The President of Prison Rehabilitation Mission International Inc, Bishop Kayode Williams, has called on the Federal Government to place more emphasis on the reforming and rehabilitation of prisoners so that they become responsive citizens.
Williams said this in Lagos during his visit to the Vintage Press Limited, the Publishers of The Nation Newspapers.
According to him, the correctional centres in Nigeria play more emphasis on punitive measures instead of reforming them.
He stressed the need for more understanding of the reformation of prisoners.
“I came out of Sokoto Prison 43 years ago and God divinely remoulded me and I became a man that never went back to his vomit. Many of my colleagues have died and some went back to their vomit and have since gone.
“Since I surrendered my life to Christ while in prison, I have not looked back. My focus has been on winning souls for Christ. The other project in my life is prison reformation and inmates’ rehabilitation. I have been combining evangelism with the project.”
He disclosed that God gave him a commission for Africa prisons, to be a change agent, and rehabilitate prisoners for the betterment of society.
Williams noted that the road map toward reducing crime is proper rehabilitation, reformation, and resettlement of convicts.
“I have been to Prisons in London, and Houston in the United States of America, they have good prison systems. The prison system makes provision for prisoners to work and receive some pay,” he said.
Williams posited further that in his drive toward prison reforms, he had made overtures to Nigeria’s foremost lawyer, Afe Babalola, Olisa Agbakoba, and Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso and they are willing to work with him.
He called for more media support to amplify his voice and the genuineness of his commitment to prison reforms across Nigeria.
He also threw his weight behind Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s plans to decongest the prisons and relocate them away from the city to vigil land.
“One of the best ways is to speed up the prosecution of cases. In a situation where old cases are yet to be determined and new ones are piling up, then congestion will continue. Piling up of cases with endless adjournments, which usually result in people being remanded in correctional centres will continue to end up in congestion,” he said.
In his response, the Weekend Editor of The Nation newspaper, Festus Eriye, lauded the efforts of Bishop Williams, and promised to assist him.
“I know that you have a lot of experience and you are using your experience as a beacon of hope to lots of people across the country. When God gives someone a position or a privilege, it should serve society and make a difference,” he said.
The installation of the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, a former Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) on the 8th of September, 2023 elicited a chain of reactions.
Though the installation of Olaoye, a born-again Christian, as a traditional ruler was not the first time a born-again Christian would be ascending a traditional stool, the fact that he pastored one of the biggest Redeemed Christian of God in the United States of America caught the attention of Christians and non-Christians in Nigeria.
Until he decided to answer the call to serve, Olaoye was the Senior Pastor of Jesus House, DC (JHDC), a thriving non-denominational, multi-racial, multicultural international Church located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Jesus House.
While many would agree that there is nothing wrong with Christians being a monarch, many have queried the rites and the processes that they would go through before being allowed to ascend the throne of their forefathers.
The fetish practices, according to those who believe Christians should distance themselves from traditional practices have been that the traditional beliefs are at variance with the Christian faith.
However, Oba Olaoye will not be the first and the last pastor who would get himself entangled between Christianity and tradition.
Before the current Soun of Ogbomoso, there were Christian monarchs like Oba (Sir) Isaac Babalola Akinyele who was installed on 17 February 1955 as an Olubadan. He was the first educated Olubadan (non-hereditary traditional ruler) of Ibadan, and the second Christian to ascend the throne).
However, he was rejected by a section of the people because of his total rejection of the Isese religion (traditional religion), he was chosen by an overwhelming majority.
Similarly, other Christian monarchs ascended the throne of their forefathers including Adetoyese Laoye, the late Timi of Ede, Osun State; Oladele Olashore, the late Ajagbusin-EkunIloko-Ijesha, who built a big church in his private palace at Iloko, Osun State.
Others are the Olu of Ilaro, and Paramount ruler of the Yewa-Awori axis of Ogun State, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, he was an RCCG Pastor; the First Alahan of Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti East, Oba Mathew Jegede, until he ascended of his forefathers, he was a Deeper Life pastor. Also, the Oba of Isan Ekiti, Pastor Gabriel Ayodele; and the paramount ruler of Idomaland, John Odogbo, were all Deeper Life pastors. The current Orangun of Oke-Ila and founder of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila, Osun State, Adedokun Abolarin, is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Contrary to fears being expressed in certain quarters, many Christian leaders who spoke with The Nation said it was a good development.
There is no clash of interest – Pastor Odesola
Speaking on the dual roles, The Continental Overseer for Africa 3 and South West, RCCG, Pastor Johnson Funsho Odesola told The Nation that there was nothing wrong in Olaoye being the Soun of Ogbomoso. “He is still an anointed man of God, and remains a pastor in the RCCG.”
According to him, having Olaoye as the traditional ruler of Ogbomoso does not change anything, rather it brings light into every clouded area of the town.
“I’m sure that based on the experience he had, he would be able to improve the economic configuration of the town. The implication is going to be a positive implication on the town and the people,” Odesola said.
According to Odesola, the bible says when the righteous rule, people rejoice, and that there is no clash of interest.
“You can hear from his own personal interview that he is going there as a shepherd; he will shepherd the people of God in Ogbomoso,” he said.
Kingship is part of our calling-Foursquare GO
Speaking with The Nation in an interview, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Pastor Sam Aboyeji said that having faithful men and women as monarchs was the right way to go.
He disclosed that he pastored the late Olu of Warri, Godwin Toritseju Emiko for 15 years.
