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Tag: cleric

  • Cleric cautions Corps members against homosexuality

    Cleric cautions Corps members against homosexuality

    Pastor Niyi Haastrup of House on the Rock Church in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has advised youths not to practice homosexuality. The cleric spoke at a send-off for Batch B National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    Haastrup cautioned the youth against the practice, saying it was sign of the end time. The pastor described as devilish, the practice of a man marrying another man, noting that God’s wrath would descend on anyone practising sodomy.

    He said: “We should not conform to practice of certain nation of the world or believe in what the world believes about same-sex marriage. It is a sin and God forbids it. We should not tread the path of the street boys and girls who sell their bodies to men and sell their souls to the devil. Some of them do that for money while others do that to glorify the Devil. Let your mindset be instructed by the word of God.”

    The cleric urged the outgoing Corps members to use their skills for godly cause, saying: “There is a belief that Christians are dullards and they don’t come first in whatever they do. That is a lie. The bible said, greater is He that lives in you. You will explore the world, because you have the blessing of God that saw you through school.”

    The compere, Ms Faith Ukpai, gave the Corps members an opportunity to share their experiences in Calabar during their service year.

    The event featured the music ministration by Kelvin Sap, Moses Umoh’s crew, Vighor and Co., among others. Adviser, a Port Harcourt-based comedian and one of the Corps members, entertained the audience.

    During the thanksgiving service, which followed the event, Haastrup blessed the youth, advising them to remember God as they go out to look for job.

    Some of the Corps members, who excelled in their academics, were given cheques of N15,000 to encourage them. Haastrup said: “We need to encourage Christian students to study hard. We don’t just care about your spiritual life; we also need to care about the academic achievement of our students.”

  • Cleric advises Muslims to seek Allah’s forgiveness

    Alhaji Garba Al-Yolawi, Chief imam of the Area 10 Central Mosque, Abuja, on Friday admonished Muslims to continuously seek Allah’s forgiveness to win His pleasure.

    Al-Yolawi gave the admonition in a Juma’at sermon in Abuja.

    According to him, seeking forgiveness purifies the heart of believers, adding, “as Muslims, we need ‘Istighafar’ to constantly purify and cleanse our hearts.

    “We were not born in sin but we were born in weakness and we are faced with many temptations that are part of test in life.

    “When we commit sin, it produces a dark stain in our hearts but when we show sincere repentance and pray for forgiveness, the dark stain is removed,” he said.

    The cleric warned that it was dangerous for Muslims to commit sins without repentance.

    “If people refuse to repent, a time may come when their hearts will be full of darkness due to un-repented sins,” he said.

    The Chief Imam, who said that seeking forgiveness from Allah, particularly in the last 10 days of Ramadan, could be particularly rewarding, enjoined Muslims to imbibe the habit .

  • Don’t be selfish, cleric tells politicians

    Don’t be selfish, cleric tells politicians

    The Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, has warned politicians against act of selfishness.

    This, he said, is inimical to growth of the country.

    Dr AbdulLateef said this yesterday during Ramadan Lecture organized by Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) at Christ Cathedral Primary School Hall, Lagos Island.

    According to him, “leaders and followers must understand that they are accountable to God; there is a special contract between the leaders and Allah and there is a special contract between followers and their Lord which means that leaders must lead by example and ensure that they not only command but they also do what they are supposed to do, by shunning violence,  ensuring that integrity and honour is the hallmark of their administration, ensuring that they are selfless and replace greed with selflessness.”

    He enjoined them not to stop running after materialism.

    He urged Nigerians to always consider background and integrity of any office seeker and not academic qualifications or affluence.

    “There is a need for us to find out how pious people are, what have they done in the past before casting our votes for them,” he said.

    FCF President Chief Bintu-Fatima Tinubu enjoined politicians to imbibe leadership qualities of Prophet Muhammad.

    “Everybody, she said, knows what Muhammad did and if we all emulate what he did, I am sure our country would be better place.”

    Chief Tinubu urged parents to train their children in the way of God.

    According to her, if parents and teachers neglect their duties to train the children, the society will suffer for it.

    Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area Deputy Executive Secretary Idayat Anifowoshe said leadership is a trust that must be properly discharged.

    According to her, “whatever qualities a leader must have, a follower must also possess, what you want people to do to you, do to people. You must always be just and fair.”

     

  • Cleric urges Muslims on forgiveness

    A Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, yesterday advised Muslims to imbibe the culture of forgiveness and spirit of love.

