Category: Worship

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumes office, Adeola Ogunlade spoke to some church leaders on their expectations from the new president, especially in the area of economy and insecurity.

Follow through on your manifesto -OAIC President Akinadewo

The President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)/Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder Israel Akinadewo has joined others in congratulating Nigeria’s president.

 He assured that Tinubu would not disappoint Nigerians.

According to him, “My assertion on this also comes from his pedigree in leadership, for identifying and training men and women of high repute and giving them roles for effective transformation.

“He did it in Lagos and I also believe that his experience during the electioneering period will serve as motivation towards success and for him to avoid complacency that pervades African leadership.”

He advised Tinubu to focus on the manifestos that he campaigned with. “I studied it critically, and I could see sincerity from that document. Be that as it may, he needs to take the appropriate steps to improve the economic situation of the country. People are really suffering and mostly affected are the micro, small and medium enterprises.”

Akinadewo pointed out that the new government should dwell more on security, adding that there was a need for an intentional and more decisive approach to address insecurity across the nation.

“I should expect him to eradicate these constant strikes in our tertiary institutions. Lagos State higher institutions are good templates that could be adopted nationally. He did for Lagos State and I believe he should bring that success to the national level. As he said immediately after his declaration in the general elections of his plan to give education loans to students, he should keep to this promise. If done, I believe it will stabilise the academic calendars of our institutions. There should also be a tremendous improvement in the general welfare of academics.”

He said Tinubu should replicate what he did as the Lagos State, by creating avenues to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the country. “This could be from the angle of exploring more sectors like mining, looking in the way of bitumen and more focus on agriculture. He should, however, be careful so as not to overburden the citizens and struggling businesses on double taxation.”

The cleric posited that the country is so divided, especially along ethnicity and religion, he advised that appropriate steps should be taken to ensure that these gaps being explored by the enemies of the country are bridged. “I also expect him to bring more awareness to the National Orientation Agency of Nigeria. We need reorientation, especially the youths of this country. People need to know that Nigeria is our country and we must do everything possible to defend her. We must change the negative way that we think about our country.

 “Having said that,  I expect a government that will bring together all Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliations, ethnic and religious leanings. Just as he said some time ago, he should bring together a government of national competence.”

Akinadewo stressed the need to reduce the cost of governance because the national assembly members should not be remunerated on the criteria of meetings held.

“The new president should also do everything to discourage our professionals from leaving this country. This cannot be done through coercion, but by instituting good policies. Nigeria loses millions of dollars through the ‘japa’ mindset and this has reached a pandemic level. This is one of the things which put intense pressure on the naira, including our reliance more on importation than exportation to other nations. It was said in 2022 that Nigeria contributed £1.9bn to the economy of the UK, from our students that went to study in just one year. This was primarily a result of the unpredictable nature of our academic calendars as well as the high level of unemployment”.

“The health sector should also be critically evaluated. Medical officers should be well remunerated and they should bring more innovative ideas to the sector to make our hospitals world-class. This, if done, will reduce our going abroad for medical purposes,” he said.

Revamp the economy-Lagos CAN Chairman

The Lagos State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bishop Stephen Adegbite , also called on the President to focus on revamping Nigeria’s ailing economy and blocking all the holes existing in governance.

Adegbite said this in an interview with The Nation, saying that the new government must make frantic efforts at revamping our economy and blocking all the holes existing in governance. “There must be a genuine intention to tackle corruption headlong so that we can have a better environment safe for Nigerians and would-be investors,” Adegbite said.

He noted that though Nigerians must recognise that there is an economic meltdown in the world, what is being witnessed is not only peculiar to Nigeria, notwithstanding, however, the incoming president should ensure that there is an enviable environment that is conducive enough for people to come and invest. “We must also go back to the days when we exported our things. We should not be a consuming economy, if we don’t have things we export, there is no way that the economy will improve.”

On security, Adegbite said that providing security for all Nigerians should be the number one priority of the new administration and we must reduce the incidences of insurgency to the barest minimum.

According to the cleric, what all Nigerians want is the total eradication of the insurgency in Nigeria. Insecurity has stayed for a long time, adding that it will take time to get them out of their hiding place, but we must be sincere in getting them out.

