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Tag: Clerics

  • Clerics, others pray for return of remaining Chibok girls

    The Co-ordinator, Bring Back our Girls (BBOG) Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Aisha Oyebode, wants Nigerians to stand up in prayers for those children still in the captivity of terrorists.

    She made the call on Friday night at the Interfaith Vigil of the fourth Anniversary of the abduction of Chibok school girls, at Falomo Roundabout, Lagos.

    She urged Nigerians not to sit back to watch Nigerian children dehumanised.

    She said that the remaining girls in captivity are suffering untold anguish that could be better imagined than experienced.

    She said the voices of the captive Chibok girls “may not be heard in public, but they sound clearly in the hearts of their parents, community and well-meaning Nigerians.’’

    The Imam of Falomo Police Mosque, Alhaji  Tajudeen Adebayo, during the interfaith prayers, thanked Allah for those that were released and prayed that the remaining girls would also be rescued.

    Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor, Trinity House Church, prayed that God might bring back the remaining girls, and  urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the nation.

    “It is only when we come together to speak and act as one, that our voices will be heard and we can achieve the desired change,” he said.

  • Clerics preach peace, reconciliation, economic revival

    CLERICS have urged Nigerians to imbibe the importance and the lessons derivable from Easter for individual spiritual growth and national development.

     

    ‘Imbibe virtue of peace and reconciliation’

    In Enugu, A cleric, Rev. Maxwell Onyia of Ascension Anglican Church, Enugu has advised Christians to imbibe the virtue of peace and reconciliation exemplified by Jesus Christ.

    Onyia said this in his homily with the themed: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” at a Special Easter Service yesterday in Enugu.

    According to the cleric, the death and resurrection of Christ brought mankind peace coming from true reconciliation with God.

    “Basically, Christ died to reconcile us, the world, back to God once more and for man to live above the powers of death and hell.

    “The reconciliation, which the death and resurrection of Christ availed us, had made it possible for man to have peace with God and himself,” he said.

     

    Iorapuu to Nigerians: pray for political revival, economic rejuvenation

    The Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Makurdi Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu has called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of Easter to pray for the country’s economic and political rejuvenation.

    Iorapuu gave the advice in his homily to mark the Easter celebration on Sunday.

    According to him, the answer to Nigeria’s myriads of problems rests with God.

    Iorapuu urged all Christians to develop the attitude of waiting on him for divine intervention in addressing political, economic, security and spiritual problems confronting the country.

     

    Why unity, love, peace imperative to growth, by Badejo

    Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Catholic Diocese of Oyo advised Nigerians to embrace unity, love and peace in order to enhance national growth and growth.

    Badejo gave this advice when he delivered a sermon at an Easter church service in Ibadan.

    He urged parents to raise God-fearing children to secure the nation’s future.

    The cleric made reference to the abducted Dapchi student, Leah Sharibu, who refused to renounce her faith.

     

    ‘Resurrection offers believers hope’

    Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Lokongoma, Abuja Pastor Isaac Oyedepo said Easter laid solid foundation for Christianity and offered believers hope of eternal life.

    The cleric spoke during a Special Easter celebration service sermon, entitled: “Unveiling the power of his resurrection” in Abuja.

    Oyedepo said without the single act of resurrection, Christian faith would have been vain, adding that the act wiped away the transgressions of those who died after Christ and those who died before him.

    “The Easter celebration is not just to wear clothes. It is the foundation of our Christianity. If Jesus did not rise, we will not have Christianity.

    “So, Christianity is majorly about Easter because without it, our faith is in vain,” he said.

     

  • Monarchs, clerics, families celebrate Adetona at 70

    Traditional ruler, clerics, family and friends stood to be counted yesterday at the 70th birthday party, retirement and book launch for Ven. Enoch Adetona, a retired Human Resource Manager at Volkswagon of Nigeria Limited.

    Adetona is the hero of a book, titled, Quest for Knowledge: The impartation of the book on Venerable Enoch Adetona, authored by Venerable Charles Fakiyesi.

    He was retiring as a Venerable in the Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) where he served in several capacities for 18 years.

