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Tag: Atilade

  • Atilade will be greatly missed, says CAN President, others

    President of The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev Supo Ayokunle has said the contribution of the late South West Chairman of the body, Archbishop Magnus Atilade to the body of Christ in Nigeria and abroad will be greatly missed.

    Ayokunle, in a condolence message at the deceased’s residence in Surulere, Lagos last week, described him as a great leader with a good heart.

    Atilade died on January 11 after a brief illness at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

    Ayokunle, who came in company of some executive members of CAN in Lagos, wrote: “We give glory to God for the lifetime of Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade and his contribution to Christendom in Nigeria and abroad. We will miss him.”

    He prayed the comfort of the Holy Spirit will uphold his church, and family.

    Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alex Bamgbola, who extoled the virtues of the late Archbishop, said: “Baba Archbishop Atilade fought a good fight for the Lord. He ran and finished his race. He has received his crown in heaven”.

    According to him: “On behalf of the entire CAN Lagos state, I write to thank God almighty for a life well spent for God. Papa Archbishop Professor Magnus Atilade”.

    Former Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Lagos State on Christian Religious Matters, Rev (Mrs.) Funmi Braimoh, applauded efforts of the late Archbishop.

    She wrote: “Great soldier of Christ, You fought gallantly and achieved so much for the body of Christ in Lagos state.

    “You gave CAN its present befitting status. Through your influence, we started well, may heaven reward you”.

    Episcopal Vicar Lagos Region Archdiocese of Lagos, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Rev Bernard Okodua, who eulogised Atilade as a true disciple, stating “well done for your faithfulness to God and humanity. CAN will never forget you.”

    A prominent activist of the National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO), Ayo Opadokun, wrote: “You are embodiment of robust and ideological consistency social critics among the left.

    “Your courageous, regular integration of Nigeria has been halted by your transition to the heavenly address.”

  • Buhari condoles with CAN over death of Archbishop Atilade

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended condolences to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the passing of its Chairman (Southwest Region), Archbishop Magnus Atilade.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the family of Atilade and members of the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) as they mourn the demise of their loved one and pacesetter in alternative medicine.

    Read Also:  Archbishop Magnus Atilade is dead

    As a cleric and renowned chiropractor, President Buhari believed that the doggedness, vision and strength of character of the late Archbishop inspired those who came in direct contact with him.

    Acknowledging Archbishop Atilade’s dedication and commitment to the service of humanity, the President affirmed that the cleric will be fondly remembered for his landmark contributions to the evolution of traditional medicine and for spirited advocacy for practitioners to be legally recognized in the country.

    He prayed God Almighty to comfort all who mourn the late cleric and grant the soul of the departed eternal repose.

  • Church minister’s position sacred, says Atilade

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Fellowship of Christian Ministers Nigeria (FCMN), Reverend Magnus Atilade, has said the board is committed to reviving the moral and ethical standards of the ministerial positions in churches.

    The eminent cleric said such positions, which are reserved for those ready to be servants of God, have been desecrated and used to promote selfish motives.

    Atilade spoke at his inauguration as the board chairman and seven other board members at the Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos.

    The eight members complement the two remaining board members who were sworn in in the 1990s.

    The fellowship is the oldest Christian association in the country, established in 1912 to promote the welfare and cordial interaction among servants of God, irrespective of their denominations.

    Atilade condemned the misconduct and disrespect for the positions by some ministers who he said disguise as servants of God.

    He added: “FCMN is the professional body that upholds the ethical standards and regulates the profession of ministers of God. It was held at high esteem in the early days of its formation.  It was the official voice of the servants of God in the country. It was capable of shaping the ideas and ideals of the society.

    “But unfortunately, we are not happy about the standard of churches today. This bears on those who call themselves pastors, bishops, reverends, deacons, cardinals and others. Many who have soiled their hands in one negative act or the other are proud to identify themselves as pastors. For many of us, it is regrettable.

    “People just use these titles without knowing the meaning. This is one of the challenges before us. It is a rare privilege to be called a minister of God. That is where we must get back to.

    “Before these so-called churches give that title to anyone, there must be a regulating body to oversee that. This calling must be respected. This is the goal the board wants to achieve.”

  • Stop blackmailing CAN on corruption, Atilade tells FG

    The South West chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has appealed to the federal government to isolate and deal decisively with corrupt individuals in line with the rule of law instead of blackmailing the body.

    Atilade, who spoke with our correspondent in his Lagos office at the weekend, declared CAN has zero-tolerance for corruption.

    Stating the apex Christian body is prepared to support the anti-corruption drive of the current administration, he said: “There are many church leaders preaching about honesty, integrity and righteous living in most of their denominations and we will continue to stand against any form of unrighteousness”.

    On the recent call by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on pastors to preach anti-corruption sermons, the cleric restated the determination of CAN to a corrupt-free, sane society.

