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  • Let’s uplift Nigeria with prayers, Methodist Church Prelate urges Nigerians

    Let’s uplift Nigeria with prayers, Methodist Church Prelate urges Nigerians

    The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, has called on Nigerians to lift the nation in fervent prayers and seek divine intervention as the country battles multiple economic and security challenges.

    Speaking during the 63rd Synod Ceremony of the Methodist Church Nigeria held in Ibadan, the Prelate lamented the worsening economic situation, attributing it to the soaring exchange rate, high cost of living, widespread corruption, and the crippling cost of doing business, compounded by an inadequate power supply.

    He further expressed concern over the rising insecurity and unemployment, describing them as major issues confronting the country. 

    According to him, kidnapping—driven by greed, false religious motives, unemployment, and poverty—has taken a dangerous new dimension.

    Read Also: My 45 years of singing in Methodist choir – Lady Abimbola William

    “Kidnappers continue to target defenceless citizens and even churches. At this point, Nigeria urgently needs God’s intervention,” Dr. Aba stated.

    He said, “We were witnesses to how times are hard in our nation and around the people God. Let us keep praying to God for provisions to take care of one another. 

    “We know that times are hard, nevertheless. let us work hard in 2026, we must come together for MCN and Nigeria as a nation to ‘rise again.”

    In his remark, the Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Reverend Olugbenga Fafeyiwa, bemoaned high rate of unemployment among youths in the country.

    He stated that a nation that neglects and despises her youths, is a nation heading for doom.

    He lamented lack of amenities such as adequate electricity supply, roads and education for children of common man in the country.

    Fafeyiwa, who stressed the need for good leadership and good governance in the country lauded governor Seyi Makinde for various good works in the state.

    He urged the governor to extend hand of his governance to all other parts of the state .

    He however called on all Nigerians to work together, in a bid to bring an end to insecurity, ethnicity, hike in prices of petroleum, gas products, injustice, corruption, religious fanaticism and insurgency.

  • Materialism and Methodist Church Nigeria

    Materialism and Methodist Church Nigeria

    A materialistic church is a contradiction in terms because a church is expected to be non-materialistic. “The love of money is the root of all evil,” says the Bible.  Reports of money-driven deeds by the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) concerning the Methodist Boys’ High School (MBHS), Lagos, are a cause for concern.

    Interestingly, following viral reports that the MCN had, on January 29, employed thugs to enforce its moves to build extraneous structures on the school grounds at Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, The Rt. Rev. Dr Babatunde Abiodun Taiwo, Secretary of Conference and Secretary, Incorporated Trustees of Methodist Church Nigeria, issued a “Pastoral Letter” on February 8, addressed to “The People called Methodists.”  The defensive statement defined the position of the MCN on the controversy. But ironically, it also exposed the underbelly of the defenders. 

    In the communication titled “The facts concerning Methodist Boys’ High School Lagos,” the MCN said the MBHS Lagos Old Boys’ National Association had “alleged untruthfully that the Church brought thugs onto a land that it owns and is in possession of.”

    The MCN also said: “On account of the false witness against the Church by certain gentlemen, (said to be speaking for the Old Boys Association of MBHS), gaining currency in the public space, and tarnishing the image of the body of Christ, the Incorporated Trustees of Methodist Church Nigeria met at an Emergency Meeting on February 3,2024, to re-examine and assure itself of the true state of affairs concerning the ownership and use of Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos to ensure the public does not get drawn by untruths, reaffirm the dignity and uprightness of the Church, and assist the traducers of the Church to know the truth, and repent of their errors.”

    In its effort to present the truth, the MCN shot itself in the foot.  The statement said: “In accordance with its Constitution, upon resolution of Conference, and in order to leverage some of its assets Conference wide, it was resolved inter alia to build a befitting block of flats in an idle and dead part of the land – using income therefrom in enhancing and upgrading Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos; two new planned schools and other needs of the Church.”

