The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Destined

  • You are destined for supernatural exploits!

    Welcome to the month of May! I believe we all had an awesome time in the school of faith all through the month of April, 2019, and I am persuaded that everyone is sure to begin to manifest the same Spirit of faith at work in Jesus all through our adventure in life, in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen! This week, we shall focus on the topic: You Are Destined for Supernatural Exploits!

    We understand from scriptures that, everyone born of God is destined for a life of exploits and extraordinary accomplishments. We must understand that living a life of exploits is not the exclusive right of some individuals. We don’t have to be white to experience it as our skin colour is irrelevant to our breakthroughs in life. As long as we are children of God, we are candidates for supernatural exploits! The scripture gives a graphic picture of our glorious destiny in Daniel 11:32: …But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Moreover, we have an extraordinary Father, and as such we are ordained for extraordinary accomplishments. Essentially, we live in a world of times and seasons; our understanding of the times is what keeps us in command (Ecclesiastics 3:1-11; 1 Chronicles 12:32).

    We also discover from scriptures that extraordinary exploit is God’s agenda for His people in these end-times, which implies that today, we are in the era of exploits and global impacts in the body of Christ (Isaiah2:1-3; Act 2:17). Therefore, we must make the most of the season. On the other hand, it may interest us to know that our exploits are scripturally rooted in a threefold cord that cannot be easily broken. These are:

    • Our Redemptive Root: We must remind ourselves that supernatural exploit is one of our redemptive rights in Christ and as such this makes us men and women of value. Jesus clearly describes the redeemed as …the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? …Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, …Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven(Mathew 5:13-16). As we all know, salt is always required by men and always sought after because it is a preserver and a sweetener. For the redeemed, we are to operate as the salt of the earth, light of the world and a city set on the hill that cannot be hid. Also, concerning the believer, the Bible says: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10). This implies that we are redeemed from the back group to the front group, from the valley to the mountaintop, from poverty to plenty, from shame to glory and from slavery to royalty.
    • The Abrahamic Covenant: The second powerful part of the threefold cord for our greatness is rooted in our connection to Abraham. But, what does that covenant entail? In Genesis 17:6-7, God said to Abraham: …I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant. God is saying He will ensure that we become nations or kings because of the Abrahamic blood flowing in us. Thus, it is our covenant right to be kings and this covenant makes us an envy to our world.
    • God’s Prophetic Agenda: Also by prophetic agenda, we are redeemed for the topmost top. In Revelation 22:16, the scripture describes Jesus as the bright and Morning Star. Furthermore, Jesus said: …as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21). This implies that redemption has made us a bright and morning star. By this, we are a born star after the order of Christ. In essence, in these last days, the redeemed of the Lord will be the custodians of the finance, economy as well as science and technology of the world. There will be so much demand on them across nations of the earth because their work will announce them to their world. Thus, they will fulfil God’s prophetic agenda in these last days such that: …ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:23).

    In conclusion, having the correct mental picture of our redemption is key to accessing our actual future. If the picture of our heritage of supernatural exploits dawns on us and becomes a way of life, we will become envy to our world. This is why we must be awake to the demands of this great hour of opportunities so as to take full delivery of our greatness. In other words, we must be sensitive to the times and seasons and walk in the understanding of the time set by God. It is only then we can enjoy unusual divine backings, command strange results and become the envy of those who have pitied us in the past. However, to experience a lifestyle of exploits, you need to be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again! For further reading, please get my books: Following the Path of the Eagle, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Success Strategies, Success Buttons, Success Systems and Ruling your World. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/;  Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.

  • My husband is destined to be president —Titi Atiku Abubakar

    Mrs.Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said her husband is destined to win next Saturday’s presidential election and go on to lead the country as its president. Titi, during a visit to a chieftain of the party,  Chief Bode Olajumoke, in Lagos, described her husband as a child of destiny.

    “This is not his first time he will be wanting to be president but God has said it is now his time to be president,” she said. “When they went for primaries in Port Harcourt, not many people thought it was going to be Atiku that will emerge as the PDP presidential candidate. But he came tops and became the party’s flag-bearer. This happened because he is a child of destiny.

