Members of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries(MFM) Onitsha Mega Regional axis have donated food items to vulnerable persons, widows and less privileged to ameliorate their suffering.
The Church also fixed Isiokwe Bus stop Street Road junction pot holes as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) programmes
According to the Mega Regional Overseer (MRO) MFM Onitsha Mega Regional axis, Pastor Christopher Kolawole, the church believes in God’s command to feed the poor, provide for the widows and take care of the less privileged.
Kolawole stressed the kind gesture was also part of the Explosive Evangelism Initiative (EEI), adding the General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya had instructed that all MFM churches should touch lives positively, spiritually through different Evangelism programmes and Physically through different Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
The MRO explained that the church gave 500 bags of (10kg) rice and 100 cartons of Spaghetti to about 100 widows and 350 less privileged , each going home with minimum of 30kg Rice and Spaghetti .
He added that earlier in the year 600bags of 10kg rice was equally shared to widows and less-privileged, while ten thousand naira each was given to fifty families to put food on their tables
His words: ” This is an annual event/activities of the church to ameliorate economic situation.”
Kolawole revealed that the existence of MFM in Onitsha and its environs has brought drastic change physically and spiritually through its deliverance prayers, biblical teachings, entrepreneurial seminars, skills acquisition and empowerment programs to mention a few.
He added that the church has helped in bridging unemployment gap in the country by training several youths , young adults , men and women on small scale importation without stress at the comfort of their homes, how ro produce paint , soap and other skills which can make them financial independent, as well as employer of labour.
Beneficiaries testified that the rice, spaghetti, yams and other food items would go along way for their families this Yuletide.
“We thank MFM for what they have done for us, they have done so well, we appreciate them and may God bless them.
“It’s not easy for the poor, look at the crowd here, if not for MFM, what will be our hope? What we have received can take us for weeks,” one of them said.
Pope Francis has in his traditional Christmas message urged “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.
The pontiff’s “Urbi et Orbi” — “To the city and the world” — address yesterday served as a summary of the woes facing the world this year.
As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, “even (with) our enemies.”
“I invite every individual, and all people of all nations … to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,” the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to throngs of people below.
The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God’s mercy, which “unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge.”
He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, “particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave,” as well as Lebanon and Syria “at this most delicate time”.
Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by “the ongoing clash of arms.” The Pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs and are persecuted for their faith.
Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome.
Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300.
Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St. Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos, Very Rev Adesola Kuyebi, has called on church leaders to prioritise musical education and the growth of their choirs to ensure impactful worship and ministry.
Kuyebi made this appeal at the church’s 101st Annual Choir Festival, themed Sing Unto The Lord.
He underscored the centrality of music in worship, describing it as a vital tool for fostering spiritual connection.
“Well-trained choirs elevate the worship experience by delivering music with precision, harmony, and emotional depth, helping congregants connect more deeply with God,” he said.
Reflecting on the spiritual and historical significance of music, Rev. Kuyebi highlighted the deep connection between Methodism and music, citing the legacy of its founders, Reverend John Wesley and Reverend Charles Wesley.
“Methodism is synonymous with music because our progenitors in the faith were not just preachers but also singers,” he stated, praising Charles Wesley, who wrote over 8,000 hymns that continue to shape worship in Methodism and beyond.
The Presbyter urged the congregation to reflect on their musical heritage, questioning whether today’s church music aligns with its original intent.
He called for a return to the authentic spirit of Methodism, rooted in classical hymns and melodies that uplift the soul.
“Of all the things God created, music is the one thing that never dies,” he noted, emphasising its timeless role in worship.
Rev. Kuyebi also expressed optimism about the future of Wesley Cathedral’s choir, which has flourished for over a century.
He commended the younger generation of choristers for their dedication and ability to blend traditional and contemporary influences, keeping the choir vibrant.
Engineer Bayo, a Patron of Wesley Cathedral, also addressed the festival, reflecting on the choir’s enduring legacy.
