The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Family

  • Family Government (3)

    Dear Reader,

    Last week, we saw the place of the woman in handling her primary responsibility to her husband in the area of family government. When the Word is discovered and applied with wisdom, treasures are uncovered that makes for fulfilment in family life.

    Handling finances is a very sensitive area in the family. It is important to understand the place of money in the family to avoid tension. That is why, today, I shall be unveiling some key spots about Family Finances.

    God’s Word says: For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence… (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Money is simply a medium of exchange, but it is referred to as a defense, because with it you are not embarrassed.

    Right from the time God blessed Adam with a wife, he has been the head of the family. This placed upon him the responsibility of providing for his household (1 Timothy 5:8). So, by God’s arrangement, you, as the man, are to provide for your family. You are the one who must ensure that there is food for members of your family. You must also ensure that your family members are well taken care of, especially your immediate family members (Song of Solomon 1:6).

    Thus, as a husband, you cannot afford to be lazy. Your hands must be working hands. God’s Word says: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase (Proverbs 13:11). There is dignity in labour. In fact, God’s Word enjoins that a man who is too slothful to find gainful employment should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

    You are also responsible for catering for your wife and children. If you fail in this duty, you are a failure indeed! It is a curse for the wife to take on this responsibility.

    To the woman, everything you have belongs to your husband, even your income. If you are employed outside the home, you must submit all to him. This is so because in family finance, there should be no ‘his’ and ‘hers’. Both should have access to each other’s money. Where there is a joint account, no one should spend money without informing the other.

    Trust is the key word in family finance. Husband and wife must trust each other enough to put their money together and be prudent in spending it. Note that accountability boost trust. In a situation whereby no one wants to be accountable to the other, there will be no progress financially. The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:11 is trustworthy!

    Another key point in the area of family finance is giving.  God is a giving God. He demonstrated His love for man by taking the initiative and giving us His Son, even when no man understood what He was doing and could not say, “Thank you”.

    Therefore, if you claim to be God’s children, you must imitate Him in all things (1 John 4:7). Giving gifts to one another spices up the family. You can take initiative to surprise your spouse and children with thoughtful little gifts. If it did wonders for you during your courtship days, it will do you no harm to carry the habit over into the family.

    Since two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9), you can “better” your giving to the Lord by giving as a family, thus making better your receiving (Luke 6:38). As a family, you must be encouraged to sow seeds. Ensure that your tithe and offering are paid, either separately as husband, wife and children or together as a family. There is a portion to eat and a portion to sow (Proverbs 11:24).

    As a family, you must also be generous to the poor, the underprivileged, and those who do not have as much as you do.  God loves the merciful and releases blessings upon them (Proverbs 28:27). When you reach out to bless the poor, God ensures that you do not lack.

    It is also wisdom to give to men of God. As a couple, especially, you must provoke each other to do right things. Sowing to men of God, who are placed over us is right and provokes great blessings from the Lord. God is glorified when you handle your money this way.

    Also, you have an undeniable responsibility towards your parents. It is your duty to honour your parents according to how God has blessed you. You must honour your parents if life must be well with you (Ephesians 6:1-3).

    The “grace to be responsible” in the area of finances is the privilege of those born again. You can become born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus Christ into your life. If you are ready for this, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, pstfaithoyedepo@gmail.com; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

     

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Tonto Dikeh vows to disgrace Churchill, family source

    A source close to the Churchill family has described as laughable, claims by Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh that she bought her estranged husband, Olakunle Churchill, the vehicles they were driving.

    According to the source, who chose to remain anonymous, Churchill is in possession of the keys and documents of the cars.

    “If she really did buy them, she should have taken the keys and receipts when she was leaving. No one knows why she is doing what she is doing. Maybe, she is using their son as bait and as a means to get sympathy from the people on social media,” the source said.

    Continuing, the source claimed that the actress wanted her foundation merged with her husband’s Big Church Foundation, but bearing her name.

    “That was why, last year, after the Big Church Foundation had organised its work, the Tonto Dikeh Foundation organised its own too. She did that because she wanted the NGOs to be joined together and handed over to her, so that she can use her celebrity status and run the whole show. Churchill, on the other hand, was passionate about the whole thing, as a way to help the masses and did not want it to be hijacked by someone who just wanted it for show,” the source continued.

    The source further stated that when things got to a point where Churchill could not condone it any further, she boasted that she would use her overwhelming influence on social media to drag his name to the mud, then rubbish his foundation.

    The source also said that there is no truth to the report that Churchill ever assaulted her as he never laid a finger on her.

