The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • ESOCS gets new Baba Aladura

    ESOCS gets new Baba Aladura

    The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (ESOCS) has a new Prelate.

    He is Dr David Bob-Manuel.

    Bob- Manuel succeeds Elder Lazarus Onyeleonu, who died on May, 13 after leading the church from 2010.

    His appointment was announced last week by the Advisory Board of the church to reporters after a strategic meeting.

    General Secretary of the church, Elder Napo Emuchay, explained Bob-Manuel would be inducted on September 7-10 to coincide with the 92nd anniversary of the church.

    The new Baba Aladura told reporters that he would continue to foster spiritual revival, evangelism and righteous living in the church.

    He said youth and women empowerment would be focal points of his administration, saying their roles in the church cannot be overemphasised.

    He solicited for the cooperation, patience and loyalty of members to take the church to the next level.

    The 76-year-old hails from Abonnema in Rivers State and retired as a management staff of Shell Petroleum and Development Company in 2004.

    He had served as a Deputy Baba Aladura and was General Secretary/ Senior Apostle for more than 10 years.

    Bob-Manuel becomes the 9th Prelate of the church founded in 1925 by the legendary Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase.

  • ‘Why churches don’t encourage discipleship training’

    ‘Why churches don’t encourage discipleship training’

    President of Equipping The Saint Worldwide Ministry, Dr. Jeje Philips, speaks with Adeola Ogunlade on the journey of the mission to the ideas of discipleship in Nigeria at its 14th convocation in Lagos

    How has the journey been in a terrain like Nigeria, trying to make disciples?

    Making disciples anywhere in the world is not easy and not smooth. Nigeria is not different but we give glory to God who has given us the strength to move this far and enablement all the way. Some of the things we encounter are human factors but God has been faithful to us. Because of is faithfulness, we have been able to move faster than expected. It‘s not been easy. We have been able to do 14 convocations in 20 years.

    That means you have lost out of some years. Why was that?

    In the process of setting up and establishing the ministry, we lost some resource people along the line. They lost out of the lane. May be the because of the rigid or rugged exercise put in place to run the race, some dropped out.

    We had to look out for new, greener pastures. Some people who started with us thought that is not as easy as church planting because in church planting, you have many people to support you financially.

    People will bring their tithes, which can be used to run the church but God ordered us not to collect money. So, we don’t charge for the training.

    So, how have you been keeping the ministry going?

    It is God that is helping us to survive. He told us to train them free that He did not send us to collect money but to make disciples and when we obey, He will give us the money.

    Are the materials free? If yes, how then do you pay your resource persons?

    The materials are not free.

    What is so peculiar about these new graduates in your interaction with them?

    God has enjoined us to go out and make disciples of all nations. The gospel of Jesus Christ should go across all missions. It is a mandate Jesus gave when He said all authorities on earth have been given to Him after resurrection.

    He gave the disciples the charge to go out and make disciples and teach the world about him. For sometimes, the church has been distracted from the main mandate by focusing on other things and not on Jesus and his heart cry to the church.

    Jesus told us to make disciples. By so doing, we would depopulate the kingdom of darkness, bring people to Christ, pray for the sick among them and they would recover because we have obeyed His injunction to go and  disciple all nations.

    We will then bring down the power of God on the earth. Originally, when Jesus Christ came, He gave power to the church to heal the sick but somehow the church, because we are busy running after other things, forgot His mandate

    His disciples are like Christ. Like Jesus said that to His disciples, they are not greater than the master but everyone, when fully trained, will be like his teacher (Luke 6: 40).  The church is supposed to act on earth as an arm of Jesus Christ. That is main purpose

    Do you keep tab on your graduates?

    We don’t just focus on the ceremonial aspect but invest our time and energy in following up with them one on one with the support of the alumni of the school.

    Why is it hard to sell the ideas to some denominational heads?

    The challenge is that some denominational heads want to run their own thing the way it profits them. They are churches that have bible colleges and they charge heavily. The church is looking for money by all means.

    When we started, a church invited us and we charged them and when we got there for the training, we did not see anybody, apart from an old woman with a child in the church. We felt very disappointed.

    I asked the Lord, why this disappointment and God told me ‘freely you have received, freely give. I told you to go and make disciples and not charge them. I will give you the money to run your ministry.’

