The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Christians

  • ‘Why Christians should embrace Bible’

    The Ondo State Area Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Prophet Zacchaeus Adeboriota, has urged Christians to embrace the Bible. He discribed the Bible as the pointer to salvation.

    He said book was significant and compulsory for Christians to read daily.

    Speaking during the special thanksgiving service and award of honours in Akure, Adeboriota said Christians must devote their time, talent and money to God.

    The event was organised by BSN to appreciate some personalities who have identified with the course of gospel propagation.

    According to the Ondo Area Chairman, who is also the Vice Chairman Western Zone of the group, BSN is a member of the World Fellowship of National Bible Societies joined together as the United Bible Society (UBS) for consultation, mutual support and action in its task of achieving widest distribution of the Holy Scriptures.

    He pointed out that the Society had translated the word of God into more than 20 Nigerian languages and distributed it at affordable prices to the people.

    He added that the Christian organisation carries out the assignment in partnership and cooperation with all Christian churches and related organisations.

    The cleric appreciated the understanding and contribution of the national headquarters of the society, stressing that it assisted them towards the successful hosting of its National Board meeting in Ondo State recently.

    He enthused that the BSN in the state was undergoing construction of a Bible House consisting of a Bible Depot and Guest House in Akure.

    Adeboriota urged the awardees to identify with them on the project and any other area of interest.

    Among the honourees were Revd Richard Ajiboye; Pastor Samuel Komolafe; Revd John Ayo Oladapo, Hon. Justice Cornelius Akintayo and eight others.

  • Live out the gospel, Christians charged

    The Convener of Manifesting Him, Pastor Tunde Adebola, has charged Christians in the market place to use their gifts, talents, skills, networks and opportunities to promote the gospel.

    He spoke at the 2nd edition of Manifesting Him conference in Lagos.

    Adebola said Christians in the market place must realise their place of work is their primary place of assignment to preach and live the gospel message.

    “God is in search of men and women who will become icons for His purpose in the market place. Men that will light the gospel with their words and deeds in the market place,” he stressed.

    Adebola pointed out that the world will continue to grow in darkness and helplessness if Christians are laid back and indifferent in proclaiming Christ and His demands within their immediate environments.

    He lamented that there are many active Christians in church but their lives do not tally with Christ’s injunctions in the market place.

    “We are privileged to know God in all that we do. Let us celebrate Him and don’t hide Him in a corner.

    “It is in celebrating God that our life can fully experience full potential,” he said.

    He restated the commitment of the group to help Christians in the marketplace maximise their impact through identifying, developing and deploying their God-given talents to help individual and corporate organisations derive values from Jesus.

    “We seek to be the leading purveyor of resources that would facilitate the identification, development and deployment of Christians who will make a positive generational impact in the marketplace by build an army of Christians who would relentlessly pursue the fulfilment of their God-given destinies in the marketplace,” Adebola stated.

  • Christians urged to criticise govt’s policies

    A CLERIC Pastor Judith Daniel-Imagoro has urged Christians to speak against the ills of the society.

    Speaking against the background of the return of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) to schools’ curriculum, she said the victory would not have been possible if Christians had remained silent.

    At the Dynamic Conference in Gombe State, where she was the guest speaker, she said: ‘’I don’t comment on politics because I am busy with my Father’s business. But defending My Father’s business is equal to doing the business.

    ‘’Christians in Nigeria must stand up and say no. Nobody has the right to impose anything on anyone.

    “We should speak with one voice because we are one body in Christ; do not try to be diplomatic with your faith.’’

    She continued: “For the government to have left all the educational needs and try to subsume CRK in civil education, it is clear the government is up to something. Their aim is to subtly Islamise the nation.’’

    She said there are some government secondary schools where pupils still sit on classrooms’ floor to write exams, adding that there are many schools without good toilets, qualified teachers. She said instead of the government to solve these problems, it is doing things that would divide the nation.

