Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Actress-turned evangelist, Joy Edjeren, has explained why she had to quit acting for evangelism.

The promising actress and singer, who had featured in several movies, said she left the entertainment industry because “there is a lot of abomination on screen and behind the scene in the life of those in the entertainment industry.”

The Benue-born evangelist stated that an encounter with Jesus Christ “opened my eyes.”

 

“It was pleasant in that many people respected me and doors were opening to me as I believe my talent was taking me to places, but somehow, it seems as if an upper hand kept redirecting me away from it.

“I did not understand why until my encounter with the Lord,” she said while describing her experience in the industry.

She said since she left the industry she has ministered in outreaches and has been engaged in Christian productions.

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Edjeren said she never dreamt of becoming an author but succumbed to writing a book.

The book: “The birth and death of JJ Bunny,” captures her experience in the entertainment industry.

The evangelist, popularly called JJ Bunny, who is based in America with her family, said she was convinced the book will impact many lives.

Some of the movies she featured in include: The other side of love’ with Ramsey Nouah; Paparazzi with Van Vicker and The governor’s gift with Jim Iyke and Tonto Dike.

She was rated as one of Nollywood’s finest actress for three to five years.

JJ Bunny as she is popularly called now had to leave the industry when the ovation for her was loudest.

Her exit from the entertainment industry was shocking, leaving her fans high and dry.

Our Reporter

Senior Pastor of the Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Rev Yomi Kasali, has aligned with the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the contentious Company and Allied Matters Acts (CAMA) 2020.

Kasali, in a statement on Monday, explained he granted a media interview on the Acts before CAN came up with its position.

Since CAN has spoken, the chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission(NCPC), said: “I will not at any time want to go contrary to the position the organisation I belong to has gone. I may have a different opinion as a person but that at this point will not matter as that of CAN supersedes mine.”

He added: “The interview was done before I had a cursory look at the provisions of the CAMA law.

READ ALSO: CAMA: Of a city set on the hill

“Therefore it is pertinent to rescind my statement that implied that the government can at will remove a trustee if that trustee is found culpable of misconduct as that is not in line with the section 839(2) of the CAMA 2020 which states that the CAC can only take over the trusteeship by a court order.

“Every other opinion expressed in this interview are personal and do not represent that of the Foundation of Truth Assembly.”

By Robert Egbe

The General Overseer of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet T.B. Joshua said he was named ‘Tourism Goodwill Ambassador For Israel’, following last year’s crusade in the Middle Eastern country.

Joshua released a documentary on YouTube detailing the ‘persecution’ he endured during his visit to Nazareth, followed by a ‘national award’ presented to him by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism Yariv Levin.

In June 2019, Joshua held a two-day event in the historic hometown of Jesus Christ, which attracted thousands of religious tourists from across the globe.

However, the event held at the Amphitheatre of Mount Precipice was fiercely criticised by local religious figures and nearly faced cancellation due to the intensity of attacks.

“This man is only promoting lies, and anyone who follows this liar is unjust. That is why we ban our people from attending,” a representative for the Christian Church and Pastoral Council in Nazareth stated in the lead-up to the event.

“This visit that is going to be held by this antichrist and wizard – we, the Islamic movement – completely reject it,” noted Osama Haha, the head of the Islamic Movement in Nazareth.

“Jesus warned us there would be false prophets coming. We do not know where this man is coming from or the purpose behind everything he does,” stated Father Seaan Bajali, a Roman Orthodox Priest.

“Boycotting the sorcerer Zionist is a national and religious duty,” the Executive Committee of the Orthodox Forum said in a statement.

A protest was even organised with hundreds trouncing through the city in Northern Israel with placards decrying the coming event and people shouting: “Let this witch get away from us!”

Despite the ‘noise’ surrounding the event, it was held successfully with Joshua preaching a message on love and ministering “healing and deliverance in Jesus’ name” to the large crowds that gathered.

“Love for fellow man breaks down all barriers. It melts all hindrances. It dissolves prejudice, misunderstanding, and suspicion,” he preached in a sermon whilst a local mosque blared out via a loudspeaker, “Do not participate with this wizard.”

A group of religious figures even visited the venue of Mount Precipice after the event and performed a ‘cleansing ritual’ with water, leaves, and salt.

However, interviews with local figures after the event revealed a markedly different impression, with residents celebrating the economic and social impact of Joshua’s visit to the region and calling for him to return for future events.

“This is the first time in 2,000 years we have heard the name of Jesus proclaimed publicly in Nazareth,” stated a tearful Nazarene Christian.

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The event, which was broadcast on local television throughout Israel and featured in The New York Times and Reuters, subsequently attracted the attention of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, which gave an award to the Nigerian cleric and made him a ‘Tourism Ambassador’.

“TB Joshua, on the occasion of your visit to Israel, I am honoured to recognise you as a true friend of Israel. Thank you for your support and solidarity, which are deeply appreciated. It is my pleasure to name you as a ‘Tourism Goodwill Ambassador For Israel’,” wrote Minister Levin.

“You only need to hear ‘Go!’ from above. Who are you to say no? When God says yes, no one can say no! The noise of the north and south, the noise of the east and west do not matter. It only promotes,” Joshua explained in an interview accompanying the documentary.

Joshua is the first ‘Evangelical Pastor’ to have held a public event in Nazareth; the only other religious figure to have had such an event was Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

Reacting to the documentary, followers of Joshua were quick to salute his courage, opining that such degree of attacks would easily discourage those of lesser faith.
“It depends on who sent you,” the prominent cleric concluded. “Above all powers; above all kings. What can man do? Can man stop God? No. Capital NO!”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP2QKy0Wa8w

 

By Sina Fadare

Founder of INRI Evangelical Church Primate Babatunde Ayodele has taken a swipe at the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for not preventing the emergence of the newly signed Company and Allied Matters Acts (CAMA) 2020.

