Category: worship

It was a nine-day of glory, impactful teachings, open heavens and outstanding testimonies as Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC) International recently had its 2023 Holy Convocation tagged: ‘Divine Speed.’
The VLBC Int’l Holy Convocation is an annual power-packed gathering where members of the church from all its 26 branches across the globe converge on its headquarters, Victory Cathedral, along Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State to get spiritually impacted for the year.
All through the nine days, the Lead Pastor and his wife, Apostle Lawrence and Rev. Fola Achudume welcomed God’s generals, dignitaries and gospel artistes from in and around Nigeria to the August gathering.
Speaking at the event, the General Superintendent of Gospel Light International Ministries, Rev. Dr Felix Omobude, who also commissioned the newly completed building project and hostel at the VLBC Campground, urged the people to “lay aside every weight, title, or position when coming to God’s presence and be humble,” and reiterated that “God exalts His word above His name and He can never go back on it.”
Also, The Senior Pastor of the Eternity Network, Apostle Joshua Selman, preached that: “there is a standard of knowledge allocated to every result and knowledge is not enough to produce a result. Knowledge must be commensurate to what you want”, adding that “dominion over time is the highest level of dominion anyone could have because the unit of destiny is time and it cannot be reversed as no one has the luxury of unlimited time.”
Meanwhile, the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, who graced the convocation advised youths to engage in things that would present the nation in a good light, and “have people who will keep us in check in everything we do and be dedicated to God.”
The Lead Pastor, Apostle Achudume, while preaching on Easter Sunday during the Holy Convocation 2023 said that “any speed without direction is a wasted effort because your target determines your determination and speed. By extension, your target fuels your enthusiasm.”
Other activities that took place during the 2023 Holy Convocation were a Bible quiz in which gifts were given to winners from the various districts, a football competition tagged: “The Lawrence Achudume Tournament,” and the provision of financial support to small business owners to boost their businesses.
The VLBC Int’l Youths also had a great time at their annual Youth Blast, where they were allowed to express themselves by asking questions that pertain to their emotional, physical and spiritual growth.
Addressing the youths during the Blast, Revd. Fola Achudume implored them to abide in the presence of God as that is where they can get the heavenly secrets and treasures their heart desires.
“Divine speed in life is a function of heavenly secrets and treasures you seek. The secret to your change is in the secrets you get in His presence,” she said.
Dare Justified, Eniola Olusoga, Ayan Jesu, and VLBC Livingstone Choir, among others, led the people to the throne of grace through worship songs and praises.
The grand finale witnessed special impartation and anointing service for divine speed led by the set man of the ministry, Apostle Lawrence Achudume.

The Presiding Shepherd of Harvest Centre (City of Mercy Mission Nigeria), Prophet Wale Ojo David, who predicted the emergence of the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, two years ago, spoke to Adeola Ogunlade on the fulfillment of God’s prophecy and his advice for the incoming administration.

 You predicted the victory of Asiwaju in the Presidential Elections when most others prophesied otherwise…

God is not a man; His words are His bond. Thank God, the revelation of two years ago has come through. It is for us to support the President-Elect with our prayers in order for him not to derail from the divine plan.

For those saying his emergence does not follow due process, God does not follow man’s processes, rather His ways like the birth of Jesus Christ have remained a mystery to man. The bottom line is did His words come to pass? God in his mercy does speak to his people. Even the reactions that trailed the election do not mean anything. When two people are fighting, one will win. It was a fight, and one man will eventually win and reactions will come. The battle was a mystery.

If you look at the life of Goliath and David, immediately, after David killed Goliath, there were reactions, some cheered him and unfortunately, the King who supported him to go and face Goliath became his greatest enemy when the glory and glamour came for David. For Tinubu to emerge as President-Elect is a voice of God for Nigeria.

Two years ago, I told you as the Lord told me that Tinubu would take Nigeria out of the wilderness for productivity and enhancement. That God is still in existence to fulfill what he has promised to do. Tinubu’s emergence is the voice of God for Nigeria. In every contest, there must be a winner and a loser. The reactions to the outcome of the election are expected in human society, but as believers, we should look beyond the physical and listen to the voice of God.

In a nutshell, Nigerians should expect good leadership in the next four years.