    Then, we stop charging. We had charged some people for a fee, but when God told us to stop charging, we wrote to them that we are not charging any fee for the training and God over the years has been faithful to us.

    I remember we went to a church on Allen Avenue where we taught the workers for six weeks without any fee. The pastor of the church gave us some gifts after we finished the training but on our way out of the church, he called us back and told us that God told him to give us N100, 000.

    That encouraged and convicted us that God is faithful to what He said. Some churches also believe that no other ministry can come and teach them. We are non-denominational. We teach as the bible teaches us.

    Is it located only in Southwest?

    No, we are covering the whole of Africa.

    What’s your take on inclusion of African elements in worship in churches?

    We have no quarrel with that because you can do anything you like. Everything is important but not everything is expedient. Use of candle was first brought to Catholic Church in Nigeria and later to Cherubim and Seraphim.

    When I was the Dean of the C and S Bible College, we found it difficult to accept it but later we did. We accepted it but later changed. After some years, I was having problems with the church authorities because I was saying some things contrary to what they know and teach. We had problems and eventually, we moved out.

    We started an independent ministry, non-denominational ministry. We are not particular about the doctrines of each denomination. We teach Christ and we allow the denomination to teach their things. We may not interfere with the doctrine of any church, we only teach Christ and Christ alone crucified. It is a common denominator among all church

    How do you handle cases of trinity because some churches don’t believe in?

    There is no controversy about Trinity. Anybody who says he does not believe in trinity does not understand the nature of God. The nature of God is three, just like the nature of man. If you say that God is one and you are not interested in knowing the three aspects of Jesus, you have not started.

    Water is liquid as we know but if you put it inside the fridge or boil it, its only changes its form. It remains water. Anyone who does not understand that God is three does not understand God at all. Everything about God is three.

    How can the church make more impact in the world?

    The church can make impact if we follow the teachings of Christ that is why Jesus came to the world to make man understand God’s plan and purpose for humanity. In economy and other areas, the world did not have understanding of the purpose of God. That was why He sent His son to reveal His plan and purpose to the world. If the church can adhere to the teaching of Christ, it will affect the world positively.

  • Over 1,000 for Overflow worship concert

    No fewer than 1,000 worshippers would converge on Light House Christian Outreach Centre Oregun, Lagos today by 4pm for the 15the edition of Overflow worship concert.

    The concert with the theme rejoice, is the brainchild of Passion and Praise Outreach.

    Music Director of Passion and Praise, Caleb Egwero, told newsmen last Thursday that the concert would usher participants into the pure atmosphere of God.

    According to him: ‘’What we are sure of is God’s presence and the preparation of the choir to delivering excellent worship experience in an atmosphere of tranquility.

    ‘’There would be a true sense of worship with versatility of music as well as the refreshing presence of God.’’

    The convener, Funmi Oloyede, said previous editions have always been marked by marvelous testimonies of divine intervention.

    ‘’We can’t wait for what God would do again for His people this year. Whenever we gather in the last 15 years, He has always shown up in unexpected ways,’’ she assured.

    She informed that Pastor Kingsley Ike would lead the concert alongside Aden Solomon, Titi Oloyede and the Mass Choir of Passion and Praise Outreach.

    On what influenced the concert, Oloyede said it was birthed during a private prayer session in 1993, saying it took nine years of preparation to finally take off.

  • God’s word: Key to divine health

    We learn from scriptures that all the virtues of healing, including total health, reside in the Word. First, the Word of God is the all-purpose Balm for the all-round restoration of our health and vitality. Second, according to scriptures, the Word of God is the way out of the challenges of life; including sicknesses and diseases. As it is written: My son attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:20-23; see also Luke 5:17).

    We saw from scriptures that throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, He went about healing all those oppressed of the devil by the Word. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says: And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them (Luke 5:17; see also Psalm 107:20).

