The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Christians

  • IGP to Christians: be security conscious

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police (Ag. IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has advised Christians to be security conscious as they celebrate Easter.

    The police chief also directed Assistant Inspector Generals of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in sonal and state commands across the country to deploy their men adequately to vulnerable areas to ensure hitch-free celebration.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by Force spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), reads: “As part of measures to ensure a peaceful and incident-free Easter celebration, Ag IGP Adamu has directed AIGs of CPs in zonal and state commands across the country to deploy adequate intelligence, human and operational assets of the Force to ensure intensified routine patrols and protection of vulnerable points within their jurisdictions.

    Read also: Why Police are ineffective, by Acting IG Adamu

    “These include major highways, places of worship, residential areas, recreation centres, motor parks, financial institutions, government/private infrastructures and all places of public resort.

    “They are also directed to ensure that their officers and men conduct themselves in most professional manner, in line with extant laws and standard best practices before, during and after the festival.”

  • ‘Christians have no business in politics’

    Evangelist Sola Rotimi has been a gospel singer after he got born again in the early 70s while working with Nigeria Paper Mills at Jebba. He spoke with Daniel Adeleye on why he relocated to USA, amongst other issues. Excerpts:

    Why did you relocate to the USA?

    As children of God, we are saved to serve. When Jesus ordered his disciples to preach the gospel to all nations, He was not asking us to stay in a certain geographical area. After I got born again at Jebba many years ago, I embarked on evangelism going from one village/town to another.

    It got to a stage that I embarked on train evangelism. At that time train evangelism was very effective in Nigeria. I loved waking up around 4:30 am daily for morning cry through songs of repentance and salvation accompanied by playing of accordion.

    So one particular morning at Ibadan, as I was going on evangelism, I met a man who I later found out his name to be Dr Oluwo. He had a friend who had a big church in London. He gave me his complementary card and asked me to see him in the house.

    So three days later, I decided to trace the address on the card. On getting there he told me how my songs inspired and changed him and so he invited me to his church for songs ministration and I agreed to go. That’s how we became friends even though he was an elderly person.

    One day he sent for me and when I got there, to my surprise he offered to take me to London, that he wanted to prove to the Europeans that there are talents too in Africa. In a nutshell, that’s how I travelled to London in 1980 and that was the first time I left Nigeria shores for evangelism in foreign land.

    So how did you then find yourself in the USA?

    First I got invited. I’ve been travelling to London and other countries like Israel and Switzerland before I got invitation to US and later relocated to the country. I got invited to Israel during the feast of Tabernacle in Jerusalem organised by International Christians Embassy (ICE) in Jerusalem.

    I went there on a visit for at least three times and one of those times I was there for over three months so I had to leave because they wanted to hire me into a Ghanaian church over there. They loved my ministration but I told them that I can’t stay. And coming back I got another invitation to Switzerland before I finally moved to USA in 2004.

    What kind of a church you run over there?

    My mission is Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). So, I belong to Christ Apostolic Church and that’s where I am.

    What brought you home at this time?

    The Christ Apostolic Church clocked 100 years in 2018 and I am one of the representatives that came for the grand finale of the centenary celebration of the church in November. And more so, I am one of the centenary award recipients alongside Lady Evang. Bola Are, Ayewa and Mama Fasoyin of Good Women Choir. Each time I’m home in Nigeria, I always like to release an album. So, after the centenary programme I decided to stay back and work on an album before I go back. And now I’ve completed the album (Eternity) which had also been launched on the 19th of January 2019.

    You’re also using songs to propagate gospel; what inspires you to sing and do you consider the commercial aspect of it?

    After I got born again, I fell in love with the words of God and each time I’m reading the scriptures, inspiration do come on certain verses and before I knew it I will start singing. So I get inspired mainly from the scripture to come up with a particular song.

    At times it could be while listening to a powerful sermon, sometimes it could be from an incident that happened and touches me. Sometimes in the dream but most of the time, the inscription comes through reading of the scriptures.

    My focus is not to make money through songs but to use it as a medium to spread the gospel of Christ and to win souls because I have a burning passion to bring lost souls to the vineyard of God. Besides, Christ admonished us to go into the world and propagate his gospel because we are saved to serve. So my mission is not to amass wealth to myself through songs but to reach souls through songs.