Yes, by the grace of God, there are people supporting and praying for him to succeed because he is the voice of God. The first thing I said is that I appreciate all the leaders in Nigeria irrespective of their religion that has continued to throw their weight behind the Tinubu Presidency because the Lord told me that Tinubu would emerge as Nigeria’s next President and he will take Nigeria out of the wilderness for productive and enhancement. Nigerians should be rejoicing because Tinubu will bring Nigeria and Africa freedom. The Lord made me realise that God used Obasanjo to deliver Nigeria from slavery and that Tinubu will take Nigeria out of the wilderness. God knows that Nigeria has the resources to make her a great nation and Tinubu is the vessel that God wants to use for this purpose. Come May 29, Tinubu will be the next President.

What about the irregularities that characterized the election and the furore around the Muslim-Muslim Ticket?

Sometimes last year, I was asked about the Muslim-Muslim ticket and I want to say that there is nothing like that in leadership. There is nothing like tribe or religion. As long as the contestants are from Nigeria, I have no problem with that. We are not going to be ruled by people from the Benin Republic nor are we going to be ruled by Ghanaians, so if some people pick the Muslim-Muslim ticket, the question we should be asking as clerics is it the will of God?

I spent time asking God who will be the next President and God has spoken and I stand by it. On the irregularities, I am not the INEC. On the day of the election, I was not in Nigeria but my people voted. We have been praying that God’s voice will be established for both Nigeria’s and Africa’s freedom.

Tinubu is not only for Nigeria, his emergence is for Africa’s freedom. I don’t know why God put it like that. God told me that he would take Nigeria out of the wilderness. Those irregularities are factors of the wilderness experience in Nigeria. What I know, which is the voice of God, is that God will bring one man as a vessel for Nigeria, and that man is Tinubu, who is destined to be Nigeria’s next President.

 Beyond politics, Nigeria is faced with mirages of problems and we see so many prophets giving different prophecies around elections…

Many prophets are deceiving people with their fake prophecies. I don’t know Tinubu and I don’t request to see him. Sometimes in 2018, God told me that there is going to be a global crisis and that we should go to major markets to pray. I asked God when will the sickness come, God told me that it would be a global crisis and I picked a market in Nigeria and another one in another country and that was how I met the Iya Oloja of Ikorodu where I requested that she should give us a grace of a day to pray in the market (Ikorodu Market). We held it in December 2017 and the message of God for 2019 was ‘Iyeni Mo Yan, Mi Oyan Ikun’ meaning I chose life, not death. God told me to share the message to the nook and cranny through a sticker across Ikorodu.  Though COVID-19 happened in Nigeria, the message had come and we prayed ahead. The sticker we share cost us millions. If I minister in any church, I don’t collect an honorarium. During COVID-19, I speak the mind of God for the congregants and I leave. 

 The Church played a very crucial role in the 2023 Election, what is next for the Church?

All the ministers did not pick Tinubu. As a minister of God, in the meetings I attended and I made it clear to them that the man God had destined is Tinubu as the next president no matter the manipulation. I told them categorically that the candidate of God would emerge. The church does not have any role to play in politics, the ministers of God have non-seat in the parliament. I don’t know Tinubu one-on-one. The ministers should not have any special seat for politicians. If politicians come as a child of God, we can pray for them. It is wrong for any minister of God to be endorsing any candidate. I did not endorse Tinubu nor did l say I prefer Tinubu. I don’t have anyone I need to endorse, God chose Tinubu by himself and he told me to tell the people and the people I gave the word of God to were the ministers of God. I urged them to pray for Nigeria.

Before the advent of Corona virus, I had called the ministers of God to pray and announced that there was going to be a global crisis and we should pray against it. In the case of Tinubu, it is what God has said that I stand by. 

Are you saying the church should not have endorsed any political aspirants?

From my teachings and training, I learnt that we can pray and advise candidates in an election but it is not for us to allow them to speak in our church as campaign ground or openly endorse them. Politicians should come to church and listen to the word of God and if he requests for prayers, prayers can be made for him and if he has any project and he wants us to pray about it, we can. 

Your advice to the next President-elect?

Nigerians have high expectations from him and Africa is waiting for Tinubu to rebuild Nigeria. It is not his duty alone but the duty of God who has positioned him as a vessel. He needs to prepare well for good governance and ministers of God to join him and surround him in prayers.

The people that will work with Tinubu are important, thus pastors must continue to pray for him to get the best hands that will work conscientiously with him. “As a people, we believe in the power of prayer and God; it is our duty to present the president-elect and the nation to God through our supplications for things to be turned around for the common good.