    “Lend your voice brethren, refuse to be deceived by their deceptive explanation and look into motives.

    “Say no with your voice, say no to their hearing and to God. And Heaven will nullify their plans, earth will reject it,” she stressed.

  • Onaiyekan to Christians: nobody plans to Islamise Nigeria

    John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has urged Christians to rise up and Christianise Nigeria instead of complaining that Muslims want to Islamise the nation.

    Rev. Onaiyekan spoke yesterday in his homily at a Mass to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Gwarinpa II, Abuja.

    “So, let nobody deceive you. I don’t think there is anybody who has plan to Islamise Nigeria, but even if they do, they have every right to do so.

    “They have every right to do so provided they also know that I have the right to Christianise the whole of Nigeria.

    “The answer is not in complaining and crying; stand up like a man and Christianise Nigeria,’’ the Cardinal said.

    He said Christians had the mandate to preach Jesus Christ to everyone without being distracted with material things.

    Rev. Onaiyekan urged Christians to defend their faith by preaching the gospel in words and deeds without comprising the message of the Cross.

    He said the disciples of Christ preached the crucified Christ, accepted persecution and that many even died for their faith.

    “People complain that Christianity is being persecuted; they are saying that some people want to Islamise the nation. Just know that nobody canIslamise you unless you agree to be Islamised.

    “For as long as you are not ready to stand up and carry the Cross, you are on the verge of losing your faith; if you don’t want to lose your promotion for Christ sake, you are also not worthy to be a Christian.

    “Anybody who presents another programme different from the programme of Jesus Christ on the Cross will lose, you will drop; you will just drop like an overripe apple.’’

    According to him, Christians cannot achieve the feat by compromising their faith, it can only be achieved by carrying their cross and following Christ.

    “You don’t Christianise the nation by standing up and looking for prosperity or material benefits.

    “You Christianise a nation, if you are ready to stand up for the truth, preach the gospel, carry the Cross and follow the Lord Jesus.’’

    Quoting from the Gospel of Mathew Chapter 10 verses 37 to 42, Onaiyekan said anyone who loved his or her mother, father, children, husband more than Christ is not worthy of His kingdom.

    He, however, said the message of Cross is that of salvation, which was gradually being reduced to the message of prosperity, adding that it was natural to face suffering in the world.

    The cardinal said that Christianity had survived over 2,000 years and the religion became more established even when the apostles faced persecution and were even killed.

    “The apostles went through horrible suffering because of that, the Church took root when everybody thought it was the end of the story of Jesus, who died on the Cross.

    “That is the mystery of Christianity, if it is not God’s own doing, Christianity would not have survived,’’ he said.

    Rev. Onaiyekan administered sacrament of confirmation to 63 Catholics in the parish and also laid a foundation of the 2,000 capacity new church.

    According to Catholic teaching, the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.

    Thirty candidates received first Holy Communion at the Mass.

  • Muslims/ Christians worship together in Kaduna

    The District Head of Barnawa Kaduna, Kaduna State, Kabiru Zubairu, has called on youths to embrace peace and live together.

    The monarch spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving organised by the Living Faith Foundation Church Barnawa, for both Muslims and Christians. He admonished youths from all tribes to come together and live in one atmosphere of peaceful co-existence to move the country forward.

    According to him, development can only happen when there is peace. He, said youths should focus their energy on how to move the country forward rather that disintegrating it.

    Alhaji Zubairu congratulated the Church for organising the thanksgiving which, according to him, will unite both religions.

    In his own words, Pastor Peter Y. Jiya, said: “The Church chose the day to thank our maker for the things he has done, the things he is doing and that which he is yet to do.

    “God did not bring us this far to take us back again; he brought us out to take us into our individual promised land. Despite the giants and hurdles on our ways in 2016, he brought us out by his mercies, loving-kindness and divine faithfulness; he has preserved us to take us to where he wants us to be in 2017.”

