The Nation Newspaper

Tag: church

  • The church and the challenge of anti-corruption war

    There is no gainsaying the fact that religious pretensions do not shield anyone from the enticements of worldly pleasures and lust for dishonest enrichment. Greed does not know sex, tribe, age, religion or economic status. The religious leaders who partook of the Dasukigate largesse despite their sanctimonious facade, who were goaded-on by their avarice to engage in the pillaging of our common patrimony, are an eloquent testimony to this fact. These abject vassals, who don the toga of religious elites, are the ones the Chairman of Fresh Democratic Party (FRESH), Rev. Chris Okotie, labelled the grex venalium (the venal crowd) in an article he wrote in the February 8, 2016 edition of The Nation, which he aptly titled ‘Buhari’s battle against the venal crowd.’

    The piece in question clearly shows that Nigeria is under assault from a new form of economic insurgency—bread and butter spiritualists who receive ‘prayer welfare packages’ as a grant for submitting thei religious office to political adventurism. This is probably not their first dip-in-the-till for black monies; the prayers welfare package saga was just the episode in which they got caught: How sad!

    Much to the chagrin of many in the Christian fold, Rev. Okotie had repeatedly alerted the nation to this anomaly, which another pastor from the north, Borno-based Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, and later former River State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, alluded to when they disclosed that some pastors received a whooping N7 billion as their offering towards ensuring the return of Goodluck Jonathan to power. The voices of repudiation rang across the PDP and its supporters, but Dasukigate has given us a peep into the scale and truism of these allegations which robbed Nigeria’s treasury of an estimated $2.1 billion; a booty which former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), allegedly shared freely to anyone who was willing and ready to receive.

    Okotie’s article questioned the integrity of the pastors who displayed such depth of ecclessiastical indiscretion, brazenly desecrating the tenets of Christianity’s forensic right-standing by their display of unbridled greed. He wrote: “If Attahiru Bafarawa was the accredited agent of the Muslim prayers welfare package, who then collected on behalf of the multitudes of Christians? Who? Who is that Christian proboscis whose insidious suction availed

    himself of billions of naira on behalf of the followers of Christ? Who is that Judas, maybe Judases? What an irony that those who should scrupulously guide the people are themselves poisoning the water from which the flock would drink…”

    While Nigerians of different faiths were being slaughtered on the altar of Boko Haram, this lot congregated to share blood money under a pretentious ploy of offering prayers for the survival of a PDP candidate drowning in the pool of political ineptitude. Those prayers, if ever there were any, obviously failed to help Jonathan walk on water: He sank. Yet the battle to escape the clutches of lady justice has compelled Jonathan’s appointees, who are being prosecuted for these crimes against Nigeria, to engage the services of big legal teams funded with their loot to help subvert the cause of justice. In the minds of this venal crowd, justice can be bought at the right price. The callous pillagers cannot see any wrong in their activities, and their no-case submissions to the charges of graft against them unmask their unrepentant nature in the dehumanizing effects which their economic crimes have inflicted on the nation and its citizens.

    PDP’s 16-year reign is a case study in economic terrorism. Jonathan, during his six- year malarkey, displayed base propensities as a leader, rarely questioning expenditures, as if the treasury was a bottomless purse which he could use to service his coterie of political hangers-on, allowing all and sundry to dip in and take their fill.

    But could we have expected any better from a government led by a pack of thieving elite? During Jonathan’s tenure, rising oil income produced lower living standards, poverty, and the external reserves were drained to its barest minimum. The slew of anti-corruption probes became the logical response. To this, Rev. Okotie spared no words in voicing his support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign when he said recently: “We have an ex-general in power, who is an epitome of discipline and transparency. I urge Nigerians to support his anti-corruption campaign which aims to rid this country of PDP’s legacy of a government of the corrupt, by the corrupt, and for the corrupt.

    The legacy of corruption and insurgency may have been the twin malignant cancers which the Jonathan government celebrated with glee, but the silver lining which can translate into a full reversal of Nigeria’s fortunes and the tradition of corruption has obviously begun with the ongoing probes. This is one of many welcome manifestations of our party’s idea of a paradigm shift from the status quo.”