    At the celebration at The Cathedral of Saint Jude in Ebute Meta, Lagos, the Bishop Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Revd Ajinpelu Johnson, delivered a sermon in which he described Adetona as a humble cleric.

    He noted that his life had also been a testimony.

    Johnson said: “God has given him the grace to be 70 and to retire after all his years of service in the house of God. He serves God faithfully in the church and he lives a life of service, diligence and devotion to God.

    “I thank him personally for all he has done for me. He helped me in no small measure to understand so many things. Thank you for your advice, counsel and words of knowledge. God will satisfy you and continue to show Himself to you.”

    Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye (JP), the Akoledoye II Odede of Igbo Egunrin, described Adetona as a God-chosen man, who has remained splendid and loved by all.

    “He is an ideal man, committed Christian and satisfied with what he has. I urge him to serve God more than ever before,” Oba Kalejaiye said.

    Adetona said he felt good and thanked God to be retiring at 70.

    The cleric said he still felt as strong as he was when was 40, adding that God is the secret of his strength as well as eating healthy.

    He said: “Despite how challenging it was for me to go to school, I still made it. I thank God for my parents and family. God cared for me, blessed me, and I give all glory to Him.

    “This book is meant for everyone to know that God is able and He does not give up on us. So, we should not give up on Him. With God, all things are possible…”

    Prince Ademola Adetona said his younger brother’s quest for knowledge had been his major trait since his childhood.

    The book presenter, Sir Abiodun Akinyemi, said it is fantastic.

    He urged all to read it.

    The celebrator’s wife, Bose, thanked God for his life and for the celebrations.

    Fakiyesi said the book is about taking basic education as important to Nigerians, adding that Adetona’s quest for knowledge informed the writing of the book.

     

  • Clerics laud leadership for unifying CAC

    Clerics laud leadership for unifying CAC

    Clerics and members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) have lauded the leadership of the church for resolving the age-long crisis that rocked it and unifying the fold.

    The worshippers thanked the CAC President Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun; General Superintendent, Pastor Sam Oladele; General Evangelist, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji and General Secretary, Pastor E. E. Mapur, for midwifing the unification of the church after the protracted crisis.

    The church members spoke at a five-day CAC All Nations Holy Pilgrimage, with the theme: God of Our Fathers, at Odo Owa in Kwara State.

    The church frowned at the spate of kidnappings and bloodlettings across the country.

    In his sermon, Prophet Hezekiah sought prayers of the righteous against the new spate of bloodlettings in the country.

    The cleric said the Woman Like Deborah programme of the church at Oke Erio, which started yesterday, would be another opportunity for female Christians to pray for peace and development of the country.

     

  • Clerics lose N42m to ‘wonder’ bank in Edo

    Clerics lose N42m to ‘wonder’ bank in Edo

    Reverend fathers in Edo State, including those at the Uromi Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (UJDPCI), have lost N42 million to wonder bank operators.

    They were said to have been attracted because of the high interest rate.

    The clerics were said to have been allegedly introduced to the bank by a manager of a new generation bank, Mr. Greg Okojie.

    The Nation learnt that Fr. Fidelis Arhedo was first introduced to the bank, allegedly owned by Monday Ahunwan, and he deposited N13 million.

    Fr. Arhedo was said to have introduced 10 colleagues after he received ‘good interest’.

    Other persons who fell into the alleged scam besides the clerics are Onomen Oriakhi and Miss Theresa Oriakhi.

    It was gathered that when the bank could not pay accumulated interest on the N42 million deposited by the clerics, they reported the matter to the police.

    Greg and Monday were arraigned at an Oredo Magistrates’ Court for conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    In the charge sheet, the accused were alleged to have collected N42 million with the purpose of using it to do business and pay back interest of five per cent monthly.