“We must redesign the military apparatus so that they can do their job professionally. Nigeria’s military cannot say that they can’t defeat Boko Haram. The same Nigerian military fought in other countries like Liberia, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone. They can deliver in Nigeria and God will help them.”

He posited further that everyone must play their part; the government alone cannot do it.

He enjoined citizens to give intelligence reports to the military personnel.

He saluted the courage of our fallen heroes and prayed that God would be with the families they left behind. “God will continue to bless our nation and take Nigeria to the promised land, “he said.

Democratize economic opportunities for Nigeria – Fubara-Manuel

The Former President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Bishop Benebo Fubara-Manuel has called on the President Tinubu to bring Nigeria together and democratize economic opportunities for all Nigerians.

Fubara-Manuel said that the last election had divided Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines and the incoming President must make it a duty to bring the country together so that he can succeed.

“These dissenting voices between Christians and Muslims should be looked into.  He should erase the obnoxious belief that religion makes a good President. We want to see him as a sincere man who loves Nigerians whether they are Christians or Muslims.”

He added that there was no way that life would move in this country if the economy stagnated. “He has to bring the trust of international communities to come and invest in Nigeria so that the economy will flow. He has to break the power of monopoly in our country.

 “I want to state that the newly built refinery by Dangote is a good venture and worth celebrating, it is a good thing but how will the country operate without any functional refinery? With only one person having a functional refinery, how are we going to survive?” the cleric asked.

He appealed to the new President to do everything he can to make sure that the refineries are working, adding that the idea of selling crude and importing PMS, Diesel, and Kerosine should stop.

Fubara-Manuel asked the President to explore the ingenuity in Rivers, Delta that has led to oil bunkering. “These people produce enough good diesel that will be used to run generators even when they are not pure enough.

“How are they doing these and how can the knowledge be used to create an industry for the Rivers and Delta people is key. This blanket condemnation, including myself, because I will never support illegal bunkering, can be turned into ingenuous renewal in these two states.

“Illegal oil bunkering is wrong and is not fair for the environment. But how do we put it into the proper industry so that they don’t continue to destroy our waterways? Oil and gas are important to me as it remains the mainstay of our economy in Nigeria. Our farmlands are being destroyed, our people cannot fish nor can they farm again,” he said.

He pointed out that the relationship between the economy and national security has become increasingly interlinked.

“Let us bring back the economy, and then Nigeria will be secure. We need to clean the old players who are so corrupt, let us try new and better hands.”

Make security, unity your priority – Osa Oni

The South West Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), and Presiding Prelate of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, said that the new government would do well with the prayers and support of all Nigerians, saying that the new President must do everything possible to unite Nigeria.

“We believe that he will do well, with all our prayers and support. We believe that if he could do what he did in Lagos with meagre resources and even with Obasanjo denying him financial allocation and now with more resources available, I believe that he will do well”.

Osa Oni reiterated the need for prayers for the new government. “The Bible says that we should pray for those in positions of authority so that they lead us peacefully. It is not our making and until the court says otherwise.

“Number one thing that the government should look into is security, no nation strives with insecurity. It is a major key. If he can handle it, we will have a booming nation. No one wants to invest their money in an insecure nation.

While acknowledging that Nigeria’s economy is facing challenges, the cleric is optimistic that it will bounce back on the stream of the global trend.

“One major area he needs to focus on is security and he needs to focus on uniting Nigeria. No country strives when one or two regions are aggrieved. He must bind everybody together. I am aware that Tinubu will constitute a unity government. He will bring some unexpected people to power, and appoint them as ministers. I believe that that will heal the nation,” he said. 

Adhere to your covenant with the people – CYM tells Tinubu

A youth-led organisation for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the APC, The Christian Youths Movement, has called on the President-elect to ensure a proper reward mechanism as he plans to form his government.

The group in a statement signed by its National Convener Comrade Adeleke Olorunwa and Mr Odiari Arinze Jude said that it was important to point Asiwaju’s attention to the enormous contributions of Nigerians collectively and individually towards attaining electoral victory.