Ayodele spoke at the weekend during the presentation of two books on his previous and present prophesies from 1994 to date.

He lamented CAN has suddenly become an appendage of government to the extent that it’s a lame duck that cannot bite.

According to him, the association went to sleep when it was supposed to be a front-burner in kicking against the CAMA bill, which was recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I do not believe in the leadership of CAN. It’s like the can of the soft drink you buy, drink and throw the empty can into the dust bin,” he fumed.

The prophet also condemned Buhari for signing CAMA into law, noting it was the greatest error he would commit in the recent past.

READ ALSO: CAN failed Christians on CAMA, says cleric

He said the government cannot implement the law because it is a clear declaration of war against the church.

“Where is the government when l was building my church from the beginning? They now wanted to reap where they did not sow.

“l see that the government is still sleeping, they will soon come out of their slumber,” he said.

On COVID- 19, Ayodele pointed out that unless leaders come back to God who has a simple solution, the world will keep chasing a shadow.

“Vaccine or no vaccine, the pandemic has come to stay, the only answer to this crisis is God. Without returning to him, all our leaders are just joking.

No government in Nigeria wants the pandemic to go because they are feeding fat on it. There is enormous corruption woven round it.

“All the world leaders have dared God and they must be ready to face the consequences,” he stated.

Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has directed that prayer grounds across the state be opened for Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

Warning however that social distancing must be observed, Makinde said the prayers must be observed in strict compliance with all COVID-19 protocols in the interest of the health and well-being of the worshippers and people of the state.

The Governor speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa in a statement also urge the leadership of each prayer ground to ensure the availability of hand wash points and compulsory use of nose mask, adding that each prayer ground must only accommodate 25 percent of the capacity.

The statement reads in part “As the Muslim Ummah prepare to undertake this year’s Eid-el-Kabir prayers, the Government of Oyo State wishes to advice Islamic clerics and leaders to the need to maintain strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols, especially the social distancing rule.

“The Eid Praying Grounds across the state have, upon the directive of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, been opened to Muslims for the purpose of the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

“His Excellency reckons that prayers are important to overcome the challenges that presently assail us, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, just like many aspects of our lives that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be an adjustment to Eid prayer gatherings. There is the need to ensure that not more than 25 per cent of worshippers are allowed at every instance in order to ensure compliance with the social distancing rule.

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“Similarly, let it also be noted that no worshipper should be allowed into the praying ground without face masks and readiness to wash hands with soap and water in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

“To further ensure safety and ownership of the Covid-19 preventive measures, the Emergency Operations Centre, EOC, of the Oyo State Covid-19 Task Force, has sent advisories to major markets and shopping malls, on the need for strict compliance with Covid-19 preventive protocols during this festive period and beyond.

“The EOC has also contacted all the health educators in the 33 LGAs in the state with a mandate to reach out to possible places of gathering and advice on the need for responsible behavior, just as the centre has revved up risk communication advisories on radio.

“In addition to these measures, however, all clerics and leaders are expected to take on the responsibility of guiding our people to pay attention to even the minutest detail on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this festivity.

“The need to follow all laid down guidelines on COVID-19 prevention must be emphasised to every resident of the state at this period, in accordance with the Own Your Action initiative of the State’s COVID-19 Task Force, which emphasizes that our wellbeing and safety are individual responsibilities.

“The Oyo State government wishes the Muslim Ummah a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir, filled with the blessings and benevolence of Almighty Allah.”

 Dorcas Egede

Our Reporter

The seventh edition of the annual Word Conference by Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s House on the Rock (HOTR) is to end on Sunday.

The annual conference kicked off online on Wednesday.

It held exclusively online for the first time in its seven-year history due to the restrictions imposed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions however, did not stop thousands from feasting on the word of God.

The 2020 theme ‘Exceeding grace in uncertain times’ is to equip believers with the richer concepts of God’s grace on how to thrive in this season of uncertainty.

Despite no physical gathering of any sort, thousands of virtual attendees have been streaming the various sessions of the Word Conference from the comfort of their homes, from different parts of the globe.

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The church utilised its various social media platforms to connect with its congregation and other attendees including its website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.

With the international travel restrictions currently in place, the Church continued in its long-standing tradition of featuring insightful teachings of Bible precepts by world-renowned gospel Ministers.

Speakers who have ministered are: Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Convener and Senior Pastor of House On the Rock Churches, his co-Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Dr Creflo Dollar and Dr Mensa Otabil.

The ministrations were also accompanied with musical performances by award-winning international and indigenous artistes such as Tye Tribbett, Travis Greene, Sonnie Badu, Nathaniel Bassey, The HOTR Church choir and The Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (LMGC).

Adeola Ogunlade

General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has encouraged institutions of learning to cooperate with the government and make adequate provisions for preventive measures against COVID19.

This, he said, would create safe and conducive environment for students, which he said is the only thing that can facilitate school resumption and move forward the educational sector.

Adeboye spoke when he commissioned integrated hand sanitiser dispensing machine fabricated by the Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM) at Redemption Camp, Ogun State.

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Rector of RECTEM, Dr. Stella Mofunanya, said the college, said the machine would be deployed to all entrances to student’s hall of residence, lecture halls, laboratories and workshops among others.

She said this was to ensure adequate preparation for resumption, noting it has also produced nose masks, face shields and alcohol- based hand sanitisers, which would be distributed to the students and staff.