The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Prelate Uche to politicians: don’t set Nigeria on fire

    The Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Uche (JP) has called on politicians to embrace peace and unity for a stronger Nigeria.

    He told them not to set the nation on fire, declaring no sacrifice is too much to do for Nigeria, including conceding defeat.

    He spoke during a chat with reporters last week on at the Prelate’s conference room, MCN conference headquarters in Lagos.

    According to him: “No sacrifice will be too much after all his Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is acclaimed all over the world as the greatest democrat in the African continent.

    “Yet, he conceded defeat and congratulated the winner of the Presidential election in the interest of the people of Nigeria.

    “Those who won should exhibit maturity and be magnanimous in victory while those who lost should accept defeat, either temporarily or permanently with patience and equanimity.”

    The cleric said politicians should avoid overheating the polity by calling for fire and brimstone.

    He pointed out President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to run an inclusive-government, stating members of the opposition may be considered in forming the cabinet of the coming tenure.

    “However, if any feels cheated he or she can choose lawful means of realising his/her alleged stolen mandate without calling for war.

    “Let us disallow the intimidation of opposition parties or the harassment of opponents or the sponsoring of thugs to intimidate opponents.

    “Let the military, if needs be not be involved in polling stations, polling booths and collation centres.

    “They may standby in a distance to wait for any situation that becomes overwhelming for the police to provide the needed support for the police without necessarily harming any Nigerian.

    “Let the police be allowed to discharge their civil responsibilities as INEC officials at all levels should avoid being compromised,” he stated.

    The cleric also noted that Methodist church will support the prosecution and possible imprisonment of those who commit electoral offences as already provided by the enabling law.

    He urged the Federal government to ensure the family of those who lost their lives should be adequately compensated.

    “Let all the tribes that make up Nigeria, including the Igbo people use their common sense to advance the cause of peace wherever they reside without conducting themselves in manners likely to cause breach of the peace in those areas,” he stated.

  • Unveiling the wonder virtues in the word!

    Welcome to another exciting week! I believe you were blessed by the last teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Unveiling the Wonder Virtues in the Word!

    We understand from Scriptures that a word from the Lord on any issue of life puts us in command of that issue. As it is written: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth (John 1:14). It takes a Word from the Lord to exercise authority (John 5:30). God’s Word is loaded with wonder genes, and when we are inoculated with them, we will begin to manifest the wonders that the Word carries. The Psalmist says: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm119:18). For instance, when you take a glass of water and ask a layman, “What is in that cup?” He will say, “It is water.” However, when you ask a chemistry student, he will likely tell you that it is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen in some percentages. That is because he has been given access to the knowledge of the chemical content of that colourless liquid. That is what the Word of God is like; it is loaded with some stuff and when the Holy Ghost leads us into them, we begin to experience the effect of those things in our lives. The Word of God has life; it is made up of genes, which energise the living capacity of the Word.

    What are the Wonder Virtues in the Word?

