The Lamb of God Bible Church, Ketu, Lagos will celebrate 25th anniversary on November 4.
The theme of the event is: “Be Thankful”.
The programme, holding at 3/5, Oterubi Ogidan Street, Weigh Bridge bus stop, Owode-Onirin in Agboyi/Ketu, will start at 11am.
The General Overseer, Rev. Samson Onyekuma Iweagwu, said the event is a yearly thanksgiving where members show appreciation to God.
The Diocese of Ekiti West, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has warned politicians against making unrealistic promises to the electorate as the 2019 general election approaches.
It noted that empty promises have dampened the interest of Nigerians in the electoral system, politics and governance.
The church admonished people against vote buying, which has been gaining ground, saying the practice is “aimed at stifling people from making free choice of their candidates.”
These are some of the resolutions reached at the 1st Session of the 7th Synod, which ended yesterday.
It was presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju.
The four-day synod held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon Alaaye, had as its theme: “Be Ye Steadfast”, taken from 1 Corinthians 15:58.
A communiqué at the end of the synod, made available to The Nation yesterday, stressed that “vote buying can end up giving a bad candidate with loads of funds an undeserved edge to the detriment of the people in the long run.”
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s former aide Dr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the N1.6billion he was accused of concealing was part of money raised for a church.
He said the former President gave him instructions on how to keep the money for the church.
Dudafa opened his defence before Justice Mohammed Idris, following the dismissal of his no-case submission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him and a banker, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, on June 11, 2016 on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to N1.6billion.
EFCC said they used companies to launder the money between June 2013 and June 2015.
But, led in evidence by his lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Dudafa said the money was part of N6billion raised towards the building of St. Stephen’s Youth Development Centre, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, by the Anglican Communion of Otuoke community.
He said: “From my interactions with former President Jonathan, I know that the funds were proceeds of a launching by the Anglican Communion of Otuoke community for the building of St. Stephens Youth Development Centre, Otuoke.
“The launching, done in Lagos on March 16, 2013, was organised by the former president as a member of the Anglican Communion and grand patron.
“About N6 billion was realised from the event. People made donations at the event, while the chief launcher, Prince Arthur Eze, donated $10 million (about N1.8 billion). The donation by the chief launcher was a pledge, which he promised to fulfil in piece-meal.
“When Prince Eze started redeeming his pledge in piece-meal, the former president directed that I get somebody in the private sector that would keep the fund.
A CATHOLIC Church building collapsed yesterday at Adagbrasa-Ugolo community in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, killing one and leaving others injured.
St Paul Catholic Church Adagbrassa – Ugolo is an outstation of St Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe Parish, under Catholic Diocese of Warri.
An eyewitness said the collapsed building was under construction as a foundation built round the old church.
He said service was yet to begin before the collapse.
The deceased was Jeffery Enukanerhire. His father, Jackson Enukanerhire: “My son, who was to be 11 years next month, was a dedicated member of the church; he is the only one playing jazz for the church choir. He nicknamed himself Oga, so I call him Oga.
‘’We all left for church this morning; we were all gathered waiting for the seminarian to come and start the service, when the building just collapsed once, we managed to escape, but many were trapped inside.
“ So I joined in the rescue too, but at the end I could not find Oga. We started raising the bricks one after the other before we finally saw my son lying lifeless under the blocks with various degrees of injuries. We rushed him to the Orerokpe General Hospital where he was confirmed dead“.
“I am still in shock because I cannot believe Oga is no more. Where is my God? My faith could not rescue my child , why me,? Why me? Why? He lamented in pains”.
At the Orerokpe General Hospital, the injured were being attended to by nurses on duty.
Senate President Bukola Saraki has commiserated with the state government and the Catholic Church on the collapse.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said he would continue to monitor the situation and help ensure that survivors received medical attention.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed shock over the death of a worshiper in the building. He promised to help survivors.
Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, stated: “This is indeed a very sad and unfortunate incident. On behalf of the Government and people of Delta. I commiserate with the family of the deceased and those injured.”
At least was person, an eleven year old, was confirmed dead and fifteen others in critical condition after a church building collapsed in Adagbrasa community, Okpe council area of Delta on Sunday.
Christians have been charged to always consider their services in the House of God as a great privilege and an opportunity rather than seeing it as a favour to their churches.
General Overseer of the Goodly Heritage Bible Church, Bishop Christian Roberts, stated this last Sunday the thanksgiving service of the Church’s Goshen Convention 2018 where nine ministers were ordained as reverends, pastors and a deacon at its headquarters in Ota, Ogun state.
While performing the ordination, Roberts, who was assisted by two guest speakers Apostle David Jelmark and Reverend Yemi Adegbite, urged the newly elevated ministers to be exemplary in the teachings of Christ.
Quoting from 1 Samuel 2: 18, he told the elevated ministers to concentrate on the work of the ministry rather than pursuing positions.
