The Nation Newspaper

Tag: church

  • About ex-first lady’s church

    Former first lady of Delta State, Roli Uduaghan’s spiritual edifice which she founded during her tenure in the state house has become like an abandoned house since her husband vacated office.

    At the height of the Uduaghans’ stay in the government house, the church she started, Great Commission Assembly, situated off Okpa Anam Road, Asaba, was a beehive every Sunday as the creme de la creme of Delta political and social classes converged there, seeking to get something from her husband through her. The house of God became a clearing house of sorts where powerbrokers met to trade favours or iron out one issue or the other.

    However, no sooner had the first family left the government house than her church began to witness a decrease in attendance. Those who know say that Roli’s church is no longer a meeting place of choice for the politicians who have taken their ‘ware’ elsewhere. With no political currency to be gained from attendance, the favour-seeking crowd have disappeared.

  • New GO: How Adeboye caught RCCG members unawares

    New GO: How Adeboye caught RCCG members unawares

    Elegantly dressed members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were looking forward to the usual annual Thanksgiving Service with the General Overseer (GO), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye on Saturday but they were shocked when the GO announced a new leadership for the fastest growing church in the country.

    The announcement coincided with prophesy of surprises listed by Adeboye in his annual prophesy released on December 31, 2016, while he urged members to join any political party of their choice in order to have a stake in the selection of leaders across the country.

    The don-turned cleric told the members at the ultra-modern 3kmX3km auditorium located at Shimawa in Ogun State that the announcement of the new GO for Nigeria became necessary following government’s directives to all religious bodies to appoint leadership on a tenure basis.

    Wearing blue patterned batik dress, Adeboye named Pastor Joseph Osuolale Obayemi as the GO (Nigeria) while the new church Secretary is Pastor Johnson Folorunsho Odesola and Pastor Joseph Adeyokunu, Treasurer.

     The news was received with shock by the members but their fears was allayed when Adeboye said that he remains the GO (Worldwide) for the church which has presence in over 192 countries in the world.

     He added that new GO – Obayemi will oversee the Nigerian arm of the church, adding that, “this will also affect other General Overseers including David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church aka Winners’Chapel; Kumuyi of Deeper Life; Daniel Olukoya of Mountain of Fire Ministries, among others.”

     He described the new GO as an experienced administrator who has been prepared for years by God for the task. 

     According to him, Obayemi has been part of the mission’s Salary Review Committee as well as member of the church’s In-Land Mission and has also represented RCCG at Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) activities across the country.

     The new secretary – Odesola is an Assistant General Overseer and the pastor in charge of the Church’s Headquarter in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

     Adeboye charged the members to join political parties of their choice as this would afford them the opportunity to be part of the selection of leaders.

    “I want to urge all of you to join any political party of your choice so that you can be part of those that will select leaders. You must start from your ward where you can be a delegate to be able to choose leaders,” he said.

      He also announced the commencement of the annual fasting and prayer of the church which he said would last for 40 days starting from January 11 to February 19 across the globe.

  • Artistes dazzle at church’s first anniversary

    Artistes dazzle at church’s first anniversary

    Diverse up and coming artistes dazzled guests with gospel music at the first  anniversary celebration of The Breath of Life youth church, located at Obanikoro Estate, Somolu, Lagos.

    Among those who performed at the event was gospel singer, Orjiifeanyi Henry, aka, Herrisoul, who was a back-up for Pastor Gabriel Eziashi at the last Experience. Others are Incredibles Dance Group; Boluwatife Tanimomo aka Mc Tife and Anibobo, a comedian. The church choir also thrilled guests.

    Welcoming guests to the event, Youth Pastor, Temitope Odebiyi, said that the church aims to raise leaders, by bringing young people together under an atmosphere where they can be challenged and inspired to reach their ultimate potential in life.

    “The church builds youths and helps them to think outside the box to become entrepreneurs,” she said.

