It was a gathering of friends drawn mainly from the Catholic Church as the Vicar-General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. John Aniagwu marked his 50th Anniversary of priesthood in Lagos.

A group, Committee of Friends of Msgr John Aniagwu, commemorated the Parish Priest of St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos, through a luncheon/book presentation: Nisi Dominus (Except God) for his service, which dates back to August 15, 1971, when he was ordained at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

The committee’s Chairman, Mr Sule Ozenua, noted that Aniagwu, who is also the Episcopal Vicar, Ikeja Region, is a humble cleric.

There were more tributes from Archbishop Emeritus John Onaiyekan who was at the event.

Onaiyekan’s contemporaries, including Archbishop Emeritus Anthony Okogie, Most Rev Peter Sarpong, also extolled his virtues.

While soliciting for support for the John Aniagwu Foundation, Ozenua canvassed more funds to support more students throughscholarship.

The Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Abuja, Rev (Prof) Hyacinth Ichoku, stated that access to education is one way to make the society equal, in a paper presentation entitled: Prebendalism, Income Inequalities and Social Discontents in Nigeria.

Citing the challenge of preachers, he stressed the need for courage to speak truth to power. In the book review by Most Rev Francis Adesina, he said Aniagwu adopted his mother’s surname after his father’s family deserted him.

Aniagwu said: “The good Lord has embarrassed me with torrents of unmerited gifts. Friends of Father John, which started in 1997 happened to be one of them. Since the inception, no one has left except members who have gone to be with the Lord.”

NO fewer than 100, 000 guests attended the Night of Divine Experience organized by the New Seraph. The event, themed Last Chance, held at New Seraph Prayer City, on the Lagos/Ibadan Express Way, Ode Remo, Ogun State.

NODE 3.0, as the event is fondly called, is powered by The New Seraph and filled with soul lifting worship, praises, prayers, revival, prophecies and word of God.

Founder, The New Seraph, Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, who spoke on First Corinthians chapter six verse two, urged everyone to see every moment as an opportunity to right wrongs because now is the time for salvation.

The ministration, which ended with an altar call, had thousands of souls, giving their lives to Christ Jesus, having being blessed by the powerful word ministration.The appearance and March pass of the Army of Salvation from various blocs of C&S can’t be ignored as their parade brought uniqueness to the event and honour to God Almighty.

Among the ministers for the night were Pastor Seyi Bakare, Prophet Sam Ojo, and Prophetess Adebola Ayeni.

Others include Evangelist Lekan Remilekun Amos, Evangelist Dare Melody, Moses Harmony, Kemi Rehoboth, Ewa Kristi, Selika Gold, Zion Lady,  King of kings Mass Choir and the host choir, The New Seraph Mass Choir.

Also at the crusade tagged NODE 3.0 were monarchs, clerics, patrons and matrons.

The Kingdom of Light Ministries (KLM) with headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos State last weekend celebrated 12 years of free medical service offering. At the event, no fewer than 700 people benefited from it.

The beneficiaries received free tests, checks and drugs for diseases such as blood sugar level, malaria hepatitis B, and cholesterol. The programme Coordinator Olatunde Kolawole said the event was being funded by the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, Kingdom Care, for over N1million.

He added that the programme, launched in 2009, has been sustained over the years since then except for last year when it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kolawole said before the event, Care members embarked on a massive awareness. To Nigerians, he advised: “Be health conscious.’’

He said the church embarked on the programme to attend to the health needs of people in the community. He asked for the governments and individuals as well as organisations’ support, saying  Christians and non-Christians attended and benefited from the programme.

The Care Group’s Secretary, Oluwatoyin Falae, described the event as orderly and impressive. She said they employed four doctors, six nurses and several medical attendants to make the programme a reality. She said so far, the feedback from beneficiaries had been fantastic without a case of casualty.

Dr Princewill Azubike, who spoke on the ‘Prevention of COVID-19’ affirmed that though the pandemic is real, as it has claimed many lives globally, it is preventable. Listing the disease’s symptoms as coughing, stooling, vomiting and fever, he advised the aged who are more vulnerable to it, by protecting themselves against COVID-19 by observing social distancing, avoid huge gatherings, and proper use of face masks. “Ensure that you take these measures seriously,’’ he said.

