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Category: worship

Odesola, Balogun, Israel, others for Freedom 2025

Continental Overseer for Continent 3 (South West, Nigeria & Middle East) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Johnson Odesola, Special Adviser to the General Overseer, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun, Member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Samuel Adedayo has been billed to grace the Freedom 2025 scheduled to hold on June 12, at the City of David, Trinity Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tagged ‘The Power of Youth Vision’ is powered by the RCCG Headquarters Family, the Young Adult and Youth Affairs (YAYA) in collaboration with the Pastor Seeds Family, and the church’s Directorate of Politics and Governance. It will feature string performance from musicians and spoken words artists who led their voices to the rhythm of national hope.

Addressing the press, RCCG Regional Youth Pastors—Pastor Abiola Abioye (Region 1), Pastor Adeleke Samuel (Region 52), and Pastor Paul Olaniyan of the RCCG Region 52 Pastor Seed Family (PSF)—emphasized that the event is focused on galvanizing Nigerian youth to actively participate in leadership and political processes.

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According to Pastor Abioye, many young Nigerians have become apathetic due to prevailing challenges in the country. “A lot of them are discouraged for various reasons,” he said, “but this programme is designed to make them realize that this is their future and they need to be actively involved in shaping it.”

He added, “We aim to develop leaders who can take positions, especially in politics. But first, they must learn to lead themselves before they can lead others.”

Pastor Samuel highlighted the line-up of seasoned speakers for the event. “We’ve invited people who not only understand the political system but also uphold strong values. It’s not just a church affair—we’re involving individuals with real-life experience in politics and governance who also have the right spiritual perspective,” he noted.

June 8, 2025
Adeboye shares testimonies, urges continued prayers for Nigeria

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer, urging believers not to relent in their intercession for the nation and its leaders.

He made this call recently, during the monthly thanksgiving service and special prayers for security and paramilitary personnel held at RCCG’s national headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The event was graced by top officials in Nigeria’s security architecture, including representatives of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, AIG Fayoade; Deputy Controller, Ikoyi Passport Office; Captain BME Ajayi representing the Chief of Defense Staff; and the Command Chaplain, Western Naval Command.

In his message titled “Shadow of the Almighty”, Pastor Adeboye emphasised the supremacy of God over the affairs of men. Drawing from Psalm 91 and Proverbs 18:10, he spoke about God’s protective shadow over His people and encouraged all in attendance to put their trust in the name of Jesus as a strong tower.

“If we were to stop praying for just one week, the nation would feel the impact. The church must never stop praying,” he said.

Read Also: Fire guts hotel with over 480 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca

He illustrated his sermon with several faith-lifting testimonies, including that of a young girl miraculously saved from a fatal car accident simply by shouting the name of Jesus.

“When trouble hits suddenly, what comes out of your mouth first is what has been stored in your heart. That name, Jesus, saved her from death,” he said.

Adeboye also recalled a cancer healing testimony involving a family friend who was scheduled to undergo removal of her voice box but was supernaturally healed following prayers and divine intervention.

He noted that the power of God was not restricted by geography or crisis. “The Almighty still rules in the affairs of men. His name is a shield. His shadow is a hiding place,” he added.

June 8, 2025
Pastor Kumuyi at 84: A legacy of selfless leadership lasting impact

By Banji Ojewale

A newsmagazine editor was troubled after traveling extensively with Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM, on his missionary trips to parts of Nigeria, Africa and Europe.

He was intrigued with how members of Kumuyi’s Deeper Life Bible Church, DLBC, embraced the evangelist wherever he went. He observed the dignifying discipline, stability and rare aura of oneness Kumuyi’s persona was giving the organization.

But the newsman had concerns, agitated and worried about a post-Kumuyi order.

Would the Church hold together again after the departure of its leader? Wouldn’t it suffer the fickle fissiparous fate of others orphaned by their founder’s exit? Wouldn’t that be a huge loss and complete cancellation of gains meant to be harvested by the future?

The writer asked the revered cleric: “What happens to the Church after Pastor Kumuyi is gone, especially when your members hold you in such high esteem and everything appears to revolve around you? Can anybody fill your boots? Are you thinking about…arrangements for succession?’’

