The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pastors

  • ‘Pastors should stop running to govt houses’

    ‘Pastors should stop running to govt houses’

    Pastor Kingsley Innocent is known for his strong views on morals, religion and governance. He is the Senior Pastor of Bible Believing Mission Incorporated, aka God of Talk na do,  in Abia State. In this chat with Evelyn Osagie, he shares his thoughts on the last elections, execution of Nigerians in Indonesia and xenophobic attacks in South Africa, among others.

    On xenophobic attacks in South Africa

    What happened in South Africa is a surprise. It contradicted the tenets of ‘African unity’. We urge our leaders to find ways of reconciling the issue. And even though it may take time to heal, Africa should remain united and in its fight against those who want to divide us because the world is watching. Africa has been looked down upon over the years; we cannot afford to still remain there. As Africans, we should strengthen ourselves and get going.

     

    On executions of Nigerians in Indonesia

     

    Capital punishment is not the best solution to crime in the world. In as much as crime is not acceptable, then capital punishment does not give the opportunity for that soul to be saved.  It is ungodly for any man to issue out capital punishment to another man because he has committed a crime. The same man who has been executed today for committing a particular crime, if given an opportunity to live may even fight that crime better. Oftentimes people commit crime without knowing the implications because of ignorance.

    I once held a crusade and after my ministration, a young man made a clean start from being an armed robber to walking the right path. He had gone into armed robbery without having any choice and wanted badly to get out. But he was told that he was condemned by God, which made him decide to go into it fully. And so, he became a deadly armed robber weighed down with the burden that God would ever forgive him until the day he came to the crusade ground. Interestingly, armed robbers also attend church and crusades! I told him there is hope for him and that God can make his life better. And he can even become a better preacher than I. He gave his life to Jesus and decided that he would never rob again. Today, he is a great evangelist, and has touched lives of other people positively. If that young man was killed before he met me, he wouldn’t have the opportunity of turning a new leaf.

     

    On Chibok girls in Boko Haram’s pen

     

    Recently, the Nigerian military have recovered some women and children that were captured by Boko Haram. I am very optimistic that the Chibok girls would be found and rescued, but it may not be all of them. Some of these girls may have been given away in marriage which is not fair. Some of them may have given birth. God will help us and I pray that such a thing does not happen again. We hope that the activities of Boko Haram will surely come to an end. The painful aspect is that this hope is rather coming a little bit late but it is never late than never.

     

    Expectations of the new administration

    The issue of leadership has been the problem of the nation. It is because our leaders are corrupt that our society is not enjoying what it should be enjoying. It is hoped that the change in government will bring about change in many sectors in the country. There are lots of things to be done by the in-coming administration. The president-elect should brace up for the challenges ahead which we pray that God will help him overcome. He cannot do it alone. We urge him to choose men, who have quality of character, men with the vision of nation-building, and not the old elements who have plunged our country into shame and disgrace over the years.

    The in-coming administration would need to handle security issues properly, for the good of the country. It should also tackle power outage so that we can have 24 hours of electricity supply. Before now, the President-elect, General Muhammed Buhari made great impact on our refineries through the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) . We believe he can still do it again. The issue of fuel scarcity would be a thing of the past, if he can fix our refineries and build new ones.

     

    Failed elections prophesies

     

    The presidential election was an interesting one that shows more than ever Nigerians alive and involved in our country’s growing democracy. The outcome of this election shows that Nigeria is growing and there is hope. And in all these, the church is not silent. I once said there is hope for our nation; and this is the beginning of that manifestation.

    On prophesies made during the period and their manifestations, I would prophesy can’t be wrong because God cannot lie. Whatever God says must come to pass. However, predictions and prophesy are not the same. Predictions may fail but prophesy will not because of the Source. You’d know a prophet, not at the point of prophesying, but when his or her prophesy comes to pass. It is the fulfilment of prophesy that will determine a true prophet.

    I consider most of the things that were said during the elections as predictions. Men predicted and their predictions were wrong. As Nigeria’s democracy continues to grow, a word caution to my fellow ministers of God, let us be careful of what we say and the things we predict. Let us be careful to note when we are talking and when God is talking. You don’t have to lie about your personal opinion and say it was from God. We should not be carried away by sentiments or  situations, but be focused and go back to Bethel, the place of the altar. This is not to discourage pastors from prophesying but to urge us to retrace our steps.