The medic urged the participants to take the vaccines, adding that they would safeguard against attacks.

The President, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Revd. Benebo Fubara-Manuel has called on Christians and Muslims to stop those promoting one faith against the other, thereby causes mayhem.

Fubara-Manuel said this at a meeting with members of the Association of Christian Correspondents of Nigeria (ACCoN) at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN), Lekki, Lagos parish.

Against the background of the problems in Afghanistan and their implications on Nigeria, he said we needed to be cautious, especially Christians and Muslims, as those pushing the agenda of one faith were not true believers of their religion.

He said every religion has the right to publicize its faith, but that it is wrong to promote one against another.

He lamented the unhealthy narratives in most religious quarters that were causing hate among the various religious groups, which according to him, are counterproductive in the search for true and lasting peace in Nigeria.

He stated that the need for renewed cooperation among Christians and Muslims was needed so that we could stop people who are criminals, but are hiding under the guise of religion and ethnicity to cause mayhem.

Fubara-Manuel criticized Boko-Haram and other groups who are against formal education, adding that education is not bad, as it broadens one’s horizon.

“Boko Haram stands for a system to opposed western education. If you make your own viable education – Islamic education – then you are opposing education,” said Fubara-Manuel.

He decried the level of insecurity in the country and, most importantly, the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on some critical issues.

“It became so worrisome the silence of President Buhari who would refuse to talk, while terrorists continue to claim lives of innocent Nigerians as well as kidnappers having field day, extorting money from

Read Also: Muslims urged to uphold high ideals

Nigerians at this critical state of harsh economy,” he said.

He urged the President to address Nigerians and give them hope against the trauma they are being subjected to. He added that Nigerians are suffering with the level of insecurity as well as the state of economy that has made it very difficult for them to feed effectively.

On the role of churches in nation building, the CCN president said this is akin to building the minds of people to engage in the level of education such that they could hold members of the church accountable.

The senior cleric stated that people had been empowered by the church to hold members of the political parties and politicians accountable.

He said the role of the church extends beyond interacting with members on religious matters to engage on issues of public formation and decision making that takes place at the legislature and other levels of

government.

“If you look at all we do at CCN, where we bring education to the fore; we build healthcare, we build civic education, we bring empowerment as well as HIV/AIDs war – these are the kind of things we do to support nation building,” said Fubara-Manuel.

A Nigerian-American singer, Tomi Favored Alesh, popularly known as ‘Tomi Favored’, has said Jesus and the message of faith is ever green and is the most important message she will ever share.

Alesh said this while sharing her tour experiences, describing it as a wonderful journey and an opportunity to share blessings with people from various walks of life.

Speaking on the three-week tour within Nigeria and Ghana, Favored said she enjoys ministering, sharing with people, having the opportunity to be a blessing to new people.

She said: “Jesus, God, the message of faith is the only thing that is evergreen as far as I’m concerned and the one that transcends culture and other norms. It has depth, it’s what keeps me grounded and if truly believe Jesus is God and He is the one who saves, which I do, then that is the most important message I will ever share.”

The artiste said her decision to choose gospel music was because she knew that she would have lyrics for the genre of music.

“I am usually inspired by things around me; any situations I go through either joy, pain, fear, doubt, love, anything. They are all things I take to God and deal with or pray about. So, they all inspire words and lyrics from me which I in turn make into music by God’s grace,” she said.

On her projections for the last quarter of the year, Favored said she was working on several collaborations with some artists and producers which would be released soon.

She added: “I am working with people like the wonderful Prospa Ochimana from Nigeria, Firebrand worshiper Pastor Elijah Oyelade and great producer and worshiper Eli-J, also from Nigeria; powerful

revival worshiper Folabi Nuel, from Nigeria, prolific African American Michael Stuckey, Suanesha, a beautiful and anointed Canadian Artist,

“The Royal Citizens (TRC), a vibrant group of artists from Canada; my amazing husband, who is a saxophonist, Seyi Alesh in Houston, among others.’’