Kumuyi’s pithy response suggested that abiding leadership, in the long run, is building up a legacy; it’s about sowing success stories today for tomorrow to recount and build on. It’s hardly about a hazy and pre-determined end. Nor is it a deadly game of thrones, denominated by politics, lobbying and scheming in covens and nocturnal meetings.

It’s also not about a condescending high-horse attitude. It’s about a humble and inflexible intentionality to pre-figure the years ahead in your image, even after your departure.

Read Also: NAHCON, Lagos pilgrims pray for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Nigerians at Arafah

Kumuyi told his disturbed interviewer: ‘’When you think that I started in 1973 with 15 people, it means I have basically influenced the lives of virtually all the members since we began, and I am still active…What I want to see is to plant myself in the life of not just one person, but the lives of the cream of our leadership…I am still imparting the experience, learning and teaching I have accrued over the years to the people.’’

Legacy leadership

The pastor describes, in practical terms what legacy leadership theorist, Stephane Gervais of Canada, presents in a seminal work, Legacy Leadership: Crafting a Lasting Impact

Through Conscious Decision- Making for Vision 2030. Gervais writes: ‘’Legacy leadership is a philosophy that transcends all leadership models. It emphasizes the long-term consequences of one’s actions and decisions in the present, looking beyond the immediate outcomes and focusing on the enduring impact on individuals, organizations and society.’’

I don’t think it is out of place for the General Superintendent of DCLM to date the process of his legacy leadership from the point when Heaven led him to establish Deeper Life in August 1973.

Many believe that is natural for him because it’s where God released him into public glare and subsequent microscopic scrutiny. Chroniclers however would want to go farther back than the GS.

Because, once he was discovered from 1973, there arose a thirst for more of his past. How did he get to the point where he was revealed to us? He couldn’t have sprung from nowhere. More of his background was needed to understand and examine him.

Early life didn’t have a promising tomorrow. At some stages, he wanted to quit school. He told his father he’d take to farming. Parents and teachers alike gave up on the lad. They failed to describe the mighty iroko tree waiting to emerge from the shrub.

Later, young William Kumuyi went to the famous Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State, where legendary God-denier Tai Solarin, the principal and founder, sought to conscript him into his army of atheists.

The militant freethinker and skeptic failed, God stepping ahead of him and taking captive of Kumuyi’s soul on April 5, 1964. He hasn’t left him since

But that’s not the main news. The rallying point is that Kumuyi’s Creator has over the decades gifted him to humanity as a fresh breath not only in Christendom, but also in basic ethical matters guiding relationships among men and women.

For, what seismic impact would he have made if, after being born again, Pastor Kumuyi had cocooned himself in a medieval-age closet or monastery, only reading the Bible, praying, fantasizing about the hereafter and waiting for the cold hands of death in old age or the return of his Lord, whichever would come first?

At the moment, Pastor Kumuyi’s influence has long leapt past the precincts of Deeper Life Bible Church, beyond the doorsteps of the members, moving into other denominations here in Nigeria, across Africa and into the other continents of the globe.

He has now produced a brand, Global Crusade with Kumuyi, GCK, that wings him and his messages of salvation and holiness and readiness for Heaven to every creature under the sun.

The respected cleric correctly believes that the Church wouldn’t be fulfilled until it is able to bring the love of Jesus Christ to all humanity, sectarian considerations notwithstanding.

That led him to the initiative he christened, Change Makers International, CMI. Cross-denominational like GCK, this new project left a memorable impact in Canada in the first quarter of 2025, with crusade participants experiencing raw Bible-time miracles, healings and signs and wonders, following the preaching and prayers of the man of God from Africa.

Leadership question

The Church may exclusively be gaining immensely from being in the same tent with Kumuyi. But we need to expose him to the outside world.

This has become urgent, in view of the trouble society is having with leadership paradigms. What late novelist Chinua Achebe said in the early 80s about leadership being our challenge is still valid. The trouble with the nations of the world, not Nigeria only, is leadership.

