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Tag: Christians

  • How Christians can fight terrorism, by Akinola

    Christians must never contemplate fighting back but develop organised response to terrorism, the Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers Ota, Ogun State, Bishop Taiwo Akinola, has advised.

    He spoke last Thursday with reporters ahead of the Rhema World Convention of the church with the theme wonderful Jesus.

    Thousands of participants from across the world are expected at the event, which holds from November 1-8 at the Ota international headquarters of the church.

    Akinola, who admitted terrorism and unprovoked attacks are part of the biggest challenges confronting the church, said Christians cannot afford to fight back.

    He said the killing of many Christians within and outside Nigeria was becoming unbearable but advised believers not to retaliate.

    He said: “We can’t fight back because it is just not in us. Fighting back is not our identity or forte.

    “We cannot match violence for violence because it is just not part of us. A Christian cannot behead people or set others ablaze to convince them to follow Christ.”

    Akinola however urged believers to mobilise themselves for “organised response to terrorism” by way of mounting pressure on government to protect citizens.

    He stated that Christians should also go into politics so that they can influence governmental policies and decisions.

    The cleric debunked insinuations that something was wrong with the nation.

    According to him: “There is nothing wrong with Nigeria other than lack of inspiring leadership.”

  • Be vessels of honour, Christians urged

    Christians have been encouraged to add values and be assets to the body of Christ.

    A former General Secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. (Dr) Ademola Ishola, stated this last Sunday.

    He spoke at the dedication of the sanctuary, appreciation of past leaders, ordination of new deacons and 30th anniversary celebration as well as reunion with members in Diaspora of Victoryland Baptist Church Isolo, Lagos.

    Ministering on Household of God, Ishola pointed out a living church must be built on the Lord Jesus Christ.

    While noting it is good to beautify sanctuaries, he said churches must not neglect their communities as well.

    H lauded members of the church for a job well done but advised them not to relent as they have a long way to go in transforming the lives of people around them.

    Addressing the new deacons, he said: “Only the Bible can transform lives and strengthen the goodness of your lives so use the Bible as a model.”

    Ishola urged them to be committed to the various assignments committed to them and win souls for Christ individually and collectively.

    The church Pastor, Rev. (Dr) Femi Ajayi, noted that the church would be model of what God wants.

    Chairman of the anniversary committee, Deacon Deji Onifade, thanked members in Diaspora for their presence and contribution to making the four- in- one programme a success.

  • Osinbajo urges Christians to reciprocate Christ`s sacrifice

    Osinbajo urges Christians to reciprocate Christ`s sacrifice

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Christians to reciprocate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by being righteous and worshipping him.

    Osinbajo made the call on Friday night at the Pan African Gathering Conference for 2015 of House of Revival Church, Brakpan, South Africa.

    He said that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was profound because He was crucified for the sins of the world.

    According to Osinbajo, the prophetic gathering was special because God works in a miraculous way.

    “ This prophetic gathering is very special indeed. One of the reasons why it is special is because it just shows you God works.

    “ God doesn’t look at size, he doesn’t look at anything fancy, he just does it in accordance with His grace and mercy.

    “ I was sitting here in 2013 when a prophecy was made that I will be vice president of Nigeria and I didn’t take it seriously,“ he said.

    Osinbajo, who said the prophecy had shown that God works in an incredible way, added that the head of the church at the end of March 2015 predicted that there would be a mighty honour for him.

    The vice president prayed that God should bless that gathering and answer their prayers.

    “I want us to bear in mind that what makes Jesus Christ special and what makes that sacrifice special is because Christ is so life transforming and Christ is God almighty,“ he said.

    The General Overseer of the House of Revival Church, Pastor Daniel Awusanya, said he was linked with Nigeria 16 years ago when he worked with Osinbajo at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

    He said God was building a new Africa and would make it a unique continent.

    “ God said he will build a new Nigeria, a Nigeria of honour. This government will be one of the best in Africa, with honour and integrity,“ he said.

    Awusanya prayed God to give Osinbajo divine wisdom to contribute to the building of a new Nigeria.

    The President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, and some executive members attended the service.

  • ‘Christians should learn to speak with one voice’

    ‘Christians should learn to speak with one voice’

    The South West chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the new administration and issues affecting the Christian community. Excerpts: 

    What is your assessment of the current administra-tion a little after 100 days in office?

    I will say even without doing too much, things are already falling into places in the country. Mr. President has just been focusing on security, especially the Boko Haram insurgency but we are also seeing improved power supply and restoration of discipline.

