The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Lagos CAN chairman Adegbite cautions on false prophesies

    Lagos CAN chairman Adegbite cautions on false prophesies

    The Chairman, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has called on Nigerians to pray towards the May 29 handing-over date, for peace to reign.

    Adegbite made the call during the Providence News, 21 years thanksgiving /appreciation service, and the inaugural PROKIHA Lecture held recently in Lagos.

    He said “Without peace, no one is safe. We should continue to pray together for the peace of Nigeria.”

    Adgbite called on the president-elect and the incoming administration to be magnanimous in victory and bring everyone on board to build bridges across the different socio-cultural groups towards reuniting the country for holistic growth and development.

    “Nobody can single-handedly solve the problems of Nigeria; it is the responsibility of all Nigerians. All of us must work together, both the leaders and the led.

    “Moment we can do that, we are going to have a better Nigeria and it shall be well with all of us,” he said.

    Following the outcomes of the 2023 general election, Adegbite admonished politicians and some clerics to be mindful of their statements and utterances to avoid heating up the polity.

    According to Adegbite, “No one should play god. God has clearly spoken through the electorate and INEC has declared the results with the winners emerging. Everyone must obey the voice of God through the outcome of the election results, instead of claiming God says this or that will happen.

    “Politicians and clerics should stop making unguided and inflammatory statements capable of igniting and threatening the peace of the country. They need to be careful, not to mislead the people,” he said.

    In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Archbishop John Osa-Oni, the Presiding Archbishop, Vineyard Christian Ministries and deputy national president (South-West) Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), represented by one of the associate ministers, Rev. Philip Modo, commended the publication’s doggedness and focus to spread kingdom information and celebrating the glory of God in the life and endeavours of people.

     He spoke on a reward system that recognises kingdom services. “Give a good reward; give something that will value the kingdom and appreciate people,” Osa-Oni said.

    Osa-Oni further urged participants to as a matter of necessity develop the attitude of giving gratitude to God, and individuals that have been used in one way or the other to impact lives, society and the church.

    Meanwhile, in his welcome address, the editor and publisher of Providence News, Gracious Akintayo attributed the sustainable and consistent publication of these 21 years to God’s grace.

  • Pastors opposing outcome of 2023 elections playing God – Bishop Williams

    Pastors opposing outcome of 2023 elections playing God – Bishop Williams

    Renowned cleric and the presiding bishop of Christ Vessels of Grace Church Inc, Bishop Kayode Williams has sent a word of caution to fellow clergymen, stressing that those threatening to instigate a breakup of the country over the outcome of the 2023 general elections should stop fanning the embers of war in the public interest.

    The cleric who spoke against the backdrop of the rising attacks by so-called men of God on the person of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said those portraying ill-feeling and bitterness against Tinubu are simply playing God, hence should desist from it.

    “It’s rather sad that supposed men of God have been hitting up the polity ever since the 2023 general elections were concluded. Many of them have assumed the position of God cursing, swearing, and proclaiming doom for the country. My question is this, why are they playing God? A winner has emerged from the election already. Yes, they don’t like the choice of the president-elect.  No problem. But is it enough to rain curses on the country and its people? No. Why not allow the court to decide the fate of all the contenders?”

    Bishop Kayode, who also doubles as the National Coordinator, the Integrity Ministers International Ministry Incorporated (IMIM) declared that the erring clerics should be ready to face God’s wrath for the creating tension capable of leading to bloodletting. 

    “God said that He will discipline some of them because He doesn’t want them to die now so that they will see the glory of God in Nigeria, a new Nigeria. He said that He will punish them for misleading the people, for saying God said what when God has not spoken.

    “You need to listen to what some people are saying that they will burn Nigeria. Majority of them have become demonic. God said that I should go and warn them that any man of God that said that there will be confusion on that day May 29. He said that I should tell them that He will put confusion in their midst.

     God said that there will be no bloodshed. God said that Nigeria will be congratulated worldwide. God will use Tinubu to turn around Nigeria’s fortunes for good.”

    While reiterating that the May 29th inauguration will be heavenly celebrated, the cleric said the Tinubu’s programme encapsulated under the name ‘Renewed Hope’ is indeed a divinely inspired message, noting that God has a hand on it.

    “Within four days of his inauguration, Tinubu will come out with people who will show that it is a government of integrity, and they will work well to improve the economy of the country. God Has said He will give him (Tinubu) the energy to pick the right people to join him to do the work. He will touch so many areas that will rebuild the nation and put it in the spotlight.”