    This is the crux of the problem. The MBHS Lagos Old Boys’ National Association is opposed to the use of any part of the school grounds for non-educational purposes. In a previous communication to the MCN, it had described the school as “bereft of infrastructure.”  For instance, an old boy complained: “No hostel for the students. Excess classrooms, in view of low student population, are currently in use as dormitories.”

     The MCN, which boasts about its ownership of the school, should be embarrassed that it is poorly developed. Developing the school should not be tied to using its land to raise money for development purposes. This is counter-productive. Where will such land exploitation stop?

    MCN’s ownership of the school should not mean it has an unchallengeable right to use the school grounds for non-educational purposes, shrinking the space available for the school’s development.  

    It is curious that the MCN described part of the land as “idle and dead,” in order to justify its materialistic move to build luxury flats in the space. The part about using the income to develop the school, among others, sounds like seeking justification for an unjustifiable plan. If the MCN succeeds, this would set an undesirable precedent, allowing it to resort to the use of school grounds for money-oriented schemes.

    It is puzzling that political and education authorities in the state apparently endorsed the MCN’s intention to convert part of the school grounds to a non-educational cash cow. According to the MCN, “application was made by an organ of the Church for (a) change of use of a small portion of the land for the block of flats, (b) proper carve out of the land for that purpose, and (c) building permit for the said block of flats and all were granted, consented to and registered, by the relevant agencies of Lagos State Government, after payment of requisite fees.”

    Why did the relevant state agencies allow the change?  Would the MCN have taken such actions concerning land not located in such an upscale area?

    Read Also: Surplus coming soon, Methodist Church assures

    The battle to preserve the pristine purpose of the school grounds began in 2012 when the then leadership of the MBHS Lagos Old Boys’ National Association met with the then Prelate of the MCN, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, to resolve the issue.   According to the minutes of the meeting, it was “not conclusive as the issues that were critical to the meeting were not discussed and no disclosure was made of what Methodist Church Nigeria has in mind on part of MBHS LAGOS land.”

    After Makinde’s tenure, his successor, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, who was in office from 2013 to 2022, did not resolve the issue. From all indications, the current Prelate, Dr Oliver Ali Abah, who was elected into office in 2022, is sticking to the controversial plan. 

    The MBHS Lagos Old Boys’ National Association has announced that it is going to court to stop the MCN from pursuing the commercial building project on the school grounds. It remains to be seen what will happen in court.

    Founded in 1878 by the Methodist community, the Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos, was the second secondary school established in Nigeria. It started on Broad Street, Lagos, its site for over 100 years, before moving to its current location on Victoria Island. Its planned relocation to a 60-hectare parcel of land in Ojoo, Lagos – Badagry Road, allocated to the school by the Lagos State government, did not happen because the government took the land back for the establishment of Lagos State University.

    To partially compensate the school for the reclaimed land, the state government, in 1983, gave it a new 5.7-acre parcel of land located at Victoria Island, Lagos. That is the root of the ongoing conflict between the MBHS Lagos Old Boys’ National Association and the MCN, which seeks to opportunistically and materialistically repurpose part of the school grounds. 

  • Surplus coming soon, Methodist Church assures

    Surplus coming soon, Methodist Church assures

    The Methodist Church Nigeria National Men’s Fellowship has assured Nigeria will witness surplus soon.

    They appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged considering hardship being experienced due to removal of fuel subsidy.

    A communique at the end of the 23rd/3rd biennial national conference of the National Men’s Fellowship, theme: “Men, upholding the faith of our fathers” also urged government to take pragmatic steps to ameliorate sufferings of Nigerians, including economy and deplorable roads across the country.

    The communique, which was signed by Elder Uche Achugbuo, National Secretary; Very Rev James Adikwu, National Coordinator and Sir (Dr.) Kehinde Oladeji, National President was made available to journalists in Ibadan, by the National Public Relations Officer of the National Men’s Fellowship of the church, Sir. Tunde Babalola.