“It is clear the Bible says that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. It is part of our calling. The Bible says let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
“It is an avenue to do good works when a Christian becomes king. The Soun is not a poor man. He is not looking for money or business. He is comfortable in the US where he was. He was a pastor in one of the biggest churches in RCCG in the US. He is not a hungry man and is already comfortable.
“That is what people should look at, he is coming on the throne, and he is not greedy. He is a man with a fear of God. I do not think the kingdom needs any less personality to become its king and I think every kingdom should look toward that.”
On the fetish practices associated with the traditional rites, Aboyeji, there was nothing to it. “All those things do not have an effect on those who don’t believe in them.”
He said his closeness to the Olu of Warri opened his eyes to the workings of the palace. “When I went to the palace of Olu, there was nowhere in the palace that I didn’t enter. He emptied the palace of all those things.”
He disclosed that the so-called gods are nothing but mere beliefs.
“Somebody would just put wood down and say there is my god and it will be their god. The Bible says those who worship them are like them. If you say the Almighty God is your God, the more you worship, the more you will be like Him. That is the difference. All those things do not have an effect on those who don’t believe in it.”
You can’t take away traditional practices out rightly, says theologian
A lecturer at the West African Theological Seminary (WAT), Dr. Femi Emmanuel, while noting that the traditional practice is at variance with Christianity, explained that people see traditional rites in the light of fetish practices and worship of other gods and idols.
“We cannot take away the traditional practices, especially in relation to becoming an Oba.”
According to him, the obas are usually the custodians of cultural practices and religion, adding that in most places in Africa, you cannot become a traditional ruler without being the priest or custodian of religion endorsing it.
Explaining how it is done in Yorubaland, Emmanuel said in Yorubaland, the Ifa has to be consulted and speak, a practice which is not accepted in Christianity. “We don’t usually align with such,” said Emmanuel.
He, however, noted that “traditional religion is predicated on the Christian religion and whether we like it or not, the Almighty God uses the traditional ruler to a level. I’m not endorsing fetish practice or traditional religion, but talking practically, we cannot dissociate the Almighty God from traditional practices. During one period, according to theology, we had what we knew as natural religion.
“At a point in time, God revealed himself through natural religion. God reveals himself through nature. Natural religion became abrogated after some time as it could not offer full salvation. The full revelation was obtained through Christ.
“We know that a lot of people who practiced traditional religion wanted to express their reverence to the Almighty God within the time.”
He explained that the traditional religion is older than the Christian religion, citing the days of Apostle Paul when he was writing to the Romans where he admonished the Roman Christians to give reverence to the rulers. “ Who was he referring to? He was making reverence to the traditional rulers. “
Emmanuel noted that while he had nothing against traditional rulers, he would not bow down to demons.
“Being the Soun as a Christian, spirit-filled, I don’t think there is a problem with that. Even if Ifa picked him, Ifa should know that he is a child of God. For me, he has not backslidden. He has only accepted to serve the people and give them good leadership.”
Explaining the aspect of ritual practices associated with the kingship rites, Emmanuel said “Soun may decide not to go that way. Not every aspect of traditional practice is evil as long as any practices do not undermine the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
He explained that it is not everything within the traditional practice that is evil. It is not everything within the context of traditions that is sinful. “We know that some very sensitive aspects of the traditional religion are not evil. We know about rituals and human sacrifices are there but at the same time that is not all that is in traditional religion. The Christianity we practice today was terribly associated with evil practices. Don’t we hear of people burning something in the church and there are no fetish practises in church?”
He, therefore, advised that Africans should not allow evil practices to becloud their minds. “As a matter of fact, if our values and tradition had been promoted, Africa would not be where it is today.”
He was of the view that many people are not comfortable with monarchs becoming traditional rulers because they come with biased minds.
“Today, Europe has abandoned the Christian faith. They brought Christianity to us, and we imbibed it, but we ruined our own values and traditions. Any Christian who is convinced that he can offer leadership effectively at the traditional level should be allowed to do so. But if he feels that the position will not allow him to practice his Christian faith; he should not go into it in the first place.”
Traditional worship not demonic
Also, The Founder/Archbishop of Calvary Kingdom Church, Archbishop Joseph Ojo condemned the school of thought which classifies traditional worship as demonic.
“God has used somebody who is a pastor to sanitise the institution. If we abandon the institution, it will get worse and worse.
“Someone with the staff of the office can also have the courage to change things within the institution. God is looking for people who can change this and not people who can maintain the status quo,” Ojo said.
No fewer than 200 boys under the aegis of the Anti-Social Vices Club (ASVC) an arm of the Royal Ambassadors of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) on Saturday rallied against vices on the streets of Lagos.
The march, which started from New Covenant Baptist Church Agege terminated at First Baptist Church Iju, a distance of almost 15km, with the boys spreading the gospel against cultism, gambling, rape, examination malpractices, ritual killings and other vices in the society.
The boys appealed to youths to desist from anti-social vices, displaying banners and placards with different inscriptions.
They shared tracts and other booklets during the march to passers-by, counselling them to embrace virtues and not vices.
Counsellor John Taiwo advised youths to stop threading the path of destruction, while urging parents and guardians to train them in the right way.
According to him: “Family takes more responsibilities on this issue because when the parents do not have time for the children, they leave the house very early in the morning and return late in the night, definitely the children will be lured into bad gangs, so family plays a major role, as the adage says Charity begins at home.”
Director of Lagos West Baptist Conference Royal Ambassador, Counsellor Adegbola Thomas, urged the youths to shun vices because they never end well.