In this interview with Damola Kola-Dare, General Overseer, Disciplined Christian Church of Nations (DCCN), Ajara Topa, Badagry, Lagos State,  Pastor Akin Titu Bambe, speaks on why holiness preaching is scarce in today’s church,  religious sentiment which makes Nigeria lag behind in the comity of  nations and sundry issues. Excerpts:

Moral values have eroded in our society, what role can the church play for desired change?

There is little the church can do in a society of corrupt politicians, judges, traditional rulers and all. The church is not in involved in governance and policy making. The church is solely establish to serve God. But the situation of things in the country could obstruct or weaken the church and make the its messages have less impact on citizens. In a society afflicted with joblessness,corrupt pastors, and various unbiblical practices, it may be difficult for the church to do anything. Had it been the church is involved in policy making,it would have been better. Sadly, there are some corrupt men of God working with politicians. Some pastors are ready to pray for politicians making life difficult for people. We have a lot of traditional rulers who can sell their communities in place of money. Even the church is corrupt! So, what magic can it perform to address erosion of morals and values?

Violence, kidnapping, destruction of properties and lives are obstacles to prayers, hence people seek diabolical means. Some churches are worse than ritual homes, yet, they hide behind the name of Jesus Christ. Surprisingly, most atrocities and rituals are perpetuated in the church by supposed men of God.

If the foundation is destroyed, what can the righteous do? However, the righteous should not depart from the truth.

 What is the distinction between Christianity in past and at present in the country?

There is a great distinction between Christianity in the past and at present.

Before now, the hunger for heaven was joy for Christians, but nowadays the reverse is the case. Many people even  call themselves to the Lord’s vineyard because of money and teach heresies. They make people afraid of churches. You need to examine a church before attending fully or allow any pastor lay hands on you or pray for you.

In those days when you go around Oyingbo, Yaba, Mile 2, to you discover magicians doing stuff on the street with people gathered around them in broad daylight. Nowadays, you can’t find anymore because they are now in churches. They have become prophets and pastors. Thus, christianity has become another thing. Then, people are no longer interested in teachings bordering on holiness. They want to listen to teachings that motivate them to achieve things.  In those days, during preaching,people go on their knees and weep and commune with God. Now things have changed. People are interested in prosperity, miracle and magic. There is big gap between what obtained in the past and now.

Mass kidnapping and abduction have become the trend in the country. What can government do to address the situation?

Anything one is benefitting from hardly stops. Those who have the power and machinery to stop it are the beneficiaries.

It will be very difficult to stop it. It is sad hearing that innocent school children are kidnapped almost on a daily basis. In saner climes, some government officials would resign with that happening. All efforts  are futile because it seems government is paying lip service to the situation. Kidnapping and abduction have  become a big business and government is paying ransom and at the end of the day they deny because it is not right. The ransom goes to some people backing the kidnappers and the cycle continues. The menace would stop once the perpetrators lack backers. Then, government should equip the police and give them modern technological apparatuses to curb crime effectively.

In what way has DCCN impacted the lives of worshippers and the community?

Disciplined Christian Church of Nations  has impacted worshippers and the community in several ways. It is not a multitude-seeking church but Christ disciple-making church with vision of gathering saints together and preparing them for rapture. In church settings,the most important is spiritual matter; conversion of souls and preparing them for heaven. That is one of our aims in the church. We have trained many people in our Bible College and today they are working for God. Bringing people to the awareness of God is very important and it is part of what we do.

We also assist people in several ways. We give shelter to them. We do not take anything that affects our members lightly because we are one body in Christ. We also  empower entrepreneurs among and students.  Furthermore, we distributed new shoes to orphans in Badagry. The road to our church was also repaired; we removed the refuse obstructing movement; we didn’t wait for the local government.  We also went to school of handicaps in Ajara, also in Badagry, fellowshipped with them and gave them many gifts. We also empower widows, and organise programmes  married people to teach them on how to sustain their marriage.

We are committed to assisting our community because it is part of our doctrines.

How has religion impacted politics in the country?