    • The Word is Illuminative: The Word has power to illuminate us and this empowers us to dominate darkness. When Jesus came, evil spirits fled at His appearance, because He carried light. Nothing threatens darkness like light. It is written: …All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:1-4/9). The Word does not only enlighten us, we are also lighted by it. The Word of God is supernaturally illuminative. It has the capacity to illuminate us with divine light, so we can dominate every realm of darkness.
    • God’s Word is Genetic: The Bible says: …the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). God’s Word contains life-quickening genes. Anything living has genes within it. Thus, God’s Word has life genes. The Word was made flesh (John 1:14). This goes further to establish the fact that God’s Word carries genes within it. So, God’s Word is genetic, with the ability to transform the life of anyone that encounters it.
    • God’s Word is Creative: When a Word from the Lord comes, it creates even what is not in existence. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. Everything God said, He saw. God’s Word is genetically creative; it can create brand new organs for the body. Whatever is not curable must be repairable and whatever is not repairable, must be replaceable. He said: …for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26).
    • God’s Word is Prophetic: Every Word from the Scriptures is prophetic, which means that it has an assurance of delivery. This is called the more sure Word of prophecy. When God’s Word of prophecy comes, its fulfilment is guaranteed (2 Peter 1:21-22). God said: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it(Isaiah 55:11). When God says a thing, His integrity backs it up. Any Word spoken by God to us is ordained for fulfilment because it is prophetic in nature, except we do not believe it.
    • God’s Word is an Indestructible Seed: It takes the Word from God for anyone to truly take command of any issue of life. The Bible says: Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).It is also written: So shall my word that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the things whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11; see also Matthew 24:35).
    • God’s Word is Medicinal: There are healing virtues in the Word, because there is a healing God in it, and His Word carries the same order of healing virtue in Him. It is written: He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20). By medicinal, I mean, it contains therapeutic values. His Word brings healing to our spirit, soul and body. We cannot tap into the healing virtue of God until it is rooted in our minds and spirit. If our minds are overwhelmed by the truth, we are in control. We need to have an understanding of what the Word carries, and recognise that our total health is part of the virtues in the Word.
    • God’s Word is Surgical: It has the capacity to create our desired solutions. Examining the woman that was bent over in Luke 13:11-13, Jesus performed instant surgery on her and she was made straight that same hour. All He said was, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.” That brought about instant healing.

    In summary, every time we approach God for His Word, we must understand that His Word carries all we need for our health and wholeness(John 1:1).It took God four days to create the fullness of the world; it took Him only one day to make man. Therefore, it will not take Him more than a day to repair or replace whatever is damaged in our lives. But, you must be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Turnaround Power of the Word, The Force of Freedom, Walking in Dominion, Satan Get Lost, Born to Win and Fulfilling your Days. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail:feedback@lfcww.org; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

  • My wife beats me frequently, Pastor tells court

    An Ibadan- based Pastor, Samuel Adedeji on Thursday, told a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to terminate the year-old union between him and his wife, Temiloluwa, over threat to his life.

    In his petition to the court, Adedeji who lived at Ologuneru area of Ibadan accused his wife of frequently beating him and distracting him from his ministry.

    “I think that I actually got it wrong by not making proper spiritual consultation before I went to the altar with Temiloluwa as a husband.

    “For too long, I have had to cope with all sorts of humiliation, insults, abuses in addition to emotional and psychological torture which I have often suffered from her.

    “When Temiloluwa’s troublemaking reached its peak, she started beating me and tearing off my dresses.

    “Recently, she gave me three dirty slaps in the night and was attempting to stab me to death that same night when I had to run for my dear life.

    “Temiloluwa has no regard for anybody because by her attitude, she is a devil in human skin.

    “Now, she has left my home and I need to move on too.

    “There is no more love between both of us,” Samuel said.

    However, the respondent was conspicuously absent in the court when she was called to respond to the allegations leveled against her.

    The court’s bailiff informed the Arbitrators, led by the President, Chief Ademola Odunade that he had served notices of court hearing on Temiloluwa and that she deliberately ignored the notices.

    After careful consideration, Odunade dissolved the union, citing threat to life as the reason.

    He ordered that the copy of the judgment be served on the respondent for her to be aware of the latest in the case.

  • Leah Sharibu’s mother congratulates Buhari, seeks her freedom

    Mrs. Rebecca Sharibu, mother of Leah the only Christian Dapchi Girl still in the hands of Boko Haram has congratulated President Mohammadu Buhari on his re-election by Nigerians during the February 23 polls.

    Mrs. Sharibu, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent on phone from Dapchi, also called on the President Buhari not to forget her daughter as he celebrates his victory.

    She also appealed to Boko Haram insurgents to release her unconditionally, reminding Buhari of his promise to secure her rescue.

    Mrs. Sharibu said: “I am grateful to all Nigeria who participated in the election. We are also grateful that the election was peaceful. From the beginning, people felt that there will be problem but it did not happen.

    “We are also happy that the President won the election. On behalf of myself and my family, we congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and pray for God to give him the desired wisdom to rule the country.