  • Nigeria’s problems are beyond politics – Daniel

    Nigeria’s problems are beyond politics – Daniel

    As Nigerians anxiously await the May 29 inauguration date of the in-coming administration, the spiritual and administrative leader of the Holy Throne of the Most High God on Earth Ministry, Daniel Ayoola, spoke to Adeola Ogunlade at the 2023 celebration of the Birth of the Throne of God on Earth, on the need for the president-elect to seek spiritual intervention and other sundry issues.

    Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the inauguration of the new administration; what is your message to the president-elect?

    It is important for the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sit down and begin to trace the problem of Nigeria, beyond political, beyond economic, beyond rivalries, and all of that to spirituality. Visit it spiritually, and it’s important to seek what the kingdom of God we preach has to offer because it’s about rulership. I’m talking about the dominance of Satan the devil, he should trace it beyond the material or beyond the political economy; look at the spiritual angle to it. That’s very serious, because no matter how wise humans are, no matter how much effort is put in place; “unless God watches over the city, they labour in vain that built it.”

    Earlier in your sermon, you spoke about the final agenda; can you explain further on that?

    Well, precisely we are talking about the situation of our world here, that is man’s and we don’t have a different planet. The earth is the planet that is given to the sons of man to manage.  

    Now, talking about what happened which allowed the devil to intrude into our world, and in that exposition I was discussing primarily that it is man that actually allowed the devil to get in. So, what I was talking about is the compromise of patrons or compatriots because the devil himself without man compromising to allow the devil in penetrating human lives and activities. But in the first place, we’re discussing how the devil came to the earth first, before penetrating into man in the Garden of Eden.

    So, I was saying in that teaching that the devil’s mission was to deal with God in His understanding. How is it going about that? This is the earth created by God, which was good, to make a mess of the earth to destroy the earth.  That is the situation in our world. So, to attack the sons of God to destroy anything that is God.

    How do you relate this to the current situation in Nigeria?

    If you heard clearly, I was talking about the activities of Satan in the world and the plan of God to end it. So, that plan is what God has started. We are talking about the beginning of the end. I was talking about the final offensive. I’m not saying that the devil is out of our world, but that God has started to end his reign and end his rule. Now talking about the situation of the world, Nigeria as it relates to God’s plan, you know, whatever suffering that we have in Nigeria, is not the same thing physically in other nations.

    In Nigeria, it means that Nigerians are suffering, and in another country, they are not suffering. Does it mean that the devil is not there? No. But what we’re saying is that the situation of Nigeria,  or the majority of citizens of the world, is the activities of the devil. And God has a plan to end it

    Talking about the final agenda and offensive; what is God’s plan?

    The devil has been having a field day. He has been making strides, a giant leap in the human world and we all can see this. Now we started talking about the agenda of the kingdom of God. And God started rebuilding this clearly in the book of Daniel. That is very clear about the agenda of God setting up the kingdom on earth. But we need to understand the power of that Kingdom. In that message, I was also sharing how God has been demonstrating the importance of his kingdom, the supremacy of his kingdom over that of the devil.

    These days, many people don’t really have much regard for men of God, and the church; so what is the message to preachers who have compromised?

    It’s not surprising because, from this revelation, you have seen the beast struggling against the saints of God. That’s easy. Most people that claim to be children of God or men of God, most of them actually probably started well, but along the line, there was a compromise. I am not judging anyone but everybody sees what is happening in our world. So that’s why I was talking about compromise and giving in to the devil. The devil initiates most trials in our world, but that does not mean that God is losing in heaven. So, in our world, people are compromising, men of God, religious leaders, and all. But God’s agenda is still standing to end the reign of Satan.

    What then is the implication for the church?

    If we are preaching that the reign of God has come; if we are preaching the kingdom of God has come – is for them to accept the gospel and partner and be part of this gospel of the established kingdom. The Church of Jesus is great. I have said it. You know the devil cannot prevail against the church because the bible tells us that the gates of hell will not prevail and the devil needed to fight the church because the kingdom will come to be, and the reign of the prophecy will be fulfilled with the instrumentality of the church itself. And if the church has failed, it means that maybe it will delay more, because God cannot fail.

    So, it is for them to join forces with the kingdom that has come on earth and maybe I would say if they are to hear, our doors are open, irrespective of your religion or faith because people are so religious; men are religiously minded. I have my church and my faith, but you know the deceit in the world. Many people are losing their faith in God, because of the failures of these religious leaders, but telling the world that salvation and the kingdom of God are here, even if only they can believe and come and join the kingdom of heaven.