    Those who have accused President Buhari of selective persecution of Jonathan’s PDP appointees must remember that Jonathan’s government chose not to probe the governments before his. Neither did he investigate questionable practices within his government. Also, the claim, that the probes are concentrated in the federal arm of government cannot stand the test of scrutiny. Engaging the services of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the two primary agencies saddled with the task of ridding the nation of these vices, are not the exclusive preserve of President Buhari. By law, any citizen, especially a governor, local government chairman or councillor at state and local government levels, have the responsibility to ensure that these agencies pursue the requirements of justice against any official or past regime found wanting. It can’t all be about President Buhari. He has led the way, other arms of governments should follow suit, and Nigerians should likewise give the battle against corruption the necessary support for the sake of future generations.

     

    • Patricia Ariole wrote in from Lagos
  • Flavour gives to Church

    Flavour gives to Church

    Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania, is in the news again, this time, not for his music but for giving back to the society.  The singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer donated a set of musical instruments to his home church; Church of God Mission, Enugu. Flavour has come a long way from his humble beginning as a drummer in that church, never dreaming that it was the start of a music career that would bring him global fame and fortune.

    Speaking on his journey thus far, he said, “I thank God for putting me in a position to touch lives with my music. As you know, the road to success is never easy, yet with faith, hope, determination, and resilience, it is really possible to achieve your dreams, goals, and ambitions.”

    Going down memory lane, he said, “It was a pleasure going to thanksgiving service at my church, Church of God Mission, Enugu; where my love and passion for music grew from.”

    Expressing his heartfelt thanks, he concluded, “I am grateful that I can now show and extend my gratitude to my church family.”

  • Rev. King’s death sentence caused by witches, wizards, says Church

    Rev. King’s death sentence caused by witches, wizards, says Church

    Last Friday’s confirmation of the death sentenced passed on General overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly (CPA) Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Rev. King), has been attributed to the handiwork of witches and wizards by his church members.

    The members also reaffirmed their belief that Rev. King will be spared the hangman’s noose and “return to join us.”

    The self-styled cleric was sentenced to death in 2007 for the burning to death of a member of his church in 2006. He appealed the judgment and lost before the apex court sealed his fate last Friday.

    But yesterday during the first church service after the Supreme Court decision at the Lagos headquarters at Ajao Estate, off the Murtala Muhammad Airport Road, Pastor Ifeanyi King, who preached said:  “Our G.O. (General Overseer) the most holiness, Rev King, is coming back. He said he would come back and we believe the words of his mouth. We believe his report that he is coming back. Everything happening now we know is the handiwork of witches and wizard. Soon a new story will emerge.”

    The preacher added: “Whether people realise it or not, everybody now knows his holiness, our G.O. Rev King. The front pages of newspapers are flooded with his name. People are yearning to read about him in the social media. I can confirm to you that by all these, a lot of people have become endeared to him. Our Daddy G.O. shall live forever for us in Jesus name.”

    To every word he uttered, there was a chorus of Amen by the congregation. They sang hymns and danced to mark “the birthday of the G.O.” His death sentence was confirmed on his birthday last Friday.

    Pastor Ifeanyi, sported a shaved head and beards like Pastor king. A number of male in the congregation also appeared in the same way. Most of the pastors also use the name King as substitute for their surname.

  • ‘His holiness’ can’t die —Church members

    ‘His holiness’ can’t die —Church members

    •Insist case was a frame-up

    •Neighbours: it’s a big relief

    •Say we went through hell while he held sway

    Members of the Rev King-led  Christian Pentecostal Assembly (CPA) woke up  yesterday in high hopes.

    They were sure that after almost 10 years incarceration, their beloved church founder would finally breath an air of freedom with the Supreme Court expected to quash the death sentence received from the lower courts.

    As early 7:00am, some female members were already in the church. They were wearing green T-shirts with black skirts and  green berets to match.