Religion should be clearly separated from politics. It has affected politics in the country. In advanced countries, religion does not have a place in politics. When it is time for election,they don’t care about your religion. That is not their focus. Their interest is on whether you can perform. Your track record of achievements is what concerns them.

Here, religion plays a part. Irrespective of  your achievements, some may not vote for you. Religion is used to determine many things: employment, promotion, election and all that. It is sad that in this 21st century, religious sentiments still play a part in our political arena and other areas. It influences some rules in the country,it is that powerful. It seems to be a problem to us.  It has also supplanted merit. It has not really done something good in the country because of the way we perceive and practice it.  In some places you get hostile treatment because of your religion. Our leaders practice one religion or another,yet their actions leave much to be desired. We need prayers to over come our problems.

Who is a true Christian leader?

1Timothy chapter 3  explains the characteristics of a true Christian leader.  One of such is that, he must be blameless. You hear different atrocities committed by church leaders,yet they are still in charge. You see pastors having two  wives or more and even divorce and re-marry. The Bible supports being the husband of one wife.  You must not be given to wine. Some  church leaders are drunkards and they look for Bible verses to support their action. A good Christian leader must live an exemplary life.

In some ministries,  leaders get envious of members who are working diligently. They engage in bickering and all that. That is not how a good Christian leader sglouy behave. A good Christian leader must train and teach others and allow them to thrive and be greater than himself. When that happens, the credit still goes to him. But some leaders suppress people under them and stunt their growth.  They should serve others and expect nothing in return. A true man of God is expected to serve others and expect nothing in the long run.

Furthermore, a true leader must continue to learn. He should also take advice from others and be a good listener.  He must have a discerning spirit and leave a holy life. There are lots of divorcee pastors  today including women. What do you expect them to teach?

Church leaders must approachable and accountable. They must fear God.The church doesn’t belong to any individual,either the general overseer or the founder.

It must not be difficult to reach a true minister of God. There should be easi access. People shouldn’t be filling forms before they can see their pastor

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr Supo Ayokunle has argued political leadership has failed the nation.

Nigeria, he said, has been so badly governed over the years that it would take quality leadership to reverse.

He spoke last week at the leadership retreat of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) with the theme: “OAIC in Leadership: A decade benchmark in perspective” in Abuja.

Ayokunle pointed out the massive bloodletting, kidnapping and abductions across the nation were manifest outcomes of bag governance.

He said Nigeria was under the siege of Islamist terrorists, bandits, criminals and kidnappers because of unfit leaders.

He called on Christians to intensify prayers for the intervention of God in the nation’s affairs.

The Regional President of OAIC, Elder (Dr.) Napo Emuchay, explained the retreat was coming at a time that Nigeria was experiencing hard times.

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He believed that OAIC, after this retreat, will be more positioned for stronger leadership and greater exploits.

Some of the resource persons at the retreat include Professor David Ogungbile, who delivered paper on the theme of the retreat; Professor Taiwo Asaolu, who spoke on “Sustainability of church financing in critical times”; Professor Yesufu Turaki, whose paper was on “Strategies for effective development of leaders” and Dr. Temitayo Amao, whose paper was on “Curbing gender-based violence: the role of religious leaders.”

The International President of OAIC, Most Rev (Dr) Daniel Okoh also sent a goodwill message.

The retreat, which was sponsored by some churches of OAIC which include, Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Christ Holy Church, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Celestial Church of Christ, and Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, attracted leaders from Member-churches, Zones, States, women and children department and youth Departments.

Some notable leaders at the retreat include the Assistant General Secretary of CAN Elder Biodun Sanyaolu; the Legal Director of CAN, Barrister (Mrs.) Comfort Chigbue; the WOWICAN national Chairperson, Deacon Bola Ihesiulor; the General Secretary of OAIC, Dr. Victor Ivoke, and a representative of the Prelate of Celestial Church, Venerable Superior Evangelist Ebenezer Oshoffa.

The Chairman of the retreat committee, who is also the First Vice President of the organisation, Baba Aladura, Elder (Dr.) Israel Akinadewo thanked the large audience for the success of the programme.

A communique was issued after the retreat.