    “I want to remind the President that, as he celebrates his victory, he should not forget that Leah is still in the hands of Boko Haram.

    “As for me, my heart is heavy because I have not seen my daughter for more than one year now.

    “I am calling on the President to fulfill his promise of freeing my daughter from the hands of Boko Haram. My cry is still the same, today and tomorrow until I see my daughter.

    “As for Boko Haram, that are still holding my daughter, I am still pleading with them to have mercy on my daughter and other captives and release them unconditionally.

    “Boko Haram should please know that we have been subjected to psychological torture and trauma since my daughter was taking away.

    “Please have mercy on my daughter,” she said as she broke into tears.

    Leah, along with other over 100 girls, was whisked away from their hostel at Government Girls Science Technical College Dapchi by Boko Haram on the 16th Febuary, 2018.

    While her mates were released a month later and other died, Leah was however held back by the insurgents on the allegations that she refused to denounce her Christian fate.

    Though the Federal Government has consistently promised to rescue the girl, it is over a year she has remained with the insurgents.

  • What is in the word that endangers dominion?

    Welcome to March! I believe that we all had specific encounters with God as individuals all through the month of February, 2019. I pray that everyone’s experience shall be a spiritual asset for life! This month, we shall examine our dominion rights in redemption. To start with, this week, we shall examine the topic: What is in the Word that Endangers Dominion?

    We discover from Scriptures that the Bible is the most valuable volume of all times. For it is written: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).It is the oldest, yet the most current book. It is also the most ancient, yet the bestseller of all times. It is the most widely quoted book and its principles still rule most of the civilised societies today. Its content touches all aspects of human existence, and that is what makes it the key to our unending turnarounds. The Bible is a living force and there is something unique about it. God’s Word is ever-reliable, ever-dependable, and eternally functional. His integrity backs His Word; therefore, we can count on Him.

    However, what we do with the Word largely determines our destiny. That means, it is our value for the Word that defines what becomes of our lives. This is because the contents of the Bible are spiritual laws that confer us with dominion in our earthly walk. The light of God’s Word does not only enlighten; it also lightens us (John 1:1/4/9).The Word puts us in command of everything, because all things were created by the Word, and everything remains under the command of the Word forever (John1:3). Therefore, having potentials or skills is not a substitute for gaining command over our desired turnarounds. We must have the consciousness that the devil is not as powerful as we think he is; rather, it is our ignorance of the dominion we have over him, through the Word, that makes him torment us.

    Too many people approach the Bible like a motivational or a religious text, where they draw religious principles. That makes them relegated day in, day out, because they don’t know what it carries. The Bible is the only “charm” that does not lose its potency. The application of God’s Word works any day and at anytime. Also, Jesus is the wisdom and the power of God, and He is the Word of God. Thus, God’s Word is also the wisdom of God; thus, when we eat the Word, which is the Knowledge of truth, there is bound to be a reward because our expectations shall not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14). We might not know the efficacy of the Word until we begin to put it to work in faith, delightedly, cheerfully, excitedly, lovingly, passionately, zealously and selflessly. This is because the Bible cannot be re-written. We either connect with what is written or we are disconnected from it.

    What then, is in the Word that Endangers Dominion?