By Nutty Pin

The Church has exerted enormous influence on the world as we know it! Even though it remains one of the most influential institutions worldwide, its power is declining globally except in Africa, especially Nigeria, if we check or crunch the numbers.

However, untoward practices might make it unravel even faster despite its seeming growth in Nigeria. Across Europe and the Americas, Christianity, the lifeblood of the Church that heralded democracies through the Lutheran Revolution because it provided comfort, guidance, and a sense of community for millions of people worldwide, is ebbing.

Many Christians have either lost their faith or chosen to become non-Church-going believers.Churches are declining in power and prominence in most industrialised societies, except in evolving nations like Nigeria, where the Church does more than regulate the relationship between individuals and God – it spins miracles and mints wealth! Ah, the almighty Church in Nigeria – the source of all truth, wisdom, and miracles. It answers all of life’s questions, from the meaning of existence to the afterlife. Isn’t it?

Imagine a preacher advocating that believing in miracles is the best thing you can do for yourself, instead of worrying about those pesky little things like hard work, logic and reason. A lesser number of people in society would have achieved success through hard work and determination if they’d put all their faith in miracles, as posited by false clerics.

These miracle peddlers will convince you to believe in their miracle service. Assuring that your life will magically transform into a never-ending parade of rainbows and unicorns. And if you are still waiting to see the results you were promised? Well, that’s just because you didn’t have enough faith.

Like your favourite pastor, you get to run your car on urine from Lagos to Ibadan, entering your toilet in Benin City to pop out in Germany without a visa. And we have that super-human pastor once caught on camera body-slamming a worshipper in the name of demon exorcism. He also said, “A prophet can change the message of God. When God says yes, a prophet can say; Sir, please, no! They say, obey the word of the prophet, you shall prosper.”

Comically, he announced his death claiming to be done with his life mission. It’s like a never-ending game of make-believe and sacrilege! Charades like this have been continuously used to rip and strip the undiscerning of their treasures, throwing them into the abyss of ruin. To be clear, miracles do exist, but not as advocated or demonstrated by these false clerics.

Due to the mysterious nature of some aspects of religion, many false preachers have taken undue advantage to turn apostolic callings into entrepreneurship.

The Church is being hijacked each dawn by a new tribe of get-rich or richer schemers posturing as teachers of the sacred word. It is now a remedy for joblessness to escape poverty and another business that can be bequeathed to a spouse or children.

The Bible has been translated and interpreted many times. It is still being reinterpreted in so many ways by false clerics who often fabricate their gospels to deceive people. It is often used to exonerate themselves from their ridiculous and sometimes criminal acts and rituals – what’s with all the public anointing of female privates, special prayer session for Yahoo Boys, body slams as demon exorcism method, feeding of grass to the congregation and devious tithing/ first fruit extortion tactics.

The Church has fallen into the hands of

Yet, here we are! Furthermore, the sheer audacity of these miracle peddlers is astounding. They use ridiculous excuses to justify their lack of results. Oh, you didn’t get healed. That’s because you didn’t pray hard enough! Or, if you haven’t given enough, you need to double your offering. Fake clerics have and will always use the Church to oppress, exploit, abuse and enslave people.

They applaud the wealthy, notwithstanding the source, and are a menace to society because they corrupt the Gospel and convey fake messages that appeal to worldly desires or emotions. Sadly, they thrive on the blind loyalty of their congregations and the lack of clear legal jurisdiction over the Church in Nigeria to engage in fraudulent and criminal activities without fear of consequences.

The Church’s mission is to preach the Gospel and serve those in need, just as Jesus did during His time. This involves feeding the hungry, giving drinks to the thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and setting the oppressed free. Failure to do this will accelerate the free fall. These fake clerics’ shameful, fraudulent, and criminal acts will continue to destroy Christianity, an integral part of society, if unchecked.

Nutty Pin, a conscious artiste, writes from Lagos. He tweets from @nutty_pin.

The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has attributed the successful conclusion of the 2023 general elections without national disintegration to the prayers of the body of Christ.

Nigeria, it said, would have disintegrated going by the tension and rancour that greeted the polls if the church didn’t preserve in prayers.

The body called on Nigerians to put the bitter acrimony that characterized the polls behind them and cooperate to push the nation forward.

These were the resolutions of the OAIC after its REC meeting at the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from March 22-23.

In a communique after the meeting signed by its Regional President His Most Eminence, Elder Israel Akinadewo, PhD FCA and Regional Secretary Victor A. Ivoke, PhD, OAIC said: ‘’We thank God that Nigeria did not burn down as widely speculated in some quarters. It was the prayer of the church and the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians that held this nation from tethering to the brinks.