  • Cleric seeks review of NTA Agodi traffic light

    Cleric seeks review of NTA Agodi traffic light

    The General Overseer of Christ The Light Gospel Church Ministry (Inc), Ibadan, Bishop Solomon Aremu has urged Oyo State Government to urgently review the recently installed traffic light at a junction linking the Nigeria Television Authority, (NTA) Agodi Gate to the Total Garden-Goverment House Area.

    Speaking in Ibadan at the church headquarters, Aremu said the step becomes necessary to avert accidents that can lead to death within the axis.

    Aremu explained he narrowly escaped death on Thursday morning after obeying the NTA Agodi, traffic light.

    Aremu, whose ministry is celebrating the 33rd anniversary, urged the State Government to look at the possible ways of averting such crisis in the future.

    According to him: “it was just simply by God’s grace that I survived the accident even with my granddaughter sitting beside me.

    “If not for the traffic light just installed at the NTA junction, I would had moved a bit forward to see the traffic coming from the Total-Garden end of the road.

    “Unknown to me, a trailer was ascending the Total Garden-Gate road and to avoid collusion with the trailer which refused to stop for the traffic light passing the traffic from Total-Garden end of the road hits a Toyota Camry coming from the Govt House route.”

    The Cleric, whose Toyota Forerunner was badly damaged, thanked all those that assisted during the incident.

  • Emokpae is Foursquare’s first national president , Trinidad & Tobago

    Emokpae is Foursquare’s first national president , Trinidad & Tobago

    The Foursquare Church has announced the appointment of Dr. Osaren Emokpae as the First National Leader and President of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent.

    The announcement was contained in a statement by Publicity Consultant, Mrs. Abiola Olayand of Mindshare Communications Limited.

    She said Emokpae, who is also the Executive Counsellor of Foursquare Nigeria; Founding Pastor, Foursquare Gospel Church Macedonia Assembly, Dallas, USA and Chairman, Wilson Badejo Foundation, has assumed duty to oversee the Foursquare mission in Trinidad and surrounding Islands of that country.

    The statement reads: “We are pleased to announce the assumption of duty of Dr. Osaren Emokpae (The Executive Counsellor of Foursquare Nigeria, Founding Pastor Foursquare Gospel Church Macedonia Assembly Dallas USA and Chairman Wilson Badejo foundation) as the New National Leader and President Foursquare Gospel Church- Macedonia Call, Trinidad & Tobago.

    “Dr. Emokpae in that position oversees the Foursquare Work in Trinidad and surrounding Islands of that country.”

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    Pastor Samuel Olubode was also appointed National Secretary/Diaspora Coordinator West Indies while Pastor Turnel Hendrickson was appointed Director of Home Mission, Foursquare Gospel church, Trinidad and Tobago, the statement said.

    At the church’s 9th International Missions Conference, which will hold between May 12 and 14, at Port of Spain and Chaquanas, Trinidad and Tobago respectively, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Abubakar Ibrahim and his Deputy Udo Onyi and Emokpae, have been penciled down as speakers at the conference.

    “Key Speakers at the 9th International Missions Conference are Rev. Dr. Olu Farombi General Overseer emeritus of Foursquare Nigeria and Rev. Dr. Richard Oloidi, Founding Pastor of Riverdale Foursquare church Atlanta USA,” the statement added.

  • Religious leaders should steer clear of politics, says cleric

    Religious leaders should steer clear of politics, says cleric

    Administrator and Archdeacon of  Christ Church,Amuwo-Odofin Archdeaconry, Diocese of Lagos West, Ven.  Oluwafemi Adeniyi Omidiji has said religious leaders have no business interfering in politics because the ‘system is corrupt’.

    Omidiji spoke at a briefing to announce activities for the church 10th anniversary which is billed for Sunday, May 7.

    He said: “Religious leaders should steer clear of politics. The system is corrupt and they  should be careful. 

    “Although, the church cannot be separated from government. A religious leader must stand for the truth. He must not be one sided. As a leader don’t mess up yourself with politics,no politician is worth dying for. As a a spiritual leader you are more than a governor,or a president.

    “Clergymen should not take sides with candidates,they should stand for the truth. Politicians come to us and we pray for them. We also advise those we are close to.”

    On the anniversary,he said:” This Archdeaconry was 10 on February 17, 2023 but because of the Lent, it was shifted  to May 7. 

    “We thank for this celebration. Since inception God has done very much for us. We are united here. God has helped us,we are surrounded by good people. It is worth celebrating. 

    “The journey has been good. The support of people here can never be overemphasised. We have organised alot of programmes since I assumed leadership,” he said.

    Omidiji noted that the church is being confronted with many challenges.

    “We are facing many challenges.

    When it rains, people find it difficult to attend church because of flood.

