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Tag: cleric

  • Cleric seeks unity among gospel ministers

    Apostle Sodiq Moses of the Christ Holy Mountain has called for unity among all Christian leaders for national recovery.

    He spoke at the church premises in Ikotun, Lagos State.

    According to him, until Nigeria comes together in the spirit of unity and love, corruption, pain, envy and suffering would continue.

    “The devil that is disturbing us as a nation is organised. We Christians have to come together for the spirit of unity to return to the church and then there will be national recovery.

    “Christian leaders have to come together to chase the devil out of Nigeria and out of the world. God has sent me here to safe souls.

    “The nation is in bondage because we are not together and it is until we come together that we will be able to achieve what God has ordained us to achieve.”

    He added: “God is calling on all the men of God to come together in the spirit of unity and love.

    “If there is no love, Nigeria cannot have breakthrough. It is heart breaking to see men of God fighting on the pages of the newspaper or other media platforms.

    “This is happening because the devil has taken away the spirit of unity from us.”

    He said a unity crusade will hold in last Friday of July in Lagos to reunite church leaders.

  • How to end extremism, by group, cleric

    How to end extremism, by group, cleric

    A group,  the North East Regional Initiatives (NERI) and a cleric, Father Attah Barkindo, have urged the Federal Government  to see social media as strategic communication tool to end the suffering faced by Nigerians occasioned by extremism.

    Using the platform of the just concluded Social Media Week in Lagos, the group argued the need for the government and concern Nigerians to develop social media communication strategy to battle violent extremism.

    Executive Director, Quilliam International Muhammad Fraser Rahim, who spoke at the event, said: “The North East Regional Initiatives (NERI) is a programme focused on implanting activities that positively impact citizens’ condition while minimising the space that allows extremists to exist, operate and thrive in their current environment, battling violent extremism in Nigeria.”

    He stated that the Federal Government has been working with the western nations  to deal with  violence, extremism and terrorism in Nigeria.

    Rahim added that Nigeria was not the only country going through such extremism,  but a global challenge.

    “Essentially whether it is Boko haram or  not,  the most important thing is to recognise that a group was able to disrupt the lives  of citizens in the Northeast and that is a problem for everyone, irrespective of tribe, state or residence.

    “When Chibok School girls were abducted, the United States (U.S.), even Michelle Obama, stood in solidarity, it is something that affects Nigerians as a whole, and no  one can just go missing. There is this campaign that says if you see something, say something. Unfortunately, there is silent code of conduct because people want to say something but scared of being prosecuted. So, we have seen this and we are saying that the government, military can’t do this alone; it requires friends, neighbours and community leaders working side by side,” he said.

    He stated that technical training is just as important as physical dialect, social communication.

    Father Barkindo, who represented Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, founder of Kukah Centre, stated that the people were disempowered and hungry. According to him, they depend on the land and the land they depended on has been taken by the herdsmen.

    He said: “Military and human approach has been the government’s strategy. What is lacking collectively as Nigerians is  social media communication strategy to countering the extremist ideology of Boko Haram that litters everywhere in northern Nigeria. We need to use the social media as a strategy to counter the extremist groups.”

     

  • Cleric under fire for attacking APC, Okorocha

    Cleric under fire for attacking APC, Okorocha

    •APC, PDP supporters clash over comments

    Archbishop Anthony Obinna of the Owerri Catholic Diocese has come under criticism for openly canvassing support for a political party during at a public function at the weekend.

    The Archbishop also drew the ire of the congregation when he digressed from his sermon at a burial mass at the St. Michael Catholic Church Ngwoma-Obube, Owerri North, and accused Governor Rochas Okorocha and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of reducing the state to a laughing stock.

    The cleric was also quoted by eyewitnesses to have ordered the people to ensure that the APC does not return to power in the state, adding that the party has failed the people.

    “The service was going on smoothly when the Archbishop suddenly asked those who have Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to signify. After that, he said all those that were yet to get theirs should do so, vote out the APC and bring in another party because the people are not happy with the bad roads in the state, though the government has created the Ministry of Happiness.