Secretary of the Lagos West Baptist Conference, Counsellor Kehinde Omoniru, said the church has more responsibilities in bringing youths out of darkness as commanded by the Holy Scriptures.
He urged Churches and Christian bodies to take up the responsibility of saving youths from sinful tendencies and habits.
The Planter, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo Grace of Mercy, Prayer Mountain, Worldwide, Prophet Olu Alo has advised Nigerians to be patient with the new government of President Bola Tinubu, who he said is determined to turn things around.
He spoke after the burial and thanksgiving service of Pa. Joseph Omowaye Alo, which took place in his house and Christ Apostolic Church, Okesegun, Ido District Coordinating Council Headquarters, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Alo donated a block of classrooms to Temidire High School and St Benedict Catholic Primary school, Ekiti State, laid the foundation of the maternity hospital at CAC, Okesegun, Ekiti within the week as part of events to mark the burial.
He was very optimistic that things would soon be normal in Nigeria with patience and optimism.
He said: “Nobody can do a miracle within three months. Let us give President Tunubu and his team time and we believe that they will move the nation forward.”
He commended the Southwest Governors’ Agenda to implement a railway system in the region, which according to him is not just a good development but also a move that will create employment opportunities for the youth.
“Nigerians should be patient with President Tinubu as things will get better. If the train is built across the South West, it will enable effective commerce within the region,” he said
He advised the government instead of monetary palliatives to make food available, determine the prices and create selling points.
Pastor Isaac Eyebiokin extolled the virtues of humility and selfless service to God and mankind exemplified by the late Pa Joseph Alo, stressing that Nigerians should endeavour to live a life worthy of emulation.
PLANS have been concluded for this year’s Lagos Singles and Married Conference holding on October 29 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
According to the organisers, Family Booster Ministry (FBM), a non-denominational ministry, this year’s conference, which is the seventh edition, promises to be exciting and impactful on lives.
The President of the ministry, Pastor Bisi Adewale, a renowned marriage coach, said that the conference is focused on equipping the married and singles, especially the youths in Nigeria with positive information in every area of their lives which include spiritual development, promoting healthy marriage, building good relationships, academic, career, association and others.
Adewale said that the programme, tagged: ‘Marriage without tears’ is poised to attract thousands of singles and married people for enlightenment on the principles of great marriage, adding that the programme has become an annual event that has been inspiring and transforming.
According to him:“The focus of this conference is to talk about Great Marriage. We have poor marriage, turbulent marriage, a good marriage and great marriage. We will be opening the eyes of people to the difference between a good and great marriage and how to build a great marriage.”
The renowned marriage coach, who is a presidential member of American Association of Christian Counsellors, has written more than 100 books on marriage, parenting and family life and has been coaching people about building strong family life in the last 24 years, said this year’s edition will feature popular gospel artistes, including Tope Alabi; Omotola Sax and host of others.
Adewale, who said this year’s programme is expected to host about 10,000 youths, informed that bringing Alabi and her husband to the conference, is to help couples and singles learn from their successful home while they minister to the congregation.
According to him, the programme would be an awesome time in the presence of God for singles, married and the youthful populations of Nigeria.
Apostle Bola Adewara is the Publisher of E-Life, a Christian digital magazine, committed to spreading the gospel. He spoke on his voyage in journalism and how his works are impacting lives. Excerpts:
What inspired you to become a journalist? My romance with journalism started from home because my dad was a literature enthusiast. Under our bed was a giant box containing all manner of newspapers and magazines of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Magazines like Flamingo, Drum, Trust, West African Pilot, Tribune, Nigerian Yearbook, etc. I was always visiting this box, reading those papers to know what had happened in Nigeria before I was born. My love for stories, writing and reading began from there. I still have so many of these publications with me till date in my library. When I got to secondary school, because I had read far and wide, I have stories to tell. I formed the press club called Zee Press and the cartoon end, called Scorpion. We did so many writings, even with our poor English. When I gained admission to Kwara State College of Technology in 1982, I also started writing and pasting on the wall. After Kwara Tech, I was home one day when a brother noticed that I was always writing, and he gave me his portable typewriter to upgrade me from using the pen. Later, my dad bought a brand new one for me. All the things I was writing them, I took to the New Nigerian Newspapers. I remember meeting with the editor who encouraged me to come to the office once in a while and I kept at it. Later, another newspaper came in Kaduna called Today and there was also Reporter by Yar Adua. I always went to these offices until I got admitted to the University of Ife to study Philosophy/History combined.
One day, after my service years in Sokoto and returning to Lagos, I heard that my former lecturer, Dr. G.G Darah, was the Editorial Board Chairman of the Daily Times. I decided to pay homage to him and maybe he would give me some money to manage. I was unemployed and didn’t know what to do with my life. On getting to Darah’s office, he was glad to see me. He asked what I was doing. I told him I just finished my service year and was unemployed now. He stood up, held my hand, took me to the Newsroom of Daily Times, and handed me over to the deputy Editor, Toyin Makanjuola (TMack). The man took me to the sub desk headed by Abu Olanrewaju. These were the people who began to train me as a sub-editor. There, my journey as a journalist started professionally. So, the inspiration started from my background. You become what you feed yourself with.
