The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Adeboye prays for police officers

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has declared a day of special prayer for members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The special prayer session, tagged ‘I will defend this nation’, holds at the Headquarters’ Church of the RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on November 4 by 8.00am.

    Adeboye said God must intervene in the security sector of the nation, saying police officers should be held up in prayers instead of being castigated.

    According to him: ‘’ There is the need for spiritual intervention in solving the problems. We need the intervention of God in this matter. We must pray for the police because they are the security operatives entrusted with maintaining laws and order in the society.

    “They are closer to the populace than any of the security operatives or agencies in the country. Judging from the look of things, it is only the police that are entrusted by government with combating crime and other evil occurrences in the society.’’

    Adeboye, represented by his spokesman, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, said: “We are inviting all the Nigerian police officers and men, particularly in the south-west and south-south states because we are considering the space. “

  • ‘Why Christians, Muslims must cohabit peacefully’

    ‘Why Christians, Muslims must cohabit peacefully’

    General Overseer of Divine Appointment Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Ben Eragbai, spoke with Musa Odoshimokhe on issues affecting Christians and the nation. Excerpts:

    As the government right to propose talks with the Boko Haram sect?

    In the first place, the proposal to talk is not well defined. Who is the Boko Haram? How do you talk with people that you have not seen? Do they have a face? Why are they not showing their faces?

    If government is thinking of giving them whatever they think is necessary for peace to reign, how do they achieve this when they have no defined face? The Niger Delta Militants had their agenda; they were fighting because their oil was exploited without adequate care for their damaged lands. They said their grouse against government was because of oil spillage which reduced aquatic life to zero.

    They were seriously impoverished; this was what led to the crisis in the Niger Delta in the first place. They took to arms, which of course I am not in support of. But it is not the same with the Boko Haram people.

    What is their agenda? They have no oil but are saying western education is bad. Now they are saying things that western education brought are bad, and are making use of whatever has been designed through western education. Is this not a contradiction? Western education is bad – they are using GSM, driving cars, wearing clothes, using media houses to convey their messages. My question is who is fooling who? We all know that education is part of civilisation, otherwise we will return to the Stone Age. They are saying that the whole north should now be called a Sharia region. They should remember that Nigeria has a constitution which allows freedom of worship which must be followed.

    Nobody has raised objection to their belief; in fact there is a mosque close to this church here. The Imam of the mosque is a very good friend. The last time something happened to him, I walked straight to the mosque. I walked in there to greet him as a friend and that is how we have been living together. There are sometimes I realise I have something to do which I will need to occupy some areas around the mosque. I just call him and let him know the development and he allows me to make use of it without looking back.

    There are occasions on Fridays during the Jumat prayers they have to occupy close to the fence of our church and even block the road. I don’t ask them why they block the road, and that they must leave. I will not do that. We are brothers and sisters and we are living together.

    But don’t you believe dialogue will lead to peace?

    The conditions they have set for negotiation are not even the best. They want compensations for their members that died. What about the people they have killed? The Christians they maimed, what happened to them? In fact, if the matter is not beyond political, why are they killing Christians? I want to say the Christians deserve apology from them. Even if you have issues with President Jonathan or want him to resign, you should not use it to kill other people. If you take stock of how many children have lost their parents and are now orphans, the number is quite high. Looking at all they have committed so far, you will know that negotiating with them is simply out of the way. You don’t negotiate with terrorists. In my discussion with some of these Moslems, they don’t like what the group is doing. I know many Moslems who are very peaceful and believe you don’t have to force others to accept your ways. There are no parts of the world such group are negotiated with; the government tackles them headlong because they are not going to shift grounds because this is their state of mind and belief system. It is very wrong to force people to become what they are not.

    What role do you expect for Christians in the proposed constitutional amendment?