The issue is that society and its institutions of administration fall or rise, fail or recover, function or regress, according to the moral state of their leaders. Leaders given to living by what they want their position and office to give them would replicate the same selfish and greedy world-view in the society and its citizens and agencies of government.

The other side of the coin gives us the leader that seeks to serve the people to mortifying points. Humanity is suffering because it is denied leaders who want to live by the power of example, not by the example of power.

We are not only to celebrate Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi as he turns 84 on June 6, 2025; we must also learn from his righteous, altruistic, humble and lucre-rejecting leadership approach that’s been responsible for sustaining his organization for decades, and with prospects that, because he has poured himself, as it were, into the Church, into the leaders and into the members, he’s unafraid of the present or the future revolting against those values; there’s no palpitation or anxiety over this; no, his legacy can’t be undone.

You can’t be at war with yourself. He is a satisfied man beholding the fetus of the tomorrow of his own image. Surrounding him are new Kumuyis unquestioningly embracing his leadership ethics of a disciplined lifestyle, palpable holiness, labyrinthine labour in serving God and in seeking the welfare of fellowman through the Gospel of Christ.

June 8, 2025
Harvest of miracles at Fufeyin’s US meetings

Testimonies of miracles characterised the ongoing international service of Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin tagged World crusade invasion USA.

One of them, a mute and paralysed man, reported he walked and talked after receiving prayers and anointing water from Fufeyin.

In videos sighted online, the man who was confined to a wheelchair, rose and spoke for the first time in 36 years—sparking loud worship and tears of joy from the crowd.

“Na this kind raw power dey burst my brain! Prophet Jeremiah no be anybody mate for spiritual matters o! Grace full him body! Who God call, e dey show!” one excited Nigerian at the meeting declared.

Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry (CMDM), emphasised that such miracles are not man-made but acts of God’s mercy and grace.

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“I am only a servant,” he said. “All glory goes to the God of mercy who still heals, delivers, and restores.”

From Nigeria to Europe and now America, testimonies from his global crusades continue to inspire hope and stir faith.

Many Nigerians have since taken to X to express their amazement and share faith in response to the miracle:

@TomiwaTheMan: said: “The God of Papa J is too much! Who else can do this but the Almighty? ”

@Mbeng_fay stated: “Indeed! The God of Papa J is the same yesterday, today, and forever! 36 years of affliction gone in one encounter!”

June 7, 2025
Nigeria’s deliverance will not come from Aso Rock, Archbishop Bassey declares

Presiding Priest of God’s Heritage Centres Worldwide, Archbishop Josef Bassey, has warned that Nigeria is under the siege of invisible thrones.

He said unless the prophets rise to govern the spiritual space, the nation will continue to recycle failure, affliction, and false hope.

Speaking during a prophetic intercessory gathering, the Archbishop, renowned for his boldness and militant prophetic posture, tore into what he described as the lukewarm alliance between weak church leadership and corrupt political thrones.

He said: “We must stop pretending. Nigeria is not just broken politically; it is invaded spiritually. This nation is under siege by ancestral thrones and blood-drinking altars.

” What we are facing is a spiritual occupation masquerading as politics. Until true prophets rise to govern, we will keep crowning Saul and expecting to see the reign of David.”

Bassey’s words come on the heels of several national tragedies: the unchecked rise in kidnappings, ritual killings, economic stagnation, youth hopelessness, and widespread corruption in the religious and political systems.

Referring to recent reports that over 63,000 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents between 2015 and 2023, and the 2024 Global Youth Unemployment Index ranking Nigeria among the top five worst-hit nations, Bassey lamented: “You cannot cast out demons by forming committees. You cannot transform a nation by recycling the same godless structures. The altars in Aso Rock, in state houses, and even some pulpits, need to be torn down. Governance must return to the righteous.”

In a rare move of prophetic candor, the Archbishop called out prominent religious leaders for what he termed “strategic silence and spiritual compromise.”

According to him: “Some of our most prominent church fathers have traded their mantles for political dinner plates. They have lost their fire and now serve as chaplains to the throne of Jezebel. Where are the Elijahs? Where are the men who will call down fire, confront systems, and dethrone altars?”

