The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cleric

  • Cleric urges Fed Govt to end innocent killings

    The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Rt Rev Akinpelu Johnson, has urged the Federal Government to end the killing of innocent Nigerians.

    Johnson spoke at this year’s pre-synod breakfast fellowship of the church at Ebute Meta in Lagos.

    The gathering was to kick-start the preparation for the third session of the fourth Synod of the diocese.

    Johnson urged the Federal Government and all those in positions of authority to ensure that security is restored across the country.

    The cleric noted that the killing of innocent people must stop henceforth.

    He said: “Is it that those in positions of authority in the country are not competent? There must be justice and all those who are perpetrating these killings must be brought to brook.”

    Johnson said the essence of the gathering was to prepare the church for this year’s Synod.

    The cleric said it was meant to discuss where the church was coming from and plan for the years ahead.

    He added: “Our aim is to carry out the mission of the church, which is evangelism, to all nooks and crannies of the country. We are targeting the building of the church, knowing that nothing is too much for us to give God. The Synod is a reminder to us all that whatever God has given to us we are to give it back to him and, by extension, our society. We impact our society positively in all spheres, including education and health.”

     

  • Cleric warns against illegal migration

    A cleric with Omega Fire Ministries, Azemhe Azena, has warned parents against encouraging children to embark on illegal migration.

    He gave the advice when he hosted Mr. Solomon Okoduwa, the senior special assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking, during a church service in Benin.

    Azena said parents, who encouraged their children to embark on the journeys, as well as traffickers, were working against God’s purposes.

    He said while the law would catch up with them if they did not stop the act, their sins would also be visited by God.

    The cleric said rather than embarking on a risky journey through the desert, the youth must realise that there were greater opportunities for them in Nigeria.

    “Some people, especially youths, are being deceived into embarking on this journey with lucrative offer of jobs that do not exist there. There is nothing special there that is not here.

    “There is no better life there that is not here. It is easier to make it in Nigeria than abroad. You must match it and don’t be deceived by anybody on travelling abroad for a better life.

    “This is not just for the youth, but parents who often encourage their children into travelling abroad,’’ he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okoduwa had told the congregation about plans to stem the tide of illegal migration through creation of job opportunities.

    He said the Obaseki administration was worried that more than half of Nigerian-returnees from Libya were from Edo State.

    Okoduwa said the governor was working to change the narrative by investing in human capital development and engaging youths through the Edo Job Portal.

    “We have 3,220 Libya returnees as I speak, but we are saying this must not be allowed to continue.

    “What we are saying is that the government cannot do it alone, we are appealing to religious leaders and traditional institutions to help campaign against this menace,’’ he said.

  • Cleric tasks FG on human capital development

    The Branch Pastor of Rhema Chapel Ketu, Pastor Olushola Obikanye, has called on the federal government to place more priorities on human capital development in the 2018 budget.

    Obikanye spoke at the fourth edition of the business seminiar organised recently by the church.

    He said investment in human capital of any society is investing in the engine room of development of the country.

    He noted that the failure of the system to invest appropriately in human capital over the years has led to increase in all forms of criminalities among the youths.

    He noted budgets on arms and defence in most developing countries have gone up because government failed to place more premium on developing the human mind, brain and hands for productive ventures.

    The economic expert lamented the budget for human capital development in the 2018 budget is abysmally low and could hinder the much anticipated growth and development in the country.

    He noted Nigeria has over 60 percent youth population, which will only be deployed with human capital development.

  • I’m in race to make difference, says cleric

    A cleric, Rev. Tunde Afe, has explained that he is in the governorship race in Ekiti State to make the difference in the life of the people.

    Afe, who is the founding Pastor of House of Faith Christian Centre, said Ekiti should not continue to wallow in hardship, dashed hopes and missed opportunities.

    The cleric, who is running on the platform of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), said Ekiti is backward because of lack of preparedness and vision by those privileged to govern it.

    Speaking at a forum organised by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Afe said there was an urgent need to fix Ekiti and make it work for its people.

    He took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying neither of the two parties can provide the answer to the problems afflicting the state.