    Nigeria’s problem has nothing to do with constitutional amendment. And no matter the constitution you put down, there are some people who have constantly violated it. It has been the problem of the implementation of the constitution. Several panels for instance have been constituted in this country, but which report has been implemented to the letter? So, the problem is the people, the politicians. We are even talking of Boko Haram and things like that. But we must remember that those who sought our votes promised to better our lives, yet when you walk the streets people are hungry while the politicians bask in gluttony. In this place for instance, the only borehole that was given to this community worked the day it was commissioned. Since then no water has dropped from it again. So, you can see the suffering of the people, the people of the community only fetch from the one provided by the church. The politicians hold it a mandate to provide basic needs for the masses. That is when they can be said to act on what God commands. For Christians, we want a constitution that can further guarantee basic needs of the people and ensure security and freedom of worship at all times.

  • Pity, forgive Boko Haram members, cleric pleads

    The Senior Pastor/ District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Omole, Lagos, Pastor Dayo Adewunmi, has urged Nigerians to pity, pardon and pray for members of the Boko Haram sect.

    The sect, he said, needs sympathy despite numerous deadly attacks in northern states and not condemnation or criticism.

    Adewunmi spoke with reporters last week ahead of the 25th anniversary celebration of the church, which commences today.

    He said the sect is motivated in its nefarious activities by sheer ignorance, saying the members deserve sympathy for not knowing any better.

    According to him: “What they are doing is borne out of ignorance. The right way to respond is to forgive them so that good can overcome evil.

    “Jesus is the advocate of peace at all costs and forgiveness is the answer to activities such as these.”

    He challenged Christians especially to demonstrate the love of Christ towards the sect, noting that the Apostle Paul was a terrorist too before he was converted and went on to become the greatest evangelist of the Apostolic era.

    “Jesus’ love is so great that it can accommodate Boko Haram members despite what they are doing,” he stressed.

    The anniversary with the theme “unto a higher altitude” ended last week with the dedication of the Church’s ultra modern auditorium by the general overseer, Rev. Felix Meduoye.

    There was also a fitness walk by the youth arm and outreaches to commercial motorcyclists and market women by the men and women wings of the church respectively.

  • Love Fever (Contd)

    With his frustration clearly showing, Ladi asked, “How am I trampling on your emotions?”

    Tosin didn’t say anything. There was no point, he would always give an excuse to defend himself. How would she put her feelings anyway? What would she say? That last year when he was preparing for a professional examination, he had also abandoned her and starved her of his affection? He would work all week, then he would spend the evenings and weekends studying, letting her go to bed by herself night after night. Or that he prevented her from having a maid, which she needed? Or that he had stopped spending time to chat with her? There were times as well when she was really tired or not feeling too well to satisfy him but he would have none of that, insisting on having his way. Well, she wasn’t a prostitute, neither could she be pushed about, and the earlier he realised that, the better it would be for him.

    Ladi looked at her for some time as she lay in the bed, with the coverlet still tightly pulled up, to cover herself.

    It was high time they talked, he decided.

    “I think we need to talk. Can you sit up please?”

    Tosin’s eyes flew open and she looked at him incredulously. “Sit to talk at this time? At ten o clock?”

    His mouth was set and Tosin recognised that look.

    “Yes, we need to talk because I’m not finding this attitude of yours funny in any way. You are not cooperating with me. Fine, there are some problems but we have to find a way to overcome them. We’ve got to work at making things work and that is what I’m trying to do. It’s not as if I don’t need to sleep. I went to work too, so I’m tired as well. But if we both use tiredness as an excuse, we’ll continue to drift apart. By turning me down everyday, you’re exposing me to temptations, as well as yourself. Let’s not give in to Satan. I think I’m trying to do my part, trying to bridge the gap. You are supposed to do the same but it’s like you’re yielding to Satan.”

    She looked at him and asked in a cold voice, “I have demons, is that what you mean?”

    “You know that is not what I mean. Stop twisting my words. I’m only saying that you should cooperate with the Holy Spirit and stop being difficult. I don’t think things are so bad that we can’t correct them.”

    She heard the harsh intake of his breath.

    He spoke again. “Tosin, I love you.”

    “Keep that to yourself!”

    “No, I’m supposed to tell you because it’s true.”