This fiery rebuke comes at a time when certain clerics have been seen openly aligning with corrupt politicians without rebuke—laying hands on thieves, but not casting out their devils.

“You don’t need an altar call at a campaign rally,” Bassey thundered. “You need a call to repentance. You need to dismantle altars and rebuild the broken gates of righteousness.”

In a radical but deeply thought-provoking move, Archbishop Bassey proposed the formation of what he called a national spiritual legislative body composed of territorial fire-tested prophetic voices, uncompromising apostles, and righteous reformers from the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja, who will watch over Nigeria’s spiritual atmosphere, take spiritual responsibility for the state of the nation, legislate through prayers and decrees, and hold public leaders and institutions in Nigeria accountable to divine order. These men need not be known or seen. What is required is that they be one and that they deliver.

“Until the prophets return to the gates, Nigeria will continue to be governed by men possessed by Babylonian ideologies. This is not about religion. This is about spiritual government. The earth is crying out for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

Referencing the rise of “The God Breed” — a prophetic movement sweeping through campuses, churches, and cities with a mandate for purity, governance, and global influence — Bassey stated that:

“God is raising a new generation. They don’t bow to Baal, and they don’t eat Jezebel’s delicacies. These are firebrands. They are governors in training, and their time has come.”

He prophesied that new leaders will rise from obscurity — not from the corridors of Abuja or political party caucuses — but from the wilderness of prayer and national groaning.

“God is bypassing the old order. He’s rejecting Eli and raising Samuel. He’s silencing Herod and commissioning John. Nigeria’s deliverance will not come from a manifesto; it will come from a movement.”

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The Archbishop concluded by announcing the upcoming global convergence of prophetic leaders, warning that the season of spiritual appeasement is over.

“We are not negotiating with darkness anymore. We are raising a prophetic army to govern the earth. This is not a conference. This is a spiritual parliament of fire.”

This prophetic outcry comes ahead of the Fire World Conference, a global convocation of earth rulers and spiritual architects, scheduled to hold in Calabar, Nigeria from June 18th to 22nd, 2025. With the theme “GOVERN THE EARTH,” the conference is expected to draw change agents, territorial leaders, fiery intercessors, apostolic reformers, kingdom builders, and prophetic voices from across nations to birth a new global spiritual order.

In a time when Nigeria groans for redemption, Archbishop Josef Bassey is not calling for another election—but for a fire revolution.

June 7, 2025
Group seeks Christian inclusion in politics, commends Tinubu’s mid-term performance

A group, The Centre for Politics and Governance (CPG), has canvassed inclusion of Christians in politics.

The group, which is the political arm for the Renewed Ministers for Christ (RMC), also gave an assessment of the mid-term administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to Bishop Dr. Theophilus Taiwo Ajose, the group’s National Secretary, the RMC is a formidable spiritual, national, political and representative voice of the Charismatic, Pentecostal and Apostolic movement of the Body of Christ in Nigeria and Diaspora.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the President of the Christian-based advocacy group, Bishop Stephen Ogedengbe, assessed the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at its midterm mark and raised concerns about religious imbalance in political representation at the local government level.

He said: “Our mandate for this season is to operate with Prov. 29:2.

“We have the mandate to make sure that the righteous always mount to the position of power, and it cannot come with derision, we have to work for it, we have to pray for it and we have to put action into it.

“Ladies and gentlemen and members of the press on behalf of the Centre for politics and governance (CPG), I welcome you to this very special occasion and also to the assessment of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since this is his midterm session, and also to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“We want to thank God for the stability and progress of our democracy. Democracy since 1999 has been standing in our nation and we have cause to give glory to God because there has been no military intervention, we know what has been happening with some other West African countries.

“As an organization committed to good governance and Christian integration in politics, we monitored the administration’s performance and specifically we are concerned about the recent primary elections in Lagos state where Christians were grossly marginalized as party candidates among various political parties.