    The Conference attracted delegates from all the Archdioceses and 76 Dioceses of the church across the country including the Immediate past president of the Fellowship, Sir Adasi Ubulom.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio was among six eminent Nigerians honoured with awards of Pillars of Support during the conference officially declared open by the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba.

    The Prelate was represented by the Archbishop of Ikot-Ekpene, The Most Rev’d (Dr) Etim Ekong in company of the Connexional Secretary for Evangelism and Discipleship, Rt. Rev. Inyang Effiong, and several other bishops.

    Two personalities were garlanded with Samuel Wesley Awards for good parenting, eight persons were decorated with awards of Worthy Ambassador of Christ, and another six persons were in the category of Pillars of Men’s Fellowship Awards.

    The communique reads in part: “The conference advocated faith and consistent prayer for a time of surplus in Nigeria. It believed that a time of surplus is coming in the country. We should not be discouraged by things that are becoming difficult in the nation because of the fuel subsidy removal.”

    “The Conference noted that It is true that Nigerians have been enduring the situation. But after a long tunnel, there will be light. It prays that soonest things will come back to normal and we shall all have cause to laugh with believe that as it happened in Samaria in the Bible days when things became surplus within 24 hours, so, also it will be in Nigeria.”

    “The leadership of Nigeria should evolve deliberate policies that will build institutions that will be stronger than individuals. It is an anathema for individuals to be stronger than institutions. If this country will join the league of developed nations, it must build stronger institutions towards rising above tribalism, corruption, marginalisation, nepotism and so on.”

    “It is essential for all citizens to support the government at federal, state, and local government levels to overcome Nigeria’s challenges with faith and prayer. The success of the three tiers of government will rub off positively on the citizenry.  However, the Conference made a call to action for men to take leadership roles in their families and communities to support the government and overcome Nigeria’s challenges with faith and prayer.”

    “The Conference condemned in strongest terms the banditry,  kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity in the country and enjoined the government to do everything within her power to eliminate the menace and take Nigeria out of te quagmire.”

    “The Conference emphasised the importance of real men of prayer in defending God’s word, with a charge to them to lead their families in worship. It noted that for the society to be peaceful, adequate attention must be paid to the family units. It observed that the troublemakers in the society come from different family units.”

    “Each real man must not fail in his responsibility to his family, the society and Almighty God in raising children that will be God-fearing and that will contribute immensely to the development of the society.”

    “The Conference, which acknowledged the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria enjoined the men of the Methodist Church, and everyone to draw closer to God in prayer. It urged the government to take steps to ameliorate hunger and other forms of sufferings of Nigerians.”

    “The Conference advised men and women, both young and old,  to take care of their health and avoid harmful habits. It urged them to refrain from whatsoever that can cut their lives short, and habits that are injurious to their health. It urged them to distance themselves from whatsoever that can make them develop old age health conditions.”

    Read Also: Methodist Church urges Tinubu to prioritise security

    “The three tiers of government and corporate organisations should prioritise investment in the youth of Nigeria as a matter of deliberate policy. The priority areas should focus on investment in the education of the youth, provision of employment opportunities for them, and creation of an enabling environment for them to be gainfully employed by starting their own businesses.” 

    “The Federal Government should take  stock of all federal roads across Nigeria and their conditions.  A few of them are in good condition. But many of them are in deplorable state. The roads that are not in good condition have not only led to a waste of human hours on the road, they have also caused accidents that claimed many precious an productive lives, capable of contributing to national growth.”

    “The Conference took a swipe at the way some youth have capitalised on the situation to barricade the deplorable roads at strategic points to extort money from motorists. We, therefore,  call on the federal and state governments to work together to fix the appalling roads.”

  • Methodist Church seeks end to violence in North

    The Methodist Church of Nigeria, Metropolitan Diocese of Ikeja, has urged the Federal Government to find a solution to national issues, including violence in parts of the northern and corruption.

    It said if the challenge fester, they could threaten the country’s unity.

    The church stated this in a communiqué marking the end of its three-day annual synod at Methodist Church, Mushin, Lagos.