    • The Spirit Power of the Word: God’s Word is Spirit and life, and it is able to quicken. The Bible says: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). It can also invigorate everything that is dying. Thus, the Bible enables us to partake of that divine nature of God that gives us dominion over the things that corrupt the world.
    • Empowerment in the Word: God’s Word is self-anointed and it is divinely empowered (John 6:63). This can be understood particularly when we know that God is omnipotent, which means that He is All-powerful. For it is written: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). If the Word is God and God is Omnipotent, that means God’s Word is all-powerful. Therefore, every genuine encounter with the Word empowers people to do the impossible (Romans 1:16; John 1:12).
    • The Healing Power of the Word: God’s Word carries His nature, which is immune to sicknesses and diseases. The Centurion said to Jesus: …but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed (Matthew 8:8). Hence, when we receive and believe the Word, we buy into divine nature that establishes our dominion over every assault on our bodies. Every time God’s Word goes forth, God’s healing power goes forth. That is why we are told that Jesus, the living Word, went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil (Luke 5:17).
    • Deliverance in the Word: There is deliverance power in the Word and its light empowers us for dominion over the powers of darkness. As it is written: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). We must recognise that we are contending with invisible forces on a daily basis, but revelation of the Word is our guarantee for victory. Darkness is the highest realm that the enemy operates in to perform his wicked works. However, when we put on the armour of light, we disarm him as if nothing ever existed before. Thus, walking in the light of the Word empowers us to always triumph over darkness. When there is light in us, we cannot stumble because darkness flees at our instance and the entrance of God’s Word gives light (Psalm 119:130).

    In conclusion, most times, what we hear is powerless until we believe it, and what we receive is helpless until we believe it. It is a combination of receiving and believing that empowers our full-scale manifestation. Thus, it is not enough to receive the Word; we must go a little further to believe the Word and then, we dominate our circumstances. However, you must be born again.  Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Turnaround Power of the Word, The Force of Freedom, Walking in Dominion, Satan Get Lost, Born to Win and Fulfilling your Days. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail:feedback@lfcww.org; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

  • The judiciary is ordained by God

    Daniel 4:17 says the most High God rules in the Kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He wills. He also sets up higher powers to ensure law and order in the kingdom of men. And these higher powers are the Judiciary, which in the sight of God are sacrosanct and therefore the most important arm of government.

    This is why God commands all men to be subject to these higher powers. Romans 13: 1 stresses: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher power for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God.

    Romans 13: 4-5 states: “Why? Because these higher powers, that is, the Magistrates and the Judges, are God’s own ministers, who bear the sword, to execute and to dispense justice in the society.

    “All souls, therefore, especially believers in Christ, must be subject to all magistrates and judges, both for conscience sake and for wrath’s sake.”

    Any civil government in power, or any citizen of the country, and of course, any believer in Christ, who resists these magistrates or judges by refusing to obey their orders is resisting the ordinance of God and shall receive to themselves damnation.

    Christians are reminded in Titus 3:1 that they must be subject to the powers that be, by obeying the order of magistrates and judges, and must be ready to do every good work, so that they will not be damned.

    Judges and magistrates, being the ministers of God, are also warned to take heed what they do for they judge not for man but for the Lord, who is with them in all their judgments as 2 Chronicles 19:6 points out.

    Therefore, Magistrates and Judges must be conscious of the fact that they are judging for the Lord, and not for man, and so, must not judge with the fear of man or with the fear of the Government in power, but with the fear of God, who put them in power, and who is with them in their judgments.

    As ministers or servants of God, no iniquity should be found with magistrates or judges and they must have no respect of persons, neither must they take gifts to pervert the judgment of the righteous. 2 Chronicles 19:7 states this as much.

    The role of the true church in a civil government is to preach salvation to all men and to be engaged in ceaseless prayers of intercession for those in authority, especially for magistrates and judges, who have God’s sword in their hands for the execution of judgment.

    The church must pray so that this sword may be applied rightly in the fear of God. Because of this important divine role of the church in the society, saints of God are not to sue one another to any law court.

    Rather, they must judge all matters amongst themselves. I Corinthians 6:1 says: “Dare any of you having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust and not before the saints?”

    Verses 2-3 say: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye not worthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?”

    A true church is also a militant church, which must always be in constant spiritual warfare with the demons behind the lawlessness in the nation and with the demons which hinder good governance and the prosperity of the nation.

    Therefore, the militant church is a praying church and the saints of God, who make up the militant church, must not entangle themselves in politicking so that they can please Jesus, who has chosen them to be spiritual soldiers as 2 Timothy 2:4 points out.