The youth population regardless of some who held different views of the situation gave overwhelming support to the APC Tinubu/Shettima ticket with the hope that Nigeria’s Hope will be genuinely Renewed.

The group went further to remind Asiwaju of his manifestos and charged him to please make real his campaign programmes and covenant with Nigerians. This they say would make them proud of their effort and support as they carry their shoulders high.

“We are proud of the efforts of our members across Nigeria, commitment and dedication to the Tinubu/Shettima struggle. It is indeed a delight that we backed a ticket that was sellable and eventually victorious despite the odds. May we all live to enjoy a new and advanced Nigeria under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President,” the group said.

While appreciating the supports gotten from notable individuals who aided the campaign activities, including the former former Governor of Benue State and  Minister of Special Duties Senator George Akume; Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar;  and Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Ayinde.

We hereby call on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adequately compensate the trio for their capacity, loyalty and dedication to the course. It is equally important to remind the President of his enormous youthful inclusion into his administration.

Christian leaders have been admonished to encourage documentary film production that reflects the history of their religious assemblies.

The presiding pastor of the Glory of God Cherubim and Seraphim Church made the call on Wednesday while announcing plans to host the fourth edition of The Anathema Talk Show.

Ogunyooye, who is a documentary maker, said such a project is a way of preserving history, setting the record straight and preventing distortion of facts.

He said: “The essence of a documentary is to educate and raise awareness. While some Christian denominations have existing platforms of documenting their history, converting it into a film documentary is also very important.

Read Also: Cleric tasks Christians, Muslims to support Tinubu for better economy

“We have had Christian leaders that have contributed immensely to the body of Christ and the society at large, but little or no information could be found about them after they pass away. It becomes more painful when this information is being manipulated by people with sinister motives.

“We have also seen some Christian assemblies battling with the crisis of identity because there is no proper documentation traceable to their origin. This is why the choice of visuals through film documentary is more imperative as it serves as a way preserving the history of such Christian Assembly and also a way of setting the records straight and preventing distortion of facts.”

Ogunyooye produced a documentary film titled: “Anathema- The white garment experience” in November 2022.

Premiered at the Irving Arts Center, Texas, the United States of America, the documentary explored the Cherubim and Seraphim church, its inception and its journey so far.

The talk show with the theme “The unity of the church” is slated to hold on Saturday, June 9.

It will also host members of the C and S church to an engaging panel discussion where topical issues bordering on the growth and development of the church are examined.

Ogunyooye, who explained that the theme of this year ‘edition reflects the vital aspect of the Christian faith said, “As followers of Christ, we are called to be one body, united in purpose, love, and fellowship. It is through our unity that we can demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and fulfil our mission to be the salt and light in the world.

“It is on this note and with God’s divine inspiration that we were able to come up with the theme, the unity of the church which reflects on the vital aspect of our faith. This will also be the focus of our discussion during the talk-show.”

Ogunyooye however announced that the speakers were purposely selected to reflect the essence of the theme.

“The speakers have been selected from different sub-denominations and they include Sacred C&S, C&S Movement Church, ESOCS and Agbojesu conference. They will touch on every aspect of the theme. The combination is also a deliberate move to practically communicate the need for us to try all we can to preserve the unity of this body of Christ,” he said.

Unlike the previous editions which were held via Zoom and Facebook live session, the talk show will hold via a podcast while the visuals will be made available online afterward.

The Parish Pastor of New Testament Assembly Worldwide (Breakthrough Parish) Lagos, Rufus Olutuase, has urged parents and government to pay close attention to the moral education of children from early ages.

This, he said, would augur well for the children and society in the future as well as give parents rest of mind.

The Pastor made the appeal at a recent party held for children to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day celebration held at the church’s premises.

He also expressed joy in the growth of the church’s Children Department, which he credited to the church’s provision of a conducive environment for the children to enjoy their time in the church.

Read Also: Cleric tasks Christians, Muslims to support Tinubu for better economy

Head of the church’s Children’s Department, Mrs Shola Keshinro, ascribed this success to the department’s efforts at repackaging the church’s annual Children’s Day activities, which used to be low-key but features a huge funfair, with bouncy castles, various kinds of games and of course good food and drinks.