“As a matter of fact, I doubt if we have up to 10-20% of Christian candidates leading 57 local governments in Lagos state, we may not have up to 30/40 percent of vice chairmen also Christians. We are concerned about this, as this development brings about questions about representation and fairness in our democratic process. This is a big concern.

“We therefore urge political parties ensure equitable representation, and opportunity for all Nigerians regardless of their religious affiliations. We are not saying, we should have 80/90 percent, we are only saying there should be balance, so that equity brings justice and peace. So we are praying that before the election, if there’s anything that should be done, we want it to be done.

“Our assessment aims to promote constructive dialogue, accountability and inclusion in governance and that makes sure to appreciate the President’s commitment to democracy and look forward to better engagement so that together we can build a bright future for Nigeria.

“We also want the governor to consider the issue as conduction of the local government election is the responsibility of the state. So the state should look at our concern as we have a lot of representation as Christians who were not entertained or given opportunities. So we want to dialogue and look at it constructively, and we want peace to reign in Lagos state, but we are very concerned that we are not well represented.

He also commended President Tinubu saying, “On that note, we want to appreciate Mr. President for all his efforts, particularly the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, because when the project is completed you can travel across 17 states in the south by road between 5-6 hours, we are praying that in our lifetime this project will be a success.

“We want to commend Mr. President for this bold step of action, and for the other efforts that he is making particularly the local government autonomy, because now local governments have the opportunity to develop their local government.

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“Another landmark of Mr. President is the efforts in security, because he has said that soon Nigerians will be recruited for the Nigerian Forest Guard and I want to encourage Christian brothers and sisters to not shy away from this opportunity so that we can protect our country.

In response to a question on what the organisation is doing to galvanise support and curb voter apathy, he said, “If you have Christian representation less than 10 percent, on the day of election many of them will be in their bedrooms, so that’s strong voter apathy and it’s a sign of rejection.

“So to avoid voter apathy, that’s why we said the body of Christ and other organizations that have the coloration of the body of Christ should come together on this matter irrespective of their denomination.”

Bishop Ajose also added that, “We have CPG in all the local governments and so we are mobilizing them, and we are also encouraging Christians to join political parties, become members and take part in what they are doing, because you can’t be a candidate if you are not a member.”

June 7, 2025
Olu-Alo felicitates Muslims on Eid Kabir

The planter, CAC Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has fecilitated with Muslims across the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid Kabir festivity.

A statement by the Personal Assistant to the cleric, Deji Ogunbusuyi, urged Muslims to always live by the ethos of sacrifice, faithfulness, diligence and love exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

He said these are good characteristic required to build a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for promoting religious harmony through equitable appointments across ethnic lines, which according to him, Governor Oyebanji is also promoting in Ekiti State.

The statement reads: “It is my great honour and privilege to salute the Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-El-Kabir. Your sacrifices at all levels of government has helped to stabilise this nation. I commend you.”

Olu-Alo, who is the founder of Adamimogo FM Nigeria, called for moderation in the celebrations, urging Muslims to be mindful of the current economic realities facing many families across the country.

“Let us balance our festivities with empathy and kindness towards those less fortunate. While we celebrate, let us do so with consciousness of the challenges many of our compatriots are facing.

“We cannot deny that our country faces significant challenges today, especially with the rising cost of living, unemployment, and insecurity.

“However, what inspires me is the unwavering spirit of our people. In the face of adversity, Nigerians have consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and an unshakeable belief in our collective destiny.”

Read Also: Be hopeful for better tomorrow, Olu-Alo urges Nigerians

He pointed to the country’s youthful population, rich cultural diversity, abundant natural resources, and growing technological innovation as foundations upon which, a stronger Nigeria can be built.

He called on all Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the Sallah period for introspection and renewed commitment to national unity.

According to the cleric: “This is a time for us to look beyond our differences and focus on what unites us as Nigerians our shared aspirations for security, prosperity, and good governance.

“As we celebrate, let us renew our faith not just in our religious beliefs, but in our capacity as Nigerians to overcome present challenges and build a more prosperous, secure, and united nation for current and future generations.”