    Afe said: “We cannot afford to entrust them being architects of our misfortune to take us into the dawn of a new tomorrow.

    “Neither the PDP nor the APC can be vehicle of change; there is a saying which is apt here. The leopard doesn’t change its spot.”

    He added: “Together, the time is now to throw ourselves into the ring to effect good governance and that is why I have shown my desire to serve as governor of Ekiti.

    “I seek your support and I know it is possible with you standing by me. I make this solemn promise: I shall give myself totally to the advancement of our interest as a people.”

     

  • Change of govt will not fix Nigeria, says cleric  

    The General Overseer of the Signs and Wonders Prayer Ministries Evangelical for All Nations Epe, Lagos, Evangelist Felix Adunpe, has said continuous change of government will not bring the much-desired change in Nigeria.

    Nigeria, he said, will not be fixed by merely changing government without the concerted prayers of all.

    Adunpe, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said: “the problems plaguing Nigeria will not be addressed by merely changing the leadership in Nigeria.

    “We need to come together and pray to God, regardless of our beliefs if we must move forward as a nation.”

    He warned those thinking changing governments ahead of the 2019 elections will be disappointed.

    He pointed out the nation has tried military and democratic governments without much to show for it.

    Only prayers, he maintained, will turn around the fortunes of Nigeria for good.

    According to him: “Nigeria must be redeemed from the sin of glorifying idols above God.

    “We must pray for the country to be free from all forms of demonic powers troubling it since the FESTAC `77.”

    According to him, Nigeria needs prayer of deliverance from the self-imposed bondage through the celebration of Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977.

    The cleric claimed that God had directed him to hold an inter-denominational crusade on April 27 at Mount Ikoyi (Ori-Oke Ikoyi) in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun for the liberation of Nigeria.

    Adunpe, who tagged the programme: “Nigeria must be redeemed,’’ said if all political, traditional, religious and community leaders could join in the fasting and prayer, the country would move forward.

    “We cannot be doing the same thing the same way and expect different results.

    “We should stop wasting money on elections periodically with false hope; we must go back to God,” he said.

    The cleric went on: “This crusade, as directed by God, is very critical to our moving forward as people.

    “So everybody must participate including the politicians, government officials and the ruling class.

    “All those in the corridor of powers should join me in praying for Nigeria.

    “We have suffered enough. If all Nigerians should join hands with us in observing this fasting and prayers, our numerous problems will be divinely addressed according to God’s revelation”.

  • Cleric to FG: institutionalise moral values

    Senior Pastor of Praise Arena Kingdom Light Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju, has charged the federal government to put in place institutional mechanism that will enforce moral ethics and selfless service.

    This, he said, should be across public and private sectors as part of lessons for the Easter Celebration.

    Adetoyese-Olagunju said the right value system will always produce good society and awful value system allowed to fester will ultimately breed an unsustainable society.

    He bemoaned the spate of inequality, corruption, nepotism, inequity and all forms of criminality that has eaten deep into the moral fabrics of Nigerians.

    These, he said, can only be addressed “when we promote and institutionalise the right value system that everyone can key into.”

    He commended efforts of the federal government in fighting corruption through the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    He asserted the needs for sustainable mechanism and infrastructure that would help in facilitating transparency and selfless service driven by the federal government.

  • Remain selfless, Cleric tasks Christians

    Former Chaplain of the Christ The Light ChapelAlausa, Venerable Funso Awe, has called on Christians to continue to exhibit selfless love and understanding to their neighbours to build the nation.

    He spoke at an outreach organised by Taking All Men Brothers in Lagos.

    Tagged Nigeria: A nation in need of healing, the outreach attracted students, clerics, academia, Ifa priests, Muslim scholars, government representatives, civil society groups and exhibition of products from TAMEB Youth.

    Awe pointed out the recent upsurge in kidnap, terrorism, herders/ farmers clash as well as ethnic suspicions clear indications Nigeria do not love themselves.

    He lamented the underdevelopment and volatility in the nation owing to deep-seated animosities and suspicions.