“It’s symbolic that I have had the privilege to witness the choir’s centennial milestone, even though I was born much later. It’s a testament to the enduring tradition of this great choir,” he remarked.
Bayo acknowledged the challenges faced by the choir and the church community but stressed the importance of the annual festival as a platform to celebrate and appreciate the choir’s talent and dedication.
“This festival gives us an opportunity to appreciate the choir purely for their music. It’s not about leading a service but about creating a space to truly listen and be uplifted by their melodies,” he said
The 19th edition of The Experience Lagos, Africa’s biggest annual music gospel concert hosted by House On the Rock church, under Pastor Paul Adefarasin has in the past hosted a wide array of gospel artistes from all walks of life.
The event had its stage graced by the likes of Cece Winans, to Tye Tribbett, Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, Travis Greene, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Tim Godfrey and in the last edition, Limoblaze.
Before and even after relocating to the United Kingdom, Limoblaze has never not made giant strides as an urban gospel artist. But most recently is his performance at The Experience 19, alongside his label boss, Lecrae.
When speaking about the inclusion of a representative of the Afrogospel genre – an afrobeats subgenre with a Christian message – at The Experience, Pastor Paul Adefarasin established how important it is to carry the coming generation along in the things of God. In his words, ‘this is why Limoblaze was invited. He represents that population, and this is an avenue to point that demography towards the things of the Kingdom’.
The artiste went on to perform some of his most familiar songs like ‘Jireh’, a sample of a Maverick City hit, featuring Lecrae and Happi. He also got the crowd going with newer songs off his latest album “Young & Chosen”.
In all, for Limoblaze, he’s just grateful for another opportunity to share his beliefs with the younger generation through music.
“Jesus still wins over the world, and I find purpose in simply being a vessel he uses to reach out to his children through music.”
Once again, this moment stands as an affirmation for the entire afrogospel community. It’s a declaration that this genre, which was once overlooked and heavily criticised, has found its place on the main stage.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, will hold a one-day open crusade in Ilogbo-Ekiti, located in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on December 23.
The event, titled ‘Operation Light Up Ilogbo-Ekiti’, is organised by the Ilogbo-Ekiti Roundtable Development Initiative (IRDI), a non-profit organization founded by distinguished sons and daughters of the community, including Pastor Oladele Bamigboye, Dr. Omojola Awosusi, Prof. Sunday Olayemi, and other notable figures.
Expected to attend the crusade are Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, members of his executive council, House of Assembly representatives, and top traditional and religious leaders from within and outside the state.
Professor Raphael Olusola Aluko, President of IRDI, stated that the event aims to pray for the prosperity and development of Ilogbo-Ekiti and its people worldwide, as well as the entire state of Ekiti.
Prof. Aluko, a Professor of Architecture at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, expressed excitement about hosting the globally respected Pastor Adeboye, adding that the event would not only benefit Ilogbo-Ekiti but would be a state-wide occasion. Governor Oyebanji and his cabinet will be present to receive the esteemed guest.
In addition to the crusade, the IRDI has planned a 7-day program that includes a daily crusade, free medical outreach, and the distribution of food items to the elderly, widows, and other vulnerable groups.
The community of Ilogbo-Ekiti, home to the late Professor Omotayo Asabi Olutoye, the first professor of Oral Yoruba literature, and his son, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, who performed a groundbreaking surgical procedure in the U.S., will also host RCCG members and traditional rulers from Ekiti and neighbouring states at the event.
Gather25, a trailblazing global gathering of Christians founded by Jennie Allen, has unveiled the first of its contributors for the upcoming event in 2025.
According to the organisers, Gather25 will feature a multi-denominational, international line up of Christian teachers, storytellers and prayer guides from six continents, Gather25 aims to showcase powerful stories of how God is transforming communities and hearts around the world.
The event, with a schedule that will circumnavigate the globe over 25 hours, celebrates a line-up of individuals who bring a unique perspective of how God is moving in their context.