  • Gov. Okowa urges Nigerians to refrain from provocative utterances

    Gov. Okowa urges Nigerians to refrain from provocative utterances

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday appealed to Nigerians to guide against provocative utterances that could lead to war, but continue to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

    Okowa made the call at a thanksgiving service to mark the second anniversary of the state’s sixth House of Assembly at the Living Faith Church in Asaba.

    Okowa said prayer was necessary to overcome the present challenges facing the nation.

    According to the governor, Nigeria today depends on God to continue to survive because in the last few days a lot of things have happened.

    “There is a threat by the words of men but I know that by God’s grace, Nigeria is one and God will continue to keep us together.

    “In this very trying time, Christians must be on their kneels to continue to pray for this nation; we do not want to see any more wars neither do we want to see things that will put us apart from one another.’’

    Okowa, therefore, advised Nigerians to reflect on the past in order to forge ahead.

    The governor urged the lawmakers to put God first in all their activities.

    “This is the only way you can impact on the lives of the people of the state even in this present time,’’ he said.

    He congratulated them for the successful completion of the second session of the sixth assembly.

    Okowa also called on parents to influence their children positively as they were leaders of tomorrow.

    “We must realise that it is time for us to think and reflect on the past, examine our homes and examine ourselves.’’

    Also, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, who read Psalm 100:1-5, thanked God for a successful session.

    “It is good to give thanks to God in all things and we hope and pray for the best as we move into the third session.

    “I want to assure the people of the state that we are ever ready to deliver on the mandate of Deltans because that is what we are elected to do,’’ he added.

    Earlier in his sermon, Pastor Julius Oyinloye stressed the need for Christians to always give thanks to God, saying that thanksgiving was a command from the scripture.

  • PLIN canvasses unity among leaders, Christians

    A group, Pastors, Leaders Interceding Network (PLIN), has called on Church leaders and well-meaning Christians to close ranks.

    Rather than be at one another’s throats, it urged the leaders to work for unity in the body of Christ.

    This was the consensus at the end of a day ministers’ conference in Lagos last week.

    The conference attracted hundreds of denominational leaders and workers from church groups.

    Convener of PLIN, Apostle Dele Johnson, said Christians must  learn to watch the backs of themselves to survive the onslaught of the enemies.

    He lamented that Christians fight themselves over doctrinal issues while allowing the enemies to have a free rein within and outside the church.

    Johnson said Christians must complement themselves instead of being involved in unnecessary rivalry and competition.

    According to him: “We do not need to envy each other at all. What you are designed to do I am not wired to do.

    “We must celebrate the uniqueness in each other and not envy. This is God’s sovereign wisdom to keep us dependent on each other and thereby foster unity.”

    He called on church leaders to put aside envy, pettiness, ego and unhealthy competition to collaborate for Kingdom’s expansion.

    Rather than serve as moles, he said Christians should unite to fight the common enemies.

    He also warned against celebrating the fall of generals, saying they should instead watch the backs of others.

    Johnson, who is also the general overseer of Jesus Liberation Squad New Oko Oba Lagos, said Christians must stick together to work against the devil and attacks against the church.

    General Overseer of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Mission (CLAM) Lagos, Apostle Wole Oladiyun, charged the ministers to be full of the Holy Spirit.

    He said they cannot succeed in transforming lives and routing the devil without the backing and support of the Spirit.

  • Easter, another opportunity for Nigeria’s redemption, says Sen. Tinubu

    Easter, another opportunity for Nigeria’s redemption, says Sen. Tinubu

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, on Sunday felicitated with Christians at Easter, saying it was another opportunity to redeem the nation from the throes of challenges that had plagued her.

    Tinubu in her Easter message entitled – ‘A Second Chance’, said that it was another chance to set in motion the change that each person would like to see, and build the nation.

