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  • See your job as a ministry, cleric urges media practitioners

    See your job as a ministry, cleric urges media practitioners

    The Provost of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Very Rev’d Samuel Kayode Olawoyin, has called on media practitioners to treat their profession as a ministry, using their platforms to spread the gospel and highlight the attributes of Jesus Christ.

    Olawoyin delivered the charge during a media gathering for the Diocese’s media team at the Cathedral Chapter House, Cathedral of St. Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan, over the weekend. Speaking on “Media as a Tool for Evangelism and Church Growth,” he urged journalists to prioritize developmental journalism, avoid fake news, blackmail, and harmful reporting, and focus on promoting positive change.

    He emphasized that media engagement should serve God’s vineyard rather than personal enrichment.

    Earlier, the Diocesan Communicator, Chief Solomon Ayoade, thanked the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ibadan North, Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, for his support, appealing for continued backing from the Diocese, Archdeaconries, societies, and individuals to advance the Diocesan media initiative.

    During a training session on “Social Media Ethics and Content Strategy,” journalist and Diocesan Media Team member Mr. Yinka Adeniran described social media as a powerful yet delicate tool. He cautioned practitioners against spreading misinformation, urging authorities to regulate untrained media operators.

    Adeniran stressed, “With great power comes great responsibility,” highlighting the need for ethical social media use aligned with Christian values. Key principles include authenticity, transparency, respect, kindness, accuracy, and avoiding harm. He also emphasized the call to love one’s neighbour (Mark 12:31) and maintain a safe, welcoming online environment.

    On content strategy, Adeniran advised that media teams should create and share content reflecting the church’s mission and values. Effective strategies, he noted, require understanding the audience, defining the church’s brand voice and tone, producing engaging visuals, and measuring content performance.

    The session reinforced the importance of ethical media practice as a tool for evangelism and community engagement within the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese.

    “We should know who our target audience is, what their needs and interests are, and what type of content they engage with. By understanding our audience, we can create content that speaks to them and meets their needs.

    “As church media units, we should define a brand voice that is consistent with the church’s values and mission. Our brand voice should be clear, concise, and engaging, and should reflect the personality of the church.

    “To create engaging content, we must understand that engaging content is content that resonates with our audience and encourages them to interact with us. We should strive to create content that is relevant, informative, and entertaining.

    “Some types of content that may be effective for church media units include: inspirational messages; community news and events; testimonies and stories; bible studies and devotionals

    “Measuring and evaluating performance is crucial to understanding the effectiveness of our content strategy. We should track metrics such as engagement rates, follower growth, and website traffic. By evaluating our performance, we can identify areas for improvement and adjust our content strategy accordingly.

    “For best practices for our church social media, we must: post regularly and consistently; engage with followers and respond to comments; use hashtags and tag relevant accounts; share user-generated content; monitor and address criticism or negative feedback.”

    He said social media ethics and content strategy are essential for church media units, pointing out that, by understanding social media ethics and developing a content strategy that reflects the church’s values and mission, the Church can create a positive and engaging online presence.

    He urged the team to strive to be good stewards of the church’s online presence and to use social media to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

  • Cleric bags U.N. Eminent Peace Ambassador award

    Cleric bags U.N. Eminent Peace Ambassador award

    A renowned philanthropist and founder of Christ Apostolic Church (Boanerges) worldwide, Prophet Joseph Ologbonyo has been honoured with the United Nations (UN) Eminent Peace Ambassador award. The award was presented to him during a ceremony in Rochester, United States.

    He was recognised for his outstanding humanitarian contributions in Nigeria and beyond, with the award presented by the World Peace President of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Per Stafsen.

    Ologbonyo received this prestigious accolade alongside other Africans making significant strides in humanitarian work across the globe.

    In his acceptance speech, Ologbonyo expressed gratitude for receiving the U.N award, emphasising the significance of the honour.

    He dedicated the award to the vulnerable people his foundation serves, particularly widows and orphans.

    “This award means more to me than I can express. I am grateful for this acknowledgement of the work that we have been doing to promote peace, kindness, and humanity,” Ologbonyo stated.

    “Our foundation, which started on April 4, 2008, has cared for over 600 widows and awarded 40 scholarships to students who are now graduates. We currently have over 30 students still on scholarships. Many young widows and orphans have been trained in various apprenticeships, with the necessary tools, such as sewing machines, grinding machines, and shoe-making equipment, gifted to them,” he added.