    Another group wore white T-shirts and white berets.

    They swept the floor, arranged the white plastic chairs in rows and generally tidied  up  the church, all in anticipation of holding a victory service.

    However, the planned celebration was not to be: the apex court insisted that the man his followers call “His holiness” must end on the gallows.

    By 3 pm, the church gate had been shut,the crowd thinned down, their hopes of ever seeing their G.O gone.

    On adjoining streets, some residents gathered, discussing  the conviction in low tones.

    Some were using their phones to browse through the net to confirm the authenticity of the news.

    There was not a  single member of the church around.

    But  even a  first timer would not miss the larger than life image of Rev King on the church signboard and the huge, gold colour  inscription of CPA on the black church gates.

    Some of the residents spoke to The Nation still looking over their shoulders for King’s followers who are reputed for harassing people in the area.

    The residents  described  King’s incarceration as a blessing to the street,recalling  their not too pleasant experience in the hands of the church members before his arrest and subsequent trial.

    One of the residents said: “One day his members beat up my wife.

    “I went into the church to ask them what happened. Immediately I went in, they rushed at me. They beat my wife so badly that she ran to the police station naked. At the police station, they told us to go and get a medical report from Isolo General Hospital. I went and got the report.

    “I later asked my wife why the CPA members beat her up. She said some children threw  a banger inside the church. When the members came out, they did not ask who did it, but tried to take two of our children back into the church.

    “She begged them not to take them away, but they refused. As a mother, she would not allow her children to be taken away. That was why they descended on her. I wanted to follow it up, but my uncle advised me not to go ahead with the case.He told me they were very dangerous. That was how I dropped the case.”

    Residents said passers-by used to thread the street with trepidation when King still held sway, as his supporters were always suspicious of people and ever ready to vent their aggression at the slightest provocation.

    People were routinely forced  to remove their  shoes to be allowed to walk  through the area.

    Asked if that was till the situation now, the man replied: “No, it is much better now. People have peace in the street. The street is peaceful now. The CPA members don’t molest anybody anymore. ”

    A landlord in the area said: “He who lives by the sword, will die by the sword” when told that the Supreme Court had upheld the death sentence given to King.

    Relating  his own experience with the church members,the landlord said: “I know many of them because the buy things from me.

    “I knew Ann very well before her death. Before the incident, it was harrowing for all of us staying in this area.

    “At that time,  some of the houses you see here were under construction, so some of the bricklayers would sleep in the buildings. The members of the CPA would move from house to house on Sundays and forced people to attend service.

    “They had no bathroom.It was just recently that they made provision for some.

    “The church  members would come out and bath outside in broad daylight. To us, that was an abomination. Even up till now, some of them believe he would soon come back. I have heard them boast that when Rev King comes back, they  would deal with us.

    “It is unfortunate that he has been convicted, but those who live by the sword will die by the sword.If he had been released,we would have abandoned our houses.”

    King’s followers  are confident that he would not be hanged.

    One of them who spoke with The Nation said: “His holiness cannot be killed even with the Supreme Court judgment. He said it long ago that no man is capable of touching a strand of hair on his head.

    “The whole drama is a calculated plan by some people to bring his ministry down.  It started in June 2006 when His holiness asked cult members, herbalists and other people with shady character in the church to either declare for God or leave the church.

    “After making the statement, some people who believed they were highly connected came to him and told him that they would blackmail him and make sure the ministry was brought down.

    “Thereafter, this ‘frame-up’ came up. For you to know that the case was a frame-up, did they bring the dead bodies of the seven people that were allegedly killed to the court to serve as evidence?

    “It was all a ruse. Those seven people in question are roaming about the street and we do see them here in Ajao Estate.  It was only Ann that died and it was these seven people that killed her. It wasn’t  His holiness that killed her as alleged.

    “She was going to put on the generator when they set fire on it. When she was eventually taken to the hospital, they went there and used pillow to choke her to death.  That was how those people who vowed to deal with His holiness started carrying out their plans. But the truth is that they cannot kill him.”