    “My husband has come to rescue Nigeria from the shackles of these people. Atiku promised women 30 percent of slots in government. Also, he said he will ensure that 40 per cent goes to the youth. He is going to introduce micro credit schemes to help the women and the youth. He is going to win next Saturday’s presidential election and go on to lead the country as its president,” she said.

  • Sylva: I’m destined to take Bayelsa out of poverty

    Former Governor Timipre Sylva has said his second governorship bid indicates that he is destined to take Bayelsa State out of the woods.

    He said his ugly experience in the way he was hounded out of office, prepared and equipped him better to confront the state’s challenges.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the December 5 election said his experience out of power and his travails in the hands of those he called the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political schemers would make him stronger and better to govern the state.

    Sylva likened his political experience outside the Bayelsa Government House to someone thrown into the wilderness but who returned alive.

    The APC candidate said God kept him alive with a mission to lead the people out of PDP-induced poverty into prosperity and infrastructural development under his party.

    Sylva spoke on Tuesday night at an interactive session with aggrieved pensioners and the King of Ogbogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Godwin Igodo.

    He said: “Those experiences have made me more mature and ready to deliver to the people of the state good governance and development.

    “In 2012, some people threw me into the wilderness. These people sent snakes after me but I killed the snakes. They sent sharks after me and I swallowed them up. I am mature and ready to govern Bayelsa State (again). I am the Ark of Noah. You all need to come inside as we are about to sweep away the PDP from Bayelsa.”

    Sylva urged traditional rulers to support APC and its candidate for better years in the state.

    He said: “Some people say that traditional rulers should not be partisan. But would you not be partisan, if your son is contesting an election? I am your son and I am contesting.”

    The Coordinator of the Association of Bayelsa Pensioners, Chief Bodise Amara, said they were not out to campaign for any candidate.

    But he said Governor Seriake Dickson failed the retirees with a pension gratuity debt of over N20 billion and four months of unpaid pension arrears. Amara said the pensioners had not been paid their gratuity arrears since last year.

    He said: “Sylva left N3.5 billion as pension arrears and gratuity. The pension and gratuity arrears are now N20 billion. We don’t know when we will be paid. We are not campaigning but we are saying our four-month pensions have not been paid.

    “So many things are happening in Bayelsa but nobody is considering the pensioners. When he (Sylva) came and told us he was contesting, we prayed for him.

    “Any governor who considers the plight of the pensioners, God will bless him. Anybody contesting should have met with the senior citizens. The prayers of the elders will help him. The battle has already been won.”

     

  • Destined for eachother

    Destined for eachother

    Former Miss Elfreda Ekinedonose, a medical doctor from Edo State, got married to her heartthrob, Johnbosco Obinna Onunkwo, an engineer with Agip Oil, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. NWANOSIKE ONU reports. The groom’s father was Senator Chris Ngige’s secondary school teacher.

    ormer Miss Elfreda Ekinedonose and Johnbosco Obinna Onunkwo met at lunch sometime last year. Their eyes locked and they got talking. That was how they became friends.

    Their friendship grew and before long, they became an inseparable pair. Last December 14, Johnbosco led his heartthrob, Elfreda to the altar of Mater Misericodiae Catholic Church in Rumuomasi in Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to exchange marital vows.

    Their friends, family members, the high and mighty witnessed the union.

    It was a union that broke cultural boundaries. The groom, an electrical and electronics engineer with Agip Oil in Port Harcourt hails from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State; the bride is a medical doctor and a native of Eguare, Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    From the way they constantly looked into each other’s eyes, as they headed to the lectern where the bride took the first Bible reading from Genesis: 2: 16-24 and the groom, the second reading from Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39, it was obvious they were in love.

    Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ezeoke, who represented the Catholic Bishop of Awka, the Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor was the officiating priest. It was co-officiated by the parish priest, Rev Monsignor Cletus Mbarikatta.

    In his homily, Rev. Ezeokafor, enjoined the couple to respect each other and not allow a third party to come between them.

    The reception, was at Astech Arcum (A1), Event Centre on Stadium Road, Port-Harcourt, where guests were treated to sumptuous local and continental delicacies with choice drinks. The hall was decorated with golden fabrics mixed with coral and aqua colours; the chairs and tables’ overlays were adorned with silver and wine apparels.