    The healing of any nation and the stability of any civil government and of the Judiciary and even the peace of any nation, depends upon a militant praying church, whose Great Commander is the LORD JESUS, because He is the LORD of hosts and at the same time, the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9: 6 says.

    George, a member of Christian Gospel Church (The Truth Centre) Benin, writes in through cgc.com.ng@gmail.com.

  • ‘Christians have no business in politics’

    Evangelist Sola Rotimi has been a gospel singer after he got born again in the early 70s while working with Nigeria Paper Mills at Jebba. He spoke with Daniel Adeleye on why he relocated to USA, amongst other issues. Excerpts:

    Why did you relocate to the USA?

    As children of God, we are saved to serve. When Jesus ordered his disciples to preach the gospel to all nations, He was not asking us to stay in a certain geographical area. After I got born again at Jebba many years ago, I embarked on evangelism going from one village/town to another.

    It got to a stage that I embarked on train evangelism. At that time train evangelism was very effective in Nigeria. I loved waking up around 4:30 am daily for morning cry through songs of repentance and salvation accompanied by playing of accordion.

    So one particular morning at Ibadan, as I was going on evangelism, I met a man who I later found out his name to be Dr Oluwo. He had a friend who had a big church in London. He gave me his complementary card and asked me to see him in the house.

    So three days later, I decided to trace the address on the card. On getting there he told me how my songs inspired and changed him and so he invited me to his church for songs ministration and I agreed to go. That’s how we became friends even though he was an elderly person.

    One day he sent for me and when I got there, to my surprise he offered to take me to London, that he wanted to prove to the Europeans that there are talents too in Africa. In a nutshell, that’s how I travelled to London in 1980 and that was the first time I left Nigeria shores for evangelism in foreign land.

    So how did you then find yourself in the USA?

    First I got invited. I’ve been travelling to London and other countries like Israel and Switzerland before I got invitation to US and later relocated to the country. I got invited to Israel during the feast of Tabernacle in Jerusalem organised by International Christians Embassy (ICE) in Jerusalem.

    I went there on a visit for at least three times and one of those times I was there for over three months so I had to leave because they wanted to hire me into a Ghanaian church over there. They loved my ministration but I told them that I can’t stay. And coming back I got another invitation to Switzerland before I finally moved to USA in 2004.

    What kind of a church you run over there?

    My mission is Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). So, I belong to Christ Apostolic Church and that’s where I am.

    What brought you home at this time?

    The Christ Apostolic Church clocked 100 years in 2018 and I am one of the representatives that came for the grand finale of the centenary celebration of the church in November. And more so, I am one of the centenary award recipients alongside Lady Evang. Bola Are, Ayewa and Mama Fasoyin of Good Women Choir. Each time I’m home in Nigeria, I always like to release an album. So, after the centenary programme I decided to stay back and work on an album before I go back. And now I’ve completed the album (Eternity) which had also been launched on the 19th of January 2019.

    You’re also using songs to propagate gospel; what inspires you to sing and do you consider the commercial aspect of it?

    After I got born again, I fell in love with the words of God and each time I’m reading the scriptures, inspiration do come on certain verses and before I knew it I will start singing. So I get inspired mainly from the scripture to come up with a particular song.

    At times it could be while listening to a powerful sermon, sometimes it could be from an incident that happened and touches me. Sometimes in the dream but most of the time, the inscription comes through reading of the scriptures.

    My focus is not to make money through songs but to use it as a medium to spread the gospel of Christ and to win souls because I have a burning passion to bring lost souls to the vineyard of God. Besides, Christ admonished us to go into the world and propagate his gospel because we are saved to serve. So my mission is not to amass wealth to myself through songs but to reach souls through songs.

    What do you make of the present day’s gospel artistes?

    Well, I discovered that the peril of an end time has overtaken many. And it’s not strange because what we are seeing now corroborates what Christ had said about end time in the scripture. At the end time, the love of many will wax cold and they will be lovers of money and of their stomach.