    He stressed corrupt individuals should be isolated and prosecuted according to the laws irrespective of their tribal cultural or religious affiliations, stating that CAN should not be blackmailed.

    “The vice president is a Christian and he knows that there are lots of Christians and church leaders who have not soiled their hands in any form of corruption and thus the church should be encourage to do more in the fight against corruption,” he said.

    He challenged Osinbajo to mention names of church leaders fuelling or promoting corruption through their sermons so that CAN will not be given a bad public perception.

    To him, money changers and gospel merchants should be exposed and chased out of the church as well as th larger society.

    He stated the church will not stop pressurising the government to do more in the fight against corruption and all forms of insecurity in the land.

    While he commended the effort of the government in fighting insurgency, he said that it is sad that some communities are still under the siege of Boko Haram.

  • Atilade seeks inclusive policy for poverty eradication

    The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has called for more inclusive and balanced approach for poverty eradication through economic growth and development that promotes happiness and well-being of all people.

    He spoke at the inauguration of The Way to Happiness Foundation International (Nigeria) in commemoration of the United Nation International Day of Happiness in Lagos.

    The Way to Happiness Foundation is a non- governmental organisation with a common sense guide to better living to capture the essence and quest of Life.

    He said that the growing discontent between government and the people originated from government’s failure in fulfilling the social contract with the governed.

    He noted the major responsibilities of government were provision of security and welfare services.

    Atilade argued happiness in any country is not just a cliché but a process of constant engagement with the people on government programmes and its implementation which must be transparently carried out for the people to see.

    The cleric, who is also the President of the foundation, tasked Nigerians to continue to demonstrate love and mutual respect no matter the differences.

    “Keep your mind free from hate, keep your mind free from worry,  live simply, expect little, give much, sing often, forget self,  thinks of others, and be happy always,” he said.

  • Atilade: We risk another civil war if…

    Atilade: We risk another civil war if…

    The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has warned the killings by Fulani herdsmen could degenerate to another civil war if allowed to fester.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari and security agencies to stop at nothing to halt the killings in the interest of national peace.

    Atilade, who described the killings as worrisome, said endangered ethnic groups might be compelled to resort to self defence if they government does not arrest the situation.

    According to him: “It is so sad and unfortunate that a section of businessmen from a part of the country have become unstoppable in their determination to kill.

    “It is even more unfortunate that government has not given the situations the required urgency and attention. If care is not taken, we might experience another civil war at the rate things are going.

    “This is because the ethnic groups will soon take to self defence and starting arming themselves. It means the next time the herdsmen attack them, there would be more casualties on both sides.

    “Once people get the feeling the government can no longer protect them, they will take to self-help. That is the perfect recipe for another civil war.”

    He advised Buhari to rid himself of any sectional sentiment or feeling to tackle the menace headlong, saying “he should be President of all, not act as President of the Fulanis or the north.”

    Atilade, who is also the President of Gospel Baptist Conference in Nigeria and Overseas (GBCNO), said security forces must not only stop the killings but punish the perpetrators.

    “How come no Fulani herdsman has been arrested till date? Are they ghosts that are invisible? Until we arrest and prosecute them, we have not done justice to the matter,” he further stated.

    He also called on the President to free himself from real and imaginary cabal, saying there are too many talks of some people holding him to ransom.

    “Even his wife said the same thing the other day. The President has to get rid of these people who are bent on destroying the nation on the altar of personal interest.

    “They have formed a protective shield around him and misinform the President on the true state of things,” he lamented.

    Atilade also joined calls on Buhari not to seek reelection in 2019.

    “He should consider his health first and foremost. It is a sheer miracle God rescued him the other times. It is in his interest and that of the nation for him to turn down those calling on him to contest again next year,” he stated.

     

  • Deal decisively with herdsmen attacks, counsels Atilade

    Deal decisively with herdsmen attacks, counsels Atilade

    The South West Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has called on the federal government to take decisive actions against the nefarious activities of armed herdsmen across the country.

    Atilade said this in his New Year message to Nigerians, and claimed that churches in Nigeria are praying and working toward ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria.

    He said that the unchecked activities of the armed herdsmen in Nigeria are the greatest threat to peace and stability in Nigeria in 2018.

    He lamented that under the pretence of cattle herding, some armed Fulani herdsmen have legalised killing in Nigeria through consistent maiming, destroying of farmlands, and rendering thousands homeless.

    He advised that the National Assembly and the state assemblies should sit and make laws that will curb the activities of the armed herdsmen.

    He stated further that we need to understand where the attacks are coming from, whether they are internal aggression or external and identify their source of funding.

  • Opadokun, Atilade make case for persons with disabilities

    A former secretary of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Elder Ayo Opadokun, has called on the federal government to initiate enabling laws to address the plights of all Persons with Disability (PWDs).

    He said PWDs are joint stakeholders in the national project and deserve all the attention as well as support they can get.