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    Ologbonyo also noted that the recognition would inspire him to remain focused on his mission of service.

    “Real happiness comes through benevolence and doing things to help others. I am a lot happier and more fulfilled whenever I have the privilege of putting smiles on people’s faces or solving their problems,” he stated.

    The cleric further called on well-to-do individuals to contribute to humanitarian causes, stressing that the government alone cannot address all societal needs.

    He said: “I believe that government alone cannot do it. We need to support them to alleviate poverty in our society and contribute our own quota to the development of our community.

    “My desire, when I depart this world, is to have created an abundance of impact. I want to die empty, having poured out all of me to impact the next generation, teaching them everything that I know and blessing them with whatever grace and ability the Lord has granted to me.”

  • Cleric urges unity, faith at programme

    Cleric urges unity, faith at programme

    Founder of The New Seraph, Iya Aladura General, Dr. Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, has  urged prayers for the nation.

     Speaking at the “Night of Divine Experience – NODE 6.0,” Yomi-Sholoye noted that through patience, faith, and intercession, Nigeria would witness a transformation and good news citizens yearn for.

     In her sermon, Dr. Yomi-Sholoye stressed importance of praying for the leadership,

     She called on those in power to govern with empathy, compassion, and wisdom, under guidance of Holy Spirit.  “Our country is facing challenging times,” Dr. Yomi-Sholoye said.

    “But with faith and unity, we will overcome. We must join hands in prayer, for it is through divine intervention we will solve our challenges.”

     “Night of Divine Experience – NODE 6.0,” by The New Seraph Evangelical Ministries, saw believers come together in a display of faith and unity.

     The annual event is known for its spiritual intensity and prophetic declarations. During the event, Iya Aladura General pledged The New Seraph’s support for President Bola Tinubu.

     She assured attendees the ministry would uphold the government in prayer, seeking divine wisdom and guidance for the nation’s leaders.

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    Dr. Yomi-Sholoye’s message was clear: the future greatness of Nigeria is deeply connected to the prayers and actions of its citizens and leaders.

     This year’s NODE, dubbed “The Sixth Impression,” took place from Wednesday, August 14 to Friday, August 16 at The New Seraph Prayer City, located at Km 60, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ode-Remo, Ogun State.

     The three-day spiritual revival culminated in a final day of fervent prayers, focusing on the nation’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, rising living costs, fuel scarcity, and youth unemployment. The event also attracted a diverse group of dignitaries, including Royal Fathers, government officials, and religious leaders.

     Among the attendees were representatives of the Ondo State Governor, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, and the CAN Lagos State Chairman, Bishop S.T.V Adegbite JP. Their presence highlighted the significance of the event and the collective desire for divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs. NODE 6.0 was more than just a night of prayer; it was a night of hope and spiritual renewal. Worshippers left the event with a renewed sense of faith and a shared commitment to praying for Nigeria’s future.

     The New Seraph Evangelical Ministries continues to stand as a beacon of light, advocating for spiritual solutions to the nation’s challenges while fostering unity among its people.

     As Nigeria navigates its current trials, the message from NODE 6.0 is resounding: through prayer, patience, and faith, the nation can rise above its challenges, achieving the peace, prosperity, and progress that all its citizens desire.

  • Nigeria’s salvation lies in constitutional change – Cleric

    Nigeria’s salvation lies in constitutional change – Cleric

    The planter, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Boanerges Worldwide, Prophet Adegboyega Ologbonyo, has said the salvation of Nigeria lies in constitutional change.

    The cleric stated the present constitution was made for few and not all Nigerians, calling for its change for the nation to witness tremendous development.

    Speaking at the funeral service in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti in honour of his late mother-in-law, Mrs Mary Abere, the cleric said God has blessed Nigeria and there is no needs for more prayers of blessings for the nation again.

    He said: “I have been saying it and I will not stop but continue say it. Our  present constitution can never work for us, no matter how prayerful we are , that constitution is not for all Nigerians,  it is for few people.

    “I am proposing and suggesting that they allow each state and each region to be using whatever resources they get whatever resources they get from their area to develop their place and with that, I think our country will move forward, without that and with the present constitution we are going no where as a nation.

    “Let us join hands together to amend and change the constitution. I can tell you that every developed nation today, have a working constitution or laws that controls everything. If there is a system on ground, that is controlling everything , including everybody, I am very sure things will workout well. 