What was journalism like when you started after graduation? I noticed that journalism was a poor paying job. Very few journalists had cars. Virtually all the staff in Daily Times were on foot. Salary was so poor. But Dr. G.G Darah told me that I should not remain a sub editor that the beauty of journalism is in reporting, meeting people, seeing things happening. I can’t forget that advice. Immediately, I began to think of what else to do, rather than reporting in office every afternoon as a sub editor to work on the reports brought by reporters. I met with Mr Saliu Haruna, editor of Evening Times and he encouraged me to start writing on the emerging home video industry. He gave me a full page called Video Link. The home video industry was just starting then, I found myself going to all film locations in Lagos. The industry started at Meiran, then moved to Iyesi. I was on location of all the major early home videos. I saw the industry from its infancy. I know the history, the personages and manifestations of the industry. I was the only journalist in Nigeria concentrating on the Home Video Industry in the very early 1990s. From Aje niyan mi, financed by an Igbo marketer, by Kenneth Nnebue NEK to Ti Oluwa Nile, Ayo Ni Mofe by Mainframe in Osodi, Lagos, Living in Bondage, to these modern times, I saw it all. I was also the first journalist to interview many of these artistes. Many of them were poorly paid then. They only survived on interest. Please give it to the Yoruba artistes for keeping the faith until the Igbo people came in with big money to change the face of the industry.
If journalism was poorly paid then, how could a young man like you opt for it? Just like the theatre industry, journalism also had a great challenge. Few papers were paying well then. Observer in Benin, Statesman in Enugu, Standard in Jos, New Nigeria in Kaduna, Tribune and Sketch in Ibadan, Herald in Ilorin, Chronicle in Port Harcourt, Triumph in Kano, many, if not all of them were owned by their state governments except Tribune by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Chief MKO Abiola started Concord newspapers in 1980 to build his political career and challenge the dominance of Tribune in the West, and by the end of 1983, Concord had become the most read newspaper in Nigeria. Abiola brought his money into the organisation and his early editors like Dele Giwa, Yakubu Mohammed, etc. became the first journalists in Nigeria to ride in Mercedes Benz. Guardian came as an elitist broadsheet on 22 February 1983 through Stanley Macebuh, Femi Kusa, Lade Bonuola, etc. It was financed by Alex Ibru. Vanguard came the following year in 1984 by journalist Sam Amuka-Pemu. Newswatch magazine came on 28 January 1985, after Dele Giwa and co had issues with MKO Abiola. These new publications tried to change the face of the media in Nigeria while Daily Times remained a training ground for them. Later, it was clear to me that there was no future in Daily Times. When people like Innocent Oparadike, Peter Enahoro, etc were appointed as the MDs of the organisation, it was clear to me that Daily Times was dying very fast. By 1998, many people were leaving the sinking ship. I was a young man, not ready to sink with it. I left for Vanguard in 1998, where the Sunday Editor, Fola Arogundade, a great man gave me an opportunity to write for the Sunday edition. From there to Sunday Post Express where Muyiwa Akintunde, the editor also gave me opportunities to work with him briefly. It was after that the God gave me the idea of Elife, when I was a member of KICC, Mende Maryland Lagos under the pastor who taught me purpose, Wale Adefuye.
What did you intend to achieve with Elife? How far have you gone with it? Elife came at the worst moment of my life. When I left Post Express as a stringer, I got a job with a woman in Opebi Road, Ikeja. She was to produce a magazine called Meru, which according to her was to explain traditional healing, traditional medicine and exalt tradition institutions in Africa. With this woman, I started interviewing the babalawo, native healers, and chiefs, mention them. The woman would sit we staff under a tree in the afternoon, talking about energy all the time. She was driving us into Ifa worshipping gradually. The editor then was Dele Omojuyigbe. Thank God that he was a sound Christian who had the power of discernment, even as at that time. I believed Dele’s spiritual frequency jammed with the traditional frequency of the woman who was a chief in so many Yoruba towns. But at the end, Dele survived the challenge and left the organisation. It was a lesson for me and I also left not long after. The bigger lesson for me was the need to know Christ and that took me to KICC where I came under the influence of Wale Adefuye, the Lagos Pastor of the church. It was through him I heard a sermon by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo on Define your Future. That sermon made me to leave paid salary and think of what to do with my life. That sermon showed me that God has blessed every man with a gift which we should discover and run with. I found out that my gift is the ability to speak and write. So, I decided to invest this in a gospel publication which came as Elife.
Can you share a memorable experience from your career that had a significant impact on you? There were many, like my encouter with Professor Peller. But the most memorable was the day Oba Funsho Adeolu, (Chief Eleyinmi in Village headmaster) the late Sataloye of Ode Remo drove me out of his palace because I was a journalist. I had gone to his palace one morning to have an interview with him. One by one, his chiefs came, and they began talking about another Oba who messed up. I was seated opposite him, not paying any physical attention to their discussions. I had a music player and an earpiece in my bag. I brought out the earpiece to put in my ears. Immediately Kabiyesi saw me, he shouted at me: ‘Bola! Bola! Ki lo fe se yen? (what are you doing) O fe record oro wa? (You want to record our discussions?) Get out of here immediately. He shouted at me angrily.
I wanted to show him that it was a music player, not a recorder. But he was just angry and sent me out before everyone. I went out and left the palace. I walked to the street to get public transport out of the town. I was still waiting when someone ran after me and said Kabiyesi wanted to see me. I tried to refuse to go back. But realising I could be courting bigger trouble, I returned with the guy. Getting to his palace, Kabiyesi apologised, saying he thought I wanted to record their discussion and gave me the training I wouldn’t forget. He said being a journalist himself, he would have silently listened to what he and his chiefs were discussing and gone to publish. That was what he thought I was doing. I shouldn’t have brought out my recorder when I did. I should have just recorded it in my memory and downloaded it when I got to the office. Journalists, he added, should have sharp and retentive memories to record issues as they unfold without alerting people around. Learn how to eavesdrop on the conversations of some top people. You will need these facts someday. It was a lesson I will never forget. Don’t alert anyone that you are a journalist. As the situation warrants, record all events in your memory!