    He spoke at the 5th national conference, album launch and fund raising for creativity centre for the disabled organised by Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI) in conjunction with Cherish Victory and Jesus People’ Enabled in Lagos.

    Opadokun lamented there are about 19 million Nigerians with diverse forms of disabilities, pointing out that they have been largely ignored by government and other critical stakeholders.

    According to him: “Good governance demands enforceable laws and rights be passed and assented to release the innate and latent potential and energies  inherent in one PWDs so that they can fully participate in the building of the Nigerian project as equal stakeholders.”

    He added: “Nigeria cannot justify its destined leadership position nor strategically enjoy the great benefit of the potential hidden in 19 million PWDs  until we resolve  to accord them equal status with other Nigerians and go further to empower them with what technology  has generated for many of them to excel.”

    He noted the rights PWDs like others are enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, stating “it is apparent that in spite of the pious declaration in the Constitution, there appears to be a palpable apathy on the path of successive administrations towards the plight of these vulnerable groups.”

    President of CWI, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, said the conference was aimed at bringing topical issues such on health, education and welfare of PWDs to the front burners for discourse.

    Atilade said: “The neglect of the physically-challenged remains a spiritual challenge to the conscience of the nation.

    “Let us give them a voice in governance and space in everyday life and living, by making provisions to accommodate their special and peculiar needs. We all must provide succour for the weak in our society,” he pleaded.

  • 2014 confab not waste of time, says Atilade

    The South West Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has called on the federal government to consider some of the recommendations on the reconstruction of Nigeria by the 2014 National Conference.

    He said the 2014 confab report was a not a waste of time.

    Atilade, in an interview with our correspondent last week, said the 2014 confab report was put together by seasoned and well experienced persons from different tribes, religions and cultures.

    He pointed out their recommendations are apt and should be considered for proper legislation by the National Assembly.

    He noted that the reconstruction of Nigeria is necessary in the wake of growing concerns of marginalisation, injustices and uneven development in parts of the country.

    The cleric said: “Reconstruction of Nigeria is germane. It is not going to be answer to all our problems but it will be a first step in the right direction because we need to go back to what was working before the army toppled everything.”

    He lamented that many States are not viable and only exist to pay salaries but could do little or nothing to ameliorate the suffering of the people.

    “The creation of the States is obviously an exercise in futility. We have lost so many things as states cannot provide for themselves. Their internally generated revenue is poor and depends largely on the federal government largess to survive. This is not sustainable for our country,” he stated.

    Atilade argued regionalism worked in Nigeria as its promoted healthy competitions among the various regions and the people felt the benefits of governance.

    The cleric supported the President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on the need for elders and the National Assembly to sit and discuss on the matter for onward legislation.

    Atilade said: “President Buhari should look at the report of 2014 Confab and set up a specialised groups of elders who will look into the recommendation and send some of them to the National Assembly.

    “The 2014 Confab was a large body of representatives of the people and it can go to smaller body for specialised elders and they can now go back to what was recommended by the confab and then, we can now pass it to National Assembly.”

    He called for speedy passage of the Traditional Medicine and the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Commission bill.

    Atilade, who is the president of the council, said that lack of regulatory laws and commission to regulate the activities of practitioners has given rise to quacks and makes Nigerians vulnerable to unhealthy and unverifiable drugs across the country.

  • Be heavenly conscious, Atilade charges

    Chairman South West Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Magnus Atilade has called on Christians to always be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

    He spoke at the burial ceremony of the General Secretary and Bishop of Lagos Province of Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas, Rt Rev Benjamin Odekunle recently.

    The funeral service held at Dr. Akinola Maja Memorial Gospel Baptist Cathedral Mushin, Lagos.

    Atilade said Christians must not lose sight of heaven as their ultimate goal in life.

    He said that no matter the challenges Christians go through in life, they must not give faith and hope in Jesus.

    Jesus, he said, has promised to wipe away all tears “from our eyes and there shall be no more sorrows, famine or pain but the former things shall pass away.”

    He asserted that Christians have sure ground for hope, confidence and joy because Jesus Christ shed his blood for them.

    Atilade, who is also the Archbishop of the GBCN&O, reminisced on his long- time friendship with the deceased.

    According to him: “In a world where most friendship is about what they can get, our friendship was what about what we could give. I will greatly miss him.

    “I am happy he died in the Lord. He has gone to heaven. I know we will meet in heaven together where we will meet to part no more.”

    He added that heaven is real and every Christians must continue to watch and pray so as not to be caught unawares.

    Wife of the deceased, Mrs. Odekunle, thanked God for the life and times of her late husband.

    She said: “On the day of his departure, my husband told me never to mourn or be sorrowful but sing praises to the Most High God irrespective of what happened.”

    This, to her, meant the deceased knew where he was going.

    “His life is an exemplary faith in God. He never altered any negative word even at the point of death rather his words had always been that it is well,” she stressed