    The arena was designed with wine linings, coated with silver fabrics, which were the colours of the day.

    Before the hall was a decorated seat positioned for all to see. On the couch was boldly written in gold “love for the couple”.

    There was no turn-table music, but popular crooner and brand ambassador, Flavour, supplied the scintillating popular ‘Ada-Ada’ song to usher the couple into the gathering.

    The groom, a Rotarian, who holds the traditional title of Akaekpuchionwa 1 in his community, looked cute in a navy blue suit, with a black tie and white shirt.

    Elfreda looked dazzling in her flowing gown, laced with silver beads.

    At the event were an array of comedians, such as Okey Bakassi and John Okafor who anchored the event.

    After the cutting of the five-layer cake, the senator representing Anambra Central Zone, Dr. Chris Ngige, proposed the toast. He wished the couple a happy married life.

    Everyone soon took to the dance floor with Flavour dishing out some of his popular songs. The couple danced in front of the musician.  While the young Onunkwo kept stooping low, Elfreda twisted her waist to the delight of guests who watched in admiration.

    The couple’s parents, Sir and Lady Simeon Onunkwo and Mr and Mrs Worthy Gabriel Ohiowele will remember the day for good. The groom’s father, it was revealed, taught Senator Ngige in secondary school.

    At the ceremony were Nollywood actor Victor Osuagwu and Board of Trustees (BOT) member of Anambra Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Chris Uba, among many others.

  • Destined to be unique

    Destined to be unique

    THEY conceived the idea six years ago when they met overseas at a function. Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN) and Chief Godwin Obla thought it was time members of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Law Class 1980/83 came together as a body and sold the idea to others. Their meeting at the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Singapore in 2007 has become a blessing of sorts to the set.

    Since its coming, the set has been promoting the good of their alma mater and the welfare of members. Its objectives are to promote professional cooperation and collaboration among members; to facilitate the highest standards of professional conduct and support the Law Faculty of their alma mater, in any way possible to make it a world class faculty.

    For members of the Class often referred to as “an unstoppable, unique and accomplished set,” March 22 to 24 will remain memorable.

    They gathered at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to celebrate their sixth the annual reunion.

    The set can boast of being among the best in the profession.

    Members of the set has produced 20 high court judges, four professors, seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), a senator, a member of the House of Representatives, four attorneys-general, three permanent secretaries and solicitors-general, army general, banks’ directors, top government officials, pastors, traditional rulers and Resident Electoral Commissioners, among others.

    Their meeting in the Garden City attracted eminent personalities.

    The group meets every year to cement the relationship which began over 33years ago.

    The local organising committee headed by Hon Frank Okwor ensured that everybody had a good time.

    The reunion started with a cocktail on March 22. On March 23, there was a business meeting where issues affecting members and the alma mater were discussed. Awards for commitment were bestowed on some members.

    The group also decided where subsequent reunions would hope. The next one hold in Abuja. It will be the turn of Las Vegas in the United States (US) in 2015; Abeokuta in Ogun State, 2016 and Benin, Edo State 2017.

    The high point was the election of Justice Adedotun Onibokun as President; Mr. Omoruyi Omonuwa (SAN), Vice-president; and Mr. Jide Owootori, General Secretary, among others. Senator Effiong Bob retained his position as Chairman, Board of Trustees.

    An elated Justice Onibokun thanked her ex-classmates for the confidence reposed in her.

    “We won’t disappoint you. We will keep the flag flying as we throw open our doors for words of advice,” she said.

    Business meeting over, the train moved to the massive premises of a member of the local organising committee, Mrs Onimim Jacks where they were treated to sumptuous meals. On Saturday evening, the Banquet Hall of the Hotel Presidential where the dinner was held became an Haven of many colours.

    There was no dull moment as the Kikali Cultural Troupe added flavour to the evening.

    Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, who chaired the occasion, congratulated the alumni.

    Justice Adolphous Karibi-Whyte, a pioneer lecturer of UNILAG in 1962, who quit teaching almost 40 years ago, praised the alumni for their comradeship.

    “The Faculty of law, University of Lagos was a huge one but I admire the fraternity of a people to hold on. There is a lot of merit in what I call self-esteem and if you can keep it, you can justify it. UNILAG has survived and I am happy to be associated with you. As the only class that is organising this meeting yearly, I implore you to sustain it because if other groups can emulate you, it will improve physical infrastructure and learning,” he said.