    And this is the time; we are in that era, and he who that ignorant of it will easily fall prey of the fake prophets running after money and fame. At times as a minister of songs I discover that many sing to praise men against the wish of God. Although some are genuinely called to the ministry but many sing simply because of earthly popularity and money.

    I always advise my comrades to always give themselves to the reading of scriptures as well as fasting and prayer, which are the only ways to receive strength and get rooted in God.

    Worldly wisdom is vanity. Sometimes when you listen to the songs of some who are not Christians their songs sounds very good, the wisdom might be there but the inspiration for salvation of souls is missing.

    That’s why it’s necessary to seek godly wisdom before we come up with a particular song. There are some gospel songs today that one will not be able to differentiate between them and secular songs. So like I said, it’s a peril of an end time.

    It’s a political season in Nigeria, do subscribe to churches and some men of God endorsing candidates for elective positions?

    Well, to me a Christian is not a politician. That’s why I talked about worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is calling on Christians to go into politics because they believe if Christians are there they would do the right thing.

    But they forgot that it’s only God that appoints leaders. If God doesn’t permit that there is nothing anybody can do. Christians are not politicians, our primary assignment is to evangelise and we are to advise, warn and correct the politicians.

    If God wants any Christian to be in politics, God himself will order such person’s step and if such happens it means God want to manifest His glory through that individual. For instance Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego in the bible, never contested for any political seat in Babylon but because God wanted it, Daniel became governor and Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were appointed into positions in government.

    Looking at their lives they didn’t govern like regular politicians, they regarded them as men of God. The people of Babylon consulted them when things were going wrong and solution always come. We also read about Joseph, to fulfill God’s purpose Joseph became prime minister in Egypt. He never struggled to be in power. So it can happen that way.

    I am not ruling it totally though, that God cannot ask someone to go into politics but that would be by divine intervention. Those who are Christians in politics in our country in the time past, what was their impact as Christians while their tenure lasts in government?

    So what’s your reading of the state of the nation at the moment?

    When a nation is against God, a lot of things like what we are seeing now happen. Wickedness has taken over the landscape of Nigeria. Why should a person choose to bathe with blood simply because he is seeking for a political seat? All these things are bound to happen because they have failed to put God in their schedule.

    Nigeria is a country of both of Christianity and Islam, yet the happenings in the nation do not portray us in the righteous light. Shedding innocent blood has become a regular in the land and when such happen, punishment follows.

    We need to move close to God in repentance with total surrender and ask for the wisdom of God. Only then we will begin to see changes. It would have become worse than this if not for the prayers of the saints, so we shouldn’t stop praying.

    What is your counsel to Nigerians in this electioneering season?

    When we all turn to God in prayers, He will direct us. There are many political parties in Nigeria; therefore we should look beyond the regular two big parties. We don’t know maybe the one that God wants to use to change the story of Nigeria is among the upcoming parties but because of the system that had been corrupt we only look at the big parties.

    Nigerians should also endeavour to discourage vote buying and vote their conscience. Some people say they will take the money but still vote for candidates of their choice but I say don’t take the money.

  • ‘It’s dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan’

    The Primate of First African Church Mission (FACM), Reverend Sunday Oludare Matilukuro has said it is dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan.

    Speaking to The Nation in Lagos, Matilukuro described the present political dispensation as ‘tensed’.

    According to him: “I see present political dispensation as being tensed and full of desperation.

    “The leadership of the two major parties are key to the success of the parties but I see APC leader as being of more positive influence than that of PDP.”

    Matilukuro warned it is dangerous for Christian leaders to be partisan because it would eventually take away their honour, dignity and respect.

    He said: “It will eventually be difficult to separate Christian leaders from these politicians.”

    He told The Nation that the church is playing its part in educating its members through sensitisation, saying members must not sell their votes or engage in thuggery and violence before, during and after elections.

    The Primate advised politicians to love Nigeria more rather than being self -centered.

    “They should not be too desperate for power. They should stop deceiving the electorate, but rather fear God and consider themselves as servants to the populace.

    “They should also seek to earn their income rather than turning governance to automated teller machine.”