    That means that as Jesus was teaching, God’s Word became an automatic channel for the release of the power of God through which the people were healed. For instance, the woman with the spirit of infirmity for 18 years was made whole at the instance of the Word (Luke 13: 11). To the paralytic, Jesus’ Words were, ‘Take up thy bed and walk.’ And He became whole instantly (John 5:8). In Mathew 8:5-13, the Centurion, knowing the power of the Word of God, proclaimed: ‘Speak the Word only and my servant shall be healed.’ Miraculously, his servant was healed that self same hour. Furthermore, in 1969, I got healed of tuberculosis and I am still hale and hearty till today. I said ‘Jesus, if it true that You did all that they said You did in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, do it now!’, and as soon as faith came alive in the validity of scriptures, the darkness of tuberculosis fled from my body and today by His grace, I am one of the healthiest mortals on the earth.

    This establishes that there is no other source in this world that can compare with the efficacy of the Balm in Gilead. This Balm does not only answer for the living, it answers, also, for the dead (John 11:25, 39-44). Consequently, while every other medicine only attempts to cure, the Balm in Gilead guarantees cure and beyond that, guarantees restoration. As it is written: His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth (Job 33:21-25).

    Thus, the Word of God is all we need to be in command of all sicknesses and diseases. This is because revelation in the Word is our ransom from the harassment of sicknesses and diseases. Let us recognise that every sickness is the work of the powers of darkness, but darkness disappears at the instance of light. ‘Light’ here connotes revelation, which is spiritual understanding of our rights in God and walking in the consciousness of same. It is from the Word of God that we access light that empowers us for dominion over sicknesses and diseases (Psalms 119:130). Whenever revelation breaks forth, diseases disappear on their own accord. However, we become victims of sicknesses and diseases when we lack light; but access to light makes us candidates of total health. It is written: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5; see also Revelation 3:7). This may sound simple, but powerful and unbeatable. Therefore, we shouldn’t allow the devil confuse us regarding the simplicity of the gospel so as not to  miss out on the healing virtues embedded in the Word.

    What, then, are the virtues in the Word that heals?

    • God’s Word is Medicinal: Proverbs 4:22 talks about health to all your flesh; in the original context the word health means ‘medicine’ to all your flesh. So, God’s Word is medicinal (Psalm 107:20).
    • God’s Word is Surgical: Whatever is not curable must be repairable; so, God’s Word is surgical. It has the capacity to repair any part of our system. When God made man, He said, It is not good for man to be alone, I want to make a help meet for him. So, man was put to sleep and God operated on him (Genesis 2:21-23). God is the Master Surgeon and He is still operating on people via His surgical Word (John 1:1-3).
    • God’s Word is Creative: If it cannot be cured, it can be repaired; if it cannot be repaired, it can be replaced (John 1:1-3).
    • Divine Nature: So, we partake of God’s divine nature from the Word and that is our ultimate immunity against every sickness and disease (2 Peter 1:4).

    In conclusion, if these are the virtues embedded in the Word, then it is wisdom to become Word addicts. Let’s recognise that if we are not Word addicts, we stand to be tormented. However, it is the Word we engage that brings total health, not just the Word we understand and receive. This is why it is wisdom to pay the price to access revelation at all costs, engage with our findings so that our profiting can appear to all (Luke 5:4-7; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15; James 2:18-24, 26).

    Nevertheless, according to scriptures, healing, health and wholeness are exclusively reserved for the redeemed. 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 Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Keys to Divine Health, The Healing Balm, The Miracle Meal 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 five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.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

  • 2014 confab not waste of time, says Atilade

    The South West Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has called on the federal government to consider some of the recommendations on the reconstruction of Nigeria by the 2014 National Conference.

    He said the 2014 confab report was a not a waste of time.

    Atilade, in an interview with our correspondent last week, said the 2014 confab report was put together by seasoned and well experienced persons from different tribes, religions and cultures.

    He pointed out their recommendations are apt and should be considered for proper legislation by the National Assembly.

    He noted that the reconstruction of Nigeria is necessary in the wake of growing concerns of marginalisation, injustices and uneven development in parts of the country.

    The cleric said: “Reconstruction of Nigeria is germane. It is not going to be answer to all our problems but it will be a first step in the right direction because we need to go back to what was working before the army toppled everything.”

    He lamented that many States are not viable and only exist to pay salaries but could do little or nothing to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

    “The creation of the States is obviously an exercise in futility. We have lost so many things as states cannot provide for themselves. Their internally generated revenue is poor and depends largely on the federal government largess to survive. This is not sustainable for our country,” he stated.