    What do you make of the present day’s gospel artistes?

    Well, I discovered that the peril of an end time has overtaken many. And it’s not strange because what we are seeing now corroborates what Christ had said about end time in the scripture. At the end time, the love of many will wax cold and they will be lovers of money and of their stomach.

    And this is the time; we are in that era, and he who that ignorant of it will easily fall prey of the fake prophets running after money and fame. At times as a minister of songs I discover that many sing to praise men against the wish of God. Although some are genuinely called to the ministry but many sing simply because of earthly popularity and money.

    I always advise my comrades to always give themselves to the reading of scriptures as well as fasting and prayer, which are the only ways to receive strength and get rooted in God.

    Worldly wisdom is vanity. Sometimes when you listen to the songs of some who are not Christians their songs sounds very good, the wisdom might be there but the inspiration for salvation of souls is missing.

    That’s why it’s necessary to seek godly wisdom before we come up with a particular song. There are some gospel songs today that one will not be able to differentiate between them and secular songs. So like I said, it’s a peril of an end time.

    It’s a political season in Nigeria, do subscribe to churches and some men of God endorsing candidates for elective positions?

    Well, to me a Christian is not a politician. That’s why I talked about worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is calling on Christians to go into politics because they believe if Christians are there they would do the right thing.

    But they forgot that it’s only God that appoints leaders. If God doesn’t permit that there is nothing anybody can do. Christians are not politicians, our primary assignment is to evangelise and we are to advise, warn and correct the politicians.

    If God wants any Christian to be in politics, God himself will order such person’s step and if such happens it means God want to manifest His glory through that individual. For instance Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego in the bible, never contested for any political seat in Babylon but because God wanted it, Daniel became governor and Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were appointed into positions in government.

    Looking at their lives they didn’t govern like regular politicians, they regarded them as men of God. The people of Babylon consulted them when things were going wrong and solution always come. We also read about Joseph, to fulfill God’s purpose Joseph became prime minister in Egypt. He never struggled to be in power. So it can happen that way.

    I am not ruling it totally though, that God cannot ask someone to go into politics but that would be by divine intervention. Those who are Christians in politics in our country in the time past, what was their impact as Christians while their tenure lasts in government?

    So what’s your reading of the state of the nation at the moment?

    When a nation is against God, a lot of things like what we are seeing now happen. Wickedness has taken over the landscape of Nigeria. Why should a person choose to bathe with blood simply because he is seeking for a political seat? All these things are bound to happen because they have failed to put God in their schedule.

    Nigeria is a country of both of Christianity and Islam, yet the happenings in the nation do not portray us in the righteous light. Shedding innocent blood has become a regular in the land and when such happen, punishment follows.

    We need to move close to God in repentance with total surrender and ask for the wisdom of God. Only then we will begin to see changes. It would have become worse than this if not for the prayers of the saints, so we shouldn’t stop praying.

    What is your counsel to Nigerians in this electioneering season?

    When we all turn to God in prayers, He will direct us. There are many political parties in Nigeria; therefore we should look beyond the regular two big parties. We don’t know maybe the one that God wants to use to change the story of Nigeria is among the upcoming parties but because of the system that had been corrupt we only look at the big parties.

    Nigerians should also endeavour to discourage vote buying and vote their conscience. Some people say they will take the money but still vote for candidates of their choice but I say don’t take the money.

  • Christians, artisans back Buhari, Osinbajo

    The Concerned Christians Initiative (TCCI) and 16 other groups comprising of Artisans, tailors, market  women and others have drummed up  support for  President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Lagos.

    The TCCI which welcome  Osinbajo to the Palace of Anyangburem of Ikorodu, said artisans and other less privileged have benefitted imensely from the adminisration.

    The VP patiently listened to their questions and answered them all. The VP urged them not to relent in performing their civic responsibilities.

    Osinbajo warned that Christians would fail to positively influence the country unless  they committed themselves to living like the biblical salt of the earth.