    Like I’ve said Nigerians have proven that change is what they need now. I am hopeful that God will give us the desired change.

     

    On politicians bribing some pastors

     

    The issue is a source of concern and worry.  It is one story that should not be heard of the church. I am very ashamed as well. The reason for this is that too many pastors are running to government houses hence, this whole shame. It is a disgrace that money was given to ministers of God to mobilise votes. It is ungodly; God is not part of this. Our place is the place of the altar. Let us sit down and do what God has called us to do. We are not politicians; the church is not a forum for politics.

    A politician, who releases money because he wants to be elected is simply saying he is not coming to do anything that will better the lives of the people. The church should say no to it, they should stand against it so that our nation can move forward and for our country to be developed the way other countries are.  We should stop running around government officials; rather, we should pray for and tell them the truth. To better our nation, the time has come when integrity, people’s record and capabilities should count. The prerequisite for getting into public office should not be how much money that a person has, but strength of his or her character. The President-elect, General Muhammed Buhari may be a Muslim, but his character, personality and integrity have got him the position. This should serve as lesson to those seeking political offices.

     

    On 2015 elections

     

    I commend the INEC Chairman, Prof Attairu Jega. He conducted the 2015 elections in such a way that we have not seen. Prof. Jega is a true Nigerian, who had a good plan and motive. But his Resident Electoral Commissioners didn’t live up to expectations. They messed up his plans which left the system with some questions to answer. Although the exercise in some place many may say was not completely free and fair due the RECs short comings, it was an improvement on 2011 general elections.

  • Pastors drum up support for Ambode, Tejuoso

    Pastors drum up support for Ambode, Tejuoso

    •Igbo to vote for APC
    •ICAN hails candidate

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will win Saturday’s election, Bishop Kayode Williams has said.

    The national coordinator of Pastors for Change, an independent support group, described Ambode as the right leader for Lagos, urging Christians to vote for all APC candidates on Saturday.

    Bishop Williams spoke at a briefing at Ilupeju Recreational Centre, which had several pastors in attendance. The briefing was held to drum support for Ambode and Mrs. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, who is seeking re-election into the House of Assembly.

    The cleric said Lagos had suffered in the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, which he accused of denying the state its needed impetus to self-development.

    He said: “We are mobilising our members for Ambode to ensure continuity in Lagos and we are confident that God, who we serve diligently and faithfully, will hear us again.

    “Nigerians have proven to be resilient, but we have been plagued with bad leadership in the last 16 years.

    “Despite frustration by the PDP-led Federal Government, Lagos, under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola, has achieved tremendous development with its meagre resources.

    “Lagos State, under the management of APC, has been gradually transformed to a better place that most of us can be proud of.

    “Gone are the days when they say pastors should not interfere in politics. Today, when you see that a candidate is good and God has convinced you, speak to your congregation to vote for that candidate.

    “It is not a secret, it is a mandate from God. A truthful person must say the truth and that is why we must mobilise our congregation.”

    Bishop Williams congratulated the president-elect, Gen. Muhammad Buhari and his deputy, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, saying he had long prophesised APC’s victory.

    He said: “They have my letters with them (APC). I told them the revelation I got from God on the general elections.

    “I even advised them not to conduct primaries because Buhari would defeat all his rivals. God has anointed him. Today, the revelation has come to pass and I am also telling you another one on Ambode.”

    Bishop Williams accused the PDP of wasting billions of naira to capture Lagos, noting that such huge amount could have been spent on infrastructure or human capacity development.

    He said Lagos could not afford to be in the opposition, if its potentials must be achieved.

    Buhari, represented by Dr Tunde Ayeye, said Lagos would enjoy all its privileges under his government, promising to work with Ambode after his election.

    Ambode, who spoke through Mrs. Tejuoso, thanked Nigerians for voting APC in the presidential election, urging Lagos residents to vote for continuity in the state.