    Another member,  who simply identified himself as Sunny,  said though the judgment was contrary to their expectations,  they remain confident that he would come out unscathed.

    “His holiness cannot be killed. He is more than a mere human being and cannot be killed by any mortal.

    “We were waiting with high expectations that the case would be struck out. We held a vigil yesterday and went ahead to clean the church premises waiting for his return.  We didn’t have to pray for the case to be struck out at the vigil because we were convinced  that he would be released.

    “The Supreme Court judgment cannot dampen our morale because we are convinced that he would not be killed. He is not a mere mortal like the rest of us. He will come back home at the appointed time  and by then, the people behind this whole thing will bury their heads in shame.”

    Another member of the church called Obi said: “The judgment which is a human decision is not the final. A judgment that will supercede this one will come. We have total confidence in our leader and this is why we have not relented in our efforts to hold service.

    “In spite of the judgment, we are going to have service on Sunday and celebrate him.  For you to know how powerful he is, he has been providing solutions to numerous people’s problems right from the prison walls.

    “He does this using online medium. Right there in the prison, the officials don’t go close to him because of the enormity of the power he wields. If they can’t go close to him in the prison, how would it be possible for them to kill him? It is impossible.  I personally received divine healing through him before his arrest. I was having a terminal ailment and when he mounted the pulpit and pointed at my direction, the sickness vanished. This was in 2006 and till date the sickness has not come back.”

  • Church backs Buhari on anti-corruption war

    Church backs Buhari on anti-corruption war

    The United Evangelical Church has thrown its weight behind the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. Chairman of the Church, Rev. Chimaobi Emelogu, at a press conference after their 128th Annual Conference in Calabar, said corruption has been the bane of the country for too long.

    Emelogu who was in the company of the General Secretary, Rev Akpan Udoyen and the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Elder (Air Marshall) Nsikak Eduok (retd) among other clergies, said, “we support the stance of the Federal Government against corruption. We know that corruption is a cankerworm in the polity of our nation. The church very much supports all the anti-corruption drive that the government has embarked on.”

    The Church also called on the Federal Government to urgently do something about the deplorable state of roads especially in the South-South and Southeast parts of the country. His words: “We also say that some major roads in the country are impassable. Even for you to go to Uyo from Calabar, you know what you will pass through, or Uyo to Aba. The roads in the South-South and Southeast are terrible. We make a passionate appeal to the government to reconnect us with our brothers in other parts of the country by making our roads motorable for the safety of road users.”

    On politics, he said, “The Church does not take sides with particular politicians or parties. We support or condemn ideas or actions. If there is an idea that would not promote the nation, we come out openly and condemn such. If it is something good, we tell them to keep it up and improve on it. But to say we stand for any party, there is nothing like that.”

    He said the conference is meant to plan for the future of the church and commit everything to God for direction. The theme of this year’s conference is “Divine Increase”. Emelogu also said the church is fast spreading across the country but lamented that the insurgency in parts of the north is seriously affecting the numerical strength of the ministry.

  • Church, family in court over land

    A senior Pastor of Christ is the Delivered Fire Church, Mrs. Nneka Okoli, has asked a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to declare the church as the owner of six plots of land it allegedly bought from the Idowu Osho family of Isheri Osun in Lagos.

    The claimant, who brought the suit for and on behalf of the promoters of Registered Trustees of the church, filed a suit before Justice Akinlade Olabisi challenging the family’s refusal to transfer ownership of the land situate at Ade Ojo area in Isheri Osun Town to the church.

    The first to fifth defendants in the matter are Elder Akibu Ayawo (Olori Ebi), High Chief Shamsideen Amoo Mojeed, Alhaji Abbey (Surveyor), Mr. Adesioye Adeyemi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mr. Adeoye Oyelola.

    In an affidavit filed before the court, the claimant said sometime in November 2014, the church purchased the land for N10million from the first and second defendants through the third and fourth defendants and completely paid for it in the company of her late husband, Pastor Chinedu Okoli.

