The Nation Newspaper

Tag: apostle

  • HRM Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere: Sacrifice, a key to the heart of God 

    HRM Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere: Sacrifice, a key to the heart of God 

    Today, the 1st March 2024, Ikwuorie Autonomous Community in Ohanku Ndoki Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State were all agog as one of their own, Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere received his staff of office from the Executive Governor  of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, OFR as His Royal Majesty, IHIE 1 of Ikwuorie Autonomous community.

    The community is one of the largest communities in Ukwa East Local Government.

    For the past eleven years, Ikwuorie Autonomous community have been without a King since the demise of their late king His Royal Highness Prof Isaac Nnanna Kanu in 2013. 

    The vacuum created since then have become extremely difficult for the community to fill as the onye Nweala, Chief Joseph Nwosu Nwakanma and the entire community have been shopping for the replacement.

    After all the consultations, the entire community chooses Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere to be their king. 

    The choice of Apostle Chinyere was the main reason why the community have not had a king for the past 10 years because Apostle Chinyere bluntly rejects the position but rather supported them to nominate someone who he agreed to support. 

    The decision did not augur well with the people of the community as they decided to be patience and wait for Apostle Chinyere till God touches him to take up this important assignment. 

    It is common knowledge that Apostle Chinyere did not request or lobby to be the king of his community. 

    After all the efforts, constant pleading and  request from the people of Ikwuorie Autonomous community, on 3rd January 2024, Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere accepted to serve his people as their  king because of his overwhelming love for his people. This singular decision will endear him more to the service of God and humanity.

    His acceptance to be the king brought Joy, peace and great jubilation to the community. It is indeed the case of when the righteous is on the throne, his people rejoice. Apostle Chinyere’s acceptance of the throne is a sacrifice. It is indeed a sacrifice to liberate the people of his community and lead them to the knowledge of God.

    For instance, Apostle Chinyere who is the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) and a renowned Philanthropist is a man whose charity begins at home. Before he built 32 Free schools in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Egypt, Apostle Chinyere built the first state of art free school in Ikwuorie Ohanku Autonomous community. 

    These free schools enable children from the community to acquire basic knowledge free of charge. This comes with four pairs of school uniforms, shoes, books and other writing materials.

    The man of God who also doubled as the First class king in his community built the first state of the art free hospital in his community before building another free hospital in port Harcourt.

    When it becomes so obvious that the only Secondary school in Ikwuorie Ohanku community, Ikwuorie comprehensive secondary school Ohanku have been closed down because is it dilapidated, while the government has removed the Waec center, His Majesty intervened. 

    His interventions gave the school a facelift because he carried out major repairs, built more classrooms, construct desks, constructed bore hole, built corpers Lodge, bought a big generator and restored the Waec center in the school. He did not just stop, he employed more than 8 teachers to support other government paid teachers in the school. 

    The school which has only four students before now  currently has over 260 students. While he declared the school a free school. Currently he pays school fees from JSS 1 to SS3. His contributions to his community is massive. No wonder the people of Ikwuorie Autonomous community wants him to be their king.

    In the areas of University Education, His Royal Majesty Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere has  offered international and Local scholarships to indigent students in Ohanku community. Ohanku community comprises Ikwuorie Autonomous community, Ujuru Autonomous community and Okotoko Autonomous community. But he considers the communities as one in all his humanitarian engagements.

    Not fewer than 60 children from Ohanku community are currently studying various degree courses in Poland, Turkey, Cyprus, United States of America, Canada and Benin Republic under His Royal Majesty Apostle Chinyere’s Scholarship scheme. While others are in various universities in Nigeria.

    The widows in the community are not left out as the peoples king have built Many houses for widows and placed all widows  in Ohanku on monthly allowances.

    It is also pertinent to state that he wasn’t bringing all the development for any reward. All his humanitarian works are done free of charge. But his people saw him as their hope, they saw him as their light. No wonder he  becomes the IHIE which means the light of the community which becomes his title as a king.

    Once every year, Apostle Chinyere organize eye test and treatment with free eye glasses to the people of Ohanku community to assist them solve some eye related problems and complications.

    When water was lacking in his community, the Man of God Constructed a solar water system where people in the community have Free access to water.

    Apostle Chinyere is a Man full of wisdom from God. This is what he deployed to restore peace which has lingered for more than 25 years in not less than 50 families. Some summoned each other in a shrine and this has killed and wiped out Many families in the community. Since his intervention, those families have reconciled and this will end the level of death  as peace has been fully restored in the community. 

    One thing is sure, the first class king, His Royal Majesty Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinyere’s plan for his community is to bring peace, progress, massive development, industrialize the community and most importantly bring his people close to God.

    Currently His Majesty have paid for pre-paid meters to enable all the houses in Ohanku community to be metered to enable them have steady power supply. He has also brought in investors, Directors of Maxxis tyre, a tyre manufacturing company to access the community and some places they want to start the construction of tyre manufacturing plant.

    His vision even before he was chosen by his people to be  their king is to mordernize his community and lift them out of poverty.