    Mrs. Tejuoso urged members of the group in Mushin 1 Constituency to vote for the APC. She said for religious leaders to openly support the APC, the party was doing well to lift people out of poverty.

    “I am confident that APC would win by a landslide in Lagos State, because people have seen everything that is going on in the country and now would be more ready to vote the party at the state level. We are happy we won the federal elections, but Lagos will achieve more development, if it remains in the same party with the Federal Government.”

    Igbo traditional leaders have promised to deliver their domains to Ambode.

    The leaders who were in the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, promised to vote for the APC on Saturday.

    The Chairman, Eze Ndigbo in Council and title holders, Lagos State, Eze Gordian Dimojiaku, said Igbo had resolved to vote for Ambode, unlike what happened during the presidential election where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Igbo dominated areas.

    He said: “We are very sorry for what happened last Saturday. We came here today to tell the Oba that on Saturday, you will see a change.

    “Contrary to the insinuations that the Igbo did not vote for the APC, we voted for the APC but maybe our efforts were not enough.

    “But I want to assure the Oba that this Saturday there will be a difference. We have started to work in the 37 local council development areas and the 20 local governments.

    “When we leave here, we will go back to our people and tell them what to do. We have agreed with the Oba in the presence of everybody that we will deliver on Saturday,” he said.

    Dimojiaku called on all Igbo resident in Lagos State to vote for experience.

    He noted that continuity in Lagos will protect the Igbo’s huge investments in Lagos.

    Oba Akiolu said Lagos had provided unparallel opportunities for Igbo to grow in their business, public and private lives.

    He said Igbo had never been discriminated against.

    The monarch said the visit was not just for support for Ambode but for the progress of Lagos.

    “They are showing their solidarity for the progress, growth and development of Lagos. Ambode is just an individual, a symbol that will deliver the message which I, the Oba, the number one traditional citizen of Lagos, other obas and stakeholders, will send him.

    “He is going on a mission and by the grace of God, he will consolidate on the gains recorded. He will make Lagos better for everybody. I want to urge the opposition in Lagos to wait for their time.”

    Ambode has been hailed for his extraordinary leadership qualities and professionalism.

    The APC candidate was the special guest at a lecture organised by the Ikeja District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (IDSICAN) yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

    Ambode was the focal point of an academic research titled: “The Effects of Leadership Quality on Public Expenditure Management: Evidence From Lagos State Treasury Under Akinwunmi Ambode As Accountant General”

    According to Prof Kabiru Isa Dandago, who presented the research paper, the APC candidate proved to be a exemplary leader, who has mastered the art of exercising the principles of leadership along the lines of accountability, transparency and prudence.

    “This study aims to explore the potentials of quality leadership on public expenditure management (PEM) towards a better life for the citizenry.

    “It specifically examines the effects of leadership quality on PEM performance, using the six-year tenure of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the Accountant General (AG) of Lagos State as the focal point.

    “In the comity of states, Lagos has distinguished itself as a state with distinct PEM credentials in the six-year leadership of Akinwunmi Ambode as AG.

    “It is, therefore, important to examine Ambode’s underlying leadership qualities for the period under review (2007-2012) and to highlight the lessons, which can be replicated elsewhere.”

    He, therefore, recommended that “Lagosians should strive to exercise their rights to vote a professional, who has exhibited concern and care for them, long before showing interest in serving as their chief accounting officer and chief security officer.

    “A vote for Mr. Ambode is clearly a vote for improving the lives of the present generation of Lagosians and for laying solid foundation for sustainable well-being.”

    ICAN President Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu praised Ambode and the results presented by the study.

    He said: “With 19 qualities of leadership and 16 signs of professionalism acumen that this study makes us see in Akinwunmi Ambode, it has proven beyond doubt that accountants make the best leaders in the world. Lagos is blessed to have him.”

  • Thugs chase pastors, members from Edo church

    Suspected thugs at the weekend barred pastors and some church elders of the Assemblies of God Church from holding a district meeting at the Edo State branch headquarters, at Upper Lawani, Benin City.

    The entrance to the church headquarters was locked while hired thugs stopped the church leaders, led by District Superintendent, Joel Okoegbele, from entering the church.