‘’We appreciate all individuals and organizations that helped to douse the tension raised by political activities and we shall continue to pray for a peaceful and a prosperous nation.’’

It added: ‘’Now that the elections are over, we urge both the winners and losers to forget about the bitter campaigns and work together for peace and prosperity of the nation. Politics is a call to service. We, therefore, call on all politicians and public office holders to uphold the values of integrity, accountability and transparency in their daily dealings with the people of Nigeria when sworn into office.’’

On rising cost of living and poor economy, the body called on government to address the suffering of the masses so that hunger will be far from the nation.

On the significance of the church on nation-building, OAIC said: ‘’Whereas other leaders can fail, the church must not fail in condemning all appearances of evil in the land. The pulpit must not be abused or mortgaged on the altar of political gain or greed.

‘’We must continue to raise our prophetic voices on matters that affect the nation as leaders in our own rights. We must not fail those that look up to us but must continue to point the nation to the path of righteousness and exemplary conduct.

‘’We observed with dismay conflicting prophesies oozing out from pulpits of renowned pastors and prophets in the wake of the general elections and caution that men should not take the mercy of God for granted by speaking in the name of the Almighty God when He (God) has not spoken.

‘’Such hastily concocted and politically-induced prophecies tend to bring the church to ridicule and make a mockery of the sacred gift or prophecy that the church is blessed with.’’

The Lagos chapter of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has prayed for the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Olufemi Hamzat.

They also prayed for the election of all members of the Lagos Assembly at polls slated for March 18.

The one-day prayer summit which held online at Celestial Church of Christ, Lagos State Headquarters, Agidingbi; was organised by the political advisory committee of OAIC.

Participants at the summit were drawn from members of the Lagos State Executives, the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas leaders, the Directorate of Women/Youth Affairs and notable Heads of Churches.

Lagos OAIC chairman Special Apostle Julius Opasola emphasised the capacity, effectiveness and experience the Governor has demonstrated since 2019.

Read Also : Tinubu, Sanwo Olu ‘to get huge’ votes

According to him: “Lagos State is known for the culture of continuity of leadership, and that has helped the state a lot, especially in terms of good governance, security, and human capital development.”

Opasola said Lagos State is a mini-country and it will be very difficult for first-timers to govern.

He further advised all Christians in the State, especially the Aladura (white garment) Churches and other members of OAIC which include Celestial Church of Christ, The Eternal Sacred Order of The Cherubim & Seraphim (ESOCS) Church, Motailatu Church C&S Worldwide, C&S Movement Church, Christ Holy Church, Salem Church, Salvation of Life Evangelical Church (SOLEC), Gospel Baptist Church, Agbojesu C&S Church, Sacred C&S Church, among others to ensure their votes count for purposeful and dedicated leaders like Sanwo-Olu.

A faith-based organisation, Obey The Macedonia Call (OTMC), has called on Nigerians to prayerfully embrace the wisdom that is better than weapons of war to turn the forthcoming polls into stepping stones towards building the nation.
The organisation said many fathers and patriots of old knew that this sensitive moment in Nigeria’s history would finally come when one generation would have to make that decision on behalf of the future.

In a statement by Pastor Ladi Thompson endorsed by Pastors Tunde Bakare, Alfred Ohiani, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, John Joseph Hayab and others like Gboyega Omoba (MBE), Taiwo Odukoya, Wale Adefarasin, and Ayo Ogunyemi, the organisation said they are not unaware of the crippling pains that the orchestrated fuel scarcity and shortage of currency has brought upon the nation.

‘’The good news we bring in this hour is that we have examined all the contributing factors and can announce a simple solution that will be a game-changer.

‘’Opinions will always differ on how things should be done in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-generational country like ours. More so when the trauma of our violent past and painful experiences has never been healed.

‘’Yet the truth is that the average Nigerian citizen, north, south, east and west are, peace-loving, trusting and patient African at heart. So why can’t we rise beyond the engineered divisions and stress to deploy the creative African advantage that defines our heritage.

‘’It is a known fact worldwide that it takes an entire community to bring up a child in Africa because we (left to ourselves) are our brothers’ keepers and God-fearing people, not to mention our natural tribal masteries of non-violent communication and the use of proverbs in settling all disputes.’’