    A breakdown of how much each cleric lost showed that those at UJDPCI invested N4 million, Fr. Nicholas Oboh lost N4.5 million, Fr. Stephen Ogbeide lost N3 million, Fr. Ogbenbe Andrew lost N4 million, Fr. Augustine Okosun lost N3 million, Fr. Richard Oboh lost N3 million, Fr. Egbe Peter lost N2 million, Fr. Mario Eigbefoh lost N2 million, Fr. Churchill Odekhian lost N1 million, Fr. Moses Oboh lost N.5 million, Miss Theresa Oriakhi lost N1 million, the late Fr. Ogbeide E. lost N.5 million and Onomen Oriakhi lost N.5 million.

    The suspects were initially arraigned on a three-count charge, but the prosecutor, Agbonifo Patrick, amended the charges to 13.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, F.E. Akhere, granted them bail at N200,000 with one surety.

    The case was adjourned till April 4 for hearing.

     

  • ‘Clerics should align with diligent workers’

    ‘Clerics should align with diligent workers’

    •Bible college certifies 36

    A lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at Ile-Ife in Osun State, Dr George Folarin, has urged graduating students of KIMA Bible College at Agbara in Ogun State to use the knowledge acquired to change the society.

    The don spoke at the 17th graduation service at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) of OPIC Estate at Agbara.

    Folarin, who alluded to the message of Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy, urged the graduating students to strengthen their spiritual quotient to confront opposition like a soldier, face competition like an athlete and face stubborn resistance like a farmer on a rocky grain field.

    Reflecting on the theme of the ceremony: An Approved Minister, the don noted that the identity of a minister of God should align with that of a diligent worker, who goes about his business unashamed of the people’s sentiments because God acknowledges his work.

    He added: “The imagery of a workman here is not that of great skill but of deep integrity. The workman does not need to be ashamed because he’s put in an honest day’s work. Our greatest ability is our availability, which is what God requires of us.”

    The responsibilities of a properly honed cleric with a balanced philosophy of Christian education, Folarin said, were essentially observations of the truth.

    The don said the truth is imperatively the practical personage of an individual, adding that Christ is the truth which retains finality, ratification, ultimate authority and absoluteness.

    He said: “The word approved points to the fact that the workman has gone through a period of severe testing. This testing has been the cutting of a straight course through the word and the result is the refinement of the workman and the able educational production. This is not only pleasing to God but it will ultimately bring His divine approval.”

     

  • 50 clerics pray for Kwara at 50

    No fewer than 50 clerics have offered special prayers for peace and harmony in Kwara State. The clerics drawn from both Christianity and Islam each prayed for one minute, thanking God for the state’s development over the past 50 years of its existence.

    The prayers, which took place in Ilorin, the state capital, were organised by Mike Omotoso Foundation. Speaking with reporters, founder of the organisation, Dr Mike Omotoso canvassed the establishment of small and medium scale enterprises in the state. He said that is the antidote to multifarious problems associated with under-development in local communities.

    Omotoso said the government can address the challenges facing each segment of the society by empowering the people, especially the business community that would thereafter take time individually to develop their communities.

    He said it is not the responsibility of the government to develop each community but only concerned with the duty of providing the enabling environment for the people.

    The 2015 governorship candidate or the Labour Party in the state added that the duty of community development rests in the hands of people resident in various communities as long as government plays its own role.

    Omotoso maintained that if enabling environment is created, people would be willing to pay taxes, develop their communities and work toward the enhancement of their communities.

    On what should be the focus of the government in years to come, the former Labour Party governorship flag-bearer said, “For me, it is about providing the platform for people to excel. Government truly does not develop the community. You need to empower people to begin to survive by themselves, and then they will in turn, develop their communities.

    “When you look at Lagos for instance, you will find out that there is a lot of internally generated revenue. Where is this money coming from? You cannot extract money from people that are not making money; you cannot give what you do not have.

    “When you empower people to be able to do businesses in such a way that they are successful, they will willingly pay taxes, they will willingly develop their communities, they will willingly work toward the enhancement of their communities where they live in. And that is exactly how cities are developed. It is individuals that develop the communities.

    “For instance, if we are able to proliferate small and medium scale enterprises locally, you will find out that a lot of community development will happen and people will begin to realize, that government is just there to provide the platform, not really to develop the community. That is exactly where our leaders, I think, they have gotten it wrong”.