    A former lecturer, Prof Emeritus Adedokun Adeyemi said the class needed no prophets to say it will be prosperous.

    “During my interaction with you in your undergraduate days, I was able to assess the level of an individual and a group as a whole. The comradeship had existed since your school days and we noted it. I have been in that faculty since 1967 and I am proud that you have made me proud. You are what you are today because of your commitment and dedication to work. You have not reached your pinnacles as I pray that you move from glory to glory. Your set was unique both at entry and exit. You have been the most prominent set in terms of contribution to the upliftment of the faculty,” Adeyemi said.

    President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Okey Wali, the special guest of honour, described the set as the genesis of the Law School Class of ’84, which now has a reunion.

    “I want to congratulate your teachers for being fulfilled as they have seen you excel,” Wali said.

    Senator Bob said it was fulfilling to see his ex-classmates excel.

    We met 33 years ago and we have been interacting as brothers and sisters. We continue to do this yearly, renewing our acquaintance, discussing the needs of the Faculty of Law of University of Lagos and the areas where we can contribute or uplift the faculty. That is the essence of this annual reunion and we have been doing that in the past six years,” he said.

    Another former lecturer, Prof. Isaac Agbede said sitting among this unique set makes him fulfilled.

    He said: “You came out and attained national and international reputation for yourself. I don’t think the sky will be the limit of your achievements. When a group becomes unstoppable, it is because it has distinguished itself as a product that is set to conquer the world like Harvard. That is what you have made yourself as products of UNILAG.”

    He urged the group to change its name to “Class of 1980-1983 Unique” because it is unstoppable.

     

  • Destined to be man and wife

    Obinna Charles Ugbor got married to his beau, Adaobi Francisca at  the Dominion City in Ogudu GRA, Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    LAST Saturday Obinna Ugbor took his heartthrob, Adaobi down the aisle. In a very colourful ceremony, the couple said: ‘I do’. It was also a day for the couple to be presented before God. They stood looking into each other’s eyes as they took their marital vow; their friends and family members watched in admiration as the couple began their life long journey.

    The couple grew up in the same neighbourhood, but didn’t know they were destined for each other. Adaobi, said she never knew her ‘prince’ was right there. She thought he would come some day and sweep her off her feet. Obinna proved her wrong.

    They grew up together but didn’t know they will end up together. Love was not enough to bring them together but they were united by their common vision, values and beliefs.

    Last Saturday, at the Dominion City in Ogudu GRA, a Lagos suburb, the couple said: ‘I do’ before Senior Pastor, David Ogbueli. The cleric admonished the couple to sustain their love with true wisdom, upon which a house is built.

    Pastor Ogbueli urged the couple to love and submit to each other

    adding that they should manage their strength and weaknesses so that they can have a lasting union.

    He told the bride: “Reflect on the image of your husband and do what Christ does to his Father. Do what the moon does to the sun, by being submissive in all days and season.”

    The reception was held at the same venue. Pink and purple were the colours of the day and the clothes and decor reflected these colours. Pastor Ogbueli was stunned by that his church had turned into a beautiful edifice he could hardly recognise.

    DJ Bobby dished out melodious songs and the couple danced into the arena with Banky W’s Number 1.

    Chairman of the event was the President of the Anambra branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN) and Director General of the Institute for National Transformation, Prof Vincent Anigbogu, who said the couple represent something unique and special to him. He described the groom as a son and the bride a daughter.

    Anigbogu urged those searching not to look further as God has a purpose for their lives.

    Anne Ugwu, who met Adaobi in 2004 during a Christian fellowship in their school days in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital, proposed the toast. She said the wedding is a forecast of what they prayed for back then.

    “When I first met her, I was struck by her beauty. Despite her beauty, she still served God immensely. Her life turned my life around because she isn’t just a lady or a woman but has a pearl inside of her. She got the man she wanted and waited for. The Proverbs 31 woman is not just in the bible but sitting right there. Just like Boaz found Ruth on the fields, such is their story. So let us toast to the Ruth and Boaz of our time.”

    Guests congratulated the couple on their union and posed for photographs with them.