    Osinbajo  was the guest minister at a special service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)’s The Open Door Parish, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos. The Vice President’s longtime friend Aina Ololade Salami, the Pastor-in-charge of the parish hailed

    Speaking on the topic  The church and the destiny of the nation, Osinbajo berated Church leaders who, through their teachings, “sometimes give the impression that there is no need for hard work.”

    He urged Christendom to remember the biblical command for people to pray for their leaders, like the Israelites prayed for Esther before she met the Persian King Ahasuerus and saved her people from genocide.

  • Christians support Sanwo-Olu

    Christians in Lagos State have pledged to work for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the coming general election.

    The Director of Christian Affairs, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO), Dr. Samuel Ogedengbe, who, yesterday, led Christians during a prayer and sensitisation programme to canvass votes for Buhari and Sanwo-Olu, said the two candidates are assured of Christians’ votes.

    Ogedengbe, addressing Christian faithful in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, urged them “to look back and see what our president has done in the last three and a half years, especially the judicious use of resources as well as adding value to people’s well-being.”

    He said Lagosians should vote for Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Obafemi Hamzat.

    Ogedengbe said the duo would give people the dividends of democracy.

    The Deputy Director of Christian Affairs, BOSCO, Pastor Jerry Gabriel Oluomo, told the people the need to call on God for divine intervention, “hence the gathering of  religious leaders to seek God’s face to hearken to our supplication for the success of all our candidates in the coming elections.”

    The Vice Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Mr. Daisi Osho, who represented the Chairman, Muse Ariyoh, stressed the need for all and sundry to work for the success of APC candidates in the general election.

    Highlights of the programme included praise and worship, prayers for the peaceful conduct of the elections, prayers for peaceful coexistence in the country and gratitude to God for the survival of Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo in the helicopter crash.

     

  • Cleric urges Christians to collect PVCs, vote at elections

    The director of a faith-based movement, Great Commission Movement of Nigeria (GCMN), Rev. Ambrose Massaquoi, has urged Christians across the country to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general elections.

    Massaquoi addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos on activities lined up by the organisation to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

    The cleric said Christians must exercise their voting rights so that the right leaders would be elected to engender the right political environment.

    Read also: 2019 Election and national values (1)

    He said GCMN is a faith-based inter-denominational and non-denominational movement, which has been praying for the nation “because we believe prayers can bring the right leaders and for God to bring the right environment”.

    Massaquoi also admonished youths to stay away from violence before, during and after the elections.

    He added: “With their energy, people tend to use them for the wrong purpose.

    “If we give them the right value as we are doing here, they should be able to use it for what is right. That is why we engage them in personal development activities to give them the opportunity for exposure and to develop their talent.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Pray for us, Femi Adesina tells Christians

    The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, has solicited prayers for believers in positions of authority to glorify God while discharging their duties.

    He spoke at a special “Breakfast meeting with Adesina” organised by the Christian Press Association of Nigeria in Lagos last week.

    The event tagged The Christian in Government: Issues and perspectives attracted Christians in the media.

    Also in attendance were Chairman Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Lagos Branch Bishop Sola Ore; General Overseer Faith Revival Apostolic Church, Apostle Taiwo Adenuga and President Journalists for Christ(JFC) Lekan Otufodunrin, among others.

    Adesina pointed out though every governmental position portends temptations, Christians are expected to shine as light and be good role models.

    He urged believers to lift up their counterparts in government to God for grace to overcome besetting temptations.

    He lamented many Christians criticise believers in corridors of power but offer little or no prayer for them to remain strong in the Lord and end their journey well.

    According to him: “I’m very happy when I go my church and they assure they are praying for me and that I will end well.

    “This prayer gives me a lot of courage and confidence that God is with me and I will end well.”

    Adesina who said his position as Special Assistant to The President does not warrant him hoodwinking Nigerians assured he has never lied on the job.

    He emphasised he has never lied to Nigerians and he would not lie by virtue of his faith as a Christian, knowing that all liars will go to hell.

    He also called on Christians to participate in politics, adding they would be expected to be Christ ambassadors and live above board.

    He dispelled the notion Nigeria will be Islamised, assuring the nation will maintain its status quo as a secular state.

    Adesina assured Nigerians that Buhari has given his words on release of Leah Sharibu, who is being held captive by Boko Haram sect for refusal to deny her Christian faith.