    The communiqué was signed by the Bishop, Metropolitan Diocese of Ikeja,  Revd Stephen Adegbite; Synod Secretary Rev. Timothy Olatunji and Lay President Frederick Ogunjuboun.

    The communiqué reads: “Synod frowns at the escalating killings the north, especially in places like Kajuru, Kaduna State, Zamfara, Taraba, Borno, Plateau, Yobe and Adamawa States.

    “It calls on the Federal Government to fight this sad development as it should not be allowed to continue to fester. The time to act is now.”

    The chuch also urged the Federal Government “to ensure that the anti-corruption fight is holistic and genuine; one that has no ‘sacred cows’ no matter which party they belong.”

    The Synod praised God for the “relatively peaceful” 2019 elections. It congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and all the winners, as well as Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the completion of his tenure.

    “Synod calls on state governments to ensure that the N30,000 minimum wage  is paid without hitch as workers deserve some reasonable level of remuneration for their labour.

    “Further to this, Synod calls on all tiers of government to ensure prompt payment of pensions and allowances and other outstandings without any delay.”

    The Synod theme: ‘Obedience to God is better than sacrifice’, was taken from I Samuel 15:22,. It enjoined “all Methodists and Christians alike to spread scriptural holiness and obedience, in word and deed.”

  • Methodist Church Lagos West holds synod

    The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West, will hold its 13th Annual Synod at the Methodist Church, Odi-Olowo, Mushin.

    The four-day event will start today with the Ministerial and Lay Sessions.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is expected to open the synod tomorrow while the Synod programme will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service on Sunday at the same venue at 10am.

    The theme for this year’s Synod, “Obedience to God – Better than Sacrifice”, has been prayerfully selected to challenge the citizens to be obedient to the word of God to live in a peaceful world.

    The Chief Host and Diocesan Bishop, Revd. Oluyemisi Ogunlere, said: “God’s promise to us as a country is for us to just be obedient to him in all ramifications of our lives, and we live to experience a peaceful world that is devoid of all calamities in our land, natural disasters and self destructions around us. It will ultimately turn our challenges to opportunities with the new things that God will do in our lives as his beloved children.”

    “As Methodist, we’ve challenged ourselves to take a position on how best we should be obedient to God’s ways, to create and add value to our societies by bringing it to the front burner at this year’s Synod and pray for peace and togetherness among nations all over the world, especially in Nigeria.”

    According to the Lay President of the Diocese, Deji Aderibigbe, “this year’s Synod, which is the 13th edition in the history of the Diocese, is expected to attract notable personalities within and outside the Methodist family to be led by His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Uche, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, among others.

  • 2019: Abia guber candidates sign peace accord

    The governorship candidates of the three major political parties; Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent Governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, including Blessing Nwagba of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have signed a peace accord agreement.

    The peace accord deal, The Nation gathered was to ensure that there was a violent-free 2019 election on Saturday February 16 and March 2 respectively in the state as the parties square up against each other.

    The event which was organised by Hope Givers Initiative; a civil society organisation, in collaboration with Vision Africa radio station and the Abia State branch of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was witnessed by the clergy, Abia INEC Resident Commissioner; Joseph Iloh, Abia Commissioner of Police; Eden Okon and governorship candidates of various parties.

    The President of Vision Africa Radio, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of Methodist Church reminded the main actors the need to have the interest of the state at heart while they push to convince Abian electorate to vote and give them the opportunity to govern the state.

    Onuoha said signing the peace accord was to ensure that the governorship candidates and other elective position seekers including their supporters were ready to accept the outcome of the elections.

    Joseph Iloh, the INEC Resident Commissioner who said that the importance of the peace accord cannot be overemphasized said there was the need to sustain the prevailing peace in the state before, during and after the polls which required the full cooperation of all the candidates and their supporters.

    Iloh assured that the commission would provide a level, playing field for all the political parties and their candidates.