    Atilade argued regionalism worked in Nigeria as its promoted healthy competitions among the various regions and the people felt the benefits of governance.

    The cleric supported the President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on the need for elders and the National Assembly to sit and discuss on the matter for onward legislation.

    Atilade said: “President Buhari should look at the report of 2014 Confab and set up a specialised groups of elders who will look into the recommendation and send some of them to the National Assembly.

    “The 2014 Confab was a large body of representatives of the people and it can go to smaller body for specialised elders and they can now go back to what was recommended by the confab and then, we can now pass it to National Assembly.”

    He called for speedy passage of the Traditional Medicine and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Commission bill.

    Atilade, who is the president of the council, said that lack of regulatory laws and commission to regulate the activities of practitioners has given rise to quacks and makes Nigerians vulnerable to unhealthy and unverifiable drugs across the country.

  • Anglican Women Guild backs restructuring

    The Women Organisation of the Diocese of Lagos West Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has thrown its weights behind calls for restructuring of the nation.

    It called on the ruling class to restructure the nation in a way that will give room for equitable distribution of national resources and political power among the diverse geo-political formations and social strata.

    President of the organisation, Mrs. Lydia Odedeji, lamented the nation has been struggling to exist as a nation years after amalgamation and independence.

    She spoke at the 18th annual women’s conference at the weekend.

    Speaking on the conference theme, “One thing is needful,’ Odedeji, said: “Hundred years after amalgamation, our existence as a nation still lacks the essential ingredients of nationhood which should ultimately manifest in unity.”

    According to her, the unrelenting agitation for political formation restructuring across a wide spectrum of social strata and geo-political formations testifies eloquently to the need for review of the subject of Nigerian nationhood through political restructuring.

    The wife of the Bishop of the Diocese, The Rt Rev Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, emphasised that political restructuring decisions based on wide consultation and all-inclusive approach will guarantee Nigeria’s much needed peaceful coexistence.

    “All these killer groups suddenly emerged with unthinkable audacity, at least publicly, just about the time we were heaving a sigh of relief from senseless killing of women and children by Boko Haram Terrorists who even mindlessly use innocent  children for suicide bombing,” she said.

    She pleaded with the government to effectively deplore and reinforce existing legal instruments and policies that seek the protection of this vulnerable class of citizens.

    Mrs. Odedeji called on all womenfolk to take charge of their naturally divine role both at home and in the society.

    “Women are naturally disposed, by divine purpose and plan, to be of great and primal influence to her immediate family members who, of course, aggregate the larger society.”

    According to her, this divine configuration comes with divine expectation, “God wants us to be an agent of positive change to our immediate community and the world at large.”

    Patron of the Women’s Guild and Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. James Odedeji, said people need to avoid a life filled with distractive activities and figure out what is most needful and determine to go after it.

    He argued involvement in many activities does not necessarily result in accomplishments but mostly mere distractions.

  • Anglican Communion calls for eradication of corruption

    The Diocese of Ido-Ani,Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion)in Ondo State has decried what it called the ‘pervasive’ corruption in Nigeria.

    It called for total eradication of the menace without any sacred cow.

    The church however lauded the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in tackling the problem.

    In a charge delivered at the 2nd session of the third synod of the Diocese held at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity,Ido-ani in Ose local government area, the Diocesan,Rt.Rev Ezekiel Dahunsi also condemned the ‘worsening’ state of security, rampant kidnapping and incessant attacks of farmers by the herdsmen.

    According to the synod, the federal government should rise up in stemming the tide and arrest the situation in its effort at revitalising agricultural sector.

    It supported the efforts of various Christian groups in drawing the attention of government in giving the pride of place to restore the teaching of Christian Religious studies in the secondary school curriculum.

    Besides, the synod faulted the attacks on innocent Christians in southern Kaduna, urging state and federal government to bring perpetrators to book in order to avert reoccurrence.

    It urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to govern the state with the fear of God and face the serious issue of providing good governance to every citizen without discrimination.

    On the issue of workers welfare, the church implored Akeredolu, who is also an Anglican communicant, to prioritize payment of salaries and pensions, explorations of bitumen for development of the state and creation of employment.

    The synod advised the state government to focus more on agriculture as an agrarian state to provide food security and employment opportunities.