    We urge government to help address the flooding situation in this axis. 

     Then the traffic situation in Amuwo-Odofin is also not helping matters. Many of our youths also are moving out of the country. But in all,we thank God the church is progressing,” he added.

    The Venerable noted that the church remains committed to helping  the needy and indigent.

    His words: “We give food to people,we pay school fees of students. The church also empowers  many  youths.”

    The Clergyman noted that the church would 

    continue to evangelise, and minister unto people because it is a light to the entire community.

    “We will  continue to affect the community positively, establish more churches, make people repent and turn to God and put a shine on humanity,” he said.

    Omidiji said tomorrow, May 6, there would be a novelty match between Christ Church /Ang Church Ago and St James/GRA/Okota, while Sunday, May 7, is for thanksgiving and honouring of people.

  • Grace made me emerge Bishop of Lagos West – Odedeji

    Grace made me emerge Bishop of Lagos West – Odedeji

    The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. James Olusola Odedeji, has stated his emergence as the Bishop of the Diocese ten years ago is a product of grace because he never lobbied for the exalted position.

    Odedeji, who is also the Supervising Bishop for Lagos Diocese, spoke on the sideline of the one year remembrance service for the Rt. Dr. Peter Adelewa Adebiyi, the former Bishop of the Diocese at the Archbishop Vining memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said: “Every bishop should be approachable and friendly. After all, there is nothing we have that we have not received from God. 

    “So, I see myself daily as a product of grace. Because if age were part of the criteria, I will not be sitting here today. But one thing I know is that God has a way of lifting people.”

    The outspoken cleric, who was consecrated as Bishop on February 24, 2013 and subsequently enthroned as The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion) on April 28, 2013, said what gives him more joy is when other people are happy.

    “This week is my 10th year anniversary as the Diocesan Bishop, and when I look at the journey so far, I give God all the Glory. Although the journey has not been easy, God has always been with me all the way.

    “This is evidence in the many positive steps the Diocese has taken, and it is not limited to my diocese alone, in fact we have touched many lives, and are still reaching out to other dioceses, even across Nigeria.

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    “Apart from the many projects we have undertaken to enlarge the coast of Lagos West Diocese, we have also empowered over 500 people, paying school fees of many indigent but brilliant youths, also ensuring that we take youths off the streets through the many skill acquisition initiatives.

    “I’m happier today. Whenever I go to churches, I see some of these youths that we have empowered and are doing well in their various chosen fields. We thank God for their lives, and intend to do more through various partnerships with Foundations and other well-meaning Nigerians.

    “We have also bought an expanse of land. Fully paid for. We call it Clergy City. We encourage all our priests to key into the initiative by buying plots, I also bought, and we’re galvanizing resources around us to actually make it affordable to all our clergymen.

    Speaking on late RT. Rev’d Peter Adelewa Adebiyi, Odedeji described him as a good Christian, teacher and spiritual leader who lived a worthy life committed to the service for God and humanity.

    “Baba Adebiyi was totally committed to the service of God till he breathed his last at the ripe age of 79. We thank God because this is a celebration of life. He lived in God’s service, an evidence of the grace of God, he imparted many people and helped many to find purpose and meaning.

    Dr. Odedeji explained that those who accepted His Son, Jesus Christ, here on earth should not fear death because they have a hope of eternity with God, just as he said the late Bishop Adebiyi gave his life and lived for God, which he said had given him a hope of a hereafter.

    Bishop Odedeji also advised the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to see himself as father of the nation by reaching out to every part of the country and also make peace with his opponents in the last presidential election.

    “The election has come and gone, and it is time for reconciliation. He has been declared the winner, the next stage is to bring everybody together because there is a huge task ahead, and he can’t do it alone,” he added.

  • Team celebrates 17th anniversary in Philippines

    Team celebrates 17th anniversary in Philippines

    The Evangelical Ark Mission (TEAM) International, one of the fastest growing Nigerian Christian ministries in Asia, celebrated its 17th anniversary at the prestigious multi-million dollar state-of-the-art TEAM Convention Center, Las Piñas City, Philippines recently. 

    The event, which attracted thousands of church members and dignitaries from all walks of life in the Philippines, was characterised by quality praise and worship sessions with inspirational messages from local and international speakers.

    The well-planned and classy two-hour program featured Jasmine Henry, a famous Philippine singer, gospel rap sensation KDJ, Congressman Ron Salo, Mrs Lara Villafuerte, Bishop Ted Malangen, Bishop Ricardo Sio and the guest speaker, Dr Effa Emmanuel, who gave rousing messages.