    On the best way to resolve the challenges Christians are currently facing in northern parts of the country, he said: “We need intensive prayers and to exert pressure on government to take the issue of eradicating illiteracy and poverty very seriously.

    “When the almajiris are educated and well fed, they would no longer be available to be used by the ‘powers that be’.”

    While admitting the church like every other organisation the church had been with its challenges like dearth of funds, he revealed the church had been able to get every member more committed to the yearnings of the Church, thus gradually overcoming the challenge.

    He told The Nation that since he assumed the leadership position of the church, evangelism has been massive and aggressive.

    “The Church is breaking into new grounds in Nigeria and internationally.

    “Laudable projects like Prayer City, permanent site for our Theological School being prosecuted, coupled with manpower training, development and other empowerment programmes.”

  • Don’t sell your votes, cleric charges

    The President of Kingdom Redemption Outreach Centre International with headquarters in USA and branches all over the world, Apostle Faith Eden- Osakwe, has called on Nigerians not to sell their destinies to vote buying.

    In a telephone conversation with our reporter, Eden-Osakwe said she desires to see a better Nigeria than what she used to know.

    “The Nigeria I grew up in was a nation where we all celebrated Ramadan and Christmas together. Where we were free to walk on the streets without fear of being kidnapped or killed for rituals”

    “I remember some of my neighbours who were idol worshippers. We all lived together with one purpose, the progress of our nations Nigeria. Please give me back my Nigeria even better,” she said.

    She warned that a house divided against itself shall not stand, adding that those who want to Islamize or make Jewish out of Nigerians do not have their interest at heart.

    “Don’t you see what they are doing to us? It’s all for profit making. How many of you have a house in either nation or are you ready to live in a refugee camp?

    “Leaving the comfort and freedom that you have behind. Why go live as a slave in a foreign land when we can together rise and take our nation back from those that want to put us in bondage of perpetual fear?”

    She told those with their Permanent Voters Cards that the destiny of the country is in their hands, tasking them to go and vote for God has their best interest at heart.

    “Don’t sell your vote. Don’t sell your destiny,” she counseled.

  • Abiara makes case for the less-privileged

    Immediate General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara, has challenged wealthy Christians to engage more in humanitarian gestures.

    He also told well-to-do Nigerians to spare a thought for the downtrodden, stating that all the wealth they have acquired are better deployed lifting lives.

    The founder of Abiara Divine Foundation (ADF) told our correspondent last week in Lagos that helping the poor is his latest assignment from God.

    “God has a special love for the poor and downtrodden. He wants us to remember them in our entire endeavor.

    “This is why He has given me this assignment to lift as many poor as possible from the doldorum of poverty.

    “Taking care of the poor is my passion. It is the new assignment God gave me and I want to appeal that we should take care of the downtrodden in the society,” he said.

    He stated that the foundation will devote itself to providing relief materials and support for the masses as well as empowering them to attain financial sufficiency.

    “We don’t just want to feed and clothe them, we also want them to become financially independent through empowerment and vocational training,” he stressed.

    On how much the foundation has done, he said several widows and orphans have been given support while the poor have received relief materials.

    But he said many more are in the offing, stating “Now, we are planning to extend this gesture to the remote areas with food items, clothing, and equipment for the artisans, cash to encourage potential traders, scholarship and so on.

    “The ADF is already having her temporary offices in Lagos and Ibadan. We are planning to open more office in Abuja, USA, UK and employ qualified people to work in these offices.

    “It is also part of our plans to build warehouses where donated materials would be kept.”

    He called on well-meaning Christians to join him in the campaign to phase out poverty and hunger from the land.

    “We need all the support we can get. We are credible and will spend the all the support for the purposes they are meant for,” Abiara said.

    He said the wealthy should also remember they will one day leave all their acquisitions to face God.

    “Many have houses and buildings they do not need. They just keep acquiring as if life is all about possessions.

    “They should give up a fraction of their possessions because that is what touches the heart of God,” Abiara said.