What do you find most rewarding about your work as a journalist? I have thought about this recently and these are my findings: being a journalist can be a highly rewarding and impactful profession. I have been able to play a crucial role in informing the public about current events, issues, and developments, helping people stay aware and educated about their surroundings. A journalist is a chronicler of history. It has assisted me to give voice to the voiceless, to amplify the voices of marginalised people, less privilege, bringing attention to social injustices and giving a platform to those who might otherwise go unheard. Journalism ts are constantly learning about new topics, industries, and people. Acess is another benefit I got. I have been able to build connections with people I never imagined I would meet, interact with a diverse range of people, including experts, Church and industry leaders, and everyday individuals. Journalism has assisted me to hone my communication skills, both written and verbal. I have learned how to convey complex information in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. Travel opportunities is another.
Are there any stories or issues you are particularly passionate about covering? I like to call it gospel journalism, after all, there is finance journalists, environmental journalists, economic journalists, Judicial reporters, etc. I see myself as a journalist of the gospel. Being a gospel journalist, specifically one who reports on Christian matters, comes with unique benefits and opportunities that are aligned with the focus on faith-based content. Reporting on topics related to faith, spirituality, and positive stories within religious communities can provide a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and purpose, especially in a country like Nigeria where people are sensitive along religious lines. Gospel journalism gives the opportunity to promote positive values such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding, contributing to a more harmonious society. It inspires and uplift readers and viewers, providing them with stories of hope, faith, and resilience. Such stories can motivate others to overcome challenges and strengthen their beliefs. Gospel journalism educates our audience about religious traditions, beliefs, and practices, fostering understanding and tolerance among people from different faith backgrounds. It assists in promoting peace, contributing to personal growth, telling impactful stories that touch lives and shape destinies.
How do you keep up with the evolving media landscape and changing technologies in your field? It’s difficult when you don’t really love this job. Journalism is not about the cash or wealth you can make from it. It’s about the interest thereof. However, it will get to a stage where you will have to face the reality of life, the reality that interest will not put food on the table. Reality that you will have to pay school fees, maintain your family and pick your responsibilities at home and in the society. At that level, you must be proactive and evolve ways to survive. For me, I delved into writing on a bigger scale; writing my own books, promoting and selling them, writing speeches for people, writing books on and for institutions and personalities, writing biographies, doing book projects, etc. I am also a web master, a job that brought me into another area of life, introduced me to another level of clientele. I told you earlier that I know my areas of gifting are writing and speaking. I soon found public speaking as another medium of expression. All I was writing on mentoring in newspapers and Elife magazine soon became what I began to speak on. You need to have good friends, men who will inspire you as friends. I have a couple of them around me who were always on me to start speaking rather than just writing. This is the genesis of Mentoring masterclass.
You veered into internet publishing long before many news media embraced the platform. How was it in those early years…
Those days, there was nothing like websites. If there was, it was not popular, and no newspaper was on the Internet. When the idea of E-life was being conceptualised between 2000 and 2004, I thought until I got the physical cash of N5 million before I could start. I had no business idea or experience. Yet, I wanted to create a magazine. I remember I made a proposal to Mrs. Connie Madubuko, now late. Connie was to assist me with about 250k, but in my ignorance, I told her I needed 5 million, and if she couldn’t give that, I was ready to go away. That was when I met a friend, Lekan Otufodurin, who suggested doing E-life on the Internet. I returned home for more research, and I got to know of Success Digest, published by Sunny Ojeagbase. I learned I needed to have a computer and learn how to design websites. I went for training here and there, and I hit the Internet with E-life. It came with a bang, but no money was made publishing it. What became my cash cow was building websites for Churches and several organisations. Because no newspaper was on the Internet, I was not encouraged to publish E-life. I never took it seriously because churches were running away from the Internet because of the initial scams and shenanigans that came with online publishing. It often amazes me now how churches bombard the Internet with their content. In those days, sites like www.god.com, www.jesus.com, www.bible.com were controlled by pornographers, pedophiles, and criminals. They woke up before the Church. I was active online, populating the Internet with various pro-gospel websites like nigeriansermons.com,nigerianchurchdirectory.com, nigeriagospelmusic.com, xtophotos.com, etc. I built over 250 websites for Churches locally and internationally. We thank God that Churches are doing well on the Internet today. All this experience I compiled in my first book, Become an Internet Evangelist.
You have authored several books. Could you tell us about some of them and how they have been impacting positively on lives of Christians? The happiest day of my life was when I released my first book, ‘Become an Internet Evangelist’. As a bibliophile person, I mean a lover of books, I had prayed that just as I collect other people’s books and keep them in my library, others too would collect my books and keep them in their libraries. As books written by others impact my life, so would my books also influence others. Being active on the Internet as early as the year 2000, I noticed that pornographers, paedophiles, etc. were also very busy online. It made many Churches run away from the Internet. So, the book was to narrate my experience and encourage the Church that the best way to respond to the shenanigans online was not to abandon the Internet but to flood it with gospel contents. All we need is to know how to go about it. The following books, ‘Diary of an Angry Christian’, ‘Message to the Ignorant Church’, and ‘MARRIAGE: 40 Things You Should Know’, are the collections of my posts on social media, especially those of them that went viral. The most successful of my books is Discover the Secrets of Mentoring, which sold over 15,000 copies online. To date, it’s still selling. Mentoring is a thing we hardly do in this part of the world. Some people mention mentorship but scarcely know what it’s all about. The book is an excellent piece of lectures on the topic. There are three others, ‘Unprofitable Relationship’, a compilation of 50 relationship questions people sent to me at various times as an online counsellor. The Lord told me to compile them, give answers to them and make a book of it so that people can learn from the mistakes of others. ‘Truths You Won’t Hear On Sunday Service’ is a compilation of thoughts, explanations and truths many preachers would not ordinarily touch on Sunday service. Sunday service is more of a celebration day, which is why the weekly Bible Study period is often called Digging Deep. The book is digging deep for Christians. Beyond Ignorance, another form of digging deep, answers 50 controversial questions in the Church. Those are the questions we ask daily and have yet to find satisfactory answers to.