    “The Archbishop again asked the congregation if they will allow the APC to continue by allowing the governor to impose a governor on the state. At this point, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) walked up to the pulpit and was given the microphone.

    “He began shouting that the APC has killed the state and so the party will never come back to the state. But an APC chieftain also collected the microphone and said the people are happy with the APC and the governor.

    “A stampede ensued at the pulpit as party faithful started scrambling for the microphone.

    “Meanwhile, the governor’s wife, Nkechi Okorocha; wife of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the governor’s Chief of Staff Uche Nwosu, and other top government functionaries were seated quietly at the front roll, while the Archbishop rained invective on the governor,” he said.

    Another member of the congregation, Simeon Okokwe, said the situation almost degenerated into a clash if not for the maturity displayed by government officials at the event.

    He blamed the Archbishop for turning a requiem mass to a political campaign, saying “he should have exploited better avenues to correct the government than his open show of partisanship”.

    In 2011, the cleric led the campaign against the re-election of then Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who was accused of beating up a Reverend Father.

    But the former governor was recently absolved of the allegation, nearly seven years after losing the election.

    The cleric also fell out with the APC-led government in 2015 when he allegedly endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    But supporters of the PDP accused the APC of attacking the Archbishop for merely criticising their party and the governor for the failure of his administration to meet the people’s aspirations.

    They described the action as “desperation taken too far”, and urged the people to vote out the party in 2019.

  • Cleric advises Buhari on 2019

    Cleric advises Buhari on 2019

    President Muhammadu Buhari will do well to look for a younger successor to continue with his legacies from 2019, General Overseer Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Warrior for Christ Mission Lagos, Prophet Dr. Solomon Ajao, (JP) has stated.

    He advised Buhari to give youths a chance instead of seeking second term.

    Ajao gave the advice while speaking on the state of the nation at the headquarters of the church.

    He said the best option will be for Buhari to step down for a younger candidate.

    On the Fulani herdsmen killings, Ajao called on the federal government to tackle the situation and not allow it degenerate into a civil war.

    He advised Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola, to be careful with his ascendance in national politics to forestall problems for his future political career.

    He alsao warned Governor Akinwumi Ambode to beware of praise singers for his administration to continue to witness progress.

    Ajao pleaded with Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi to reconcile with the Olubadan of Ibadan and pay outstanding salaries of civil servants.

  • God will destroy oppressors of Nigeria, says cleric 

    God will destroy oppressors of Nigeria, says cleric 

    There is no hiding place for oppressors of the nation because God will destroy them all, General Overseer of The Saint’s Gospel Church of Christ (also known as Hand of Fire Ministries), Pastor Jacob Shodeinde, has declared.

    Renewing hope in Nigerians with the message that judgment of God was imminent on those disturbing the peace of the country, the cleric said that God as the defender of the defenceless will rise for the people.

    Shodeinde spoke during the annual celebration of his call into the vineyard of God at the church auditorium in Ikotun-Igando Lagos.

    According to him, the Lord will destroy the powers oppressing the country and making life meaningless for its people.

    Recalling how his journey began, the cleric said he was studying engineering overseas when God called him into full-time ministry.

    Though he initially declined, he said the fear of dying if he refused to heed the call forced him to abandon his studies and return home.

    He said: “I was studying in England but the Lord called me to return to Nigeria to pray for its deliverance.

    “I was reluctant at first, but God said if I failed to heed, I would die. Everything the Lord revealed to me was also revealed to Sister Olaniran for confirmation and when I met her, she prophesied everything the Lord had shown me.

    “And since I returned, there have been signs and wonders. I have not regretted the call since I answered it. And when I hear testimonies of what God has done in the life of the people, I cannot but appreciate Him the more.”

    On why he is hardly in the media, he said: “I don’t believe in unnecessary publicity because only God can publicise the ministry.

