The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cleric

  • Cleric urges prayer against insecurity

    Worried by the prevailing insecurity in the country, a cleric, Evangelist Osuala Azubuike John, who escaped death from terrorists attack from Maiduguri, Borno State, has urged religious leaders to pray for the country to end the several killings of ministers of God and destruction of lives and property in various parts of the country.

    He narrated his ordeal in the hands of his assailants at a clergies’ prayer meeting held in Lagos.

    Evangelist John, who was narrating his experience in the hands of those who wanted to kill him in Maiduguri, regretted that most Christians such as Deaconess Eunice Elisha who was murdered in Abuja and other victims in other places in the North have been killed.

    Though he stressed that God’s intervention is needed for the situation in the country to abate, the cleric called for peaceful co-existent among Muslims and Christian.

    He said: “The only solution to the issue of insecurity staring us in the face is for the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle to urge all the churches in Nigeria to pray for God to intervene and end the killings, kidnapping and other societal ills.

  • Cleric charges on family values

    Resident Pastor of Recovery House Lagos Pastor Edwin George has charged Nigerians to return to God and apply His word for survival and wellbeing of their families.

    He spoke at the ongoing seven-week lectures, prayers and deliverance on family life at the church in Festac, Lagos.

    He said the family remains an essential element of the church, businesses, communities and the nation, stating when we have a larger percentage of faulty homes it will rub off on the society negatively.

    He said that the glory of any nation will be dwindling when its families are undergoing assaults from all sides.

    “Every institution that is set up in a nation will ultimately begin to experience collective damage if the families are not well structure.

    “People will not be at their best in school, offices and religious institutions when they are from dysfunctional homes,” George stated.

    Although he noted that ministry of women affairs and youth development is trying its best in empowering women and youths who are most vulnerable in the society, he said families will continue to be in disarray until Nigerians return to God for His manual.

     “God has the master plan for a sustainable marriages and families and anyone that is humble enough to absorb this plan will not fail,” he stressed.

    He said that as long as government keeps focusing more on economy, defense and issues of budget without attention of family issues, the nation will remain as it is.

  • Cleric discovers Alphabetic Maths

    A CLERIC, Pastor Toyin Praise, has developed a new concept called Alphabetic Mathematics, saying it can change business communication, improve military intelligence, and boost development.

    Praise, a Philosophy graduate, said he has developed a table which can be used to decode numbers used to represent alphabets.

    Unveiling his Alphabetic mathematics at a briefing last week, Praise, founder of The Branch Ministry International, said he was inspired to come up with his table, while attempting to find the meaning of a code that Bill Gates used in his book, The Road Ahead.

    He said: “I stumbled on where he was talking about “cipher” and ‘deciphering” and showed the example of how ‘ULFW WZXX’ could represent ‘Dear Bill’.

    “Thinking on this, I suddenly discovered that for any of the letters above to substitute for another, such must be and can only happen at a given frequency.  Otherwise, U cannot be substituted for D or vice versa.

    “But my discovery is that in ciphering and deciphering, there is a hidden unit of mathematics that the world has not known, which is Alphabetic Mathematics or ‘Alpha Maths’ for short.  And that was the formula God actually used to write the bible.”

    Pastor Praise explained that with Alpha Maths, a series of numbers or letters can assume different meaning at different frequencies.  He also said a few numbers could mean a whole lot.

    For instance, he said “WELCOME” could be written as “YGNEQOG” at one frequency and “IQSOAYQ” at another.  He also said 249 could be decoded to mean an “Egg”, and 1012 could mean “students are rioting”; while 2557 could mean “a body of poem”.

    Though he did not disclose the table and how it is used, Praise said he would do so if given audience by math scholars and the government.

    Praise said he makes no boast to be a mathematician but got the concept after he got to a level of thinking where knowledge interplays.

    “I challenge mathematics scholars from all over the world to put my discovery to test and disprove it if they can.  If explored in Computer Science and Software Programming, it will certainly alter the present programming dynamics.  For instance, it can move the world from the ‘Binary System’ which has been the only way man has been communicating with machine.  Indeed, it can even lead to a new text and words in the business world,” he said.