    The sermon at the thanksgiving service was delivered by the Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese, Oyo state with the theme “prepare to meet your God”.

  • ‘Christian teenagers must be bold to maximise potential’

    Wife of the Pastor-in-Charge of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Province 59, Pastor Funke AyinOluwa, has appealed to Christian teenagers to maximise their potentials by following through their dreams.

    She spoke last week at a five-day leadership course for teenagers by the province.

    AyinOluwa, who is the convener, said the course was designed to    to inspire young people to be bold, follow their dreams and maximize their future opportunities.

    She urged the teenagers to confidently set goals, take actions and achieve their life-long dreams with passion and enthusiasm.

    According to her: “Many times, our children have the problem of low esteem and we need to address this.

    ‘’On the part of our children we want them to see themselves the way God sees them.

    ‘’We are created to dominate, reign over every creature and every situation. Jesus has concluded the work on the cross.”

    Speaking further, she said: “For the church, we want to get them engaged as well as giving them better alternative than leaving them idle.

    ‘’We want them to be focused and giving them a better option as well as give them worthy role models to look up to”.

    The guest speaker, Pastor (Mrs.) Tinu Odugbemi of Lagos Province 64, warned participants that a relationship based on lust can be devastating.

    She called on them to draw closer to God in reading the word as well as being prayerful.

  • THEME: THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD (17)

    Sub-Theme: The Strong Belt of Truth

    Topic: The Spirit of Truth

    Then Peter opened his mouth and addressed the crowd, saying:

    “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. I am sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel- that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah, who is Lord of all creation. This message has spread all through Judea, beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee, and you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were possessed by demons, for God was with Him. We were witnesses of all He did throughout Israel, and in Jerusalem where He was murdered on a cross, but God brought Him back to life again three days later and showed Him to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him – not to the general public. He sent us to preach the Good News everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the judge of all- living and dead. And all the Prophets have written about Him, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.”

    “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to Gentiles too, for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to my baptizing them, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” so he baptized them in the name of Jesus, the Messiah. Afterwards Cornelius begged him to stay with them for several days.”

    Cornelius is really a model to follow in this age of wide rejection of the truth and ordinances of God. Although, he was not a Jew, he heard about Jesus and believed in Him, God then gave him and his household the precious gift of the Holy Spirit.

    God is calling on people everywhere to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour. Many religious people are rejecting the way of salvation while evil and wicked men in the eyes of the world are repenting and accepting salvation – DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL.

     Cornelius as an army officer would be the least expected to seek God in spirit and in truth. While the religious leaders at the time kept rejecting Jesus, challenging Him, putting up all kinds of arguments, and lies against Him, all in a bid  to reject His Lordship thereby disobeying God, and deceiving their ignorant followers to do same, but this ‘sinner’ man and a foreigner was different, he got saved and was filled with the Holy Spirit. The religious people, those from Jesus’ country whom God first sought to reach with the Good News and the gift of the Holy Spirit, missed such great gifts because of their arrogance. Cornelius and his family got that which is the most important in life- the gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit. What a blessed family! This goes to confirm the saying, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled”, it does not matter who they are.

    Perhaps, they had heard the Good News of peace with God but had not fully accepted it, until Peter came and told them the need to believe in Jesus to have peace with God. This they MUST do, in order to have peace/fellowship/relationship with God. As they heard Peter preach to them, they believed with all their hearts and then God gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit – no experience is as awesome!

    Cornelius and family received the Spirit of Truth- the helper, comforter, teacher, counsellor, intercessor, revealer, guide, peace, the very life of all true believers; God’s life. What a glorious state!

    Stephen was in this state when he was being persecuted; full of the Holy Spirit, they saw his face looked like the face of an angel as he addressed them. Afterwards, he gazed into heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said to his accusers, “look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” They mobbed him, putting their hands over their ears, and drowning out his voice with their shouts; they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. Before his death, rather before he slept, he prayed for them saying, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin,” this is the Holy Spirit at work. Stephen departed this world never as a loser but as an inheritor of the everlasting kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit kept him happy, joyful, loving, and focused on God even at such a time. He was not seeing his pain he saw God’s glory. This made him a winner.

