journey in 2003 and today the story is different. Going beyond boundaries has been our watchword and now, we are on a mission of endless possibilities,” he says in one of those moments he looked back in gratitude to the almighty.

  • Our cathedrals don’t matter to God – Kehinde

    Our cathedrals don’t matter to God – Kehinde

    As moral degradation continues to erode societal values, the Church faces an urgent call to prioritize reaching the unreached and underserved with the transformative power of the gospel. In an exclusive conversation with The Nation’s ADEOLA OGUNLADE, Rev. Toyin Kehinde, Convener of the Global Mandate Conference 2025, shares his vision for the upcoming event. He emphasizes the need for the Church to focus on the timeless essence of God’s Word while addressing the growing challenges in mission work and fostering a renewed commitment to spreading the gospel in areas of critical need

    RE we losing our Christian youths to the world?

    Yes, I believe we are. The gospel that the previous generation grew up with or heard is very different from what the current generation is being taught. This younger generation lacks an understanding of foundational Christian principles like sacrifice, patience, and bearing one’s cross—values that are heavily emphasized in the gospel. They also don’t experience persecution the way early Christians did, especially during the early days of evangelism in Nigeria when conversion was often met with significant personal and social challenges. Persecution built endurance and a deep faith in Christ.

    Unfortunately, this generation doesn’t know the struggles that come with following Christ. It’s concerning that while we see radical groups, like suicide bombers, committing themselves to causes they believe in, our Christian youth often lack that same level of commitment. How many of them are truly ready to die for Christ? How many would risk everything to go to places where being a Christian could mean facing death?

    Often, the gospel we present today focuses on making life better which includes finding a good job, a good spouse, and a comfortable life. While these things are not inherently wrong, they should not be the core of our message. If we ask young people to go into difficult areas and preach the gospel where the comforts of life aren’t guaranteed, many are unwilling to take that step.

    I think part of the issue is that we may not be intentional enough in how we present the gospel to this generation. We fail to recognize that each generation needs a different approach to truly engage with the gospel. The gospel itself never changes, but our methods must evolve. Unfortunately, many of us continue to rely on outdated approaches that no longer resonate with the youth.

    Moreover, some have intentionally diluted the message, creating a space where sound doctrine is suppressed in favor of teachings that simply tell people what they want to hear. This is dangerous, as it leads to a generation that is unprepared to embrace the fullness of the gospel. This is why I believe it is crucial that we make sound doctrine a priority, not just a theoretical concept, but a guiding principle in our teaching.

    The Global Mandate Conference which is scheduled to hold on the 20-23, February 2025 will address these issues, challenging us to return to the essence of the gospel and to find ways to communicate its truth effectively to this generation

    Why is mission important?

    Missions embody the essence of the Church’s purpose. As Rev. Toyin Kehinde explains, Jesus’s command in Acts 1:8 remains the foundation for Christian outreach. You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Jesus’s instruction challenges believers not to limit their focus to one location. If the early disciples had waited to finish their work in Jerusalem before reaching out to Judea, Samaria, or beyond, the gospel might never have left the region. The same principle applies today—missions must span local, regional, and global efforts concurrently. No single individual or church can reach everywhere, but through partnership, the gospel can go to places otherwise unreachable. There are places I cannot go, and missionaries I will never meet, but others are already there. By supporting and collaborating with them, I become part of the mission. Such cooperation allows churches, pastors, and missionaries to link efforts, resources, and strategies, ensuring that every corner of the earth hears the message of Christ. We need to gather together, collaborate, and ensure that the mission continues locally, regionally, and globally.

    Is the church too focused on buildings and numbers over mission?

    The Church has a biblical mandate to disciple people, not just to build cathedrals or boast about attendance numbers. Buildings serve as tools, as they shield us from the elements, provide a gathering place, and facilitate worship. Similarly, resources like cars, equipment, and technology are means to an end, not the essence of our mission. Jesus’s focus was always on people, not projects.

    When we stand before God, it won’t be about how many churches we built or how large they were; it will be about the lives we touched and the souls we reached. Even the Bible reminds us that this earth and its treasures are reserved for fire. They are temporary. Why invest heavily in things that will not last when we could focus on eternal impact?

    Prioritizing Missions over Comfort

    When we get to heaven, it won’t be about the size of our cathedrals or the numbers we gathered. It will be about the lives we touched and the souls we discipled. The essence of the gospel lies in its outreach. Yet, we often prioritize keeping members comfortable over equipping them to go out and reach the unreached. Jesus’s command was to “go into all the world,” yet many churches have reduced this to creating larger congregations that sit and consume, rather than being sent out to serve. The true strength of a church is not in its seating capacity but in its sending capacity.  How many people have we trained and sent to share the gospel with those who have never heard of Jesus? Sadly, we focus on growing numbers in the pews rather than commissioning workers for the mission field.