Together, they are partnering with Gather25’s mission to mobilize Christians everywhere to reach the 5.5 billion people on earth who have yet to encounter Jesus.
Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours.
The teachers, storytellers, and prayer guides include: Jennie Allen – Founder & Visionary of Gather25, Bible teacher, author, the visionary behind IF:Gathering; Pastor Charles Mugisha – Founder and President of Africa New Life Ministries; Matt Maher – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Lord, I Need You.”; Mark Varughese – Founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity; Matt Redman – Double GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter; Priscilla Shirer – A New York Times Best-Selling author and actress featuring in movies like War Room; Sinach – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Way Maker.”; Tasha Cobbs Leonard – GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter; Rorisang Thandekiso – A multi-talented media personality and musician, and the founder of “Jesus This Jesus That.” and Rick Warren – Author of The Purpose Driven Life, his books have been translated into 200 languages.
Pastor Charles Mugisha said: “Gather25 is a global collaboration of Christians who are instrumental in connecting the global church from the ground up.
“Gather25 gives, for the first time in history, Africa a voice to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ more than ever before.
“I have a feeling in my heart that (Gather25) is a God thing. The Bible commissions us to go and take the Gospel to all nations and for the first time, I see that we can actually take the Gospel to all the nations in 25 hours. That’s exciting for me!”
According to the orgainsers, the event will kick off in the United States at 01:00 UTC on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and will journey around the globe, concluding in Peru at 02:00 UTC on Sunday, 2nd March 2025. This continuous broadcast is designed to empower Christians worldwide through inspiring stories and testimonies of God’s work across nations.
Each session will be hosted from a different country, featuring teaching, worship, stories and prayers from various locations within each session. The event will also unveil never-before-heard accounts from the underground church.
A cleric and Founder/Proprietor of Adamimogo Football Club, a National League One side, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has charged government at allto invest more in sports which he said can provide job for many unemplo youths.
He described investment in sport as a big business which government can use to empower youths and take them off the streets.
Speaking after the final of the maiden edition of Sam Olu Alo Foundation Unity Cup 2024 with Elo High school Ayetoro-Ekiti emerging champions, the Cleric said through sports, employment can be generated and youths can get themselves engaged in profitable ventures and better their own lives.
According to him, government at all levels must see sport as big business, apart from generating revenue, teeming unemployed youth can get succour through it.
He urged students to engage in sporting activities alongside their academics, saying it will create additional sources of income and livelihood for them in the nearest future.
He said they should be more focused on their studies and football careers as he intends to make the tourney an annual event to discover talents that will become stars across the world in the nearest future.
The competition was powered by the organisation owned by the planter
of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain World Wide, Prophet Sam Olu Alo. The football tournament had secondary schools in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti state competing for honours.
The champions, which had unbeaten runs throughout the tournament, Ist runner-up, Oganganmodu Grammar school, Ido-Ekiti, 2nd runner-up, Ifaki Grammar school Ifaki-Ekiti and
Methodist comprehensive High school Aaye-Ekiti which claimed 4th position were presented with medals, trophies and cash gifts.
Also, three were cash prizes for all participating schools while Individual awards and cash prizes were presented to the highest goal scorer (golden boot), best goalkeeper (golden glove) most valuable player (plaque).
The IBD Foundation has hosted its annual sophomore edition of the Christian Thanksgiving Concert, a vibrant and heartwarming celebration of gratitude, praise, and worship, meticulously designed to culminate the year’s journey in a magnificent and uplifting manner.
This cherished event has quickly become a highlight in the community’s calendar, fostering a deep sense of unity and spiritual reflection among attendees.
The 2024 edition of the IBD Foundation Christian Thanksgiving Concert, aptly themed “United in Thanksgiving,” took place on December 12, at the historic All Saints Anglican Church in Ilaro, Ogun State.
This year’s concert attracted a diverse array of Christians from various denominations and communities throughout the state, uniting them in a powerful shared expression of gratitude for God’s countless blessings and mercies received over the past year.