    The first and second defendants, it was alleged, orally acknowledged receipt of the N10million but convinced the claimant that only N2,650,000 could be covered on the family receipt.

    The affidavit further stated that the first and second defendants, supported by the third and fourth defendants, claimed that the family, as a matter of customary rule “does not evidence any payment exceeding the stated amount in their family receipt, upon which the claimant believed them”.

    It was also contended by the claimant that before her and the late Pastor Okoli, the third defendant in the presence of the first, second and fourth defendants, measured the six plots of land and performed customary rights of handing over the land to the claimant with kola nuts, a he-goat and other items.

    The first and second defendant subsequently pronounced that they had handed over the six plots to the claimants and prayed for the claimant on the land, the claimant said.

    Justice Akinlade adjourned hearing till February 23 due to the defendants’ absence.

  • Pastor held for ‘burying charm’ in church

    •Cleric claims he was in church to remove juju 

    A cleric in Benin, Edo State, Apostle Ikenna Okafor, has been arrested for allegedly burying a charm in front of his church.

    The type of charm buried in the church could not be ascertained last night, but residents said it was a live animal.

    Ikenna, who heads Great Minds Prayer Ministry, was whisked away by the police to avoid being lynched by angry residents.

    The church, located on Esigie Street, was a beehive of activities as residents atruggled to catch a glimpse of what was allegedly buried in front of the church.

    The whistle blower, Chinedu Nnamdi, said his father woke him up at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning to see what the pastor was doing.

    Chinedu said he saw the pastor burying something in front of the church, adding that he switched on the light to be sure.

    The eyewitness said the cleric performed a little ritual and walked round the church severally before driving away.

    Efforts to speak with Ikenna were fruitfuless as he was in police custody at the Esigie Police Division.

    But police sources told our reporter that the cleric said he went to the church to remove a charm allegedly buried there by an unknown person.

    The pastor reportedly told the police that there was a dispute on the land, adding that his opponents buried the charm and called the police.

    Police spokesman Osifo Abiodun, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the police were holding the cleric while the matter was being investigated to know who buried the charm in the church.

  • ‘No sweat over handing over the church’

    ‘No sweat over handing over the church’

    The Overseer of Calvary Bible Church, Pastor Olumide Emmanuel, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the 20th anniversary of the church as well as the issues relating to ministry. Excerpts: 

    Did you envisage the church was going to come this far when you took off?

    Well, whatever God does one knows it will definitely grow from the scriptures and covenant relationship. We expected we’d grow and expand but we couldn’t have known where we’d be at every point or turn. In some aspects, what we are seeing are really mind-blowing but in some, we know we could have done better. But through it all, God has been faithful to us.

    Like in what and what?

    For instance, when we started in a rented apartment, it took us three months to raise the fee. When we look at the caliber of people we had, it was like will anything good comes from us. A plot of land sold for N400, 000 and when he heard N1.6m, it was like all the monies in this world.

    The first set of lands we bought was for N70, 000 per plot. We got four plots at N280, 000. It took us over one year to raise the money. To look at where we are now is a miracle. However on the number of people we have, we believe we have what it takes to attract more people.

    We are like by now, we should have more people. But you know there are many dynamics to that. Are we ready to pay the price? Can we handle them if they come? There are environmental and logistical issues. Like I tell people there are two ways to look at a thing for balance. You look at the people ahead for inspiration and those behind to be grateful to God. There are people who started before us but do not have a church to look after again today. So for that, we are grateful to God.

    Is it that the numerical challenge has to do with the fact that you are hardly around as an itinerant preacher?

    Well, I don’t think so necessarily. We are a kingdom church. On an annual basis, we reach out to 10,000 people based on verifiable statistics. We go to bus stations, prisons, hotels and football pitches. The 10,000 are not here because we are a kingdom church. It is not about our seating capacity but impact-capacity. The Kingdom is not about that but we also want those seating to be more.

    Many people have difficulties defining you. They wonder if you are a general overseer, businessman, common sense coach or itinerant preacher

     When you start, you are an individual. Then you get married and become a husband. When you have children, you are a father. You are the same person but your title changes by virtues of your responsibilities and roles. So, that is the challenge with defining me.