    Apart from Alpha Maths, Praise said he has also discovered Bible Technology, explaining that there are over 50 ways to read the bible.

     

  • Cleric blames judges, others for condoning corruption

    The Coordinator of Christ Apostolic Church, Mountain of Mercy at Oke Erio in Ekiti State, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has blamed the pervasive corruption in the country on judges and religious leaders.

    The cleric accused them of failing to sanitise the system by using their positions.

    Olu-Alo wondered why judges jailed petty thieves for stealing mobile phones or goats but granted bail to those who stole millions and billions of naira and dollars from the commonwealth.

    He urged judicial officials to be firm and fair in handling corruption matters so that it could be stamped out of the country.

    Olu-Alo addressed reporters after the July edition of his prophetic programme, tagged: “Seven Hours, Seven Prophets.”

    The cleric also took a swipe at various religious leaders for not preaching the truth nor chastising their followers for corrupt practices.

    He said: “The truth is that these leaders who loot the economy worship in one church or mosque. If the religious leaders – pastors, prophets, evangelists, imams, alfas and alhajis – had been telling them that suffering, pain and God’s anger are implications of dipping their hands into the commonwealth, the situation would have been different.

    “If the desired change begins from the churches and mosques, if the leaders at churches and mosques reject the mouth-watering offerings and gifts that such leaders bring and tell the leaders the implications of their actions, we will see that corruption will become history in Nigeria.”

    Olu-Alo, who hailed the Federal Government for its fight against corruption, advised the government and the judges to ensure that “any looter, no matter which political party or class he belongs to, must face the music”.

  • Cleric preaches tolerance

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly, Abdul-Hakeem Abul-Lateef has urged Muslim faithful across the country to embrace and promote religious harmony, tolerance and peaceful co -existence.

    Speaking at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sallah Lecture, held at Combo Hall, LTV, Agidingbi, Lagos, Abdul-Lateef enjoined Lagos Muslims to shun extremism, saying God has has not commanded anyone to fight for Him.

    He said: “Muslims who are ignorant of the commands of Allah are the enemies of Islam because Allah has not compelled anyone to fast. Fasting is meant for Muslims who are able to and who are strong and able to observe the fast. This is because if one is sick and one observes the fast, one doesn’t have reward because one is killing oneself gradually.

    “Anybody who takes it upon himself to fight for God, such a person is ignorant of the precepts of Allah and we must avoid all forms of violence and anything that will constitute inhumanity to man.

    “The month of Ramadan affords the faithful the opportunity to tirelessly perform all the obligations, which include reading and mastering of the Quran and engaging in supplication to Allah.”

    He also called for peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians and an end to insurgency in the North- east and militancy in the Niger Delta region.

    “Ramadan, being one the pillars of Islam should be when Muslims should earnestly seek the face of Allah to end the scourge of militancy against the country where peace and justice reign,” he said.

    Speaking on the lecture entitled “The Islamic Perspective on Good Governance and Citizens’ Welfare,” Abdul-Lateef said wealthy Nigerians, especially those in position of authority, must remember the poor and care for them.

    He noted that “leaders must restrain themselves from the wealth of the nation so that the redistribution of wealth according to Almighty Allah can be achieved in achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.’’

    Also speaking, Senator Ganiu Solomon implored Muslims to be steadfast in fasting and prayers for the progress of the nation. We need to offer prayers to God for the growth and development of the nation.

    “Nigeria is currently experiencing some challenges ranging from insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, robbery and other vices. Nigeria and Nigerians will survive the challenges and will see a new dawn,” he said.

  • Cleric seeks courageous, visionary leadership

    An Islamic cleric and university don, Dr. Asif AbdulAzeez Olatunbosun, has said only courageous and transparent leader can run the affairs of the country and restore it to peace and economic stability.

    The cleric, who is a Principal Lecturer and Chief Imam of Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State, said most Nigerian leaders lacked vision, courage, fairness, morality and financial transparency.