    Recall that since news broke that her marriage has hit the rocks, the actress used the social media to pour her heart, the latest being that her husband infected her with STDs.

  • Family Government (2)

    Dear Reader,

    Welcome to this week’s teaching. Last week, I started this teaching series on Family Government and we examined the responsibilities required of the man, as the head of the family. This week, we will be examining The Responsibilities of the Woman in the family.

    The role of the woman in family government is one of submission. To “submit” means to put oneself under the authority of another. A wife is therefore scripturally expected to be under the authority of her husband. So woman, if you are the type that your husband cannot instruct; then you are not submissive!

    God’s Word in Ephesians 5:22 says: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands. You have a primary responsibility of submitting to the leadership of the man as commanded by God. According to the creation story recounted in Genesis 2:22, God took a rib from the side of the man to form the woman. This means that the role of the woman is beside the man in submission.

    My husband used to say that anything that has two heads is a monster and I agree with him. In a family government, there is only one head recognised by God and that is the man. This is unquestionable and non-negotiable.

    Also, it is hypocrisy when submission is not genuinely from the heart. Genuine submission to your husband should reflect in your speech and behaviour in public, and private. Your words will reveal it and of course, your actions will speak even louder than your words! Submission should cover every area. Even if your husband is an unbeliever, he is still the husband, so you the wife, should submit.

    However, it is also important to note that submission to the authority of your husband does not mean doing it in foolishness.  Any submission that will make you go into sin, disobey God’s Word and eventually miss heaven is unscriptural. When whatever you do, does not fit into the Lord’s command as Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18 admonishes, you are to decline. This, however, must be done in meekness.

    Submission should provoke you to contribute to the success of the family government by giving reasonable suggestions, ideas, prayers and other forms of helps as the case may be. Allow no room for arguments, fighting and disagreement because they are easy access by which the enemy comes in. Communicate effectively in wisdom.

    There are four major keys that make submission easy, and they are: prayer, obedience, love and humility. If you don’t love your husband, you will find it difficult to submit to him (Titus 2:4).  I have been married for over three decades now, and my husband and I have never had an occasion to look at each other in the face in a scuffle, argument or fight. Your submission speaks for you and wins your husband (1 Peter 3:1). I am a living testimony to the fact that it is possible to live together without fighting and arguing, and many couples are enjoying the same blessing. If it is working for others and me, it will also work for you, if you believe, in Jesus’ name.

    This sister’s testimony will build up your hope and determination in fulfilling your responsibility in your government:

    “I lost my marriage in 1996, due to stupidity and ignorance. I came to the Bible School in August, and during the course on Family Life, the Bishop’s wife said, ‘Divorce can be healed.  Wounds can be healed, but the scars remain forever. As much as possible, fight them’.

    I made up my mind to fight it and take my home back. I discovered that there were some things I needed to drop from my life. God worked on me through the messages I received on this altar, and I straightened my path. Right now, we are reconciled and there is peace in my home. My husband has more respect for me now, and I have also learnt to respect him better. I give God all the glory!”  Adeniran, F. (Mrs.)

    God is still in the business of restoration and He will restore, and help you make things right again as you accept Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, and become born again. If you will like to be born again and begin to enjoy God’s help and peace in your home, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, pstfaithoyedepo@gmail.com; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Obanikoro, family sue EFCC for N100m 

    Obanikoro, family sue EFCC for N100m 

    Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and his family have sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos over the seizure and detention of their property.

    They are seeking a declaration that the forceful seizure of their personal effects constitutes a gross violation of their rights.

    The applicants are praying for an order setting aside the forceful detention of their properties last June 14.

    They demanded an “unreserved public apology”, as well as N100 million as general damages from EFCC.

    The Obanikoros also sought an order restraining EFCC from arresting, detaining or harassing them or entering their premises again to seize their properties.

    The applicants include Obanikoro’s wife Moroophat, his sons Gbolahan and Babajide.

    EFCC claimed Obanikoro received suspicious payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through companies linked to the family.

    For instance, the commission said $1,018,000 was transferred from the ONSA to Mob Integrated Services on March 18, 2015.

    But, the family, through their lawyer, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the documents and properties EFCC seized “have nothing to do with the ONSA”.

    They claimed that the commission violated Regulation 13 of the EFCC (Enforcement Regulation) 2010, which provides that it shall apply and obtain a court order to enter and search any premises.

    However, EFCC has urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that it acted within the law.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka adjourned until March 28 for ruling.