To de-escalate the present tensions’, the organisation said: ‘’We need to consider the fact that most of us mean well. In a sense, we are all victims of history, from the president to the peasant! Our greatest problems are systemic in nature, and we must not allow anyone to lead us on a self-destructive path.

‘’We ask all Nigerians to please listen to the following instructions and embrace their God-given African heritage to become an agent of peace. Nigerians should cool down, lower their voices and embrace non-violent communication with proverbs since it is better to jaw-jaw than war-war.

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‘’Also, let all God-fearing people meet with others in the neighbourhoods and resident associations to agree on strategies to keep their streets peaceful and safe for children. Let each household store essential food to last a few days and encourage the rationing and sharing of all resources within neighbourhood clusters.’’

OTMC advised that Nigerians should deliberately isolate the mischief makers in any community by using the tokens of peace to mark all households of peace while appealing to matriarchs and parents who can speak directly into the hearts of the wayward ones.

‘’It is imperative that we make and keep the peace throughout Nigeria next week while we work in cooperation with the Nigerians and well-wishers in the diaspora who are praying and offering their support for the peaceful conduct of elections.

‘’More counsels will be announced in the days ahead, so please stay vigilant. Nigerians in the Diaspora can contact the following for more information on how to build peace and the future of Nigeria.’’

Gospel artiste, Daniel Olawande, aka P. Daniel has released his hit praise and worship song titled: ‘Mapariwo.’

Mapariwo which means ‘I Will Shout,’ extols the goodness of God, the power of praise in the lives of people, and a shout to the Lord in thanksgiving.

According to P. Daniel, ‘Mapariwo,’ is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for His wondrous work, in the life of His people.

P. Daniel said the song was received in the place of prayer, during the Young Ministers Retreat (YMR), which is held every December, at Redemption Camp.

He said the song was a call to response and the need to always acknowledge the power of God adding that the song was a song to thank Him for His wondrous works in the lives of His people.

On the energy and enthusiasm P. Daniel brought into the song’s performance at the Young Ministers Retreat in Redemption Camp, he said: “Passion comes from the Holy Spirit who is the Lord of Harvest. A passion to see men shout up God in thanksgiving”.

According to P. Daniel, praise and worship songs must be aligned with scriptures, with references to God, and not only to make people happy. When that happens, he said, it brings tremendous benefits.

He added that a thankful man will be full of God, and receive more from Him.

P. Daniel said the song is targeted at everyone, to thank God promising that a follow-up song to Mapariwo is coming.

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has concluded plans to hold its 14th Founder’s Day Annual Lecture on Wednesday, February 8, at the AGIP Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.

ln a statement signed by the Manager, Media and Public Relation, The Bible Society of Nigeria, Benjamin Mordi, the event is tagged: ‘Credible Elections: A Desired Paradigm Shift and Pathway to Responsible Governance.’

Among the activities lined up for the event include the ‘Awards of Selfless Service to God and Humanity’ to The Managing Director, of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr Johnson Chukwu; the Executive Director, of Sidmach Technologies, Mr. Mike Olajide; the Principal Partner, Adedolapo Fayomi & Co. (Chartered Accountants), Mrs. Adedolapo Fayomi, and the General Superintendent, The Acts of Apostle International Church, Prophet Dr. Z.B. Adeboriota,

 Also expected at the event are a former Head of State and Patron of The Bible Society of Nigeria, General Dr. Yakubu Gowon who is the Father of the Day, the Olu Akpata of Akpata, Kogi State, Oba (Dr.) Fredrick Balogun, as the Royal Father of the Day, and captains of industry, as well as other distinguished personalities. The Guest Speaker is Barrister Monday Ubani, a human rights activist and social commentator.

The Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the cash swap of new notes to the end of February.

It said the 10-day extension approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the policy was not enough for Nigerians.

The faith-based organisation stated this on Monday during a parley with reporters in Lagos.

CWI’s General Secretary, Engr. Adeyombo Adewale said: “We note with disappointment, the untold hardships the citizens of this country are made to go through because of some policies of our government concerning access to fuel and the change of some denominations of our legal tender, the Naira. We reckon that our policymakers need to generally pay more attention to details and seek ways to ensure that the welfare of the citizens is not compromised in any way.”

He noted many Nigerians are yet to lay hands on the new notes, stating that not extending the February 10 deadline will aggravate suffering in the land.

The body also backed the aspiration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It also supported the re-election bid of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu can fix the nation if elected.

 Adewale said CWI, founded by the late Archbishop Magnus Atilade, will sustain the ideals of the former South West Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).