    “We equip them with relevant skills that will enable them contribute meaningfully to the society.  We raise Godly youths who can make a difference in the world. We bring them together in the right atmosphere to see that their strength is harnessed to do something profitable for themselves and the society at large.”

    Pastor, Breath of Life Ministry, Pastor Samson Jedafe, added that the youth church was set up to make the reality of Christ to burn I the heart of the youths.

    He also urged youths to focus on Jesus and avoid the distraction from social media and songs that do not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Uyo church collapse: Family of detainee calls for pastor’s arrest

    The family of Anietie Ndarake, an architect and member of Reigners Bible Church in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where a building collapsed in December, has called for his unconditional release.

    It urged the police to arrest the proprietor of the church, Bishop Akan Weeks.

    Uwem Ndarake, the detainee’s older brother, addressed reporters yesterday in Uyo with his relations.

    He said the bishop knew everything about the collapsed church building.

    The distraught brother noted that as a committed member of the church and a professional, Anietie felt obligated to visit the site from time to time.

    He said: “He (Aniette) was not contracted or paid to supervise any aspect of the construction work. He had no hand in the drawings or designs. Neither did he work at the site as someone paid to offer professional service.

    “Bishop Weeks controlled everything at the site. He paid those working there. We are aware that he personally paid people to remove the scaffold that held the weight of the ‘drum or fulcrum’ of the truss of the roof.

    “It was after removing the scaffold on Friday evening, from what we gathered, that a crack was noticed on the wall. Why did he order the removal of the scaffold against advice? Why did he keep threatening workers at the site to act against sound advice? We want Akan Weeks to release Anietie immediately.”

    The family urged the Federal Government to appoint coroners who would conduct an inquest into the building collapse. The panel should also determine the number of persons who died. We request that the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) be allowed to independently conduct an investigation and make its report known to the public.

    Uwem expressed worry about the state of his brother’s health, adding that the police had denied him administrative bail.

    The designers of the structure and the roof as well as other persons who supervised the project, including Bishop Weeks, were released after making statements to the police.

    This happened several days after the incident.

    Two persons were detained in police custody since December 12, last year. The suspects are: Ndarake, and Mr. Idongesit White, the roof contractor who merely interpreted the design according to the specification of the structural design handed over to him.

  • Church lifts the poor

    Church lifts the poor

    In the spirit of the season, a church has given food items to the needy in Lagos.
    The Mercy Tabernacle in Ogba, Lagos, distributed the items on its premises on Saturday.
    Its General Overseer, Bishop Bankole Jefferson, said the programme tagged “Help from above” is designed to bring succour to the poor.
    He said: “Help From Above is a directive from God to me to carry on non-stop. I have passed through similar pains and torture of hunger. And having overcome hunger by special grace of God, the Almighty directed me to be feeding and clothing people living in extreme hunger and abject poverty”.
    The food items distributed included rice, beans, gari, yam, maggi, vegetable oil, onions and tomato puree, among others.
    Beverages, such as Bournvita, Milo and Ovaltine, as well as indomie Instant noodles, sugar and milk were also given out.

  • Church celebrates 21st anniversary

    As part of activities to commemorate its 21 anniversary, the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Apapa GRA, Lagos has held a special service tagged: “21st Church Anniversary Service and Musical Concert”.

    The concerts were performed in English, Igbo and Yoruba languages to promote unity among members of the church.

    Addressing the congregation, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Prof. Dayo Ejiwunmi, identified injustice, corruption, lack of courage to speak the truth, and inaccurate population figures as the source of Nigeria’s problems.

    Ejiwunmi, who called on Christians to serve God by providing solutions to the country’s economic recession, also challenged the youth to rise up and speak against corruption and injustice in the society.

    “The best way we can serve God under this circumstance is to provide intelligent answers, contributions and solutions to the current socio-economic challenges we are experiencing. We, as Christians, need to be sensitive to the needs of the poor. We are not supposed to live ostentatious lives while many around us suffer.