    Speaking on the rationale behind the prayer session, Omotosho said it was imperative prayer is encouraged whatever set to achieve by any society.

    He stated that Kwara has achieved a lot in the last 50 years, but noted that there is need for improvement in all sphere of governance of the state.

    “It is important to start whatever one intends to do with prayers because, spiritually, that provides strategic guidance to whatever your proposed actions are. So, celebrating Kwara at 50 will require that we stop, pray about whatever mistakes we have made in the past, but more importantly, to commit the next 50 years perhaps or the next stage into the hands of God. We truly believe we have a supreme being, and that is why it was inter-faith prayer, to bring everybody together and then pray for the progress of the state.

    “A lot has been achieved in fairness but the truth is, you will all agree with me there is still room for more. There has been some unfair comparison with states like Lagos and Rivers for instance. Of course, the terrain is totally different.

    “But I believe we can do more than we have done. Giving the opportunity that we already have, there is definitely room for improvement. We must commend the effort of the past leaders, but there is room for improvement,” Omotosho said.

  • ‘Clerics’ position on divorce as restitution not biblical’

    A Popular visually-impaired cleric and the General Overseer of Mountain of Mercy (Ori Oke Aseyori), Ojedeji 2 in Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, has condemned the advice by clerics that a man who has two or more wives should divorce them in the name of restitution.
    Kasali, who said such was not biblical, advised clerics to stop telling members who have had two wives before becoming Christians to do restitutions by divorcing their second wife.
    The prophet, who spoke during the seventh anniversary of Fasting and Prayer programme of his church at its headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, cautioned such clerics against causing crises in the homes of new converts and frustrating children, who are products of such marriages.
    The cleric, who presented a N4.5million Toyota Corolla car gift to a visually-impaired man, who is a musician, Atanda Akorede,  said: “Where do you want a woman who already has children as a second wife with a man to go if her husband divorces her in the name of restitution? Who will marry her?
    “I don’t know of any kind of restitution that someone who has already married two women will do. What they are talking about is Paul’s restitution not God’s. Many of what Paul said in the Bible are mere pieces of advice not commandments and this is by way of his training and profession as a lawyer.”
    He enjoined women who became vengeful because of insinuation that their husbands were planning to marry another woman to rather apply tact and be prayerful, to put the situation under control.
    Kasali said: “Rather than being foolish, it is the time you hear that such a thing has started happening that you are supposed to start using tactics to bring him home. It is not a matter of fighting so you don’t lose him totally.
    “The Bible says in the last days seven women will go after a man, just to bear his surname, not to get his money. Jesus didn’t say he has come to oppose what the prophets have said, but to support them.”
    The prophet disagreed with insinuations in some quarters, even in Christendom that it is only Christians who can rule Nigeria better, saying: “God owns Nigeria. Religion doesn’t own Nigeria. God is the God of everybody. He can use anyone He pleases to rule us. What matters is that the one He chooses makes life better for us. What is the use of a Christian leader who lacks direction?”
    He warned fake prophets spreading false prophecies to desist, to escape God’s wrath, saying: “We should find out what God’s purpose is for us and stop imitating other people.”
    Kasali admonished clerics who might have fallen into terrible or sexual sins not to give up, but to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, just as he advised men and women to desist from allowing themselves to be used to destroy clergymen.
    “You have to resist sexual sins, even from the pastor.
    “We men of God face temptations. There are voices we hear which make us want to commit sins. These things happen to make us realise that we are just ordinary flesh like others not called like us. I don’t hug women, I instruct them to greet me in the traditional way of kneeling down,” he said.