    The people of Ikwuorie Autonomous cannot hold their joy. They have made the right choice. The decision to choose Apostle Chinyere as their king is seen as the best decision the entire community have taking. To God be the Glory.

  • Apostle supports less privileged on birthday

    Presiding Pastor of Chris Holy Mountain Lagos, Apostle Sediq Moses celebrated his birthday recently by providing support for the less privileged.

    Moses offered cash and materials support for the less privileged, saying it was his way of giving back and appreciating God.

    He said: “My birthday is as good as the day the Lord has chosen to add another grace to the ministry, not just to gather people to eat.

    “It’s a day of giving another meaning to lives, putting smiles on the faces of people who do not have.”

    The Apostle urged Nigerians to continue praying for political leaders.

    According to him: “If Atiku wants to be President, let him stay out of troubles. God will give it to him and if Buhari wants to be re-elected, let him ask for mercy and stay out of troubles.”

    He also called on the leaders to work together and work for the progress of the masses.

  • Apostle launches book

    It was double celebrations for Apostle Sediq Moses when he launched his first book titled: Satan Must Leave The Earth recently at the Christ Holy Mountain, (House of Prayer for all people), Ikotun, Lagos. The launch coincided with the National Prayer Summit 2018, Vol 2, at the church premises.

    The clergyman said the inspiration and the experience to write the book came from God and it took him seven days to write the book, according to the number for perfection. He stated that the book will remain for a thousand years because of its contents, and will be read and appreciated the same way the Holy Bible is read and appreciated. This, he said, is because all the words in the book were given to him by God. “The writing of the book started when I began to ponder how Satan has been afflicting men and women with various sicknesses and diseases and how he has put many people in bondage. According to Revelation 12, Satan is a stranger on earth. Remember he was sent out of heaven because of his trouble. This is the same trouble he’s giving men today. We must send Satan out of the earth for peace to reign on earth and in homes,” he added.

    The launch, which was co-ordinated by Dr Bayo Adejola and was attended by Apostle Chukwuemeka Odigbo, Apostle Toju Molikojo and Dr A.O Gabriel (Music Prophet), among other guests.

     

  • Apostle of local content

    Apostle of local content

    Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu wants to make Abia State people follow the path of the indigene. He is showcasing Made in Aba products in the United States. Nor is he leaving China behind where he travelled to propagate the idea that citizens of his state have rival wares. He has become the apostle of local talent.

    His is the ownership society. As he stood last week at the Bankers’ House in Lagos to deliver the annual Hallmark lecture, he was quick to point out that the gray local suit with white stripes he wore was made locally, with “Proudly Aba” embossed on its left sleeve.

    “I don’t know Gucci. I don’t know Luis Vuitton,” he quipped as he kicked up his right foot to show that his pair of black velvety shoes was made locally and he knew the maker.

    The dream is still a long way coming, but I have always maintained that the talents in Aba are too numerous to make them purveyors of substandard goods. Gov Ikpeazu spoke about standardisation and how to make the electronics, garment and footwear not only of good quality but also a big source of foreign earnings.

    In concluding his speech, he referred to Moses’ dialogue with God when he was assigned to confront Pharaoh. God asked him, what’s in your hand? He had a staff with which he bested Pharaoh’s snakes, beat the enemy and crossed the Red Sea. This theme of Aba and local content will engage this page in the near future.

     

  • How I became an apostle of Asiwaju’s philosophy

    How I became an apostle of Asiwaju’s philosophy

    My first encounter with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in 1998, even though sixteen years have passed since that day, the memory and honour of that fateful day still lingers and stays fresh in my heart. At the time, I was a student of Economics at the Lagos State University (LASU) and it was the dawn of a new political era. The sudden demise of Gen Sani Abacha saw Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar ascend the exalted office of Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I had been keenly involved in politics as a student leader. I was a member of the student electoral committee of LASU and was part of the student movement that agitated for the ratification of the late Chief Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola’s mandate. Prior to Gen Abubakar’s sudden ascent to power there had been outcries and agitation from the public, student unions, international community and organised civil societies with NADECO at the vanguard demanding the installment of Basorun M.K.O. Abiola winner of the Gen Ibrahim Babangida annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, an election widely acclaimed to be the most free and fair election ever held in the country.

    It was on June 8, 1998 that the news broke of the sudden death of Gen Abacha. I remember that his death was greeted with wild jubilation and dancing on the streets of Lagos and other parts of the country. In my own opinion, the fanfare that greeted the news of his demise was not because the man had died, but rather the triumph of good over evil. I joined the euphoria of the moment; it was a feeling of ecstasy. My hopes as well as that of others were that with the demise of Gen Abacha, Chief Abiola would be sworn in as President. This however did not happen because approximately one month after Gen Abacha passed on, Chief Abiola died under questionable circumstances.