    “How can we achieve progress in the country when we are not concerned about justice in our society? I, therefore, urge our youths to speak against corruption and do something to uphold justice. I want to plead with us not to not only talk but also do something,” he said.

    Founder of the church, Venerable Michael Gbadebo thanked God for His faithfulness and protection on the members since its inception. He thanked them for their support and contributions towards the growth and development of the church.

     

  • Uyo church collapse was human error, says Emmanuel

    Uyo church collapse was human error, says Emmanuel

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday attributed the Reigners Bible Church building collapse to human error.

    This was the preliminary verdict of the seven-man panel set up by the government headed by Justice Umoekeyo Essang (Chairman).

    Its members are: James Utiaruk, Essien Nkanga, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abibo; Prophet John Linus, Asuquo Okon and James Amiang.

    Mrs. Emem Victor Daniel of the Ministry of Justice in Uyo, the state capital, is the Secretary.

    Speaking yesterday at the 2016 Akwa Ibom Christmas carol at the Uyo Township Stadium, Emmanuel said the state had not fully recovered from the shock.

    The governor noted that what fell was a church building (man’s handiwork) and not God’s promise.

    The roof of the church on Uyo Village Road collapsed during the consecration service of Apostle Akan Weeks as Bishop.

    The govrnor was the special guest of honour at the event.

    Twenty-six persons have been confirmed dead while scores of others were injured.

    Emmanuel said: “Ever since God created the sun and put it there, we have never had a blackout. The sun has never run out of gas. The collapse of the building was man’s error. That is why we have set up a high-powered panel of enquiry to determine what went wrong.

    “We dedicated two days of mourning to the souls of the departed. We activated the full machinery and resources of government to aid the rescue and evacuation of victims of the tragedy. We have also assured the victims’ families of government’s resolve to stand by and with them during this time of mourning.

    “Ever since Mary Slessor and other blessed missionaries came to our shores and evangelised our ancestors, we have come to see the church as a shelter of refuge. The church has given us hope and inspiration. The church has showered blessings on us and raised our moral tone and texture.”

    The governor said he led the team of rescuers and called in specialist physicians from across the nation.

    He assured Akwa Ibom residents everybody’s life mattered and the state government would save their lives in any situation.

  • Church celebrates at 21

    St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Apapa GRA Lagos last week held a special service tagged: “21stChurch Anniversary Service & Musical Concert” to commemorate its 21stanniversary.

    The musical concert was performed in English, Yoruba and Igbo languages to promote unity among members of the church.

    Addressing the congregation, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof Dayo Ejiwunmi identified injustice, corruption, lack of courage to speak the truth and inaccurate population figures, as the banes of Nigeria.

    Ejiwunmi, who called on Christians to serve God by providing solutions to economic recession, also challenged youths to rise to the occasion.

    He urged them to speak against corruption and injustice in the society.

    “The best way we can serve God under this circumstance is to make intelligent answers, contributions and solutions to the current socio-economic challenges we are facing.

    “We as Christians need to be sensitive to the needs of the poor.

  • 23 people died in church building collapse, says Governor Udom

    23 people died in church building collapse, says Governor Udom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared that not more than 23 lives were lost in last Saturday’s Reigner’s Church building collapse in Uyo.

    He spoke during a solemn assembly at the Government House Banquet Hall in honour of victims of the collapse building on Monday.

    The Governor also debunked the claim that one of his aides who pushed him out of the collapsing building, lost his life in the process.

    He said the only staff directly in his service who died in the incident was a driver who sat elsewhere in another location within the church because he was also a member of the church.

    The Governor said the earlier figures from some sections of the media came as a result of multiple counting of the different private health centres that victims were rushed to, before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and the Specialist hospital in Uyo.

    He thanked God who he said honoured the covenant he made concerning his executive council members, maintaining that none of them died in the disaster.