You are a teacher, an Apostle, journalist and a writer. Which of these do you want to be primarily known for? It is difficult to say which one I prefer. But, certainly, I wouldn’t say I like the pastor thing because apostles, pastors, evangelists, prophets, etc., are not titles. These are offices. Now, in Nigeria, the chase for titles has made people start calling themselves Pilot XYZ, Barrister XYZ, Surveyor XYZ, Town Planner XYZ. Nigerians have turned them into titles because of our craze for vanities and prestige. More so, I don’t like the pastor or bishop things because it tends to put you on the spot. Once people hear you are a pastor, they tend to watch out for faults. Others want to test your patience. Pastors are human beings. Let them breath. Stop putting them on the spot. While I am not ashamed of the gospel, I don’t like the titles. You don’t need to see titles before you know I am a Christian.
When you are not writing books or preaching and teaching, what else do you do? How do you relax? It’s difficult to say I have other hobbies than reading and writing. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have a sound library in my home stocked with all the materials and gadgets I need for writing, printing and broadcasting Mentoring Masterclass, a program I run on YouTube. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I move to the library to relax. What is that relaxation? To write, read. However, I thank God that long ago, I bought many musical instruments like saxophone, viola, piano, and box guitar. I have it all in my home because I made sure all my children learn to play an instrument. I also play the saxophone very well. Perhaps, that, and chatting with my wife, is the only hobby outside the book thing.
What would you say is your vision for your ministries in the next five years? I have a programme called E-life Mentoring Masterclass currently running on YouTube. I am working hard to do more speaking in the years to come. I discovered that there are so many liars and wrong preachers in our society teaching the wrong things, which is why there are so many miseries around. I have a 100-course outline on Mentoring Masterclass, which I want to invest the rest of my life. Our people must be mentored. The younger generation must change their perceptions so that Nigeria and Africa can change. Our people want a changed Nigeria but are not ready to change themselves. The change must start with us. My vision as a gospel journalist is to invest the rest of my life into Mentoring Masterclass so we can see a better Nigeria, a better Africa!
How do you see the reading culture of young Christians, especially in this age of technology? I keep telling people that thinking people don’t read again is invalid. Don’t they read on social media? The issue is that writers should learn how to catch their desires. Writers should meet them where they are and know how to lure them into reading our works. More so, there is no union or association of writers again. Have you seen Christian writers or authors coming together? We are just on our own. There are so many things the Church can learn from the world. We should learn how to give freebies, organise local and international seminars, workshops, and book fairs, and how the Church leaders can help promote our books in our Churches. People do read. We are not harvesting them the way they are.
Would you say that Christian parents encourage their children sufficiently to imbibe the culture of reading? Sadly, reading is a personal thing. It’s a hobby you consciously pick once you know what you benefit from it. Most parents are not setting good examples in most ramifications of life. In many homes, the father is on social media. The mother is on the phone, and the children are on the phone. Also, schools have started giving assignments that push children to be on the phone 247. This phone culture will not kill us. It has gotten so bad now that many old writers are not writing again. Christians who should put down their experiences in book form would say no one would read. We are sitting on a time bomb of gradual ignorance and illiteracy!
People all over the world have already started to prepare for the 9th edition of the Healing Streams Live Healing Services with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, taking place from the 27th till the 29th of October 2023.
Few individuals have left as significant an impact on the lives of countless people as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Renowned for his unwavering dedication to spreading the Word of God and for his remarkable healing ministry, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has emerged as a beacon of hope for millions of people around the world.
Central to his ministry is the transformative Healing School, which offers, among other programs, the Healing Streams Live Healing Services, which have become a powerful source of spiritual renewal and physical healing for countless individuals.
A new session of the event is scheduled to run from the 27th till the 29th of October. Free registration is already open on the Healing Streams’ website.
TheHealing Streams Live Healing Services are healing programs and are accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This global reach ensures that people from diverse backgrounds and locations can come together to experience the healing power of God.
This powerful online platform was created to provide people worldwide with the opportunity to experience divine healing and restoration, regardless of their geographical location. Through the Healing Streams Live Healing Services, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been able to connect with millions of people, offering them hope, faith, and healing in their time of need.
The services have witnessed countless miraculous healings over the years. Individuals suffering from a wide range of ailments, from physical illnesses to emotional distress, have testified to their healing experiences during these events.
The Power of the Healing Streams Live Healing Services
The Healing Streams Live Healing Services have become synonymous with miraculous healings that defy explanation and leave participants and witnesses in awe. These services, conducted by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, have been a source of profound transformation for multiple people, offering them a glimpse into the extraordinary power of faith and prayer.