    Nafi’u, the Chief Imam of Nupe Central Mosque, Kaduna, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said: “Allah that created us forgives our sins. Therefore, mankind should also have the spirit of love and forgiveness. Forgiveness breeds mutual respect and in turn, leads to development, peace and stability in the society.

    “On the other hand, hatred, which is against the true teaching of Islam, leads to destruction, and set back to the society.

    ‘‘So, it is obligatory on Muslims to have the spirit of forgiveness to earn Allah’s blessings and rewards.’’

    Nafi’u urged the Muslim to pray for the restoration of the nation, noting that with prayers Allah will turn “our situation around’’.

     

  • Cleric advises Buhari

    An Islamic cleric, Prof. Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate the virtues of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

    The cleric made the call during an interactive session with reporters at this year’s Odua news personality programme in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    According to him, the late Yar’Adua was the first governor and President to declare his assets publicly, noting that the action won him so much credibility.

    The cleric, a senior lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro advised President Buhari to declare his assets publicly in order to sustain his admirers’ belief in him.

    He added that President Buhari should also respect the rule of law as Yar’Adua did when he did not influence the judiciary from removing five governors that were from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as commitment in the area of economic management by reducing fuel pump price from N70 to N65 during which the economy did not collapse.

    Olagoke also urged President Buhari not to politicise professionalism as a way to promote speedy development and as well listen to pieces of advice from the media, make anti-graft body independent and respect rule of law.

    He also enjoined Nigerians to support the present administration with prayers it to succeed in tackling various challenges before it.

  • Nigeria‘ll never approve gay marriage, says cleric

    Same-sex marriage will never be legalised in Nigeria, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, has assured.

    Reacting to America’s Supreme Court pronouncement that declared same-sex marriage legal last week, Odedeji said those expecting the same latitude in Nigeria would be disappointed.

    He said legalisation of gay marriage in America would ruin the nation and further erode its Christian heritage.

    Speaking with reporters on Sunday shortly after the Trinity ordination of the Diocese, Odedeji said: “Gay marriage is barbaric, unchristian and not scriptural. It is not of God.

    “If gay marriage is approved somewhere else, it cannot be approved here because we know it is not true. Whoever approves gay marriage is a man or woman of darkness.”

    The cleric expressed confidence that government officials will never back gay marriage.

    He stated: “It is a wrong practice and God will not allow it to happen in Nigeria.

    “I believe that the government of Nigeria will not allow it to happen because it will ruin us as a nation.”

    He took a swipe at Americans for embracing same-sex marriage, declaring that it was worrisome that the world power was drifting from its Christian values.

    “What is happening is that they are too comfortable. What the United States of America is doing now is a path to destruction which will not last.

    “It is unfortunate that we are expecting more from them which we are not getting and I assure you that God will not allow that to happen in Nigeria,” he stressed.

    He faulted the huge wardrobe allowances for federal lawmakers, saying many of them should not draw such money because they are not poor.

    Odedeji called for a downward review of the allowances in line with the economic realities.

    “A lot of people in the country do not have food on their table. Parents are unable to send their children to schools and those who are voted by the same masses are being paid outrageous allowances.

    “It is unfortunate and I want to assure you that majority of political office holders are living above average before being elected. They can afford living large without being paid these huge allowances,” Odedeji stated.

    On the free-for-all at the House of Representatives last week, the cleric declared it as unacceptable, lamenting that the lawmakers were simply fighting over their pockets.

    He said: “Fighting and creating unpalatable scenario among members of House of Representatives has become their usual practice.

    “It is about their personal interest, about naira and kobo and majority of them are there for their selfish interests and stomachs.

    “This attitude is inappropriate. It is unfortunate that if they have not thrown chairs and tables in their sittings they have not started. These are men and women that are supposed to be of worthy character and their conduct is very shameful.”

     

  • Cleric to politicians: desist from illicit acts

    The Chief Imam of Offa in Kwara State Sheikh Muhydeen Hussain Salmon Al-Adabiyy, has warned politicians to desist from actions that could incur the wrath of God on the nation.

    He enjoined them to take a cue from other nations that had witnessed massive natural disaster.

    According to him, except the people change their ways, they cannot escape God’s punishment.

    He enjoined people to desist from identifying Boko Haram insurgents with Islam.

    He asked how Islamic it was for people to bomb places of worship in the name of the same religion that preaches peaceful coexistence and love for one another.

    He attributed youth waywardness to inability of religious leaders to preach pristine Islam.

    According to him, “it is not uncommon to see clergymen who, rather than preach the message and bring people to God, now engage in worshipping money. These clergymen have stooped so low to the extent of campaigning for politicians and even going about helping them to paste posters during campaigns.”