“You should use the elevation to be good ambassadors of Jesus Christ as well as blessings to humanity by bringing relief to the dying world,” he stated.
He further told them to build society with the gospel of Christ, instead of clamouring for things of the world, which are vanities.
Speaking on the theme of the convention the sufficiency of grace, Adegbite admonished the elevated ministers to seek for the salvation and the deliverance of sinners through prayers and evangelism.
He said the ministers should not see their elevation as an opportunity to be proud but an opportunity to serve more in the Lord’s vineyard, stressing they must all lead by examples.
Bishop Roberts also charged political leaders to be truthful in all their dealings to move the country forward.
He said Nigeria needs credible leaders, stressing that righteousness exalt a nation while sin is a reproach.
The resident Pastor, who was also elevated to the position of a Reverend, Clement Osehon, appreciated the leadership style of the General Overseer, describing him as “a detribalised leader whose charisma has brought good tidings to the ministry and society.”
He also thanked the God for finding him and others worthy of the elevation, saying he would use his position to work for the good of the society, especially to save sinners and win more souls for heaven.
Those elevated from the position of Pastor to Reverend include Clement Osehon and Henry Umoh Owoh.
Mrs. Florence Osehon, Bro. Busayo Abiodun, Mrs. Henry Henry Umoh Owoh, Bro. Yomi Ojulana and Mrs. Agnes Ojulana were all ordained pastors.
Bro. Henry Albert was also ordained a deacon.
They came from various parts of the world to celebrate a one-week festival of worship, praises and the rich teaching of the Word of God.
Coming from different ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, they were united in faith which bound them together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Throughout the seven days that the programme lasted, the 62nd anniversary and 53rd International Convention of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), was a spectacle to behold and lived up to expectation of members who came from different parts of the world.
The Gospel City, the church’s new international campground located at Kilometre 30, Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, Ogunmakin, Ogun State, was replete with activities from August 6 to 12 that the convention lasted.
It provided a serene environment for an ideal spiritual retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, even as it ensured maximum concentration on the reason for which they came.
The expansive new auditorium was filled to capacity with those in attendance who were excited to listen to messages, teachings, seminars, songs and incredible testimonies.
As the event was going on at the Gospel City, millions of viewers all over the world were following it online and through the church’s cable satellite television station, GoFTV.
Striking testimonies included the ones given by two women who were healed of cancer of the breast during the Night of Healing and Deliverance.
Many couples who have believed God for their own children during last year’s convention came with their babies, including a 52-year-old woman who was blessed with a set of twins.
The theme of this year’s GOFAMINT International Convention was “Going Higher” and ministrations were tailored along the theme.
Apparently thrilled by the huge success recorded in terms of organisation, attendance and other new innovations witnessed, the General Overseer, Pastor Elijah Oludele Abina, expressed satisfaction that GOFAMINT is going higher.
From the opening ceremony on August 6, to the grand finale on August 12, Abina stressed that GOFAMINT and its members all over the world are moving to higher spiritual, social, economic, professional pedestals and in every spheres of their lives.
Reeling off reasons while members must go higher, Abina said: “First of all, God wants you to go higher in order to break bounds and attain new feats.
“I can hear God saying to you that you have dwelt too long at the point you are now that He wants to use this convention to launch you to a higher pedestal.
“I am strongly convinced that you will surely have testimonies of attaining higher heights during and after this convention.”
Abina also urged members of GOFAMINT to be more committed to soul winning, evangelism, church planting and mission work which he described as essential tasks for the church.
The performance of the children under the church’s Children Evangelism Unit (CEU) was breath-taking as they ministered in songs and showed their dexterity in handling musical instruments.
Appearing in their colourful attire, the children, who carried the flags of the various countries from where delegates attended the convention sang, danced and ministered the Word of God to the excitement of the audience. Their performance was crowned with display of fireworks.
The General Overseer, the Deputy-General Overseer, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi; the General Secretary, Pastor Femi Omowumi; the General Evangelist, Evangelist Augustine Sossa and other members of the Mission’s Executive Council, who were all resplendent in their native attires, also displayed their mastery of dancing on the first day of the convention.
Some of the notable feats recorded which gladdened the hearts of participants included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the church’s theological training institution, Reuben George Theological Seminary (REGETS) and Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo which officially affiliated the seminary with the university.
Under the arrangement, applicants wishing to study Religious Studies at Diploma and Bachelor’s levels at the seminary will be issued with the ICU’s certificates.
Applicants who wish to study other courses will have a certificate that reads “Reuben George Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Ajayi Crowther University.”
Also, GOFAMINT Hospital Board (GHB) was launched with a mandate to establish and operate a standard hospital to be run by the church to provide health care delivery for the masses.