During these services, there have been several reports of participants experiencing instant and undeniable relief from a wide range of physical and emotional ailments. People who had battled chronic illnesses, debilitating pain, and emotional scars for years suddenly found themselves free from their afflictions.
These healings often occurred in real-time, capturing the attention and faith of those who had gathered, both in-person and online from virtual healing centers or from their own homes.
How Pastor Chris Heals People from All Walks of Life
One of the most remarkable aspects of the healings that take place at the Healing Streams Live Services is their diversity. People have reported relief from physical conditions such as paralysis, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. Mental and emotional burdens, including depression, anxiety, and trauma, have also been lifted.
Multiple testimonies emerge from the Healing Streams Live Healing Services every time the event has taken place. People from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe have stepped forward to share their personal accounts of healing and transformation.
These testimonies serve as a powerful testament to the incredible power of faith and prayer when channeled through the ministry of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. One can witness some of these testimonies on Healing Streams TV and also in the Healing to the Nations Magazine, a monthly publication published by the Healing School and used for publicity and evangelical outreaches.
These remarkable healings are not merely isolated incidents but part of a larger tapestry of spiritual experiences. They underscore the profound connection between faith, prayer, and the divine healing that occurs through the Healing Streams Live Healing Services.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome: A Man Called to Heal
From a very young age, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of the Christ Embassy church, has been a man who has dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a dynamic preacher, teacher, and healing minister. His ministry has touched lives in every corner of the globe, spreading the message of hope, faith, and healing.
With a deep passion for spreading the message of Christ’s love and healing, he has dedicated his life to ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of people.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s journey as a healing minister began when he recognized the profound need for spiritual and physical healing in the lives of people. He understood that many were suffering from various afflictions and sought solace in their faith. This understanding led him to embark on a path of ministering to the sick and the afflicted.
Synagogue Church of All Nations, (SCOAN), has concluded plans to hold its two- day crusade between the 13th and 14th of October in Nairobi, Kenya.
The event will bring together Christian faithful from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and even far away South Africa.
Speaking on the choice of Kenya at this point in time by the SCOAN, the leader of the SCOAN, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, said that “the two-day crusade in Kenya is holding in furtherance of God’s will for this Commission and mankind; for the salvation of souls and fulfilled destinies,” adding that
“We are also undertaking a charity programme as part of our mission. This is by God’s instruction in His grace, mercy and favour that the nation of Kenya should partake in the blessings associated with this divine assignment.”
According to one of the spokespersons for the church, Mr. Dare Adejumo, the crusade is holding in Kenya is an answered prayer because they have been longing and praying for it without ceasing and God has finally answered them after all these years.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Rose of Sharon (ROS) has recently graduated not fewer than 99 students from its Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) Vocation School.
The ceremony was held at its prestigious RCCG, GRA Ikeja Parish.
The CSR Vocation School, now in its sixth year, has successfully graduated talented individuals after an intensive nine-month skill acquisition vocational training programme, all at no cost to the participants.
The programme which has held three graduation ceremonies over the years offers participants the opportunity to learn various skills, including Textile Design, Digital Marketing, Catering, Hairdressing, Makeup/Gele Tying, and Fashion Designing, among others.
To empower the graduates in their entrepreneurial journeys, the church awarded the best-graduating students from each of the five vocations a grant of N200,000 to kick-start their careers. The second-best graduating students were also given a grant of N100,000 each, while a reward of N100,000 was each given to two best-performing Instructors of the school to motivate them to do more. In total, the church provided N1,700,000 in financial support to these graduates and their instructors.
During the graduation ceremony, Senior Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG, Rose of Sharon, Emeka Obiagwu, delivered an inspiring charge, urging graduates and attendees to cultivate unwavering focus, dedication, and a strong work ethic in the pursuit of their life goals.
He emphasized the importance of delivering excellent service and highlighted that skill is just as valuable as one’s character.
Speaking on the topic, “You are a Champion (1 Sam 17: 50 – 52),” he reminded everyone that they possess the qualities required to excel in their chosen paths. He encouraged the graduates to serve as exemplary ambassadors of their training and to seize the opportunity they’ve been given to transform their lives positively.
In his keynote address, Pharmacist Ochuko Omaruaye shared valuable insights on entrepreneurship. He stressed the competitive nature of the market and the importance of consistently improving service quality.
He further emphasized the significance of building a loyal client base and ensuring customer satisfaction to generate referrals. He also discussed the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing social media for advertising services.
Earlier in her opening speech, Pastor Rosemary Fowler, the minister in charge of RCCG Rose of Sharon CSR, expressed her delight and pride in the graduates’ accomplishments.
She highlighted the profound impact of skills development and community empowerment.
The body has been engulfed in a succession crisis since its former chairman, Bishop Olusola Ore passed on in 2021.
The late Ore was succeeded by the erstwhile Vice Chairman, Apostle Eyinnaya Okuwonu.
Okuwonu completed the late Ore’s four-year tenure which ended in June 2022.
However, there was supposed to be an election of the new executive in July 2022, but that was put on hold for an unknown reasons.
The Nation gathered that there are apprehensions in the PFN circles of Lagos State over who will emerge as the state’s new chairman.
As of today, there is no substantive chairman and executive in the Lagos State PFN.
But as a way out of the stalemate, the National President of the PFN, Bishop Wale Oke mooted an idea of a three-chairmanship position in the Lagos State PFN but was allegedly resisted by some members.
PFN is one of the biggest blocs and major financiers in the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN).
Since 1985, when it was created, prominent Pentecostal bishops have headed the movement including Bishop Benson Idahosa, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor, Rev Felix Omobunde, and the present President and founder of The Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Wale Oke.