    She knew he was right but in her heart, she cried to be understood. I want you to love me my own way, to show more care. I want to be not only your lover but also an appreciated partner.

    She kept quiet.

    “Aren’t you going to tell me the same?” He encouraged.

    There was no response.

    He touched her but Tosin slapped his hand off. “Leave me alone!” Her voice was charged with fury.

    “I can’t leave you alone!” He shouted back.

    “Then I will leave the room for you!” Tosin said and reached out to take a book from the bedside stool. She knew she was getting him annoyed. Good, let him have a taste of what she felt.

    Ladi caught her shoulder in a punishing way and shook her. “If you’re deliberately trying to punish me, I must admit you’re succeeding, but I must let you know that you’re not only punishing me, you’re also pushing me out. I’m a human being and my patience is not limitless. A man can take just so much.”

    Tosin struggled free and got down from the bed, without taking any notice of his angry words, the book in her hand.

    “You’re pushing me too far Tosin!” He informed her departing back, his tone filled with frustration, but she didn’t turn around as she walked out of their bedroom to Tireni’s room to sleep.

    Ladi contemplated following her to continue the conversation. I must get to the root of this nonsense, he thought to himself as he briskly strode toward Tireni’s room but the key turning stopped him midway and in annoyance, he went back to their room, slamming shut the door and turning the key as well in retaliation.

    “I won’t open the door for her, no matter what!” He fumed, hitting the bed with so much momentum that he was almost bounced off to the floor.

    Eventually, he drifted off into a fitful sleep.

    **********

     

    To be continued.

    For this novel and other books by the same author,

    Contact: 08023000773, 08058040949

  • Okogie to Nigerians: Resist same-sex marriage

    Okogie to Nigerians: Resist same-sex marriage

    Former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Bunmi Okogie, has challenged Nigerians to resist calls for legalisation of abortion and gay marriage.

    He spoke last week while commissioning the St. Monica Orphanage Ejigbo, in Lagos built by St. Peter Catholic Church Ejigbo.

    He lamented some people could clamour for legalisation of abortion, wondering: “Why do you get married? Why did God make us male and females?”

    He also called on government to be very sensitive in making laws and avoid listening to people with eloquent speeches.

    Okogie also berated Nigerians for always picking up practices while travelling abroad without caring whether they are good or not.

    According to him: “Our culture abhors these things. Those who are calling people albino; are they not human beings? Are we not created by God?”

  • Cleric urges rulers to shun rituals

    Chairman of World Christian Council Association, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, has called on traditional rulers to shun rituals.

    He made the appeal during the recent King’s Day praise to celebrate Oba Karunwi 111. He called on royal fathers to have faith in God and warned them to avoid ritual sacrifices. According to him, the aim of the King’s Day praise was to celebrate and acknowledge God.

  • Kumuyi urges artistes to influence society positively

    The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has challenged artistes to produce works that will make the society better.

    He spoke at an outreach for Yoruba-speaking film makers, musicians, marketers and other theatre practitioners in the Southwest.

    No fewer than 500 artistes attended the meeting, which held at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

    Kumuyi, represented by Head of the church’s Yoruba section, Pastor Rufus Bamigbayan, reminded the artistes they would render account of their deeds to God.

    According to him, their influence could be more powerful than that of kings as their messages reach larger audiences in farther places.

    The cleric charged them to shun vices and beware of the sources of inspiration for their works.

    Kumuyi urged them to eschew pride and arrogance which fame can bring.

    He spoke against piracy, saying it is sinful.

    The respected holiness preacher begged those involved in the act to repent.

    On why the programme was organised, Kumuyi told journalists: “Musicians, for instance, wield influence on the society but there is the danger of them misusing their talent.

    ‘’But if you get a musician converted to Christianity, he will render music positively and will affect society likewise.”

    He said through the programme, a “seed” has been sown into their lives, adding that the “total gospel” the artistes heard could lead to the formation of a “total man.”

    The church had held a similar session for traditional rulers.