 “We used to distribute light refreshments among the children on Children’s Day; it used to be a low key celebration. But last year, I had this thing in my spirit to repackage the Children’s Day celebration and use it to win more souls to the body of Christ. Last year, we had a party and some of the children who came for the party continued to fellowship with us months after the celebration and even today they are still around. So that motivated us to even do a bigger party for them this year, to win more souls….”

Olamilekan Darasimi Samuel, one of the children who attended the celebration, expressed appreciation at the programme. “I will just say thank you so much to our parents for letting us have this fun opportunity, especially the church that created the environment for the Children’s Day party.”

Oshunkeye Gift on his part, said, “I am happy to be here. Apart from play, today I have also learnt that no matter what we are given, we should be content. We should also be obedient to our parents;” while Adekunle Ogunlana said, “Children’s Day is a day set aside for children to play and have fun,” and they indeed were having fun.

• By, Adetutu DEBOLA-Adesanya

Some time ago, I shared some thoughts on what the cashless/scarcity season taught me. The season is thankfully over but the lessons will stay with us for all times. 

Let’s look at some of them:

1. Relationships: Deliberately going all out to have a good relationship with people is for the benefit of all. I see friends, family, church members and neighbours empty their purses for the sake of others. Not everyone has this as their testimony. 

Choose to say hello to that woman down your street, smile, and be friendly and hospitable. All these are daily investments that pay off later.

Read Also: Cashless banks 

2. Character counts: If you have integrity, you keep to your words, honest and straightforward, it was a season where people gave you their goods or offer you services for later payment. Those who are not truthful and credit-worthy had it really tough. 

3. This is a dress rehearsal: A time is coming upon the earth when people will not be able to buy and sell without a mark or code. It’s going to be worse than this. 

Amend your ways because I don’t know anything that would be as tragic as being left behind. 

4. Frivolities versus necessities: The season helped people not to have cash in hand to do all the extracurricular wasteful activities they used to do. When you have little cash then, you seat round the table with the board (with yourself or family members) to really look through your shopping list.

5. Every penny was important: Having even the smallest denominations then was like some foreign currency. 

Someone gifted me an N1000 note one of those days and it felt like N20,000!!

It’s also important to know that we ought to always be there for one another. You do your best to reach out to people whenever you can. 

6. The culture of spraying cash at events was impossible. Events are being cancelled or rescheduled. 

We need cash in hand to do a lot of things, however,  I trust that we will not forget in a hurry everything the season brought to us. we have to choose to take things very easy and live one day at a time not seizing any opportunity to enrich yourself while others suffer and cry. 

I love you. 

• By, Adetutu Debola-Adesanya 

I went to preach at a conference a few years ago where a lady asked a question: 

“I’m planning to get married, my husband-to-be does not have a job… I was told to go ahead and that he has a promising future, I have a good job. Can I go ahead?” 

I looked at her… 

As per say na conference, I could not say everything in mind… 

Who is telling you to go ahead and marry a man without a job?! 

Who is manufacturing all these pastors and prophets sef?!! 

Why are you turning God’s word and principles upside-down?!!!! 

Listen to me sister, a man who does not have a job should be seriously busy getting one!

Read Also: Commission to create jobs for 7,000 youths 

This is not to say you should reject a man’s marital proposal mainly because he does not have a job, No. 

I’m saying you should do your due diligence first. Know who this man is, what are his values? Is he for real or he is just being humble because of joblessness? 

Answer all these honestly then support him in all ways you can to get something doing. 

He should NOT be planning to get married till he has a job or skill that he is selling. 

His penis should wait fess. 

He should be on track sorting himself out. 

He should be tending and keeping the garden God gave him. 

That garden could be anything his hands find to do: career business, trade, anything legitimate.

There’s dignity in labour. 

There was no Eve until Adam was tending and keeping the garden! 

To tend is to work, to keep is to maintain. 

Whatever Eve brought was to help him have more, to add to what he already had. She was not bringing the whole livelihood. 

She was a helpmeet, a helper! 

She was not the supplier of the livelihood! 

It was not designed that way! 