    Others were The National Director of Christian Bishops and Ministers Association of the Philippines (CBMAP), Bishop Rey Santillana and the Presiding Bishop of TEAM, Bishop Tony Marioghae. 

    In his message, Bishop Marioghae challenged Christians to transform the world through the Spirit of wisdom, revelation and knowledge. 

    According to the cleric: “Success is not a product of chance but the fruit of deliberate choices, empowered by intentional actions inspired by a purpose-driven lifestyle.”

    TEAM is one of the fastest growing and influential churches in the Philippines, with tens of thousands of members and many churches in Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, America and other parts of the world with a mission to disciple nations, equip leaders in every spectrum of life and transform countless lives.

    Tony Marioghae, who is also the international president of the Confederation of African Ministers, Pastors And Churches (CAMPAC) and CBMAP Global Director, respectively, is the first African to hold this position and receives numerous local and national awards in the Philippines and undoubtedly the most influential African preacher in Asia. 

    He is a best-selling author, international conference speaker, philanthropist, consultant, entrepreneur and adviser to multiple world leaders. He was honoured with the keys to two cities in the Philippines for his numerous contributions to the nation. Bishop Marioghae is married to Dr Ernaida Cuevas-Marioghae, a professor and former consultant to the Philippines House of Representatives, and they have two children.

  • Anchor Int’l founder Omotosho appointed World Citizen peace ambassador

    Anchor Int’l founder Omotosho appointed World Citizen peace ambassador

    The President of Anchor International Outreach Ministry and Chairman Board of Trustees of Anchor Humanitarian Care & Social Medical Initiative, Dr. Bolarinwa Omotosho, has been named world citizen peace ambassador.

    This was contained in a letter by the Coordinator of the World Citizen Peace Lisa Krupp.

    The letter stated the recognition was based on his contribution to the promotion of five peace actions in diverse ways.

    “We encourage you to reflect on the five Peace Actions and the many ways you can embrace these actions. Getting to know them well and sharing them, will lead you to your goal, seek peace within yourself and others reach out in service project the environment respect diversity be a responsible citizen of the world,” She added.

    Reacting to the appointment, Omotosho said it was not a position to be filled or a chieftaincy title but a call to be more committed as a peace educator and humanitarian.

    He added the appointment will enable him to create a more peaceful world through personal actions and projects.

    ‘’As a humanitarian and World Citizen Peace Ambassador, this is a platform for me to furtherance my community engagement projects without discrimination and with full attention to youths and women,’’ he stressed.

    Omotosho, a humanitarian, veteran youth worker and Pastor, is a certified leadership coach. The peace educator is the author of over 30 resources and books on youth culture.

    He is a member of the International Association of Study of Youth Ministry in Africa (South Africa) and a member of the Youth Work WA, Australia.

    As President of Anchor International Youth and Teen Work Academy, Lagos, he has offered 100% tuition scholarship to over 470 students of the academy between 2021 and 2023 February.

    He expressed gratitude to God and his team for the appointment, saying it would afford him the opportunity to impact peace-building process to participants at the Peace Building and Reconciliation Conference in September 2023.

    The conference, he explained, is designed to create a base for hundreds of peace-building leaders in schools, communities and organisations in Lagos, Nigeria.

  • May 29: Christian leaders should stop making mockery of the church- Ikuru

    May 29: Christian leaders should stop making mockery of the church- Ikuru

    Prophet Godwin Ikuru, founder of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry and member presidential campaign council of Tinubu/Shettima for President and Vice President has called on Christian leaders in the country not to heat up the polity.

    Ikuru, who spoke at a press parley said the christian leaders are fighting against the May 29 2023 inauguration day.

    According to him, the leaders are speaking to incite violence against the swearing-in of the president elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    ‘There are underground planned protest to disrupt the swearing-in. Recently a leaked voice note of one of the presidential candidates and a big voice in the Nigeria Christian community went viral,though it was later denied but you know the implications of that voice note’

    He described those pushing agendas for an interim government in the country as enemies of democracy as he described the outcome of the 2023 general election the will of God.

    Ikuru added that Tinubu’s victory had been shown to him for two years and it was expected that he would win the contest.

    ‘Asiwaju Tinubu is a project of God. The body of Christ fought against him because of the Muslim/Muslim ticket yet he won. We all knew the challenges he faced,yet he surmounted them.This is a man who understands,unity,love and power of grace.

    There are no denominations in heaven, nothing like Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria,PFN in heaven,the so called Christian leaders should stop making mockery of the church. If God chooses a man, nobody can bring any limitation. He noted.
    The man of God disclosed that after May 29,he welcome Nigerians to a new hope and transformation.