The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, as families, friends, and church groups gathered in joyous expectation.
Attendees were treated to an impressive and carefully curated lineup of talented gospel artists, choirs, and musicians, each taking the stage to uplift spirits through soul-stirring songs, animated dance, and instrumental worship.
The concert featured notable names from the Nigerian gospel music scene that attendees eagerly anticipated.
Among them were the inspiring Apostle Debo Ojubuyi, known for his powerful messages through music; the soulful and captivating Oluwatoyin Ojagbemi; the dynamic Elijah Daniel, whose energy resonated with the crowd; the impactful Bois Olorun; the electrifying Vickeyz; and the anointed Amos Adeboye, each bringing their unique flair to the event.
The Event was hosted by Adeyemo Enoch Adejare known as Baba Alariya and Anna Olorunfemi. Their powerful performances created an atmosphere filled with joy and reverence and left the audience deeply moved, prompting spontaneous moments of praise and worship.
In addition to the musical festivities, the IBD Foundation took the opportunity to bless the community in noteworthy ways. They provided nourishment and distributed essential food items to attendees, fostering a spirit of generosity and care within the congregation.
This gesture of kindness included staple provisions such as rice, beans, garri, semovita, and sealed ground pepper, all aimed at supporting those in need within the community.
The sight of families leaving with food packages added a layer of fulfillment to the event, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to philanthropy alongside spiritual upliftment.
During the well-attended event, Mrs. Omolara Judith Egungbohun, the visionary founder of the IBD Foundation and devoted wife of Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, conveyed the heartfelt mission behind this year’s Christian Thanksgiving Concert.
She articulated the profound importance of promoting unity among believers, expressing gratitude for the year’s experiences, and igniting a spirit of renewal within the Christian community.
“We started the year in good health, faith, and hope, so giving gratitude is a must to our creator. This is why we initiated the end-of-year Thanksgiving — to show gratitude and also to reach out to the less privileged within our host community.
“It’s an infusion of music, dance, comedy, and worship. We invite all church denominations because we all serve one God, seeking to foster a united religious body devoid of competition.”
In a stirring call to action, Mrs. Egungbohun urged the Christian community to cultivate a spirit of oneness, emphasizing the need to support one another and collaborate in spreading God’s love and compassion both locally and globally.
She graciously honored spiritual leaders, pastors, ministers, dedicated men and women of faith, as well as the esteemed royal fathers and special guests present at the event, recognizing the invaluable contributions made by each in nurturing the community’s faith.
Reflecting on the gathering’s essence, she remarked: “Today, we come together as one body in Christ, unified in faith and purpose. As outlined in Ephesians 4:3, we are reminded to ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.’”
This reflection found resonance among attendees, prompting collective moments of meditation and prayer.
As the crowd took a moment to reflect on the challenges and blessings of the past year, Mrs. Egungbohun poignantly noted: “Despite the trials we have faced, we recognize that God’s faithfulness has been our steadfast anchor.
This event serves as a precious occasion to celebrate our blessings, articulate our gratitude, and renew our commitment to live as radiant examples of Christ’s love.”
In her closing remarks, she expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone who played a pivotal role in making the event a success.
“To my wonderful team, your dedication, prayers, and hard work have been truly invaluable and deeply appreciated.”
The warmth in her voice resonated with the audience, reinforcing a sense of belonging and community spirit.
Mrs. Egungbohun also took a moment to acknowledge her husband, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, for his unwavering support throughout the planning and execution of the concert.
Highlighting a significant yet often overlooked aspect, she noted that despite his Muslim faith, he made substantial contributions to the success of the Christian Thanksgiving Concert 2024.
This act exemplified his commitment to fostering unity and love across spiritual boundaries.
“My husband made this happen. He is a man who does not discriminate against any religion. Although he is a devoted Muslim, he has supported the work of Christ using his resources. If not for his immense support, the Thanksgiving concert would not have been as resounding a success.”