    So, I’d say it is so far, so good. A lot of stolen monies are being recovered. More looters are being exposed. Since we voted for him to be there for four years, we should be patient.

    Do you support the thrust of the new administration on stoppage of sponsorship of pilgrimage?

    Yes, I do support it one hundred percent. The constitution is clear that the state should not be involved in religious activities. If you want to go to Jerusalem or Mecca, you should go on your own. Public funds should not be used to promote one religious practice, convention, culture or activity. That is the clear demarcation we must support.

    If you want to worship God in India, America or anywhere, it is your business. Government should not use our collective wealth to send someone to Mecca or Jerusalem. Islam says you should go to Mecca once in a year but there is a condition that you must be able to afford it.

    Recently, Lagos State government closed some churches over alleged noise pollution. What’s your reaction on it?

    We have warned churches over noise pollution not to erect external speakers. That is what the law says. It’s been there for long. Over 20 years ago when I was CAN chairman in Lagos, I had cause to report a church in my neigbhourhood that was always disturbing us with speakers.

    The church would hold vigils and the community won’t be able to sleep. You wake up the next day not refreshed. The fact is your right stops where others start. So, I believe you don’t have to shout before God hears you.

    He is your maker and He knows what you need before you ask Him. So, churches must comply and avoid noise pollution.

    But some Christians wonder how many Mosques have been shut over this too…

    …As far as I know, the mosques are complying. But if there is any mosque that does not, let’s not hesitate to let the government know and then we’d see what they would do then. Until then, we should obey the law and do the right thing.

    But can’t the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) help to regulate churches over this?

    The problem is that many churches do not belong to CAN. The Muslims respect the Sultan and once he makes a pronouncement, everyone falls in line. But our people, claiming to be Bishops and Archbishops, operate as Islands on their own.

    We should learn to speak with one voice. That is why CAN exists. CAN represents us all. It is the umbrella body for our unity as Jesus prayed for.

    We must respect its President as the number Christian citizen in this country. He is the Primus Inter Pares, the first among equals, and accorded respect worthy of his post by Christians and non-Christians.

    No ridiculous, unsubstantiated allegation should be leveled against him, especially by Christians. We must all obey his directives and follow his leading.

    Some people have alleged you are a political preacher, especially when you clamoured for a Christian governor in Lagos State. How do you react to this?

    On the Lagos governorship thing, we realised there had been an imbalance and injustice over the years against Christians. Christians have been shortchanged over the years. We did a research into what was happening in Lagos.

    Christians were not being appointed or placed on meagre salaries. Many people had to lie about their faith to get jobs and positions in Alausa. It was that bad. They won’t agree but that is the truth.

    The governorship position was also occupied by people from a particular faith for 16 years. You see when something has gone on for too long, it becomes the tradition. That slot was almost being reserved for a particular faith.

    I prayed about it and the Holy Spirit gave me the assignment to work against that. I encouraged Christians to be involved in political process. We then said a Christian should become the governor otherwise we would take it that it was for a faith.

    Many Christians vilified me. They said I was bringing religion into politics but they missed the point. They criticised me but I thank God we have what we prayed for today.

    As for being a political preacher, I don’t understand what they mean. I’m only doing what I think is in the interest of God and the Christian community.

    Last week again, you made another case for a female governor in Lagos State. Can you clarify that statement?

    Part of my divine assignment is to challenge the status quo. When I was in the United States, I was honoured as one of the challengers of norms in my community. I saw something not happening and I asked why not? I saw something happening and I asked why.

    I just like to ask questions and know the basis for happenings around us. I saw Christians were not becoming governors in Lagos and I asked why not? I saw that women are better prepared and talented and I’m wondering why they are not becoming governors too.

    There is nothing to show men are superior to women. So, why can’t women be elected as governors?

    But we have a governor who has not even done a term…

    … I’m not saying it has to happen now. I’d support Governor Ambode to go for two terms. A female governor doesn’t have to happen immediately after him.

    But I’m preparing our people to start reasoning what is wrong with having a female governor.

    Why does it have to be in Lagos first?

    That is because Lagos is a mini-Nigeria. Whatever happens here will happen elsewhere.

    The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria is proposing age limit for leadership of religious bodies. Is that a good move?

    It is a sore point in the history of religious bodies in Nigeria. The State should not have any regulatory mechanism over religion. In the same way, we don’t want religion to be taken into governance.

    What they are proposing will not stand. The Bible does not put age limit into practice of the clergy. There is no retirement for servants of God. You serve until you die. So, old age is not a minus because the older you are in the spiritual world, the better you become.