  • Family Government

    Dear Reader,

    You are welcome to another teaching time on your favourite column. This month, via the Word of God, I will be teaching on the series: Family Government! In this end-time when the devil is doing more wickedly, it is essential that the secrets that make for effective family, especially in the area of government, are discovered.

    The family can be likened to an organisation involving two or more people having certain rules controlling it. Family affairs must be directed and controlled by the individuals involved, or else there will be chaos and lack of peace.

    However, the individuals concerned have different roles and duties to carry out in order to ensure a smooth run of the family. The ignorance of these individuals’ roles is one of the reasons most families lack success and fulfilment. That is why I will be teaching on the various responsibilities and duties that are to be discharged by the individuals involved in the family government.

    This week, I will like to begin by discussing The Responsibilities of the Man.

    The man is the head and leader of the family. He can be likened to the “President” in his own family government. God’s Word says: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23). As the head, just as most of the blessings of a successful leadership are first poured on you, so also, the blame and consequence of an unsuccessful leadership, will first and foremost be suffered by you.

    God sees the man as the overall head of the family and will hold him responsible for anything that goes wrong in the family government. In Genesis 3:20, it was Adam who named his wife Eve; however, he failed in discharging his duties as the head and leader of his family. As a result, he suffered a dethronement (Genesis 2:23).

    If your family fails, it is your fault; and you are the one who God will question. It was Adam whom God called upon, not Eve or the devil, even when God knew that it was the devil who deceived Eve!  God has committed the government of your home into your hands; therefore, He holds you responsible.

    One major key that guarantees successful leadership, as the head of your family is the key of LOVE (Ephesians 5:25, 27-33).  Men, let me tell you one secret: no woman hates to be loved. When you demonstrate your love to your wife, you will be able to govern your house with ease. This love is demonstrated in words and actions, irrespective of the weaknesses of the other members of your family. Your love should provoke you to render honour to your wife.

    God’s Word in 1 Peter 3:7 says: Likewise, ye husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  Honour, in this sense, means caring and providing financially, and materially for her. Your role as the leader is not that of being selfish, maltreating, humiliating and beating your wife.

    As a father to your children, you are responsible for their training in conjunction with your wife. Many men push this responsibility to their wives. It is supposed to be jointly done with you as the man playing the role of training your children to grow in the fear of the Lord like Jonadab did in Jeremiah 35:14, 18-19. You will definitely partake of whatever your child becomes in future; whether good or bad.

    Therefore, your office as the head and leader in the family government, is not that of a ‘dictator” or ‘oppressor’ but that of living up to the responsibilities of loving and providing for the welfare of your family as commanded by God. You are the driver of the vehicle of your family and you occupy a strategic position that can influence and determine what the lives of all the other members of your family will be like. You must live up to this expectation, so that God will not regret making you the head of your home!

    God is the Author of family; as such, your efforts outside His help will be ineffective. That is why you need to accept Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, and become born again. If you will like to be born again right now, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, pstfaithoyedepo@gmail.com; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Commission urges establishment of family courts

    The National Human Rights Commission  (NHRC) has urged the establishment of family courts in the five South Eastern states.

    The Zonal Director, Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, in an interview yesterday with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said the commission was concerned about the pile-up of family issues and cases in states and federal high courts in the zone.

    She said if family courts were established, they would deliberate on family issues often delayed in high courts.

    Nwokocha added: “Family court adjudication is meant to bring peace and reconciliation in African culture and setting.

    “Such courts seek to bridge the gap of misunderstanding in families that should live as one in peace and harmony.”

    She said NHRC was focusing on family values and culture that would stem conflicts and rights violation from the smallest unit of the society, which was the family.