According to a report signed by GHB Chairman, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, the mandate was to establish a standard hospital at Gospel Town, Igbo Oloyin Road, Ojoo, Ibadan to be followed up with another at the church’s international headquarters, at Aseese, near Lagos.
Olabanji, a Medical Consultant at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), explained that arrangements are already in top gear for the take-off of the hospital.
Under the church’s Education Trust Fund (ETF), a total of 77 students who performed well in their studies received scholarships and laptops. Forty-five of them who recently graduated bagged First-Class honours in their various disciplines.
The Matron Felicia Abina Foundation, in memory of the late wife of the General Overseer which aims at empowering widows of deceased church ministers was also inaugurated.
The Foundation was set up by the children of the late Matron Abina in order to continue the humanitarian work of the late wife of the General Overseer.
Speaking at the inauguration of the foundation, the son of the deceased, Pastor Folorunso Abina, explained that 120 widows of dead church pastors were selected in the first phase of the scheme, noting that it would be a revolving exercise to incorporate more beneficiaries.
He said the launch of the Foundation was a demonstration of the lecture he handled for the day with the topic “Going Higher in Relationships.”
He said: “The aim of the Foundation we launched was to fulfil the ministry of our late mother to the less-privileged people in her lifetime.
“I saw my mother (in a vision), she had not been buried at that time; there was a disabled lady she used to take care of and she said ‘you children, you have forgotten this person, go on monthly basis to do likewise.
“Immediately, we started that after her burial; we gathered together to continue the good work she was noted for.
“I want to make it clear that this is not a public show because we were reluctant to do this openly but in the light of the lecture, we are setting up the foundation.
“At present, 120 widows of dead pastors in the Mission are being empowered and it will be a continuous exercise to lend a helping hand to them.
“We are beginning with the widows of ministers whose husbands had died. It will be a revolving exercise because those who are not beneficiaries today will benefit tomorrow.”
The convention proper was preceded by 62-hour Gospel City Praise Festival organised to mark the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of GOFAMINT.
The event began at 10.00 p.m. on Friday, August 3 and ended at 8.00 a.m. on Monday, August 6; setting the tone for the kick-off of the international convention.
The purpose of the 62 hour-long praise festivals was to create a formidable image for the church at Ogunmakin community and its environs, build a strong praise worship culture, promote indigenous gospel artistes within the church and evangelise the gospel to the world through the music ministry.
Some of the gospel artistes who showcased their talents included Elijah Daniel, Goke Bajowa, Ayo Ajewole aka Woli Agba, Pastor Paul George, Bois Olorun, Steve Sax, Femi S, Tosin B and host of others.
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry, (DCLM), Pastor William Kumuyi, has urged government and international agencies to collaborate with the church in solving youth unemployment.
Kumuyi spoke yesterday at the church’s headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos during a certificate and award ceremony of the Skill Acquisition Programme (SAP) organised by the church’s Young Professionals Forum (YPF).
Over 350 participants of SAP acquired skills in areas including urban and hydroponic farming, digital marketing, web design, mobile application, photography and video editing, event planning and interior design, pastry and mixology.
Kumuyi, who was represented by DCLM Secretary, Pastor Jerry Asemota, noted that over half of Nigeria’s 182 million people were under 30 years and that according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in the third quarters of 2017 was about 18.8%.
“These are the most conservatives estimate. The figures could indeed be higher,” he noted
Kumuyi said this motivated the church’s desire “to assist the teeming unfocused youths into self-discovery through God’s direction, which is leading us to support them in channelling their talents and mental resources into productive use.
“The motivation for this pivotal professional training began in 2011 but formally commenced with the skill acquisition programme last month, which is a continuation of our desire to cultivate the total and an egalitarian display of the complete mankind whose entire faculties are carefully primed to show forth the praise of God”.
Kumuyi added: “It remains our abiding desire to have them subsequently transformed from being employees to self-employed personalities and from employers to becoming entrepreneurs. Our unflagging desire is to reignite their spiritual lives to appropriate blessing from the arsenal of God’s grace”.
Manna Prayer Mountain Worldwide will on Saturday begin a free medical care in Ogudu and Lekki areas of Lagos.
According to the General Overseer of the Church, Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe, the medical outreach would include check-ups and diagnosis.
He said the church would also visit some orphanages, hospitals, widows and prisons.
Kwakpovwe, who is also the Publisher of a daily devotional, ‘Our Daily Manna’, spoke in a press conference yesterday, in his Ogudu, Lagos office.
“We have done the medical outreach, but we are now extending to impact humanity through our visitation to orphanages, hospitals, widows and prisons and I will be praying for the people”.
On the issue of Mrs Tamara Egbedi, who sued the church and Bishop Kwakpovwe, over losing seven teeth and a fractured jaw during the church programme on January 22, 2010, Bishop Kwakpovwe said, he does not know Egbedi and he has nothing against her.