    “It is His work and He alone knows what to do to make it big.  I don’t celebrate birthdays but I am celebrating my call because the Lord instructed me to always celebrate this call and many other celebrations, like the Feast of Passover, like Moses did in the Bible.

    “I also don’t ask for financial help because I don’t believe in forcing people to give money.

    “Since I am also not sure of the source of their income, I trust only God to keep His business afloat.

    “And I must tell you that God has been more than faithful to that pact. He gave me Isaiah 55 verse 1 at the inception of the call and He has never failed.”

    The cleric reiterated that prayer remains the only weapon the people can use to conquer the many challenges bedevilling the country.

    “The only solution is prayer and nothing else. The Lord said he will destroy the oppressors.

    “I was called because of Nigeria and I will continue to pray for the good of Nigeria so I won’t be guilty,” he added.

  • 2019: Cleric urges Buhari to beware of sycophants

    Popular blind cleric and the General Overseer, Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry Worldwide (Ori Oke Alaseyori) Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to beware of sycophants and political jobbers who will continue with their old ways and turn the country into their personal estate.

    Kasali, who said President Buhari’s election victory in 2015 was because it was apparent the former Head of State had a good intention to clean up the mess created by his predecessors.

    The cleric noted that the activities of some selfish individuals in his government had become a headache.

    Kasali spoke at the church’s Ori Oke Alaseyori in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the February edition of the monthly Hour of Mercy programme.

    He said: “President Buhari should beware of sycophants and political jobbers whose intents are to make the government serve their interests. By so doing, they will prevent the President from delivering in the assignment the Almighty God has given to him.”

    Kasali was among the clerics who predicted, before the 2015 general elections, that the Lord favoured Buhari to become Nigeria’s President.

  • Take campaigns to schools, markets, others, cleric urges FRSC

    Take campaigns to schools, markets, others, cleric urges FRSC

    The Assembly Pastor of The Apostolic Church, Yaba, Lagos, Pastor Emmanuel Adebiyi, has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to take road safety campaigns to churches, homes, schools and market places.

    The clergyman spoke during a service held in the church to mark the end of the 30th anniversary celebration of the FRSC.

    The Lagos State Command of the corps led by its Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, attended the activity with the theme: “The great Commision.”

    Pastor Adebiyi said the corps’ failure to continue enlightening the public on the use of roads would have negative effects on both social and economic lives of the people of this country.

    He urged the officers to work in accordance with the rules of the corps and  keep away from all forms of indiscipline that would hinder the FRSC from achieving its goals.

    The Sector Commander Omeje said the significance of the thanksgiving was to appreciate God for what he had done for the corps.

    Omeje said the FRSC would not relent in carrying out researches on the modern technology that would improve its operations until “it records more success of in the reduction of crashes on Nigerian roads”.

    He appealed to all road users to support the FRSC campaigns on obeying traffic rules, adding that the corps would from henceforth have zero tolerance for any indiscipline on the part of road users.

  • Invest more on missions, cleric challenges churches

    The Senior Pastor of Mercy Christian Centre Lagos Pastor Funsho James has advised church leaders to invest more resources and manpower into advancing the Great commission to reach communities around the world.

    James spoke last week at the annual convention tagged Great Commission.

    He said that the task of the Great Commission was urgent and requires more investment from the church especially in rural areas where impact of the gospel has not been felt.

    James pointed out a recent statistics that 3.2 billion all over the world have not heard about the gospel of Jesus, saying it was incumbent on the church to double up its effort in reaching to the unreached communities for Christ.

    He lamented many churches in urban centres continue to enjoy the ambience of city life without reaching out to the destitute, drug addicts and slum dwellers among them.

    The cleric, who cited a recent mission work carried out by a member of the church in Benue state, said: “Only 200 slippers was distributed to the rural dwellers and the impact of the mission work was great as the people were receptive to the gospel”.

    He described the challenges most independent missionaries in rural communities go through as worrisome and disturbing.

    According to him: “Many missionaries feel abandon, forgotten and some are getting frustrated on the mission fields because their needs are not being prioritised by sending churches.