  • Family urges police to wade into Ikorodu community crisis

    Family urges police to wade into Ikorodu community crisis

    Members of the Loti Mogun-Oja family of Ijomu in Ikorodu, Lagos State have appealed to the Lagos and Ogun state governments and the police to intervene in their land tussle.
    The fight over the large expanse of land located at Igode, a developing community in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, The Nation gathered, has already claimed two lives.
    Speaking with The Nation, the head of the Loti Mogun- Oja family, Alhaji Jimoh Lawal, said they decided to invite the governments and the police to the lingering problem because of its threat to security.
    ‘’The row over the disputed 34 hectares of land, began in May 2015, but got to a head in October of the same year, when a member of our family, Rasak Ademoye, with a few others, said they would be collecting land fees from any one who buys plots of land from the family, as well as other residents of the community. They said they had engaged an agent to take charge of the site.
    “But because our family is peace-loving, the elders came together and said such a thing should not happen. They claimed that they had also paid N300,000 to the agent. In order to avert the kind of problem which we believed such arrangement would bring, we decided to pay them the money so that peace will reign in the community.
    “The family later appointed three representatives each from the three branches that make up the Mogun-Oja Descendants family. Members were drawn from Igu Asemuti, Odunume and Mebude branches to monitor activities at the site.”
    But rather than bring about peace to the community, matters deteriorated as some people invaded the area, destroying buildings and injuring residents. The invaders also asked all old residents of the community to repurchase their plots of land.
    A resident, who declined to be mentioned, said the residents had not known peace since then. He added that many people had fled for safety.
    “Since the problem started, two people have been killed. The first person died in a shootout between the two rival groups. They came and demolished houses and threatened to kill whoever dares them. They said all of us should repurchase the land despite that we have been living there for years.
    ‘’Many of the residents have already vacated the community because they were chased away by thugs armed with dangerous weapons.”
    Lawal, who expressed sadness over the incident, said the family had lived in unity for years until recently.
    However, in their search for peace, the family has headed to court. Still, it urged the police to intervene.
    ‘’After several attempts to settle the issue amicably failed, we have to follow the path of peace. We have served them a court order. We have taken the step in the interest of peace, but are also urging the police to intervene now because we have observed that they are causing crisis in the community, and there is urgent need to curb their illegal actions before it degenerates into loss of lives,” a member of the family who pleaded anonymity said.
    However, in a telephone chat with The Nation, Rasak Ademoye, who is the allegedly masterminded the tussle, denied the allegations.
    Ademoye said the community is peaceful and that the crisis was in Maya in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, and not in Igode.

  • Family mourns Lagos prince

    The Arota-Ologun family has condled with the Oniru family of Lagos State over the death of the Otun Oba of Iruland, Prince Alaba Oniru.

    A statement by the head of Arota-Ologun family, Chief Teslim Adeola Almaroof, described the late prince as a true Lagosian, who contributed to the development.

    Describing the late prince as an accomplished person, Almaroof noted that the deceased’s contribution towards the empowerment and welfare of the people was enormous.

    The deceased, he added, was an amiable and hard working person whose efforts at promoting peace and unity cannot be underestimated.

     

  • Family celebrates Fagunwa 53 years after

    The family of the late Yoruba writer and pioneer author of the classics, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale, Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa, has marked 53 years of his death.

    Fagunwa, author of Yoruba novels of magical realism, died on December 7, 1963, in a boat capsize.

    He died at the bank of River Wuya, near Bida, in present day Niger State, while returning to Ibadan after a working visit to Kano. He was buried on December 10 in Ondo State.

    He was author of four other imaginative books, Ireke Onibudo, Aditu Olodumare, told in a mythical manner. His last manuscript, Ireola Olodumare, was never found till today.

    The 53 years remembrance was celebrated last Wednesday with a commendation service and holy communion service held at St Luke’s Anglican Church,Oke-Igbo, Ondo State.

    Of her husband’s memory, Fagunwa’s widow, Elizabeth Adebanke, who was widowed at 31 and is now 84, said: “Many times, I looked at the blue sky but saw no sunshine and never expected rain. But as the bible says, weeping may endure a night but joy cometh in the morning.”

    His son, Dipo, said: “That probably was our saddest day as we finally knew that we shall behold him no more except in our dreams.”

    He, however, thanked family and friends, including fans of the late writer for “making the difference by helping us with your support to weather the throes of his death.”

  • FAMILY IS MOST IMPORTANT, SAYS OMONI OBOLI

    NOLLYWOOD actress and producer, Omoni Oboli, was recently given a Pacesetters Awards, by the film video producers and marketers association of Nigeria, at the Investiture Awards 2016, held at the Rockview Hotel, Festac Town.

    The mother of three boys, who spoke with The Nation, revealed what makes the new award, special and different from the ones she has won in past.

    “This is quite different because it’s from the film video producers and marketers association of Nigeria, which I am also a member. Knowing full well that without them Nollywood will not be where it is today. From day one, they have been the one behind Nollywood; pushing with their work, and knowing well that it is going to get better as time goes on,” she said.

    On combining work and home, the actress/producer who has three teenagers explained that, it has been easy for her as she is hardly seen on every location.

    “For me, I have always known the most important things in life; and one of the most import things is my family and they come first. That’s why as an actor, you don’t see me jumping from one set to the other.

    “I don’t do it, because I have got to have time with my family. There are times that I don’t do anything for months; you will only see me marketing my movies online and other channels. You will not actively see me on movie sets. That is because I plan to have quality time with my family,” she added.

    Oboli took a break after graduation; she got married right after university and started having kids.