    God and Jesus are not physically present with us, but we have them with us, living in us in the person of the Holy Spirit and we need Him to win life’s battles.

    TEXT: Ephesians 6:10-18, John 8:32, John 14:15-18, Acts 10: 1-33, acts 6: 1-15, 7:1-60

    FROM: Faith Nwachukwu

     

  • ‘Nigeria is not cursed but…’

    ‘Nigeria is not cursed but…’

    Regional Secretary, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES-EPSA), the Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, works in 24 African countries. The Jos-based widely travelled cleric speaks with Sunday Oguntola on the state of the nation. Excerpts: 

    What’s your assessment of the state of the nation? 

    I believe the most pressing challenges facing us are the sovereignty of Nigeria and socio-political upheavals. Sometimes, appearances belie action. I am aware that intense efforts are on in the background to checkmate these needless outbursts from IPOB, Northern Youths, Oduduwa Youths, Nigeria Delta Youths, etc which seek the division of Nigeria into tribal enclaves.

    I also believe a lot is being done to stop this unfortunate development at this time in the life of our nation. There are northern, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaws, middle belt leaders doing a lot behind the scenes to bring sanity into the discordant voices of division and confusing ringing loud in our nation.

    I believe the president’s return last weekend and his address to the nation on Monday should bring a measure of assurance and stability to Nigerians. More importantly, the president’s address points us in the right direction – we all should be routing for a united Nigeria.

    The president needs to act through policy and appointments in showing his call for unity beyond words. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then acting president, swung into action by his meetings with various leaders across the political spectrum of Nigeria. He is to be highly commended. There is hope for Nigeria.

    IPOB does not have the rest of Nigeria with it. It’s the same with the Northern Youths. IPOB’s disparaging comments about northerners is to be condemned in the strongest terms possible and same goes for the genocidal inciting statements credited to some ethnic jingoists in the north.

    The government should continue doing her best in creating an environment for constructive dialogue in this and other matters.

    In essence, the religious quit notice issued by Boko Haram in December 2011 has in some ways motivated these politically toxic ethnic-driven quit notices being witnessed in Nigeria today.

    These groups are capitalising on the precarious security situation in Nigeria. Our youths should not follow the failed examples of issuing quit notices because it simply will not work. They can be different. No romanticising with Boko Haramisation. Quit notice is an ethnic-cleansing agenda reminiscent of the tragic events of Rwanda and Burundi.

    So, you believe the quit notice won’t stand? 

    It’s won’t stand because the Army is a no push over. They have done a lot and should also be commended. Defending the territorial integrity of our nation is not in doubt. It is the ethnic radicalisation of our youths that worries me and for which we all need to rise-up and say NO!

    I hope it is not true what is credited to the Northern Youths leader who said they were asked by some elders in the north to issue the quit notice. That will be unfortunate, if indeed true. Had Nigerians risen in unison to condemn the pogroms of 1966, the unfortunate civil war of 1967-1970 may have been averted.

    Quit notices are only pretexts for laying the foundation for xenophobic attacks on fellow Nigerians and our president and the Commander in Chief has said NO. We all need to queue up behind him on this. This is not the time for politicking but standing up for Nigeria.

    The young people of Nigeria are frustrated, very frustrated with the systemic corruption on display in Nigeria, but I can assure you that they are no allies of either IPOB opportunists or Arewa radical elements. Most of these agitations reflect incompatible interests between our political leaders and those they govern.

    There is nothing wrong in having such political pressure groups in the country. However, such groups lose their legitimacy to advocate for the people if they start becoming violent. Their resort to political threats and blackmail is unhealthy and should not be countenanced.

    Do you believe in how the president’s health issue has been handled?

    Anybody can fall sick, even presidents. The secrecy with which this is being handled is reminiscent of the Yar Adua days and this is worrisome. I still believe the president should come clean and tell Nigerians exactly what the issue is with his health. He will get more respect and empathy in the long run. The silence and secrecy hurts him more and his presidency.

    I am glad our president is back and feeling good with his health. We wish him speedy and full recovery. However, I believe we should find a Constitutional solution to the issue of Mr. President’s prolonged absence due to his medical condition.

    The fact remains he is the president of Nigeria and his health is no longer a private matter. I will humbly add that without being politically correct, Buhari’s sickness is affecting the soul of our nation.