    You need the wisdom and experience of old people in religion to regulate things. So, what they are proposing will not stand. Religion should be self-regulatory. The government cannot tell religious organisations how to function and operate.

    There were speculations that the Aso Rock chapel would be relocated…

    …Well, we should be careful with hearsays. But all I will say is to caution that if there is such plan, it shouldn’t happen because it is a very sensitive matter.

    There is only a chapel in Aso Rock whereas there are three mosques within the same place. So, why relocate the only chapel? If there is such plan, it should be stopped because it will be misinterpreted.

  • Emerhor urges Muslims, Christians to promote peace

    •APC chieftain greets Sultan Abubakar

    Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has urged Muslims and Christians to respect one another’s religion and avoid insulting people’s beliefs in the guise of freedom of speech.

    The APC chieftain said this was necessary for the nation to avoid the spread of hate.

    In a statement by his Media and Political communication Adviser, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the APC chieftain said Muslims and Christians are created by God/Allah with divine primary assignment to be agents of peace.

    He said the two books of Islam – The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah – promote love, peace, tolerance, freedom of belief and mutual understanding.

    Emerhor noted that terrorism and killing of innocent people are condemned in Surah Al-Anaam (Chapter Six), Verse 151.

    He posited that the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is full of examples of where he showed love and affection, even to the strangers, non-believers and enemies of Islam.

    The APC chieftain said Jesus Christ also preached love, peace and tolerance.

    According to him, freedom of belief and mutual understanding remain the remedies to cure terrorism and promote global peaceful coexistence to secure a progressive future.

    Emerhor, in his Eid-El-Fitr message, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),  Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and Muslims all over the world on the  auspicious occasion.

    He described the Sultan as a royal father with vast knowledge, wisdom and virtue.

    The APC chieftain urged Muslims to emulate the Sultan’s detribalised and patriotic virtues to take Nigeria to a higher level of socio-economic development.

    He assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would  end Boko Haram’s insurgency and effectively  manage the nation’s human, material and financial resources for  positive socio-economic transformation.

     

  • Sunday Sanitation not targeted at Christians, says Kano Govt.

    Sunday Sanitation not targeted at Christians, says Kano Govt.

    The Kano State government yesterday refuted the report making the rounds that the extension of the sanitation exercise to Sunday was designed to deny Christians in the state from worshiping in their various churches.

    Speaking to reporters in his office, the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said in no time did the Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration declare restriction of movement of people, Christians or Muslims, to attend places of worship in the name of a direct policy or under the guise of any other policy.

    Malam Garba said that the administration extending the monthly sanitation exercise up to Sunday was meant only for the staff of the state Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) to have enough and more time to evacuate the heaps of refuse brought out by residents.

    He said, “The Sunday evacuation exercise was not meant to restrict the right of movement of any person or persons like any other day; but was for the staff of REMASAB to clear the heaps of refuse that must have piled up in their surroundings.”

    Malam Garba, however, challenged all the papers that published the story to tell their readers at what time the Christian leaders in Kano made any attempt to see the governor or any other government official on the alleged policy and were turned down.

    According to him, “To put the record straight, one of the first programmes implemented by the Ganduje’s administration is the ‘Keep Kano Clean’ campaign, where a whole week was dedicated to ridding Kano of refuse and ensure clean and healthy environment, as well as guide against flooding in the state, which residents in the state embraced wholeheartedly.”

    The Commissioner categorically described the report as, “a complete lie, false, lacks any iota of truth and substance, mischievous and aimed at tarnishing the image and good reputation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his administration.”

    Malam Garba said, “The government is very much aware and mindful of the freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will not do anything to curtail, restrict or subvert that freedom and right. Christians have the right to practise their religion and attend their places of worship, as they deem appropriate and shall continue to enjoy that right and freedom in Kano state.”

     

  • Cleric urges Christians on politics

    the Catholic Bishop of Kano Diocese, Rev. John Namaza, has urged Christians to participate in politics and transform the country.

    Rev. Nasmaza, who spoke after inaugurating 16 brothers and 16 sisters into the prestigious knighthood of St. Mulumba at St. Louis Catholic Church, Bompai, Kano, said Christians should be courageous and have faith in God to accomplish their mission in life.

    He said: “Christians are expected to be courageous. They should be people of faith, who trust in God. We should remember that we are Nigerians and we should be our brother’s keeper, to enable our nation prosper.

    “Christians should be people, who have the courage to enter the political arena and transform it by doing good in order to develop the country and promote a society that is God-fearing.”

    Bishop Namaza advised the knights of Mulumba, who were elevated to the next rank, to live their lives according to Christian principles, adding that they should be united and support the church.