    Before I met Asiwaju, I had developed an admiration for him as a senator representing Lagos West under the flagship of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His intrinsic intelligence, coupled with his pedigree and articulate presentation on the floor of the Senate, his constructive comments on national issues and the colossal role he played alongside others at the risk of his life and that of his family in the quest for democratic governance in our country had endeared him to me. So when the opportunity to meet him presented itself I was delighted. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, now the hardworking Governor of Osun State, facilitated my meeting with Asiwaju who was seeking our party, Alliance for Democracy’s ticket for the governorship election of Lagos State at the time having distinguished himself as a senator and being at the vanguard in the agitation for democratic governance under the draconic rule of Gen Abacha.

    I joined his campaign train having listened to him outline his stirring vision and aspiration for Lagos. I can proudly say that I was amongst the first people in BATCO (Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation). As part of BATCO, we took his campaign to the nooks and crannies of Lagos and our hard work paid off.  Asiwaju not only won the nomination to fly our party’s flag in the election, he went on to win the governorship elections for two consecutive terms against the will of the powers that be. I remember with nostalgia leading a handful of students from various tertiary institutions on a courtesy visit to him at Alausa to further show our unalloyed support for his new administration.

    Asiwaju excelled tremendously as Governor. He showed how the government must be a potent instrument for growth and development. His achievements are enviable and have never been a subject for debate but rather have provided inspiration to our generation and generations of Nigerians yet unborn. The evidence of his impact in all MDAs while in office is compelling and visible for all to see without prejudice. Is it his admirable financial intellectual capacity to raise the state internally generated revenue from the N600 million monthly he inherited to billions of Naira that is funding the rapid infrastructural development we are witnessing today, is it his ingenious insight and tenacity to create new MDAs and 37 additional Local Council Development  Areas to further spread the tentacles of government and thus bring  democratic gains closer to the people in spite of the odds that were against him at the time. His giant strides in the education sector, with the building of the millennium schools, his healthcare delivery policy that saw the proliferation of primary healthcare centres across the state, both in the urban and rural areas, his free eye glasses and eye surgeries, his free heart surgeries and so on are there.

    Asiwaju’s achievements as Governor are enviable and too numerous to list out, but for record purposes and history lessons; for human memory is short, it is important that we his apostles continue to highlight and celebrate his achievements.  Aside the obvious landmarks we can see such as the numerous infrastructural developments credited to his administration and those he initiated during his reign as Governor, his impact was mostly felt in the intangible areas such as the creation of jobs and services. For example, it was his government that computerised the civil service and introduced capacity building programmes in the state civil service. His administration also created the Office of the Public Defender to provide free legal services to the less privileged, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, and the initiation of the first Independent Power Project (IPP) in Nigeria. The project was designed to produce 375 MW and 450 MW serially to illuminate all of Lagos State was frustrated by the federal government. Asiwaju’s greatest achievement as Governor for me is his vision to lay a progressive foundation, set the agenda and road-map for today and probably the future governance of our state, handing out equal opportunities to everyone affiliated to him irrespective of age, gender, tribe and religion.

     

    Asiwaju’s philosophies

    Asiwaju’s philosophies are easy to spot as they are reflected and are embedded in his words, thoughts and actions. His rousing contributions in the struggle for democratic governance, his dogged commitment to democratic values and beliefs i.e. his advocacy for true federalism, democracy, the rule of law and his dedication to the principles of good governance stand out. His deep compassion for the poor and the downtrodden explains his unending spirit of philanthropy and his pursuit for social equality, justice and equitable resource allocation.

    One of the characteristics of great leaders of all time is the ability to see beyond others coupled with the tenacity and wisdom to actualise their visions. Asiwaju has the capacity to see beyond the immediate, he saw through his lens many issues in the past that are just visible to us today. Long ago before the discourse on constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, state police, sovereign national conference and true fiscal federalism came to the front burner, Asiwaju was the first to raise national consciousness and questions to those issues.

    His wisdom for decision making is immeasurable. He has taken various decisions in the past that were thought to be unpopular only for people to see the relevance of such decision down the road. The emergence of the current governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is a reference point, at a time when there were about 13 other qualified lieutenants jostling to occupy the seat he waved emotions aside and took a decision which was regarded by many as unpopular. The unpopular decision would later prove Asiwaju’s unmatched talent at decision making.

    The decision to engage ACN our defunct party in a merger with selected political parties was equally criticised by some party members and faithful.  Today the merger decision is now being widely celebrated by not only the progressives but Nigerians in different quarters.

    Asiwaju has been conferred with numerous international awards, honours from reputable tertiary institutions and traditional titles like no other, titles such as the Asiwaju of Lagos, the Jagaban Borgu of Borgu Kingdom, the Aare Ago of Egbaland, the Agba-Akin of Ijesha Land, the Aare of Ile-Oluji Ondo, the Aare Atayese of Ilawe Ekiti, the Ezeobaludikegwu of Oko Anambra, etc.

    There are many sides to what Asiwaju means to many people. To me he is a man with an impeccable desire for service, a man whose life is tailored towards ensuring every man lives for what they adore strongly, a motivating force, a man who sees and brings out the best in others, a man that has an unending spirit of generosity, a leader of leaders.

    •Olulade is Chairman, Committee on Information, Security, Strategy and Publicity, Lagos state House of Assembly.