Through this event, the IBD Foundation not only celebrated the spirit of Thanksgiving but also reinforced the vital message that unity and love amongst different faiths can pave the way for a more compassionate and harmonious community.
Bishop Dr. Priscilla Otuya, National President of the United Gospel Churches Association of Nigeria and Executive Vice President of KOGA Faith Foundation, speaks with ADEOLA OGUNLADE about socioeconomic challenges in the country, parenting in the digital age, the plight of female ministers, and why she chose to close down her church. Excerpts:
AWhat is your take on the socioeconomic challenges Nigeria is facing, as many have described the challenges as man made?
The world is going through a phase as it is written, and Nigeria is not isolated. As a preacher of the gospel, I know for a fact that there are many ‘factors’ that contribute to unfolding events in and around the world, God has his part, Satan has his part and humans have their part to play as well.
For example, God throws a pebble into a pond or river, the pebble causes a ripple, and Satan rides on the ripple, and in the physical, men see the ripple as a natural occurrence. Truth is that nothing happens without God’s knowledge or permission, and the conclusion is that the ‘gods’ have their parts to play, as man have their roles to play. End goal is the fulfillment of the end time agenda.
What can you say about parenting in a digital age and what practical tips can you give?
We are admonished in the word of God to train up a child in the way he should go, and he will not depart from it. Every human being born into this world comes with what is known in some quarters as soul script, and real education is to help children to discover their soul script and empower them to work according to the content of the soul script. Reason we read in Joshua chapter 1 regarding meditation as a means of having good success.
When a child is brought up with this knowledge and understanding, they can never be derailed in life, irrespective of the age we are. This is a good place to point out the fact that there is a difference between education and schooling, and the schooling system is one of the greatest challenges we have, for the fact that schooling is focused on the physical development and this ‘bias’ is what drives our children to look for knowledge when their spirit seeks expression. It really does not matter what age we are in, what matters is the foundation on which we build and that which we have built the future of our children on.
You often celebrate your husband publicly. What practical suggestions do you have for a peaceful union home?
If we follow the teachings and values of Christ that says the greatest should serve the not so great, then we won’t have most problems we have today in marriages. The husband is and remains the undisputed head of the family and if the husband sees himself as the servant as Christ admonished us, then we won’t have most marital issues we have today.
We also know that there are areas where women are more endowed than men spiritually and in intelligence and if the wife sees her strength and intelligence as a tool for service in the life of the husband, then marriage will be beautiful as God ordained it to be.
But why are we men and women competing against each other and creating an enabling environment for Satan and his coworkers to thrive? My practical suggestion is to adopt the teachings of Christ and live by it, bearing in mind that he did not come to establish a religion called Christianity, rather he came to seek and save the lost, and to reconcile men with God and with one another.
From your experience what obstacles do female ministers face and what is the way out?
The sad fact that women are seen as ‘brainless’ and lacking the capacity to make meaningful decisions no matter how anointed they are. The church that is supposed to protect women is guilty of abusing and oppressing them, and the signal that is sent from Christendom is that the purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection does not cover women.
The church is telling the world one thing and doing another thing. We preach and teach about women like Deborah but dwell on the curse of Genesis 3 verse 16. We teach and preach that all are equal before God, ‘No Jew, nor gentile, no male nor female’, but we relegate and oppress women, that is double standard and hypocrisy.
Take for instance, a woman has never led the main pastoral associations in the nation since their inception, why? Are there no women who God can use to lead these associations? There was an instance when the president of one of these associations could not continue his role as president and the constitution states that the vice president takes over as president, but this didn’t happen, the constitution was ‘suspended’ because the Vice President was then a woman. Intra religious persecution, oppression and subjugation is one of the main challenges women face in ministry.
Some feel you sometimes write as one who has been bruised by fellow ministers. Is this true?
So true! I come from a family where we were raised with so much love and freedom and saw our parents go out of their way to help family and friends sacrificially, selflessly and I took that from them, and we see others as we see ourselves.