    He said he was able to charter aircrafts to bring in neuro-surgeons from around the country, adding that his efforts resulted in 99 percent success rate for all the injured victims.

    Acknowledging the presence of the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Emmanuel appealed for assistance from the federal government to help in the medical expenses of the victims.

    Governor Emmanuel again reassured Akwa Ibom people not to despaired by the occurrence as God is still with the state, noting that accidents could occur anywhere to anybody.

    He said that what mattered most is that the survivors have been given a second chance by God to straighten their ways so that they would be prepared for judgement after their life on earth.

    “The second chance is for everyone and not just the survivors, and we should be more concerned by the account we would render before God, because He will certainly not be interested in our titles and positions.”

    Goodwill messages were received from the Senate President represented by the Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Governor of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

    They both extended their condolences to the government and people of the state and assured of their readiness to support the state government’s efforts in ameliorating the crises.

    Prayers where offered for the Divine Intervention of God against further calamity, God’s comfort to the bereaved family and the state.

  • Survivors relive how Uyo church building collapsed

    Survivors relive how Uyo church building collapsed

    Some of the survivors of Saturday’s collapsed church building in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have recounted their ordeal, saying they escaped by the grace of God.

    Reigners Bible Church International’s building collapsed during a service, killing many worshippers and leaving several others wounded.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel was the special guest of honour at the special service to inaugurate a bishop. He was there with some of his commissioners and special advisers.

    Some of the victims of the disaster are receiving treatment at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

    One of the victims, Mr. Thompson Emmanuel, who hailed from Abak, said he could not understand why the building collapsed on the worshippers.

    Emmanuel, 32, is a Personal Assistant to the Special Adviser to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Bureau of Cooperative and Rural Development, Mr. Ekemini Umoh

    He said: “I may not actually know what caused the building to collapse on us. We were inside there and the governor was there. The building collapsed on us all. Many were trapped.

    “That is why I am here in the hospital. I can’t reach my boss now to know where he is because so many people were affected.”

    Another victim, Mrs. Victory Edet, 31, from Itu Local Government Area, said a friend invited her to the church for the ordination of Pastor Akan Weeks.

    Mrs Edet said: “Somebody invited me to the church; so when we got there, we sat down. A few minutes later the governor came.

    “We welcomed the governor. After the congregation finished welcoming the governor, they called the choir to render a song. It was not up to 10 minutes that the house just collapsed.”

    Mrs Edet, who was with her daughter Success, said she sat under the canopy with her baby before the building collapsed on them.

    She said: “Before we knew what was happening, everybody was running. I was sitting under the canopy with my baby in my hands when the building suddenly collapsed. The canopy fell on top of me and hit my baby and me.

    “The person that I came with collected the baby from me. I don’t know how I managed to escape from the scene. The only thing I can remember is that I saw myself outside. Somebody helped me and took me to the hospital. I collected somebody’s phone to call my husband.

    “When my husband came to see me in the hospital, I was not with my baby. Doctors asked my husband to check different hospitals where patients were taken to for my baby. So my baby was found in one of the hospitals. The name of the baby is Success Edet.”

    Miss Esther Akpan from Itu Local Government Area said it was after the congregation had sat down after greeting the governor that the building suddenly collapsed.

    Miss Akpan, 28, said she was in the company of her uncle’s children when the incident occurred.

    She said: “I am a student in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I came with my uncle to the church because I am staying with him here. He is a member of Reigners Bible Church. My uncle’s name is Mr. George Akpan.

    “We were in the church. Everybody was singing. They said we should stand up to greet the governor. Everybody stood up and later they said we should sit down and we continued in singing praises.

    “Before we knew what was happening, the church building just collapsed. I wanted to run with some of the children. They are my uncle’s children. Two boys, I tried to escape with them; before I knew what was happening, my leg was trapped and I was crying and shouting for help. Nothing happened to the children.”