  • Clerics preach peace, tolerance among Muslims 

    An Islamic leader, Shewu Hussain-Eniiya and scholar, Sheikabdlai Mudathir have called on Muslims to tolerate people regardless of their religious and ethnic affiliations.
    The duo also appealed to Muslims to maintain peace and love in their immediate environments rather than discriminating against denominations.
    Eniiya, who is the Olori Musulumi of Ede land, was the special guest at the 2017 special Moludnabiyu prayer at Morubo Central mosque, Ibadan.
    He urged Muslims to follow the footsteps of Muhammad in whatever they do.
    Tagged: “Babalamule’s day and 2017 Moludnobiyu celebration”, the prayer was attended by the Islamic leaders in Osun and Oyo states.
    Eniiya said: “It is pertinent to know that as servants of God, we need to follow our leader Muhammad’s closely.
    “Therefore, we need to love our neighbors regardless of their religion.
    “We also need to tolerate then and maintain peace with them. I also want to implore our people to learn from one of our leaders, Babalamule who live his life for God.”
    The guest lecturer, Sheikabdlai Mudathir, said demonstration of love and peace are the primary reasons Muslims worship God.
    He said if Muslims tolerate one another, the level of poverty will be reduced drastically.
    “The primary reason we worship God is love and peace. If we learn to love and tolerate ourselves, there won’t be much poverty in the country,” he stated.

  • FG cautions clerics on hate speeches

    The Federal Government (FG) through the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has cautioned clerics against hate and insightful speeches.

    The institute in a statement said it is concerned about the ugly and reprehensible trend of inciting preaching and hate speech, it adds that the negative potential which these practices portend for the peace, social cohesion and good governance in the country.

    Media Assistant to the Director General, Abu Michael in a press statement Monday, added that the Institute has observed with deep regret the inciting sermons by some preachers in places of worship across the country.

    He added that the emerging phenomenon of irresponsible preaching and unwarranted utterances by some clerics is one which every responsible Nigerian must work hard to discourage.

    He stated, “The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), the apex research agency and think-tank of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), on peace, conflict prevention, and management is concerned about the ugly and reprehensible trend of inciting preaching, hate speech and irresponsible use of the social media going on in the country.

    “The IPCR is worried about the negative potential which these practices portend for the peace, social cohesion and good governance of our great country. The Institute is particularly disturbed that religion as an important institution and age-long guarantor of peace is being deployed by some preachers to undermine the peace and stability of the country. This is a total negation of the sacred books, which propagate peace and good neighbourliness. The Institute is urging Nigerians to resent actions and utterances that could jeopardize the demonstrated commitment of the Federal Government to secure the lives and properties of the citizenry. While government continues to do everything to ensure citizens’ security, winning the peace in our communities remains a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

    “The Institute has observed with deep regret the inciting sermons by some preachers in places of worship across the country. The emerging phenomenon of irresponsible preaching and unwarranted utterances by some clerics is one which every responsible Nigerian must work hard to discourage. History has shown that the spinning of hate speeches by people who should be leaders and custodians of peace in the society is a recipe for social catastrophe that does no one good.

    “All religions, and especially Christianity and Islam are founded on the principles of peace, love and charity. Therefore, any preacher who incites his or her congregation to violence negates the principles of religion. Religion emphasizes peace, love, tolerance and respect for the sanctity of human lives. The Institute appeals to all leaders, temporal and spiritual, to be cautious in their pronouncements at all times.

    “In exercising our constitutional rights to the freedom of speech we all owe the larger society the duty of restraint by abhorring the use of inflammatory expressions capable of undermining public safety and the security of lives and properties. The Institute enjoins Nigerians to appreciate the significant progress made by the Government despite being confronted with challenges associated with insurgency, terrorism and other conflict disorders. The economic recession, notwithstanding, the Federal Government continues to confront insurgency and the resultant humanitarian crisis in the Northeast with uncommon courage and determination. The IPCR commends the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their commitment and sacrifices, which led to the restoration of the territorial integrity of the country.

    “While acknowledging the positive role of the media in sustaining democracy in Nigeria, the Institute advises against the publication of provocative information capable of fuelling centrifugal tendencies in the society. IPCR thus calls for the media to embrace the constructive path of peace journalism and conflict-sensitive reportage. It also advises social media practitioners and users to promote harmonious living and positive mobilization of the masses. Consequently, IPCR calls on all Nigerians to think and act responsibly in order to strengthen and consolidate the peaceful relations in communities across the country. It is only under conditions of Peace and tranquillity that the economy can grow jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria for sustainable development.”