The Lagos arm of the fellowship is the biggest and the melting pot.
Currently, the stakeholders in the PFN have diverse interests and that calls for concerns.
Why lacuna in the election of the Lagos PFN
Top officials of the PFN told The Nation that the decision about the choice of who becomes the Chairman of the PFN in Lagos will be reached soon by the National Advisory Council of the PFN and the Fathers of Fathers.
While speaking with The Nation, he agreed to the insinuations that politics, ethnic sentiment, and lack of fairness on the part of the leadership of the PFN are at play in who chairs the fellowship in the state.
He assured that PFN is a law-abiding institution and would not flaunt its constitution but will abide by the details of its constitution on the matter. “Lagos has the highest number of churches and it is the melting pot of the fellowship in Nigeria, you can understand that there may be a crisis, but I am very hopeful that it will be resolved,” said a top official of the PFN.
How leadership will emerge
It is obvious that the race toward the emergence of the new chairman for the fellowship will be an onerous task as many pastors are showing interest in the contest.
The final decision of who emerged will be determined by the National President of the body, Bishop Wale Oke , and the various national organs of the fellowship. There are insinuations that tribe and money may come into play and the leaders are trying to be careful and tread softly on the matter.
It was gathered that some pastors are making some moves behind the scenes to get to the position. Since the National President of PFN is the man who holds the ace, there will be no doubt that there will be pressure on him to pander to some whims. Even if he wants to follow his conscience and do what is right, he may find himself under undue pressure to satisfy some interests.
On the method of appointing a new Chairman for the State PFN, The Nation spoke to one of the founding members and the National Chairman State Inauguration Committee of PFN, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, who said that the practice is that the State Advisory Council (SAC) of the PFN conducts an election and will elect the chairman and other executive members and their names will be presented to the National President who approves or disapproves the outcome of the election. It is not like the general elections done in politics.
Ojo noted that the current Lagos State Chairman stepped in when the former Chairman, Bishop Ore died though he was not formally elected to run for a full term (Four years).
“They are working toward the election but some people are not patient enough to see the process through. Everything will fall into place. PFN remains a united body.” Ojo said.
Ojo, stressed that there is no lacuna, and until there is a new executive inaugurated, not only the Chairman, the secretary, and the treasurer, it is a complete executive that will be inaugurated.
Controversy over three chairmanship positions
On the recent proposal for a three-chairmanship position in the Lagos State PFN which was allegedly mooted by the National President, PFN, Bishop Wale Oke at the recent PFN General Assembly, and was allegedly resisted by some members, he said that it was a proposal and every proposal should wait and expect the implementation.
When The Nation reminded Ojo that the idea of having three chairmen was strange to the fellowship, Ojo said it was not the business of the public. “We know how to handle our issues. People, who are not in, want to dictate to us how we should do our things. No. Nobody who is not inside the house cannot tell us how the house should be built; and how the house will be maintained. Every other person is an intruder and interferer, and their idea is inconsequential as far as the body is concerned, we remain one and undivided. Has the fellowship had a case when you have three chairmen emerge?”
Ojo, however, noted that people were only making insinuations.
“We can make a proposal, and until it is implemented, it remains a proposal. Whoever is coming under any assumption; acting on the proposal that person is out to cause trouble and cause division and disunity.
“Any person, including our president, has the right to make a proposal and until that proposal is implemented, it remains a proposal.”
On the issue that the current chairman is of Igbo extraction which may have caused some disaffection in some quarters in the fellowship as reported by a group, Pentecostal Association of Nigeria and Diaspora (PAND), in July, and which was refuted by Lagos PFN as ungodly and demonic, Ojo said that the PFN does not pander to ethnic, social or gender divides. “That is the bad belle some people have. Some people want to cause disaffection. That is not the reason for the proposal. Nobody is saying there will be three chairmen. Our focus is on Christ and what we stand on as a people.”
Reacting to the choice of who becomes eligible to contest to be the chairman of the PFN in Lagos State, the Founding Bishop of City Gate International Churches, Bishop Roberto Akwazi was of the view that the PFN is not a political organization and any pastor is eligible to contest for any position within the fellowship in any part of the country.
“PFN is not a tribal organization, neither is it a political organisation but an institution run by the Bible-believing Christians who happened to be a Pentecostal pastor and they cut across tribal, and ethnic lines.
“I was once the State Chairman of the PFN in Bauchi State and those who were chairmen at various provinces were Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. They were duly elected and supported by God’s people in Bauchi State.”
He asserted that the consideration of three chairmen would not work. Except they want to divide Lagos into three. Though, Lagos State PFN is big.
Stakeholders allay fear
In a report, the Director, Directorate of Politics and Governance (DPG), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Dr. Theophilus Taiwo Ajose, recently disclosed that money would play a role in the emergence of a new Chairman of the body in the state.
Also reacting, Apostle Okunmade O. Isaac, in Ikorodu, Lagos said was reported “This is the time for the Lagos movement to assert that eternal life is weightier than money.
“There have been speculations that there is this character going about, throwing the weight of his money to become our leader in Lagos. Some of us have decided to watch and see the credibility of our leaders.
“We don’t elect our leaders. We cede the power to people. We are regarded as fathers.”
However, for the Lagos PFN to resolve the imbroglio, Bishop Oke needs to be guided by God, not tribal sentiment or other ephemeral conditions in the choice of who becomes the Chairman of Lagos PFN.
He surely needs the prayer and support of the church at this time. The church must lead the way by doing what is right and proper.