    He urged Christians to change the narratives and promote love as well as mutual understanding no matter the pressure around them to do wrong.

    He asserted Jesus taught believers the lesson of loving God and their neighbours as themselves.

    Awe said God was in dire needs of men who will shun tribalism, nepotism and sentiments to demonstrate Christ-like love wherever they find themselves.

    He charged public office holders to kick start the healing process and reconciliation of all aggrieved persons and groups in Nigeria.

    Nigeria, according to him, is sick and in urgent need of physicians who will look at things dispassionately and address the root cause of our problems.

    Former High Commissioner to Canada, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, said that without forgiveness, there is no future.

    According to him: “As we talk about forgiveness, we must talk about justice and there must be restitution. If there is no restitution, there is no future.”

    Hagher maintained Nigerians should think the nation first before tribes.

     

  • Cleric administers sacrament on 14 prison inmates in Anambra

    Archbishop Valerian Okeke of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha yesterday administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 14 inmates of Onitsha Prison to mark Year 2018 Easter.

    Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.

    Its administration, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), is to enable the faithful to be filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit to further strengthen them in their Christian life.

    Okeke, in a sermon at the occasion, stressed that Easter was the hallmark of Christian faith.

    He added that the death and resurrection power of Christ was an assurance of hope for Christians.

    According to him, Christians should reflect on the sufferings and perseverance of Jesus Christ as a realisation that there is no hopeless case with God.

    He urged the inmates to continue to put their hopes in God and see their incarceration as temporal.

    Twelve men and two female inmates received the sacrament of confirmation.

  • Cleric marries daughter to another man after ‘collecting N11.7m’ from suitor

    A Reverend, Moses Emonena, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding his daughter’s suitor of  N11,750,000.

    Emonena of the Assembly of God Church, Warri, Delta State, was said to have obtained the cash from Samuel Oladele Fatai under the pretext of giving his daughter to him in marriage.

    But, the police alleged that the cleric gave his daughter to another after collecting Fatai’s money.

    Prosecuting Superintendent of Police   Henry Obiazi told Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku that the offence contravenes Sections 411 and 314(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Obiazi alleged that Emonena committed the offence between November 2016 and March 2017 at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb.

    Fatai, he said,  reported to the police that Emonena gave him stiff conditions when he approached the cleric about marrying his daughter.

    The complainant said he was shocked that after meeting the financial condition of N11,750,000.00, Emonena gave his daughter out to another man.

    Emonena pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Botoku granted him N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The defendant will be in custody until he fulfils the bail conditions. The case continues on April 27.

  • 2019: God will reshuffle Nigeria at all levels, says cleric

    A cleric, Ezekiel Acha, has assured of God’s determination to cause major upsets in the nation ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    God, he claimed, has promised to reshuffle the nation’s political scene from the presidency to the local governments during the elections.

    The Abia-based prophet, who spoke while briefing newsmen, said God directed him specifically to come to Abuja and deliver the message to the entire nation.

    He said since killings, destruction and starvation are everywhere in the country, God is moved to take actions based on the blood of the innocent crying before Him day and night.

    Acha said: “I, the Almighty God will never, ever allow what happened in 1966, about 52 years ago to repeat itself anymore.

    “For a long time I kept silent. I did not answer my people but now the time to answer them has come

    “The sky is loaded with blood vapour and blood is flowing all over Nigeria.

    “Yet some group of people are still killing millions and more souls, why? It is because the law is weak and useless and justices never done.

    “It is time to give my people good leaders come 2019. Those who will show them love, peace, unity, kindness and also bring justice to all levels and no more rulers anymore.”

    He added: “Therefore any fortunate person that found him or herself in any of these important positions come 2019 and goes contrary will die instantly, I the sovereign Lord and the Almighty has spoken

    “I, the Almighty God will shake this nation called Nigeria, over throw their kingdoms and destroy all their occult powers.

    “I will also remove and destroy all the cankerworms and reshuffle from the presidency to local government authorities.

    “I will destroy the groups and individuals responsible for the cry of my people hoping that nobody sees them.”