    I always tell people I am an apostle in the marketplace. God has raised me to raise kingdom believers and ministries. For those in the church, there is no confusion at all about that. The difference about church and kingdom is that church says ‘just come and be part of us’ while kingdom is about going forth. So, we are not interested in drawing people that will just seat and not make a difference in their world. I will just say I am an apostle in the marketplace. I am more than a church man.

    When you started the real estate business, many wondered if you were leaving ministry for business. Can you explain the rationale behind it?

    Well, they will come to understand the more with time. When you pioneer something, you face that challenge. The challenge with the church in Nigeria is that we have more understanding of the church than the kingdom. When somebody receives a call now, the first thing they do is to start a church. But God could be calling them to start ministries.

    There are many evangelists pastoring. Many who should be in different ministries are sitting down in churches. The Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin and Benny Hinn of the world did not have a church. They imparted the world running ministries. It is not about how many people you could seat.

    So, when we went into the estate business, it was because many Christians say the earth is of the Lord but do not have a plot of land. If the earth is of the Lord, why can’t He give Christians lands? We came to a place where we realised that faith is about lands.

    I came into an investment understanding at a time, took the church on that journey and we began to grow. Whoever owns the land determines the faith of the land. If you were born in Pakistan today, you are going to be a Muslim. Why?  It is because whoever owns the lands owns the faith.

    That was how God told me to connect people to own territories. That was what inspired the real estate issue. It was to inspire believers to own territories so that they can have influence for God. We have made home owners and estates for believers. But in the last two years, I have left the business and church for younger ministers to run.

    If you were to start all over today, what would you do differently?

    When we started out, there were a lot of things that we believed that affected the way we did ministry. So, I would change my methodologies. It took me years to realise that the message is the same but the methodologies different. We were too rigid when we started.

    There was a time I didn’t believe that women should preach. Sometimes when I came to the pulpit, I was busy emphasizing on wearing weavons and trousers. Even though we were trying to make people holy, we were scaring people away. I remember we refused to borrow money in the name of church that will change now.

    Some people were willing to give us musical equipment on installment but we refused because we said we didn’t want to owe. If we had accepted, it would have boosted our music and drawn more people. So, I will just change my methodologies and mindsets.

    In those days, I would have joined those criticising bringing comedians to church. I will be at the forefronts. But I understand better now. We have never compromised on integrity and standing for God but we are evolving in our methods. We have had to learn from making mistakes.

    Have you outgrown Wisdom for Singles conferences?

    No I have not. In fact, next week I am doing Wisdom for Teenagers. It is not that one is not doing these things again but one is busy that the scale is changing. We are using different strategies now.

    At this stage, I have raised people that should do what we used to do so that we can do what they cannot do. In those days, I was everywhere with publicity. My face was always in the media. But now, one is busy.

    From November 2 till date, I don’t think I have spent up to five days in my house. I came back yesterday and by Monday, I am off again. So, the time is not there. I have handed over the church and business to people. I don’t have to be here for the church to run.

    What made you hand over a church while you are still alive?

    It is because I don’t run a church but a kingdom. People have asked me what I will now be doing after handing over the church. They have told me to make the Senior Pastor Deputy something but I am not bothered. It is not my church. It belongs to God. It is not a family business. If I need money, I just ask if we can afford it or not. I don’t even know how much we have in the account.

     And that does not bother you?

    Why should it? If I want to know all that, it becomes micro-managing. You just die before your time doing that. The reason people do that is because they don’t run church like kingdom. It is only the pastor and his wife that are signatories. They carry the offering and go with it. So, they cannot leave it for others.

    It is like what is happening now in Nigeria. If the PDP had won, we won’t hear what we are hearing now. They would have just covered up. But another party took over and we are seeing all the mess created.  So, it is like in many churches too. They don’t want to hand over to someone that will expose them.

    That means a succession crisis will not be a challenge here?