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    “God has blessed this country, we don’t need to pray for blessings again. Many countries our people are running to today in the name of ‘japa’ don’t have half of what we are having in Nigeria. God has blessed us already, we just need to put some systems in place to use use the blessings to our advantage”.

    He added: “But I believe we  can be agent of change. If you are clamouring for change and you are  in the shoes of the President ,what can you do to salvage the situation and make things is okay?

    “Within your space, try and make a positive change . I belief if all of us can join hands in trying to make a change, this country will be better for it . It is sometimes  easy to manage poverty than wealth. A lot of us shouting, if given the opportunity to lead , they will mess up the position than  those people we are talking about.

    “I think it is high time for all of us to began to work on ourselves. Everybody is shouting about hardship, even those selling locust beens, vegetable were saying US dollar is on high side against naira , I don’t know how dollar is affecting such goods.  If you look at it , sometimes, owners of fuel stations will deliberately lock up their shops claiming they don’t have fuel to sell just to punish people. 

    “We all have a role to play in all of these scenarios. Let the change begin from each and everyone of us. And let the government begin to orientate everyone of us. People are of the view that information from the government are usually real and mostly political. That is why people are out to protest against some policies of the government. 

    “The people are protesting because things are hard and by the time the situation changes for better and they heave a sigh of relief they will stop the idea of staging protest.

    “The fact remains that people are just struggling to  survive and Nigerians are not that hard and insensitive, the moment they are given what they wanted they will leave and allow things to run the way they should. Let the change begin from all of us and let the government continue the orientation of the people.”

    He also counselled business moguls and leading entrepreneurs in Nigeria to leave politics for the politicians.

    The cleric said any big business person  who really wants to do well in his or her businesses and investments shouldn’t for any reason get involved in partisan politics. 

    “I am of the view that some renowned business people in the country are deeply involved in politics which may not augur well for their businesses. The should use the country to do politics.

    “They should steer clear of politics. If you want to benefit from government and doing politics  ungrounded, if another government not in your party gets to power,  they will frustrate you . Late Moshood Abiola  was a successful business man until he dabbled politics all he has was ruined”.

  • Cleric to leaders: don’t discriminate

    Cleric to leaders: don’t discriminate

    Renowned cleric, Rev. Paul Tioluwani-Lesekese, has cautioned leaders against ruling based on religion, saying Nigeria is a secular state.

    Tioluwani-Lesekese noted Nigeria’s diversity is its strength, adding leaders should focus on unity, rather than dividing it along religion.

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    Speaking in Ibadan at a news conference to herald the funeral of Rev. Amos Akindele, the cleric, who chairs the funeral committee, urged leaders to prioritise welfare of Nigerians, rather than religion.

    He said the late Akindele should be emulated by leaders, describing him as a notable preacher, who laboured for development mega churches.

    Akindele died May 20 and will be buried August 2.

  • Why stolen car was parked in my church premises, by cleric

    Shepherd, Celestial Church of God, Iyanu Oluwa, Prophet Joseph Shola, has denied knowledge of a stolen car brought to his church by a suspect, Amos Daniel, who was arrested alongside seven other gang members last week by police operatives.

    The police had arrested several gang members in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Among the suspects was Daniel, a 36-year-old driver, who confessed to stealing a Lexus car belonging to his employer. Daniel admitted to stealing the car four days after being employed as a driver, intending to use it for Uber and earn money to support his family.

    “I took the car to my pastor to bless, intending to use it for Uber for a few days, so my family could eat,” Daniel had confessed.

    When The Nation visited Shola about 4pm on Sunday, he said  Daniel was not his church member but had visited occasionally for prayers due to job-related challenges.

    “He told me he had challenges with his job and, therefore, would come from time to time for prayer,” Shola said.

    The cleric said after a period of absence, Daniel suddenly returned with a car for dedication.

    “When I didn’t see him again for a while, he came with a car for me to bless. He claimed that God had answered his prayers and requested a blessing for the vehicle, but I didn’t bless the car,” he explained.

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    The cleric further stated that Daniel left the car in the church premises, claiming he needed to retrieve some documents for the car, only to return later with some police men, who informed him that the car was stolen.

    On July 2, while the cleric sat outside the church, a police vehicle arrived. To their surprise, Daniel returned with the police, leading to the prophet’s brief arrest. He was released after proving his innocence and denying any involvement in the crime.