    ”We must lovingly accept one another, extending a helping hand to those around us, regardless of religious affiliations and belief. In this moment, more than ever, we must strive to be more like Jesus.

    ”For us as a nation, it is also a second chance to redeem our nation from the throes of the challenges which have plagued her.

    ”A second chance to set in motion the change we would each like to see, and to build the Nigeria of our dreams, ”she said.

    Tinubu urged Nigerians to strive to be more like Jesus who died to redeem mankind.

    ” The death of Jesus to pay a debt he did not owe, for the salvation of you and I, is the ultimate story of a second chance at redemption. This is the crux of our faith, the proof of God’s love for mankind and the centre of Christianity.

    ”This second chance is our hope of freedom. We must not live in fear, depression or like those who do not know that Christ is risen.
    ”We must proclaim the resurrection of Christ in our daily lives, actions and conduct,” she said. (NAN)

  • Ambode preaches love, sacrifice at Easter

    Ambode preaches love, sacrifice at Easter

    …Says Peaceful Co-Existence Pivotal For National Development

    As Christians in the country join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Easter, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Nigerians to collectively imbibe the spirit of love, sacrifice and peaceful co-existence, saying that it is only when such virtues exist that the nation can make meaningful progress.

    Ambode, in his Easter message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the country, adding that the season should serve as a reminder to all of the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn, his death and his resurrection.

    Noting that this season calls to mind the selflessness, love and tolerance which were the hallmark of Jesus Christ during His earthly life, Governor Ambode said, “It is a season when we should pause and reflect on our individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining that foundation of love, peace and harmony in our society”.

    “Therefore, we must see this period as a time that affords us to think about how we can each help to steer our nation back on the road to prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness.”

    He said there was no better time for the country to unite together and eschew resentment along ethnic and religious lines, adding that no challenge is insurmountable where there is unity of purpose.

    “No doubt, Nigeria will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country that we all desire if, as a nation, we eschew all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another, as Jesus Christ enjoined us to.

    Ambode commended Lagosians for their continued demonstration and promotion of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence in spite of existing ethnic, cultural and religious diversities, attributing the successes recorded in the State’s 50 years existence to unity of purpose among residents.

    “Today, we can tell the world the enthralling story of how our beloved City-State has become a shining example of what peaceful co-existence can help to achieve. Lagos is home for all, Lagos is a land of opportunities, Lagos gives life to dreams and Lagos does not discriminate. Every Nigerian has a root in Lagos and in another 50 years we hope we would have left a legacy for our children to build upon.

    While wishing all Lagosians a happy Easter celebration, Governor Ambode enjoined them to continue to work with his administration “by obeying the law, fulfilling your obligations as citizens and stakeholders, and remaining vigilant, to ensure that our State remains a model of peaceful and harmonious co-existence in our dear country, Nigeria”.

  • Easter: LASG urge residents to celebrate with fresh, wholesome local foods

    As Christians globally prepare to celebrate Easter, the Lagos State Government on Thursday urged the state residents to eat fresh, wholesome and delicious foods grown in Nigeria.

    Mr Sanni Okanlawon, the Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on Food Security, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the state frowned at consumption of unwholesome imported foods.

    Okanlawon told NAN the state Ministry of Agriculture had begun sale of Lake Rice in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    “It is very important that we give Lagosians the best of healthy and fresh foods, especially a very significant staple crop such as rice.

    “In that regard, for almost a week now, sales of our trail blazing Lake Rice has been on in some centres such as Adeyemi Auditorium in Alausa Secretariat, LTV8, Agriculture Development Authority, Oko-Oba.

    “It is at the Lagos State Agriculture Input Supply Authority, among other places. We want to make sure that Lagosians got the best,’’Okanlawon said.

    The special adviser also told NAN that the LGAs had been coming to receive their consignments which would be sold to buyers.

    Okanlawan added that the ministry wished Lagos residents a hitch-free and peaceful Easter celebration.