    What is the essence of the Global Mandate Conference, February 2025?

    The essence of the conference is to emphasize the timeless truth of God’s Word, which must continually be reinforced to ensure it is not forgotten. In a world where falsehood is constantly repeated, the truth needs to be shared, re-emphasized, and lived out. While God’s Word remains unchanging, the world around us is evolving rapidly. This creates a challenge in how we reach different generations and people across various contexts.

    Read Also: We will continue to defend our mandate in Rivers, says Fubara

    Today, we live in a digital age where traditional methods of bringing God’s Word to people such as physical Bibles, hymn books, and prayer books have been replaced by phones, tablets, and digital platforms. The way we experience church has changed. Many individuals no longer come to church with physical copies of the Bible; instead, they use their phones or devices. The world is evolving, and so must the way we spread the gospel.

    The challenge is how to bring the gospel to those who still have limited access to it. In urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt, the gospel is widely available through various media. People are constantly exposed to the message of Jesus, whether directly or indirectly. However, there are still remote areas where people are completely isolated from the gospel, with no access to Christian teachings, media, or even Christians themselves.

    The core focus of the Global Mandate Conference is to address this gap. While much of the gospel reaches people in major cities, there are communities in rural areas and even parts of the world where people have never heard the message of Christ. Our aim is to challenge the church: Before we focus all our resources on reaching those who already have access to the gospel, let us prioritize those who have never heard about Jesus.

    We also face challenges in reaching people in restricted regions where the gospel is not allowed. By collaborating with missionaries and pastors who work in such areas, as well as with expatriates in Nigeria from countries where the gospel is banned, we aim to bring the message of Christ to those who are often forgotten.

    Additionally, the younger generation, especially Gen Z, presents unique challenges. They think and live differently than previous generations, and we must find ways to make the gospel relevant to them. While we may have grown up with certain understandings of prayer and church practices, it is crucial to communicate the unchanging Word of God in ways that resonate with their worldviews.

    Ultimately, the Global Mandate Conference is about reaching the unreached, embracing the changing world, and ensuring that God’s Word remains central in every generation and every corner of the world.

    Encouraging a new generation of missionaries

    Sure. You see, it’s turning out at the same time. Because a lot of missionaries, practically what we have seen is that if you look at the age of the present missionaries, they are people who should be retired now.

    We don’t have a younger workforce that is coming. How do you encourage young people to come here? Yeah. Number one, inform and educate young people need to be exposed to missions through teachings, testimonies, and practical information about the opportunities and needs in the field.

    Pastoral Support: Pastors play a key role in mobilizing their congregations. By creating platforms to share about missions, pastors can inspire a new generation to answer the call.

    Collaboration: Churches, mission agencies, and missionaries must work together to create opportunities for young people to participate in missions, whether through short-term trips, partnerships, or mentoring. Prayer and Trust in God: Ultimately, only God can touch hearts and call individuals to the mission field. The Church’s role is to faithfully provide the resources and information needed for those whom God calls.

  • Agape Church marks 30th anniversary

    Agape Church marks 30th anniversary

    The Agape Christian Assembly, Ejigbo Branch, Lagos, celebrated its 30th anniversary last Sunday with the theme ‘Strength for More.’

     The event, attended by the church’s founder, Bishop Felix Aderemi Adejumo, featured the recognition of outstanding members who have significantly contributed to the church’s growth over the past three decades.

    Among the notable award recipients were Bishop Felix Aderemi Adejumo and his wife, Rev. Funke Felix Adejumo, as well as the resident pastor, Pastor Olatunde Olumiyiwa Ojo, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Olufunke Ojo.

    Read Also: Africa must act collectively to tackle debt challenges – Edun

    In his address, Bishop Adejumo reflected on the church’s journey over the last 30 years and the 36-year history of the Agape ministry.

     He encouraged the congregation to remain committed to fulfilling the Great Commission, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and positive societal impact.

    “Think about increase, expansion, progress, and impact,” he urged. “As Christians, we must start thinking right because as a man thinks in his heart, so he is.”

    Adejumo also underscored the importance of integrity, calling on members to live upright lives and avoid dishonest practices in business and daily interactions. Highlighting the church’s stance on truthfulness, he stressed the need to verify testimonies shared within the church to maintain its credibility.