    The church insisted that it had no prior knowledge of the car’s stolen status, and that Daniel was merely seeking spiritual help in his trying momsents.

  • Cleric laments decline in values among youths

    Cleric laments decline in values among youths

    A Cleric, Prophet Joseph Ologbonyo, has frowned at sharp decline in societal values among youths, urging them to shun get-rich-quick mentality.

    Ologbonyo, who is the planter, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) BOANERGES Worldwide, lamented that the spate at which some youths chase illicit wealth has became a concern, stressing that there is an urgent need for moral rebirth. 

    Speaking with journalists in Ise-Ekiti, the cleric cautioned youths to shun all acts of desperation towards making  money.

    According to him, life is a process but youths have been jumping the process that’s why we have many mentally derailed persons.

    He said: “We have some small girls who have formed association of hookups, they will be offering their body to their fathers’ mates for money.

    “We are not in the countries of the whites. Over there, they have been teaching them from primary that a man can decide not to be a man anymore and Vice versa. A man can marry his fellow man, a woman can marry her fellow woman.”

    The clergy, who spoke about his experience with former members, said: “I prayed for someone here few years ago and he went to Malaysia. Within three months, he said he wanted to come home and greet me and he wanted to bring a car home, asking me what he should get for me.

    “I asked him where he got the money from because he told me he was going to school. I told him to get a small camera and he bought it, added money and brought them to me.

    “He showed me the car he just bought and I asked him about the job he was doing. I told him if he didn’t tell me the kind of work he was doing, we will not pray. He didn’t tell me and I said God told me it’s blood money and I will not collect it from you.

    “I told his mother to make him sell the car and distribute the money for the needy and go back to work genuinely. I become an enemy of many youths in this town because of it. 

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    “That is why people who are contended don’t usually have problem but some people die along the line while pursuing their personal quests.

    “That is what the youths are doing too now, going for money ritual, all sorts of things that are diabolical.

    “I said it where I was preaching earlier today that we have destroyed our value system. Parents should scold their kids if they want to exit the house with exposing cloths and propel them to change it.

    “Men are now piercing nose, ears, they are making artificial teeth and we are not talking. He will leave house with trousers torn at every parts and they call it crazy jeans which means he is crazy.

    “A boy of 16 or 17 years  old will come home with a car and they will still bring it to the church for thanksgiving. We are supposed to ask him where he see money to buy that kind of car.”

  • Cleric urges leaders to be courageous

    Cleric urges leaders to be courageous

    A cleric, Imam Abdul Hakeem Lawal (Amir Ikhwan), has urged leaders to be courageous, listening and trustworthy, irrespective of their religious, tribal and political affiliations.

    He spoke at the 2024 Annual Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayer for the country, held yesterday at the Greetings Hall, Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.

    The theme of the lecture was: “Islam and Leadership’. It was organised by Yoruba Tennis Club.

     Imam Lawal, the guest lecturer, said it is only God that makes one a leader, adding that not everybody can become a leader.

    He said: “Once God has declared and pronounced you a leader, you must be knowledgeable and have that wisdom to act like a leader.”

    Lawal said “as a leader, knowledge will enable you to be courageous, listening and trustworthy.”

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    He added: “You must be able to take decision and abide by that decision either favourable or otherwise, as well as allow people to advise you because no matter what, you must have advisers among members you are leading, those that can advise you constructively and if you listen to them, it will guide you.”

    The cleric said any good leader must be trustworthy because, according to him, “leadership is a trust, because it can make or mar you. This is why you have to ensure anything entrusted to you is safe. Not that they will bring like 100 items for members to share and you want to use veto power that after all, I am the leader, at least 50 of the items should be mine, no. First of all, allow them to share the things among members before taking your share. This is leadership.”

    The Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club, the Chief Host, Olakunle Agbebi (SAN), reminded the gathering that the Ramadan Lecture is a yearly programme of the club.

    He appreciated God that it coincides with Christian Lenten season, “which will no doubt enable us to engage in prayers for our dear nation.

    “I believe with the two major fasting seasons, the Almighty will pour on us the spirit so that there will be peace and progress in our land.”

  • Terror financing: Group accuses cleric, ex-security officer of smearing Northern Senators

    Terror financing: Group accuses cleric, ex-security officer of smearing Northern Senators

    The Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has accused an Abuja-based cleric and a retired officer of sponsoring falsehood on terrorism financing against a lawmaker.