June 7, 2025
MTTS hosts inaugural student week, upholds scriptural integrity

The Mountain Top Theological Seminary (MTTS), a premier institution for ministerial training under the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), has launched its first-ever Student Council Week with a series of impactful events aimed at spiritual enrichment, community service, and theological discourse.

The event, which began on June 6, runs through June 10, at the seminary’s campus and culminates at the MFM International Headquarters.

With the theme “Upholding the sanctity of the scripture in a changing world,” the week featured a diverse range of activities designed to foster spiritual growth and social responsibility among students.

According to the chairman of the Student Planning Committee, Rev’d M.A Akintola, the highlight of the week will be a grand finale symposium on May 10. The event will feature notable Christian leaders and theological scholars as discussants.

Among the distinguished speakers scheduled to dissect the theme are Pastor Samuel Sanusi, CEO of the Bible Society of Nigeria; Dr. Olorunfemi Emmanuel; Dr. Jeremiah Ajibola; Pastor Anu Ojo; and several others renowned for their doctrinal depth and ministerial impact.

In addition to the symposium, the Student Council Week includes a series of community outreach programs.

These include visits to orphanages where students donated essential items and foodstuffs, and a health outreach that provided free medical services and drugs to local residents.

The week will also be rounded off with a dinner and awards night celebrating excellence and dedication among students and staff.

Rev’d Akintola described MTTS, which was founded in 2007, as a beacon of excellence in theological education. “This institution continues to be a formidable breeding ground for God’s ministers, and a shining light among theological seminaries in Nigeria and beyond,” he stated.

He also highlighted MTTS’s collaborative approach to academic programs that address the evolving needs of the church and society.

According to him, the school’s influence has extended across Africa, shaping theological thought and contributing meaningfully to community development.

Looking to the future, Rev’d Akintola reaffirmed MTTS’s commitment to continuously improving its curriculum, strengthening its impact, and maintaining its position as a leader in theological education.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Provost of the Seminary, Pastor Tunde Oyewole, described the event as a significant milestone in the history of the institution. He expressed gratitude for God’s guidance since the founding of the seminary by the General Overseer of MFM, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.

“As we commemorate this milestone, we reflect on the transformative journey that God has taken us through. MTTS has remained committed to its mission of providing sound theological education and ministerial training,” Pastor Oyewole said.

He noted that graduates of MTTS are already making significant impacts in various ministries, serving as pillars of faith and community development. He also praised Dr. Olukoya as a “theological icon of repute,” whose vision and dedication to Christian education have shaped the direction and growth of the institution.

President of the MTTS Student Council, Adebare O.A., remarked that the Student Council Week was conceived not just as a celebration but also as an avenue for community service and spiritual reflection.

“Today, we gather to reflect on peace, gratitude, and our mission as followers of Christ,” he said. “Our task is to build a strong foundation for future generations—just as the apostles and prophets passed the faith to us, we must ensure it thrives in the face of modern challenges.”

With its successful launch, the MTTS Student Council Week sets a new tradition of engagement, learning, and service, reinforcing the seminary’s role in shaping spiritually grounded and socially responsible Christian leaders for the future.

June 7, 2025
Tomi Folayan’s “Saluting Twale” featured by TurnTable, hailed as one of best gospel songs of 2025

Nigerian gospel artiste Tomi Kehinde Folayan, popularly known as Tomi Folayan, continues his remarkable ascent in the music industry as his single “Saluting Twale” receives a prominent feature from TurnTable Charts, Nigeria’s leading music chart and editorial platform.

The publication lauded the track’s spirit-filled message and impactful delivery, calling it one of the best gospel songs of 2025 so far.

Praises have also poured in from various quarters, with TurnTable’s recognition and the buzz on social media platforms further cementing the song’s success.

Since its release, “Saluting Twale” has struck a powerful chord with audiences across Nigeria and beyond, thanks to its rich instrumentation, sincere worship energy, and Tomi’s grounded, heartfelt vocal delivery.

The song’s organic rise; driven by playlist features, repeat listens, and viral sharing demonstrates how gospel music is increasingly gaining mainstream traction without relying solely on traditional promotional channels.