    These, he said, was responsible for the recent incident of ‘budget padding’ at the National Assembly and series of cases of diversion of public fund to personal usage involving some public officers.

    Olatunbosun spoke at the Central Mosque of The Wings Group of Schools, Iwo, Osun State.

    Speaking on Challenges of Leadership, Morality and Financial Transparency in Islam, Olatunbosun insisted that the present security and economic challenges facing the country would have been curtailed had President Goodluck Jonathan taken a courageous step towards curbing the menace of corruption before it escalated

    Enunciating some of the qualities of good leadership, Olotunbosun said a good leader must be honest; transparent, courageous, God- fearing, trustworthy and be personally endowed with the ability to foresee what is likely to happen in future.

    He added that a good leader must be committed to the needs of the people and live up to their expectations.

    Among the dignitaries in attendance at the occasion were the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, Dr. M.O. Aremu of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Oyo State and former INEC National Commissioner for South-west, Prof. Lai Olurode.

    The Chief Imam said any leader who lacks vision, knowledge, confidence, understanding, concentration, capacity, sense of security, courage, moral and ethical principles, character and passion to move the nation forward on a fast trajectory is not fit to govern the country.

  • Cleric urges court to dismiss N22m suit

    A clergyman, Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe, has asked the Lagos High  Court, Igbosere to dismiss a N22,454,000 suit filed against him by Miss Tamara Egbedi following an injury she allegedly suffered during one of his church’s services.

    Also joined in the suit before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson, is the Registered Trustees of the Chapel of Liberty, also known as the Voice of Liberty Ministries, where Bishop Kwakpovwe is a pastor.

    Egbedi, a lawyer, is claiming the sum as damages and cost of treatment for a broken tooth she allegedly suffered during an ‘anointing service’ held by the church on January 22, 2010 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    She told the court she attended the ‘end of fasting’ service in the company of her sister, Miss Ebiere Egbedi and her cousin, Miss Bomiya Clark.

    Her claims comprise N1,454,000 as special damages, N20,000,000 being general damages and N1,000,000 being the cost of completing her medical treatment following the alleged injury.

    But in his statement of defence filed by his counsel, Mr. Anthony Mukoro, Kwakpovwe denied any liability for the claimant’s alleged injuries and said the suit might be an attempt to take advantage of ‘the benevolence of the church towards act of charity.’

    He said between 12,000 and 15,000 people attended the crusade held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium but it was well organised and there was even arrangement for controlled outside sitting for nursing mothers and the sick.

    The matter was adjourned till October 17 for the parties to file their final written addresses.

  • Blind cleric showers car, cash gifts on blind students

    Blind cleric showers car, cash gifts on blind students

    Blind cleric and the General Overseer of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministries Worldwide, (Orioke Alaseyori) Moniya Ibadan., Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, has showered car and cash gifts on the students of Bethseida Home/School for the Blind, Mosalasi, Lagos.

    It was a moment of unspeakable joy for the excited blind students as they all rushed to enter into the car, asking those who could see to lead them in so they could feel its comfort.

    Kasali said the gesture was to appreciate the blind students for making efforts to be relevant in life by engaging in profitable handiworks instead of begging for alms.,

    The cleric spoke at Orioke Alaseyori, hour of mercy prayer Ministries, Ibadan while presenting a Toyota Camry car and cash gifts to the visiting blind students.

    The students presented an award and a flower vase to Prophet Kasali.

    Kasali said: “On behalf of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministries, I express my gratitude to you my people. We are in the same condition having the same feeling. I want to believe that by the grace of He that dwells in his infinite mercy, our lives will affect the lives of the non-blind positively. I appreciate you and your gift to me.

    “I am particularly happy for you because you are not begging on the streets, but you are making use of your talents to create things that would bring you means of livelihood. Please continue to do this and the good Lord will continue to bless the works of your hands”.

    The founder of Bethseida Home/ School for the Blind, Mrs Chioma Ohakwe, said: “Prophet Kasali is a great inspiration to the blind in my school and elsewhere in the world. From following his activities as a Man of God, I am convinced that he is a true prophet of God.