    “This must be addressed urgently so that the preaching of the gospel message does not suffer”.

    He took a swipe at some church leaders who think mission is about starting another branch, noting that mission work is for every believer and the church should put adequate support system in place for it to grow.

    “Jesus Christ is coming very soon. Our effort and investments in mission will help in reaching the lost world for Christ. It is a task that must be done,” he stressed.

  • Tinubu’s peace moves will succeed, says cleric

    Tinubu’s peace moves will succeed, says cleric

    The National President of the All Christian Leaders/Ministers Forum (ACLMF), Dr. Sam Ogedengbe, has said the appointment of Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu as the chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Consultation and Reconciliatory Panel by President Muhammadu Buhari was a welcome development.

    Ogedengbe, who spoke to reporters at the headquarters of the group in Abule-Egba, Lagos, said: “Such a delicate but very important assignment like this ought to have been given earlier, considering preparations for the coming general election.”

    He, however, said Tinubu, being a light-hearted person, could only be advised to take up the rigorous assignment, if the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, could resign honourably to enable him (Tinubu) concentrate on the assignment and correct the wrongs.

    Ogedengbe said: “If the President can allow Odigie-Oyegun to resign and let Asiwaju Tinubu do the job, the better for the party and Nigerians. But in a situation where stakeholders are not ready to hold on to the truth and extract the needed facts, the end will not augur well for all.”

    He said everything should be done to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu is not fooled and advised that the needed tools and memorandum of understanding should be provided, to ensure the success of the assignment.

     

  • Cleric urges politicians to emulate Ekwueme’s approach

    Cleric urges politicians to emulate Ekwueme’s approach

    The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Diocese  Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma yesterday enjoined politicians to emulate the peaceful approach to politics by the late Second Republic Vice President Alex Ekwueme.

    He said they should do politics without bitterness and shun carpet crossing.

    Dr Chukwuma spoke at a service in Enugu for the late Ekwueme.

    With him at the service were Catholic bishop of Enugu, Dr, Callistus Onaga and the Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, C. N. Eneh.

    The choir at the service was personally moderated by the late Vice President’s brother, Igwe (Prof) Laz Ekwueme.

    In a homily, Archbishop Chukwuma He drew the attention ofNigerians that Ekwueme served the nation

    meritoriously without being indicted by anybody for embezzlement.

    Chukwuma also told Nigerians not to accept anybody above 65 years as their president in 2019 and condemned the incessant blowing of sirens by political office holders.

    The man of God also rejected the establishment of cattle colony anywhere in the South East insisting that “we don’t want to be colonised the second

    Thousands of people including prominent Nigerians were at the Okpara Square yesterday to pay their last respect to the late former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

    At the overflowing Okpara square were the Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State. Anambra and Imo states were representedby their deputy governors, Nkem Okeke and Eze Madumere.

    Also at the the venue include Minister of Labour and Productivity; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo; Senator Victor Umeh and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

    The roll call also include former Delta State governor, James Ibori; former Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu; former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi; former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, Senator Andy Ubah, Anyim Pius Anyim, Emma Iwuanyanwu; Arthur Eze and a hos of oters.

    An interdenominational commendation service conducted by the time.”

    Tambuwal in a short speech after the service said when they received the news of Ekwueme’s death in Sokoto, “we were thrown aback”. He described Ekwueme as a true democrat and patriot whose contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria can not be ignored.

    Tambuwal condoled the people of Anambra state, South East and the entire country.

    Atiku Abubakar in his short commendation described Ekwueme as a fountain of wisdom and intellect. “When we were at the Constitutional Conference, he was our rallying point. Even though we disagreed sometime, especially on the issue of restructuring. But I later became his convert on that Issue.”

    President general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo said all should emulate Ekwueme’s life style saying that what is important is how did you lived your life, how did you impact on other peoples lives.”

    Governors Ugwuanyi, Umahi and Ikpeazu also made short speeches as well as the deputies of Anambra and Imo states.