    Of course, there won’t be. For over a decade now, everyone knew who will take over from me. We have another Resident Pastor also in the waiting. God forbids, if anything happens now, there is no wife that will fight church or a mother that will say we started the church together.

    In 20 years, we have not had a breakaway because we allow people to display their talents. There can be visions within visions. When people leave, we celebrate them. We also support them if we can.

    You must have a large heart, don’t you?

    No, I don’t. It is just the way it should be. I am not a superhuman or special. It is the other people that are in error. Jesus raised 12 people and said they will be greater than him. We all want our children to be greater than us. We understand biology but not spiritology.

  • Church hosts LASTMA

    Church hosts LASTMA

    Our concern is to drive Lagos economy into traffic precision where we can time our activities, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) General Manager Bashir Braimah said yesterday at the third annual community festival of the Methodist Church, Diocese of Lagos West, Opebi Circuit.

    Braimah said LASTMA and the Methodist shared so many things in common as they make sacrifice to the people.

    He said: “As Methodist Church is appreciated by the Methodist, Lagosians do not appreciate LASTMA. We are abused, cursed and accused for doing the right thing at the right time. I am overwhelmed that for ones, we are appreciated. Now we know who is praying for us. We are going to increase our presence on the road. LASTMA is driving the economy; it is driving commerce; so, people shouldn’t look at us as controlling only vehicles.”

    Chairman Planning Committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Adeboye, said LASTMA was chosen because of what they have been doing in the state, adding: “We want to encourage them to know God and also urge Nigerians to obey traffic rules because they have been trying for us and we as individuals need to take precautionary measures while driving to avoid accidents and to reduce death on highway.”

  • Lawmaker donates bus to church

    Lawmaker donates bus to church

    The lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossy Prestige has donated a 32-seater bus to the authorities of St. John’s Anglican Church, Osusu Aba under the Diocese of Aba.

    Speaking during the handover exercise, Prestige said the gesture was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to the church when he solicited its support during the 2015 general election. Expressing the hope that the bus would assist the church in solving its transportation difficulties; the lawmaker urged them to make judicious use of the facility.

    Stating that churches played significant roles in his election as a lawmaker, he pleaded for their continued support through prayers. He promised that he would not relent in advancing the cause of the city.

    He said: “It pains me that economic activities in Aba are not what they used to be in the past. Many shop owners are no longer in their shops again. Some of them are either driving keke or have left the town because things are no longer the way they used to be.

    “It is my wish to see business and economic activities come back to life again in Aba. I will be happy to see that those who left Aba for other cities came back to Aba.”

    Responding, the Archdeacon in charge of St. John Osusu Parish, Venerable Alexander Ihemekwala thanked the lawmaker for his generosity of spirit, stressing that the car donated to the church would go a long way in helping the church in propagating the Gospel of God.

    He promised to put the car to good use. He urged other politicians in the state to emulate the gesture of Hon. Prestige who was not compelled to pledge and redeem the promise he made before God and man.

    Most of the parishioners who spoke to reporters said it was the first time a public office holder would make a promise and freely fulfilled the promise. They expressed optimism that the lawmaker’s tenure would be a clear departure from what obtained during the tenures of former representatives of the zone.

    In a related development, Hon. Prestige has promised to donate a 500KVA electricity transformer and to sink a borehole with overhead tank to the people of Egbelu Ihiorji, Ohanku community in Aba South Local Government Area.

    The lawmaker was in the area to commission a 300KVA transformer and water project executed by the community.

    According to him, the 500KVA would serve as a relief to the load on the 300KVA while the borehole with overhead tank was to further enhance the distribution of water within the community.

    Speaking on the deplorable nature of roads in the area, Prestige attributed the total collapse of infrastructure in the area to neglect, abandonment and insensitivity of former members of Senate and House of Representatives. He promised to do his best possible to ensure that their roads would be given a facelift in no distant time.

    Some of the residents, including Eze Emejiaka, who the lawmaker had earlier visited, thanked him for coming to the area, even as they hoped that he would address some of the challenges which residents of the area are experiencing.