    At a briefing in Abuja on Friday, CISA Assistant Coordinator (North), Kabeer Salami described the two men as “ethnic jingoists” on a mission to disunite Nigerians.

    The organisation said the duo was desperately working towards pitching Northern Senators in the 10th National Assembly against citizens by insisting that one of them is financing the activities of bandits and terrorists.

    Salami advised the Presidency, the Senate, security heads and the people to ignore groups that promote fake news, hate speech and sentiments to possibly influence mob attacks and extremism.

    “We urge the Nigerian leadership not to allow any organisation engaging in frivolities to distract them from attending to essential legislative and national matters,” he noted.

    CISA stated that it was horrified about the actions of some individuals who disseminate news stories which are apparently divisive without painstakingly verifying the credibility.

    “It is the most unfortunate that some unpatriotic Nigerians, buoyed by their diabolic intents, are not leaving any stone unturned in their quests to polarize the country and incite Nigerians against fellow citizens.

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    “It would be recalled that in the build to the general elections, the same led other groups in anti-Tinubu hateful campaign. Public records show how they insisted Tinubu posed a great security threat to Nigeria’s democracy and the cohesion of the APC.”

    CISA charged security services to arrest and prosecute any group attempting to defame other Nigerians through reckless comments and actions that could lead to ethno-religious conflict.

    “Citizens must shun ethnic champions and pseudo-religious leaders bent on polarizing us. We cannot allow them to pitch us against one another, just as they are trying to do now – setting the elite, including Northern Senators, against the general public,” Salami added.

  • Cleric urges citizens to unite for development

    Cleric urges citizens to unite for development

    Nigerians have been urged to live in unity for development of the nation.

     The planter of Christ Apostolic Church (Boanerges) Worldwide, Prophet Ade Ologbonyo, said they should support the less privileged with their God given resources.

     The prophet spoke in Orun Ekiti during his foundation’s empowerment programme. Gifts were distributed to widows, orphans and others, with and free medical/ health care accessible.

     He said the gesture was  to show the love of Christ to all, irrespective of religion, tribe and background.

     Ologbonyo said the  foundation, which  started in April 4, 2008, has cared for over 600 widows and awarded 40 scholarships to students.

     “Many young widows and orphans have been trained for apprenticeship with sewing machine (both manual and industrial), grinding machines, shoe making machines, generating set and so on, gifted to beneficiaries.”

    He stressed the need to spread love in line with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, noting: “It is time for everyone to love one genuinely, saying with  genuine love, there will be progress, unity and peace.

     “Let the spirit of love form the foundation of our existence. People who genuinely love are happier than haters. Whatever we plant will come back to us in folds. Rather than spreading hatred, let us plant the seed of love, and we shall reap peace, unity and progress,” he added.

    Ologbonyo explained that real happiness comes through benevolence to others, which according to him, expands one’s being, leading to happiness.  

     “I’m much more happier and fulfilled whenever I’m privileged to put a smile on someone’s face or solve problems. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is one gospel. It mustn’t be during Christmas or festive period alone. It should be as God helps and leads. Jesus Christ preached and practiced one gospel which is love all His life (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37).”

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     Quoting Mark chapter 12 verse 30 to 31 which says “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, this is the first commandment. The second is this, you shall love your neighbours as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these,”

     He said the programme came through a divine instruction specifically given to him by God in two Bible verses : James 1 verse 27  and Exodus 22 verse 22 to 24

    telling him that widows and orphans are suffering and He (God) has given him the assignment of taking care of them.

     The man of God who revealed that it was not easy in the beginning because of lack of financial support for over eight years. said, “Sometimes, we would have to borrow to meet up as the population kept increasing, but to God be the glory for how far He has brought us. Some people see what we are doing as a show to get people’s attention but I’ve said this times without number that if giving our all for evangelism is show, I wish we can all join this show, as long as souls are saved for Jesus. Most people in this life think that being happy is about having more money, more power or more control over things or other people rather, these make a person unhappy when one get obsessed with it,” he noted.

     The  foundation according to him has contributed immensely and  still contributing to the welfare of Nigerians, especially the people of Ekiti State and its environs, through the provision of free health services, food items, and clothing materials, paying of school fees, giving out tools such as sewing machines, grinding machines, shoe making machines, etc to widows and orphans.