    What’s your take on the restructuring debate?

    We must not always politicise everything. Nigerians today are far too sophisticated politically to be deceived by sweet talkers, who cajole and threaten as it suits them. Truth telling is a scarce commodity in Nigeria’s political landscape. We talk about fighting one another and war as if this were going to a tea party.

    I favour a peaceful restructuring of Nigeria with sincerity and openness through genuine dialogue among Nigeria’s constituent members. Sometimes, I quietly ask myself and now I am asking in the open – ‘who is afraid of restructuring Nigeria and why?’

    I think this nation stands to gain more by restructuring than remaining the way it is today. Issues of socio-economic tensions are bound to be eased with restructuring. It should be clear to all that Nigerians are tired of this dominant – command and control – centre. True federalism requires functional autonomy at the lower levels.

    The nation needs to undergo what many in development circles call Organisation Development (OD) overhaul. We need to keep asking ourselves what are the present strengths and weaknesses of Nigeria? Let’s do a national environmental scan (appraisal) and together agree and find workable solutions, going forward.

    Is Nigeria cursed based on where we are? 

    Nigeria is not under any curse. I will also like to ask under curse by who and for what reason? We are where we are today because of sheer greed and thirst for political power for the wrong reasons.

    For example, policy making should be about benefiting our countrymen and women. This does not seem to be an operational guide to our politicians. The wealth God has blessed this country with is enough to go around if shared equitably and with a high sense of justice which is rooted in fairness. Instead, what are we witnessing?

    Our wealth has been looted, misused and mismanaged in favour of the few who are in the political class and their cronies. Some of our politicians behave more as merchants than as servants of the people. Leadership is about vision and service. But what we see is more of the me first or my family/cronies mentality from our politicians.

    Majority of Nigerians feel marginalised and this perception is growing with each passing day. This is regardless of what political party they belong to or whoever the presidential occupier is at Aso Rock Villa.

    The present occupier, Muhammadu Buhari, whose change agenda brought him into power, remains so far, a lost golden opportunity unless something tangible is done to bringing change to Nigeria.

    The change platform on which APC campaigned in 2015 has become an illusion for a majority of Nigerians – even as 2019 approaches.

    Do you think Nigeria is redeemable? 

    Nigeria is definitely not beyond political, economic and spiritual redemption if the issue of greed is addressed. Leaders who promote sectionalism and religious bigotry will continue to keep this nation backward. The populace needs to reject blind allegiance to ethnic and religious champions, especially those who masquerade as quality leaders but in essence are not. Rejecting them will see this nation moving on the path of redemption. Nigeria is redeemable!

    What should Christians be doing at a time like this? 

    You have asked a good question. The point is the Church needs to engage in double-listening – to God and the issues of which confront our nation and in introspective reflection on happenings around us rather than be reactionary.

    Christians should pray and by their act, promote a corruption- free Nigeria. Christians should work assiduously for the unity of Nigeria. Christians alone can make a redemptive difference in changing Nigeria. Pastors should never allow themselves to be bought over by the government.

    The love of money in the name of prosperity gospel is so high among pastors in Nigeria. Prosperity is not unbiblical but its pursuit has resulted in the promotion of a gospel of materialism and consumerism. There is so much entertainment and motivational preaching rather than sound doctrines.

    What’s been happening in IFES-EPSA lately? 

    IFES-EPSA has witnessed significant growth with many university and college students coming to faith in Christ. This represents bright hope for the future of Christianity in Africa and at the global stage. God-fearing Christian students represent God-fearing leaders for the future of this continent.

    The region has experienced modest but steady growth since inception from less than 10 student movements in 1960. Today, EPSA has presence in 24 countries. In July 2008, there were just 100,000 students.

    By April 2014, the number rose to 155,450. Today, EPSA has 185,000 students, who are followers of Jesus Christ on the university and college campuses of Africa. EPSA students constitute 40 percent of the entire student membership in IFES.

    The student ministry context in the region has changed rapidly over the last decade as countries experience population growth, urbanisation and economic expansion. The number of higher education colleges established has increased and so also access to education.

    Others have witnessed extreme persecution and political repression. The 24 national movements in EPSA are at different levels of growth.