I carried this mentality into my ministry and was driven by the zeal to help whether or not they asked for help. I just took responsibility to help and I was badly burnt.
Hatred, envy, betrayals, I must say without mincing words that it is in the ministry or vineyard that I began to experience wickedness firsthand. Tribalism and attempts made on my life and this use and dump thing is something else.
Can you give a background of your ministry, what led you to closing the church you reportedly used to operate?
There is this very wrong notion that everyone called by God should have a church or do ministry in certain ways. The body of Christ is one, just like the human body, but has many parts, and each with their unique roles in keeping the body functioning well. God ordained the fivefold ministries offices for the leadership of the church and other ministry gifts for the edification of the body on earth, and one cannot over emphasise the importance of each part taking their original position and playing their role well.
If I would sincerely define my role and place in the body of Christ according to my encounter with the Lord Himself and the assignment given, I would classify myself as a fivefold old apostle and apostles are not leaders of churches as we know it today. Apostles are God sent to leaders, and they speak the mind of God on every matter or situation, as against a church pastor whose job is to teach the people to know and follow God.
The Lord himself took me on a tour of the kingdom during my encounter with Him and said His servants are focusing on what they see and regard as more charismatic gifts and that I should look for the missing and neglected part of the body and restore them, depending on His word.
This assignment you will agree is not a denominational assignment. It is an assignment to God’s servants and leaders and my first letter headed paper read ‘Servant of Servants’. God instructed me from day one not to engage in organised church activities and I obeyed to a point, after which I caved in to pressure from friends and acquaintances.
My husband and I put up a church building in three months without raising funds from anyone and God watched me finish and launch the work and a year into the takeoff, He appeared to me in the spirit and said, ‘if you do not close that thing you call church, you will not see my glory’. While I was brooding over what I had seen or heard, my third son called from school to say he had seen the same vision from God and the instruction was to close down the church and I did straight away. My assignment is to God’s servants and leaders not to church building.
The church has been called upon to play a more deliberate role in fostering entrepreneurship and providing funding for industrialisation to bridge the financial gap in making entrepreneurial ventures attractive to a larger population of Christians.
This call was made by Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family), during his keynote address at the 2024 End-of-Year Forum organised by the Association of Christian Correspondents of Nigeria (ACCoN). The event, themed “The Church: Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Prosperous Nigeria,” was held at Vineyard Christian Ministries, Lagos.
Bishop Ighele emphasised the importance of the church actively dispatching its members into sectors that drive nation-building. He also encouraged church leaders to spearhead initiatives promoting agripreneurship.
“The church must lead the charge in creating a prosperous Nigeria by empowering its members to engage in entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said.
Highlighting the need for collaboration between the church and government, Ighele urged policymakers to focus on human development while leveraging Nigeria’s comparative advantage in agriculture. He revealed that the Holy Spirit Mission’s Institute of Entrepreneurship and Skills Development would commence operations in 2025 to deepen entrepreneurial skills among Christians.
Also speaking, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, who served as the Father of the Day, underscored the church’s critical role in national development.
“The church influences development through teachings and outreach that promote spiritual, social, and economic growth,” he said.
Aboyeji highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of schools, hospitals, vocational centers, and ICT training programs—many offered free of charge—as ways the church has supported entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
He further noted, “The church, as the salt of the earth brings preservation and hope to the nation. As the light of the world, it points society toward peace, prosperity, and progress.”
Adeola Ogunlade, President of ACCoN, emphasised the church’s role as a catalyst for sustainable development, urging it to create practical solutions to address youth unemployment.
“Faith fuels innovation. The church must leverage its teachings to bridge the unemployment gap through entrepreneurship,” he said.
The forum also featured a robust panel discussion with speakers, including Rev. Carol Ighele, Apostle Julius Opasola, and other church leaders and media experts. They deliberated extensively on the church’s role in human capital development and nation-building.
The event provided a platform for meaningful conversations on how the church can advance Nigeria’s development through entrepreneurship and innovation, reaffirming its pivotal role in creating a prosperous society.