    He reiterated the President would never renege on his promises.

    “President Buhari has given his word that Leah Sharibu would be released and he would do everything he could to bring her out.  He would do it,” he stressed.

    Apostle Adenuga, whose church hosted the gathering, charged church leaders to continue to preach the truth and lay off every form of compromise within the body of Christ.

    “Every minister of the gospel should make frantic effort to remain forthright and committed to the task of evangelism and discipleship that will prepare men fit for heaven.

    “I still live in a rented apartment. My ultimate goal is to be the most righteous, truthful and faithful pastor in the world.

    “I want to invade Europe and the world with the gospel of Jesus, not just by my prayer but because of my transparent lifestyle,” he declared.

    CPAN’s President Bola Adewara said the meeting was not for political discussion but to encourage Christians to participate in politics with a view to shining as light in a country enmeshed in corruption.

  • 2019: Cleric urges Christians to exercise voting rights

    A clergy, Pastor Timilehin Peter of Miracle of Christ Church, Amilegbe, Ilorin, has called on Christians to exercise their voting rights in upcoming general elections.

    Peter told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin that being religious should not stop any Christians from going out to cast vote for candidates of their choice.

    He, however, added that some Christians always hid under guise of religion to abstain from voting.

    “Prayer alone cannot do it without action. It is your right and responsibility to vote for candidate of your choice.

    “Being a Christian does not stop you from voting, stop being too spiritual toward necessity.

    “Angels will not come from heaven to select leaders for us. So why pretending to be too religious when we know we have the power to select our choice.

    “You cannot remain indoors and expect things to change. Stop complaining, go out to vote for your choice in February,” he said.

    The clergy also called on the public, irrespective of their religion, to go all out and vote in the elections.

    NAN

  • 2019: Saraki urges Christians to pray for Nigeria

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday asked Christians in Nigeria to pray earnestly for a hitch-free 2019 elections. He also charged to intensify their prayers for the peace, unity and restoration of the country’s glory. Saraki noted that Nigeria was passing through a turbulent period. He said this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at an end of year programme he organized to felicitate with the Christian community in the state.

    The programme included the distribution of food items to Christian men and women selected from across the state. About 2000 women, widows and men benefitted from the programme which was attended by many religious leaders. The Senate president who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff,  Gbenga  Makanjuola, expressed gratitude for the support he has so far received from the Christian community and requested for their continued association.

    He added that “we know what is happening in Nigeria today, we need peace because that is the first thing before any other thing. We plead with our fathers and mothers to continue to pray for Nigeria, that God will restore the glory of Nigeria. By the grace of God this is the beginning of good things to come to you. The Senate president appreciates the Christian community in Kwara state. I am not here to make sweet talks but all the points you raised will be looked into and there is none of the requests that won’t be attended to,” he said.

  • Monarch to Christians:be steadfast

    A monarch in Ekiti State Evangelist Olugbenga Adetiloye has urged Christians to be steadfast in the midst of persecution and pains, stressing there would be great reward from God.

    The Olugbole of Igbole-Ekiti spoke at the 10th year Anniversary of Face of God Evangelical Ministry (FOGEM) at Odole Street Ile-Oluji, Ondo State with the theme “Sudden Good Change”.

    Oba Adetiloye said a Christian without excellent spirit cannot foster sudden positive change that would lead to better transformation.

    He noted it was the excellent spirit upon Joseph in a strange land  that paved way for Joseph to be made a prime Minister.

    According to him: “An excellent spirit like righteousness that produces it, does not always pay quickly but it does eventually and when it does finally pay, it more than makes up for seeming sluggishness.

    ‘An excellent spirit is built by habitual life of doing things well, it is a life of doing things big or little, strategic or inconsequential, publicly or privately in a way it should be done”.

    General Overseer of the church Prophet Samuel Omoniyi described the journey so far as hectic but appreciated God for the success recorded in the past 10 years.

    According to him, he was not interested initially in answering the call of God but caved in escape the wrath of God, stressing His faithfulness had been sustaining the ministry.

    Chairman of the occasion, Oluwasijibomi Akindiose, a member of Ondo State House of Assembly, urged Christian to put their trust in God.

    He charged them not to be deterred even when things look impossible but learn to praise God always.