    Read Also: I’ll help Abia create jobs – Atiku

    On his own part, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Eden Okon disclosed that the command has put necessary measures in place to ensure that there was adequate security in the state during and after the polls.

    The Police Commissioner who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Godwin Akoh, said, “We have enough security on ground. Nobody should be afraid or feel threatened, because police are ready and prepared to protect Nigerians during the elections.’’

    In their separate speeches, the guber candidates among others expressed their readiness to abide by the content of the peace accord during the polls.

     

    According to Gov. Okezie  Ikpeazu said, “It is my desire and sincere wish that no single blood will be spilled during this election.

    “I have express faith in the Prof. Yakubu-led INEC and the capacity of our REC to do the needful to ensure that nobody was allowed to do away with the result sheet.’’

    While Ogah of the APC said he had the interest of the people of Abia at heart and would continue to contribute to the growth of the state.

    “I am a man who stands for peace. We will ensure that the activities of my supporters are governed by peace.”

    Otti also, spoke in a similar vein, saying that he believed in peace and would do everything within his power to maintain peace and unity in Abia.

    “I call on my fellow candidates that have appended their signature to be honest to execute what we have signed.”

  • Methodist church holds remembrance day

    The Committee of All Saint’ Sunday Remembrance Service of Ereko Methodlist Cathedral, Lagos, has concluded plans to stage its remembrance service for forty families of the departed members of the cathedral holding on the 4th of November, 2018 at 10:00am.

    Bishop of Umuahia North, Abia State, the Rt. Rev Babatunde Abiodun Taiwo, will deliver the homily at the service.

    The chairman, All Saint’ Sunday Remembrance Service, Dr. Fetus Olu Coker, said that the great reunion day is for sons and daughters of the deceased souls to be remembered, when they return to their base root.

  • Clerics back restructuring

    Clerics of the Methodist Church, Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the call for restructuring the country.

    The resolution was taken at the end of the biennial conference of the church in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, under the leadership of the Prelate of the church in Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Uche.

    The clerics while addressing journalists in Aba through the Secretary of the Conference, Rt. Rev Michael Akinwale, said that they were happy that God has kept Nigeria one, but however stated that it has become necessary that true federalism was practiced in the country with each state being allowed to manage available resources within its area of jurisdiction while they make an agreed contribution to the federal government as it was after the country’s independence.

    Akinwale said the church was sad over the killings and wanton destruction of properties in different parts of the country.

    He also bemoaned the continued detention of Miss Leah Sharibu by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Akinwale used the opportunity to call for the rejigging of the nation’s security apparatus and workforce.

    The clerics equally advocated for state police that would be under the control of state governors who are constitutionally the chief security officer of their states.

    The clerics who said that they were happy with the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, also called for proper handling of the welfare and security of persons in the camps.

    While commending the federal government for granting local governments in the country financial autonomy, the church also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Not Too Young to Run Bill.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria upholds the principle of dignity of labour on the part of the workers; at the same time on the need for the Government to pay living wages to her workers.

    “A situation whereby workers and pensioners are being owed for months is uncalled for. This has led to untimely death of many hard working servants and pensioners.

    “We therefore appeal to the state and federal governments to handle the welfare of workers with utmost care. This is one of the ways to discourage financial corruption in both public private sectors of the economy.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria upholds the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution and consequently condemns the invasion of the premises of the National Assembly by the Directorate of the State Service. We commend the federal government in acting promptly for holding accountable those officers responsible for the invasion.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria has noticed that politics with bitterness is becoming rampant in Nigeria. This has also brought about unnecessary overheating of the polity. The Church therefore appeals to all politicians to call self to order and play the game according to the rules,” Akinwale stated.

     

  • Community asks Methodist Church to account for land usage

    Efure community in Ogun State has asked a Sagamu High Court in the state to order the Registered Trustees of Methodist Church, Nigeria and Sagamu Local Government to render account of money collected by the church since the alleged illegal occupation of 54 acres of land belonging to the community in the last 86 years.