She could earn more than you, you’re still the manager of all starting from your income. 

Don’t bring in the story of the virtuous woman here o. 

As enterprising as she was, she was not married to a jobless man. 

Her husband was a city gate elder! That’s not a jobless man! 

Sir, don’t project marriage based on your wife’s salary! 

Get a job, 

Get a trade, 

Get something tangible doing. 

No matter how small, keep at it. 

With God’s grace it will grow. 

I have countless stories of men who never got up to work after the marriage, they just laid back there. 

Trouble started after children started coming in, the woman could not bear it because it was not designed to be so! 

What if we marry and I loose my job? 

Let that happen first, It’s not the same as starting a marital journey without a job at all. 

Do you know what marriage is??? 

How do you start such a divine institution on a faulty arrangement? 

How do you get married and everything was done by the woman you want to marry? If she’s desperate, is everyone in your family not aware of the proper thing to do?! 

Don’t start life on a wrong foot!!! 

A man is the head because he is ahead! 

Take the lead! 

No matter the size of your income, it has capacity to grow. 

You may be a spiritual leader in full time ministry, ensure you have a trade. Something that brings in some means of livelihood while you trust that you will have a wife that will be a helper indeed in that regard. 

Jesus was here to save mankind yet He was a carpenter, He is saviour till eternity! 

It’s years after you lost your job, please come down from that high horse and go out to do anything legit, even if na school fees you go fit pay. 

I know a dear brother who left his area to another part of town to work at construction sites. He was feeding his family till he got something better, that’s what being a man is all about! 

Housewife good to hear o, househusband no dey dictionary! 

Enough of secret tears and sighs from women! 

Enough! 

Let’s do better so things can be better. 

I love you! 

Nigerian-born gospel singer Elvis E, who is one of the brains behind Amazing Grace TV shows aired in the Netherlands, has proven his mettle at the Festival as a prolific and versatile music artist with an uncommon stage craft.

Speaking after his memorable performance, Elvis E, who is also the music director of the programme, said: “The gospel genre gives you freedom. I want to be able to try that without fear or limitation. Through gospel I learned that you can fall and get up again. This allowed me to get the most out of my talents and give people the opportunity to get acquainted with the gospel.”

Working with different voices is Elvis’ specialty. In doing so, he does not take any chances. When Elvis was introduced to the makers of Amazing Grace, he said things went quickly.

Read Also: EeZee conceptz global opens entries for Gospel groove talent quest

“I was there from the first brainstorming session and have been involved in every step since. Preparations for the program started more than a year ago.”

In ‘Amazing Grace’ candidates, Desray, Edwin, Elske, Lucas, Charly, Carolina, Lisa and Dries are assisted by a fantastic gospel choir. This choir consists of talented singers from Elvis’ network.

 “They are people with whom I regularly work. A choir that I put together especially for the program. I selected the best voices, brought them together and then coached them.

“Amazing Grace was my top priority for a year. I really enjoyed working on it,” he added.

The fact that the result of his work can now be seen in a great program on NPO 1 makes Elvis proud.

“I enjoy that the episodes are now on TV. I am glad that it has come to this and that the programme makes many people in the country and the world happy. I see that it really adds something to our society,” he said. 

The Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain, Adamimogo, Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has appealed to the government, philanthropists and corporate organisations to create more industries that will help in tackling unemployment and encourage youth entrepreneurship.

Alo told reporters at the just concluded Exodus (Ayajo Majemu) of CAC, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain at the Adamimogo Jesus City, Lekki-Epe, Expressway, Lagos tagged: No more limitation the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery is a welcome development.

He stated its capacity to create tens of thousands of jobs should be a wake-up call for the private sector to embark on more projects that will help in reducing the growing unemployment among youths.

He noted that creating job opportunities, especially for young Nigerians would be the remedy to put an end to criminality and other vices among the youths.

Alo stated that governments at all levels and corporate organisations should confront unemployment aggressively to discourage youths from the temptation of resorting to fraudulent means to sustain themselves.

“If we have 10 of Dangote’s in Nigeria, who will cooperate with the incoming administration and create establishments that will help in reducing unemployment, we will experience peace and calmness,” he said.