    “We presented a flower vase made by some of the blind students as a mark of love to him as a father, spiritual mentor and friend. We also presented an award entitled ‘The Grace to See the Future’ to Prophet Kasali with a view to tell the world that there is indeed ability in disability as profoundly shown by the prophet.

    “We want to urge everyone and particularly the government and well-meaning philanthropists to support the indigent blind ones because as we can see in the life of the Prophet, there is ability in disability and many of those with challenge in sight can become great and very useful for our society if they are so empowered. Blind students can now operate computers, browse on the internet, play keyboards, and even designing a flower vase is just one of the small things they can do. Some of them are studying Law, Banking and Mass Communication among others in the university. This year, some of them who sat for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Exams and West African Examination Council scored the highest marks among others in the country.”

     

  • Cleric urges wealthy Muslims to assist less privileged

    The Chief Imam of Area 10 Juma’ah Mosque, Abuja Sheik Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised wealthy Muslims to assist the less privileged within and outside their neighbourhood.

    Al-Yolawi made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

    He urged affluent Muslims across the globe to take advantage of the Ramadan fast to seek mercies and blessings of Allah into their wealth by assisting the needy with food items.

    He said: “I will like to encourage wealthy Muslims to give more charity to the less privilege by donating food items to the Mosque or anybody that is in need of such assistance.

    “This will go a long way in assisting the poor to break their fast with ease.

    “We know that the country is passing through difficult and challenging moment but nevertheless, we should not relent to help the needy.”

    The cleric also called on traders to avoid increasing prices of commodities such as fruits, beverage and other food items due to high demands during the month.

  • Cleric to Politicians: Remember judgement day

    Politicians across the country have been urged to use their influential positions to improve the life of the masses, rather than on their personal interests.

    The retired Archbishop of the Ondo Ecclestical Province,Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Rev Samuel Abe gave the charge yesterday in Iju,Akure North local government area.

    It was while delivering a sermon at the commendation service for Mrs Adetayo Alasoadura,the wife of the Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District,Chief Tayo Alasoadura held at St Mathew’s Anglican Church,Iju.

    Mrs Alasoadura died last Thursday after a brief illiness.

    Rev Abe pointed out that the entire world is futile, stressing that whatever we have in life is vanity upon vanity.

    The Cleric who quoted many verses in the holy Bible noted that many public officers acquired ill-gotten wealth which would even difficult for their children to trace after they departed life.

    He said;”whatever we have in life is just for a period of time, when it is time to die, no doctor can extend it by a second and there is no privilege position before God.

    “When we are alive, we promise to do everything, but if problem comes, we query God, when the Lord says the end has come, nobody can change it, even in America with its advancement, people still die”.

    Rev Abe made reference to Alexandria the Great who was so powerful and conquered the Asia empire with his affluence, but when he wanted to die, he wrote in his will that all his valuables should be scattered all over the streets, while he should be buried with special coffin.

    He lamented that horrible news are happening in Nigeria on daily basis as many people are dying of starvation, while some privileged Nigerians are parading fleet of cars, houses and other valuables at the expense of the downtrodden.

    The retired Anglican Archbishop said; “we will report back to our creator all our deeds in life,it is better we return to God, since there is no other way except Him.”

    According to him,death is a leveller,there is judgement in heaven which nobody can buy.

    He counselled the widower,Alasoadura to summon courage and act like a true christians,stressing that the lord would not leave the family astray.

    The only lesson of the funeral service was read by late Mrs Alasoadura’s first daughter,Oreoluwa.

    Present at the service were former Ekiti State Governor,Chief Segun Oni who represented the APC National Chairman,Governor Olusegun Mimiko represented by his Chief of Staff(CoS)Dr Kola Ademujimi,Senator Sola Adeyeye, Isaac Kekemeke,Olusola Oke, Rotimi Akeredolu,Jamiu Ekungba,Friday Olemija,Ifedayo Abegunde,the representative of the Deji of Akure,Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and clerics led by the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese,Rev Simeon Borokini among many other dignitaries.