The online community, especially on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, has erupted with praise, with believers and secular listeners alike celebrating its cultural depth and spiritual authenticity.

This recent wave of acclaim follows the success of other gospel artistes like Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor, whose recent hits such as “No Turning Back” have been instrumental in shifting the narrative around gospel music in Nigeria.

The artistes are breaking down barriers by blending traditional praise and worship with contemporary sounds, making gospel music more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. Gaise Baba’s fusion and Lawrence Oyor’s heartfelt chant have helped elevate gospel’s status in Nigeria’s mainstream music scene, a trend that “Saluting Twale” continues to exemplify.

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Tomi Folayan’s “Saluting Twale” is a testament to this new era; an organic hit that combines cultural authenticity with modern gospel rhythms. Its success is also amplified by praise from TurnTable Chart’s editorial team, who recognize its potential to inspire and uplift.

The song’s viral momentum speaks to a broader shift within Nigerian gospel music: artists are now more than ever redefining what gospel can sound like, making it a vital part of Nigeria’s contemporary cultural identity.

Tomi Folayan’s achievement, along with the accomplishments of Baba, Lawrence Oyor, and other gospel pioneers, signals a bold and exciting future for gospel music in Nigeria; one where spiritual messages resonate widely through innovative sounds and digital buzz.

June 5, 2025
Top 10 oldest churches in Nigeria

Nigeria’s religious landscape is deeply rooted in centuries of Christian missionary activity with some of its churches dating back to the early 19th century.

From the cobbled streets of Badagry to the riverine towns of the Niger Delta, these churches not only mark the arrival of Christianity but also tell stories of resilience, faith, and cultural transformation.

Here are the top 10 oldest churches in Nigeria:

1. Methodist Church Nigeria

The Methodist Church Nigeria holds the title of being the first Christian denomination to establish a mission in Nigeria. Founded in 1842 by Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman and Rev. William de Graft of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, the church began its work in Badagry, Lagos, and has remained influential in Nigeria’s Christian and educational landscape.

2. Anglican Church

The Anglican Church, (Anglican Communion), also began missionary activities in Nigeria in 1842 through the Church Missionary Society (CMS). With historical figures such as Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the church played a critical role in spreading Christianity and Western education across the country.

3. Baptist Church

American Baptist missionary Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen established the first Baptist mission in Nigeria in 1850. The Nigerian Baptist Convention was later formally organised in 1914. The denomination’s strong emphasis on education and local leadership helped it thrive and grow into one of the country’s most prominent church bodies.

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4. Presbyterian Church

Founded in 1846 by Scottish missionaries of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria began its work in Calabar. It quickly gained ground in southeastern Nigeria, contributing significantly to the religious and educational development of the region.

5. Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church established a permanent presence in Nigeria in 1862, with the arrival of the Society of African Missions in Lagos. The Church’s growth, especially in Eastern Nigeria, was bolstered by its commitment to education, healthcare, and missionary outreach.

6. The Apostolic Church Nigeria

Emerging from the Faith Tabernacle Revival, The Apostolic Church Nigeria was officially established in 1918 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. It is one of Nigeria’s earliest Pentecostal churches and a pioneer of the Pentecostal movement in the country.

7. Cherubim and Seraphim Church

Founded by Prophet Moses Orimolade Tunolase, this church is the first major African Initiated Church (AIC) in Nigeria, known for its spiritual emphasis on prophecy and healing.

8. Church of the Lord (Aladura)

Founded in Ogere-Remo by Josiah Olunowo Ositelu, the Church of the Lord (Aladura) was one of the earliest prayer-focused indigenous churches, emphasizing prophecy and spiritual deliverance.

9. Lutheran Church of Nigeria (1936)

Established by the Sudan United Mission in Numan, Adamawa State, the Lutheran Church has played a significant role in evangelism and theological training in northeastern Nigeria.

10. Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) (1904/1954)

Originating from the Sudan Interior Mission in 1904 and adopting its current name in 1954, ECWA has grown into a large evangelical denomination with a strong focus on missions and church planting.

June 2, 2025