    He enjoined them not to relent in their efforts in supporting humanity with their resources, to promote peace and progress.

  • Danjuma decry humiliation of northern Christians

    Danjuma decry humiliation of northern Christians

    Former Minister of Defence, Lt. General Theophilus  Danjuma (retd) has said that northern Christians were always targets of disgrace and humiliation out of public offices for no just cause.

    Danjuma stated this in Kaduna Saturday at the 64th graduation ceremony of students of Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna.

    General TY Danjuma who was represented at the occasion by a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Kwara State,‎ Mr. John Dara said, Christians from the northern region have passed through delirious times both politically, socially and economically, adding that the way forward was for the people to unite and speak with our voice to achieve progress and development in the zone.

    The Former Defence minister who was honoured with an award by the Seminary for his contribution to the growth and expansion of missionary works, called on the graduating students to be of good character and Ambassadors of peace wherever they may find themselves.

    Also, honoured with similar award on the occasion was the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Andrew Yakubu.

    Danjuma said, “This is not the best of times for Christians in the north, they have passed through delirious time in the last 16 years of our democratic process.

    “Northern Christians are the most humiliated and undermined in the affairs of the country. We should not feel inferior, but superior so that we can take our rightful position in the kingdom of Nigeria since we are already in control of the kingdom of the church.

    “We must therefore unite and speak with our voice, we must not shy away from our responsibility as Christians, and we must preach peace and say the truth. May the Seminary continue to grow from glory to glory”.

    In his goodwill message, the Ex-NNPC Boss charged the graduands to be of good behaviour in carrying out the work of God wherever they may find themselves

     

  • Christians urge Buhari to tackle religious disharmony, corruption  

    The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has called on  President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to tackle corruption, electricity and religious disharmony.

    President of the council  Emmanuel Udofia made the call yesterday at a briefing on the 2015 elections.

    Udofia said: “If you pick one of these and leave the other, Nigerians will still be in trouble. For instance, if Buhari wants to have a successful government, he ýmust make sure there is religious harmony to have peace nationwide.

    “If corruption is not dealt with, I would not say Nigeria will not move forward but it won’t be the level we expected because corruption is not only in government but everywhere.

    “In any nation where electricity is poorly supplied, there will be under-development. With constant power, people at the grassroots can create work for themselves, which will prevent migration to the city centre.”

    The clergy, who said that the council engaged about 2,000 election observers across the nation, placed voters’ turn out to be 42 per cent.

    He said the elections were orderly and credible, but urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify voter education.

    Udofia identified the need for INEC to commence a fresh electoral process, such as voter registration, advocacy, among others ahead of 2019 poll.

    He said it should no wait until a few months to the next elections.

     

     

  • NSCIA felicitates with Christians

    The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has congratulated Christians on the Easter celebration.

    Briefing reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the council’s Secretary General, Prof. Is-Haq Oloyede, described Easter as a religious festival commemorating a significant landmark in Christianity.

    He said Easter serves as a springboard for spiritual renewal, religious reawakening and rebirth.

    The Sultan hoped that “this spirit of reawakening and rebirth would be allowed to define our national course.

    “As a people of faith united by our common ancestor, Prophet Ibrahim, the recent history of distrust within our faith communities and weakened efforts at inter-faith communication require urgent attention of all of us.

    “Easter serves to re-direct our attention to those values and ideals that we traditionally share in common, which had defined us before the recent expediency.

    “Human beings are weak and we are characterised by fallibility. We must have committed errors as leaders, but God, in His infinite wisdom, has granted us the opportunity of this season to rethink. It is an ample moment we should seize to deeply reflect on where we erred as humans and then chart a new beginning of rectitude and righteousness as one people under God”.

    Oloyede lamented that both Christian and Islamic studies as independent school subjects have been downgraded to mere topics under a subject in our basic school curricula.

    He added: “Other tragedies bordering on trust had befallen us, but we thank God for this golden opportunity of Easter and its symbolic message of renewal.

    “As we congratulate you and our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this important religious festival, we urge you to partner with us in addressing issues pertinent to building a strong and vibrant nation.

    “Let us put the past behind us as we deem the largely peaceful elections (about which the world was apprehensive). This period is an opportunity to make a new beginning in the spirit of fasting, prayer, penance and cooperation.

    “The Nigerian Muslim Ummah wishes you many happy returns of the holy season. We also wish you and ourselves a renewed commitment to holiness and righteousness in our words and actions to the glory of God, the advancement of humanity and the guidance of our followers.”