  • Sultan: Christians, Muslims have no preferred candidates for 2019 polls

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Saturday said Nigerians should hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his words that he will conduct a free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.  Abubakar disclosed that Nigerians should also know that Christian and Muslim leaders: “We do not have any preferred candidate for any elective post in the forthcoming 2019 elections. Everybody is our candidate.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to ensure violence free campaign and free, fair and credible 2019 elections. So we will hold him to his words. INEC should also take note of what the president said. Security agencies especially the police should take not of this. Let us deliberate and see who is the best to lead us out of this quagmire.”

    He said this during the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), Youth Wing second National Youth Summit themed: Towards Peaceful And Contribution Of Christians And Muslim Youth In 2019 General Elections In Nigeria,held in Abuja. He said that Nigerians should take a stand and not to be used by politicians and other stakeholders to cause violence especially during the forthcoming general elections.

    Abubakar said that the second summit came at the time Nigeria have been politicised by the political class and that there was the need to sit as a family irrespective of their various religious. He advised Nigerians to be untied and that the summit is aimed at contributing to peaceful participation of inter religious groups on the 2019 election.

    The sultan called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to instigate violence of any kind. His words: “This summit is better now as we are approaching the 2019 general elections. Nigeria has never been so tensed-up  as it is today. Everything is politicized. Religion is politicized, economy is politicized, including politics itself. We have seen politic in other lands and it is not as hot as our own.

    “The youths are the foot-solders of tomorrow and it is necessary that we bring them together. There is so much apprehension yes. Our religions have never preach violence. So where did we get our own violent mood that we use children to kill, burn and destroy houses and properties.

    As religious leaders we are worried. The victims of election violence are not my children or yours, the victims are the children of the common men and women who cannot afford one meal a day.

    So why should we be used by politicians to commit crime. “Why won’t the politicians use their children for election violence, or their friends. Even  if it is the president, we will not be used by any politician. And the earlier we do that the better for us.” The president of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, also told youths not to allow themselves to be use by selfish politicians to cause mayhem during the 2019 general elections.

     

    Ayokunle said that youth should not allow disgruntled politicians to use them as political thugs by providing them with drugs and all sort of weapons to attack their own brothers because of political differences while their own children are schooling abroad. He said that Youth should wake up from slumber and always see themselves as futher leaders instead of being cheap to selfish politicians.

    “Our youths should stay peacefully and not allow selfish politicians to use them in breaching the relative peace in the country. Whoever approaches you for thuggery, ask him to lead you in the act.” The CAN president, caution ahead of the elections, saying “any distraction or violence will only set our democracy backwards and affect all areas of human development”.

     

    He noted some of the challenges being experienced in the country are instigated by politicians while urging them to play politics devoid of acrimony and violence.

    Lamenting the security challenges across the country. In his remarks, the National Security Adviser to the President Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno, (rtd) represented by Brig-Gen Emmanuel Ndagi said that peaceful dialogue is the path way to peaceful coexistence.

    Monguno said that security is a collective responsibility, adding that Nigerians should stay peaceful.  He urged the youths to ensure that Nigeria achieve peaceful elections and that Nigeria’s President is working to ensure free fair peaceful and credible elections in 2019.  He, however, added that the Federal Government, religious leaders, politicians as well as youths have critical roles in preventing the used of social media to propagate fake news, hate speech and any act capable of instigating violence.

    The United States of America Ambassador, represented by David Young, Deputy Chief of Mission of embassy in Nigeria, said that the US is committed to supporting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve credible elections in Nigeria. Young commended the role NIREC in mobilising Nigeria’s Youths towards peaceful 2019 general elections.

    He advised that Nigerian youths should practiced their faith and put it into action by loving God and their neighbors with all their hearts,” for faith without works is dead” . The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said government is working seriously for the success of the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    Idris who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police  Raheed Akintunde vowed that both vote buyers and sellers would be dealt with without fear or favour. He urged youths not to allow themselves be used as political thug.

     

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had few weeks back given the assurance at the International Conference Center(ICC),in the Hague, Netherlands, where he assured the International Criminal Court that his administration would deploy every power within its reach to conduct free, fair and violence-free polls in 2019.