    The community, represented by Samuel Olusanya Banjo, Emmanuel Oladuni Adelesi, Kolawole Odugbesi and Mansur Oyesina Baruwa-Banjo, sued the church, the council and nine others for alleged unlawful occupation of the community land.

    In a writ of summons filed on their behalf by their counsel, Babatunde Oshilaja,  they claimed the said parcel of land was leased to the Wesley and Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited for 99 years in 1931 to build a boarding school and residence for the European Principals.

    According to them, contrary to the terms of the lease, the land now hosts church buildings, bishop’s complex, guest houses, banquet hall, meeting rooms, sawmill, and others for commercial purposes.

    This, they said, nullified the deed of lease signed with the first defendant, Wesley Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited.

    At the resumed hearing, the community through their counsel demanded a return of the vast acres of land due to them in view of the  alleged infractions by defendants, including an order of the court compelling the Methodist Church, Nigeria and Sagamu Local Government to render before the court money made so far since the alleged illegal occupation of the parcel of land.

    Oshilaja argued that the church and the council were still making money from the facilities on the land.

    He argued that since the community did not know how much was the money, it was just right for the court to give an order compelling the defendants to  render account of how much they have made from their commercial activities on the land.

    The counsel lamented that since the matter was filed before the court last October, there had been no reactions from the defendants, adding that they might not appear before the court since they are strangers and do not possess the courage or evidence to defend their alleged illegal occupation of the land.

    However, counsel to the Sagamu Local Government, Miss Jadesola Oresanya, told the court that her client intended to file its defence, but had been unable to do so due to circumstances beyond its control.

    She promised to file her client’s response before the next adjourned date.

    Justice A. A. Babawale adjourned till July 3 for hearing.

  • Hearing in Sagamu community, Methodist Church case fixed for June 7

    sagamu High Court in Ogun State has fixed June 7 for further hearing in the dispute between a Sagamu community and the Methodist Church over an alleged breach of terms of lease on a 53.94-acre of land.

    The land at Efure area of the town was leased to the church for 99 years for missionary and educational purposes. The agreement was said to have been signed on March 15, 1931 between Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited and some leaders of the community led by the then Akarigbo of Remo land, Oba Williams Christopher Adedoyin.

    The community representatives -Samuel Olusanya Banjo, Emmanuel Oladunni Adelesi and others – sued Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Trust Association Limited, demanding that the land be returned with compensation since the defendant allegedly breached the terms of the lease.

    In the suit filed by their counsel Babatunde Oshilaja, the community claimed the land was leased for building a boarding school and residence for the European principals. But that the defendant, it alleged,  has church building, Bishop complex, Banquet hall and meeting rooms, guest houses, Theological Institute, event centre, sawmill, among others, on the land. This, the plaintiff claimed, negated and the deed of lease registered as No. 15, page 15 in Register of Deeds at the Land Registry, Abeokuta.

    Joined in the action are  Sagamu Local Government, Mr F. A. Mabawonku, Vigilante Security Organisation,  Oladega Ajelana, Wasiu Asako, Mrs Abosede Dauda, Gospel Sabbatarian The True Church of God and one other.

    They claimed that in the light of the infractions, the court should declare that the lease has been breached; nullify the lease and make an order returning the land to the community and its representatives.

    The community also asked for damages by the defendants’action. It is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining them and their agents or officers from interfering with the claimant’s exclusive possession of the land, among others.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Fola Yussuf, counsel for the fourth defendant and Mr. Ezugwu Paul, counsel for the eighth to 10th defendants, sought an extension of time to file their response to the application.

    Earlier, Oshilaja told the court that the fifth defendant, Mr F. A. Mabawonku is dead and asked that he be struck out of the case.

    Oshilaja said there had been no reaction to the suit since last October when the Registered Trustees of Methodist Church Nigeria was served the process.

    He, however, argued that the case could still proceed, since rule of the court permitted that.

    Justice A.A. Babawale adjourned till June 7 to enable the defence counsel regularise his response.