  • Adeboye tasks lawyers on innocent citizens

    The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has appealed to lawyers to pool their resources together to help defend the defenseless citizens in our society.

    Adeboye said this at the Special Thanksgiving and Prayer for members of the bar and bench profession, held last Sunday at the church headquarters, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos.

    The programme titled:  And I shall be your Solicitor, brought together over 100 lawyers, magistrates, judges from Lagos and Ogun States with song rendition, prayer and prophetic ministration and thanksgiving service.

    According to him, there are increasing numbers of inmates in our prisons in Nigeria who have been detained without cause and do not have anyone to defend them.

    Adeboye said this in reaction to the release of thousands of inmates in prison in Lagos by the Lagos State Attorney General. “My joy knew no bounds when I heard of the release of inmates detained illegally in Lagos.”

    He said that “we have ministry to prisoners and we know that there are large number of people who are still being detained illegally while other people we know that should be in prison have successfully perverted justice because of their affluence and money.”

    “Prison does not change people as some went to prison and come out worse The only fellow who can change life is Jesus who has come to save mankind from sin, wickedness and all from of criminality.”

    He went further to charge lawyers and judges to toe the path of justice and fairness as they discharge their duty or adjudicating justice in our society.

    He attributed the near death of justice in our society to the increasing spate of unchecked corrupt practices among lawyers and judges alike which displeases the lord.

    Adeboye said God is the greatest advocate who delights in righteousness, forgiveness, sobriety, justice, fairness and eschews all forms of wickedness.

    He opined that the fight against corrupt practices in the public and private sectors in Nigeria can be effectively won when we have judges who practice their profession with the fear of God.

    In his words, a lawyer and civil right activist, Wale Ogunade, appealed to lawyers to avoid immediate monetary gain in the discharge of their duty.

  • ‘How to move Nigeria forward’

    The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Archbishop Adewale Martins, has identified leadership challenge as the greatest bane of development in the nation.

    Nigeria, he said, needs leaders that can inspire patriotism and good citizenship.

    He spoke recently at the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation (NCCWO) organised by Ambassador of Mary in Lagos.

    Martins said Nigerians want guaranteed welfare, saying repentance is the key to greatness.

    On the awards, the national president of NCCWO, Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Onyeabo, said the Ambassador of Mary award is reserved for women and men who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of human endeavours.

    She said the awardees were chosen from different parishes across the country after rigorous process.

    Over 67 males and females received various awards during the ceremony.

  • Chaplain doles out support for the needy

    Penultimate Sunday, about 50 physically challenged persons and widows had reasons to smile as a non-denominational outreach, GIPEC College of Chaplain, doled out six wheel chairs, food items, household chores, blankets and cash award to celebrate Nigeria 52nd Independent Day in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, The Chief of Chaplain, GIPEC College of Chaplain, Bartholomew Diamanozie, said that the humanitarian gesture is set out to give hope to the hopeless and the needy in our society.

    Diamanozie said that the only way to celebrate the independence day is to remember those in need of our care and support to live a better lives.

    He said that the church remains the hope of the common man as the world faces the cries of neglect, marginalisation, violence and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

    He went ahead to charge federal and state governments to embark on developmental project that will ameliorate the suffering of the rural poor in Nigeria.

    He said that there are huge potentials and opportunities arising from economic policies and reforms agenda that touch the needs and aspirations of the citizens.

    According to him, the only way to achieve spontaneous growth and development in Nigeria is when our leaders are ready to shun all forms of corrupt practices and exhibit selfless service to the people within their constituencies.

    He said that Nigeria may soon become the mockery of nations if greed, theft, bribes being perpetuated among the elite few in public and private spaces remain unchecked.

    Diamanozie said, “we are in trying times in the history of our country as millions of women and children are increasingly in need of shelter, clothing, food, access to qualitative health care, education to lead a normal life.”

    He said that although Nigeria is rich with immerse human and material resources that can cater for the need of all but it can only effectively achieve its potential when our leaders are people driven in their approach to governance.