    He warned politicians to be wary of the Day of Reckoning, saying that God would hold them responsible for unfulfilled promises made during campaigns.

    “How many of you do even remember the masses after elections?” he asked.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Cleric advises Nigerians to support Buhari

    A cleric, Prophet Ezekiah Oluboye Oladeji has warned public office holders and other Nigerians who are bent on sinking the nation to desist from such act to avoid risking God’s anger, even as he said they must repent, as God is prepared to deal ruthlessly with Nigeria’s enemies.

    Prophet Ezekiah Oluboye Oladeji of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) (Canaan Worldwide) gave the warning on Sunday as the church begins its annual “Power Explosion” on Oke Erio (Erio Mountain) in Ekiti State.

    The week-long event which ends on Saturday is already attracting many visitors from within and outside Nigeria.

    The Prophet said Nigeria should rejoice because new times are here.

    “Nigerian will succeed. God will silence those who are bent on destroying Nigeria. I warn every fifth columnist to repent now, otherwise they may not live to see the glory of this country when it eventually crystallises,” he said.

    Continuing, he said: “If as a leader you are dishonest, a betrayer or fraudulent, God will strike you in His wrath.”

    He said it was revealed to him that Nigerians should expect great transformation in all ramifications in the current dispensation. “God is going to do things that are extra-ordinary in people’s lives,” he said.

     

  • Cleric to Muslims: make Quran your companion

    Cleric to Muslims: make Quran your companion

    he Chief Imam of Apo Legislator’s Quarters’ Jumat Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Muhammed Khalid yesterday urged Muslims to get close to Allah and pray for the country.

    Khalid said Muslims should see the holy month as an opportunity to increase their charity giving, spiritual purification and pray for the nation.

    He urged them to use the  month for sober reflection, saying that it was a month that all the Muslims all over the world were expected to right wrongs.

    He also advised Nigerians to engage in more spiritual activities, ask for forgiveness of sins and strive to attain righteousness and piety.

    The imam enjoined Muslims to make the Holy Quran their companion.

    He called on Muslims to always do the right thing, not only in the month of Ramadan, but in all other months, to make the society a peaceful place.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Khalid said fasting in the month of Ramadan was one of the five pillars of Islam, which every true Muslim must be part of.

    He said it was compulsory for all good Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan, except for those exempted by the Holy Quran.

    He said the exemptions were only for the pregnant women, the aged and the very sick, among others.

    He called on Nigerians to join hands with the government in tackling insurgency and other anti-social activities.

    Also, Malam AbdulJelil Kilani, Deputy Chief Imam, Islamic Youth League of Nigeria (IYL), Mosque, urged Muslims to show mercy on the less privileged.

    This, he said, would go a long way in reducing their sufferings and conditions of living.

    “ Those that show mercy and tried to reduce the suffering of the less privileged ones during the month of Ramadan, will have abundant reward here and in the hereafter.

    “Those that show mercy on the less privileged will also receive same from those above them’’, he said.

    He urged Muslims to see the month as a month of sacrifice, spiritual purification and devotion to the worship of the Almighty Allah.

    Kilani warned Muslims not to engage in activities capable of jeopardising the peace and tranquillity in the country.

    He called on Nigerians to pray for the new government to succeed.

    A Muslim faithful, Malam Muhammed Abdulsalam, said fasting was one of the fundamental principles of Islam that must be obeyed by all Muslims irrespective of their status.

    He urged Muslims to be righteous in whatever they do, not only during the month of Ramadan but always.

    Abdulsalam also urged Muslims to use the month of fasting to increase their spiritual cleansing and closeness to the Almighty Allah.

     

  • Cleric advises Buhari

    The General Overseer, Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan Land, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to make a mistake in the choice of his ministers and advisers.

    The cleric advised Buhari to put those who share his dream into his cabinet. Oladeji spoke in Erio-Ekiti during a briefing on theweek-long programme tagged ‘Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola Power Explosion 2015’, which begins on June 22.

    He said the programme, which would feature prayers for the Buhari’s government would attract over three million people to the Erio-Ekiti Mountain.

    “President Buhari needs a good team. He needs people who can help him translate his dream into reality. Those who won’t bother about robust perks of office, those who won’t perpetrate corruption and those with intention to engage in selfless services.

    “In a country like Nigeria, where corruption has become a way of life, good people are not easy to come by. But if Buhari is careful and prayerful, he will get a good team and Nigeria will be better for it,” Oladeji said.