    The church has been torn between Rev. Paul Emeka and Dr. Chidi Okoroafor.

    It was learnt that the Edo headquarters was locked by the District Treasurer, Rev. ThankGod Ekias who supports the leadership of Okoroafor.

    Sources at the church said the meeting was to discuss the visit of Rev. Okoroafor to Edo State. According to a source, Okoroafor’s mission was to remove district leaders opposing his leadership.

    The factional church leaders later met at another branch of the church and they adopted resolutions barring Okoroafor from visiting the district.

    Okoegbele, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said four pastors in Edo District were suspended for promoting factions in the church and hiring thugs.

    Those suspended include Rev. Albert Okaka, Rev Chijena I.O, Rev. Godwin Chime and Rev ThankGod Ekias.

    Okoegbele said the leaders at the meeting recognised the leadership of Rev. Emeka, adding that they left the church headquarters on the advice of police.

    According to him, “having known the plans of Rev. Chidi Okoroafor to come to this district, we have agreed that Prof. Paul Emeka is the legal General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria. We in this state are in alliance with the court ruling granted on December 11, confirming Prof. Emeka as the authentic head of the church.”

    Rev. Ekias could not be reached for comments.

  • 2015: CAC President inducts 1000 pastors

    2015: CAC President inducts 1000 pastors

    THE expansive auditorium of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Babalola Memorial International Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji, was filled to the brim penultimate weekend. More than 1000 pastors filed out for ordination by the President of the Church, Pastor Abraham Akinosun.

    Decked in designer’s suits of different colours, the ordinance, who had just concluded a one-year pastoral programme were formally welcomed into the ‘One fold, one Shepherd family.’

    Clerics from across the country converged on the CAC Camp Ground, at Ikeji Arakeji, to begin a new adventure in the vineyard of God and the ministry.

    It was a joyful occassion as the ordination was coming after years of embargo placed on such activities in the CAC fold.

    With joy and happiness radiating, the pastors danced to the melodious renditions of the choir to appreciate the goodness of God.

    One could not separate the mood of the occasion from the spirit of the festivities which beclouded the atmosphere of thanksgiving and praises, even as the auditorium was decorated with different Christmas trees and other ornaments synonymous with the Yuletide.

    While lending his voice on the 2015 general elections, Pastor Akinosun said Nigerians should look on to God and be saved.

    He said: “If our nation and those people we are going to vote for should look unto the Lord, the nation shall be saved and all the people therein

    “But if we continue to go into the way that is not biblical, like killing and maiming because someone wants to rule, this is against God’s wish and the scripture.”

    The cleric said politicians should learn from other nations where the interests of the citizens are of utmost importance to government that serves the people diligently.

    Pastor Akinosun berated some politicians who are allegedly preparing for the coming elections as if they are going to war front.

    He said: “We are going to vote and we are hearing of people stock-piling arms. We are not preparing for war; we are preparing to vote for credible people to be at the helms of affair. So, why should they be piling up arms?

    “Our politicians should have a rethink and look unto God. It must not be a do-or-die affair. If someone fails now, another time, he may be called upon to come and rule. So, people should take politics as a game and play according to the rules.” Pastor Akinosun stressed.

    Speaking on the role of the ordained pastors in ensuring a better society, the CAC leader said embargo has been placed on ordinations for a very long time because of the understanding that a lot have to be put into the training of pastors so as to contribute meaningfully to the society.

    “You see this people; many of them have been working on churches without ordination; many of them have acquired knowledge; but we really want to train them as pastors so that, if the Church of God change for better, the society will be good for it,” Pastor Akinosun explained.

    The cleric warned that the New Year may be a bad experience for the ungodly.

    He said for those who look unto the Lord, the coming year will be filled with blessings and uniqueness.

    “For those who looking unto God, they don’t need to fear, though we don’t know tomorrow, but if we know the God who knows tomorrow, then we will be rest assured that tomorrow will be good.”

    Earlier in his message entitled: “The New Beginning” with text taken from the holy Bible, Second Corinthians, and Chapter five verse 17, Pastor Akinosun charged the newly-ordained to start living a new life.

    According to him, as they have received a new training, the Holy Spirit must be in them to do the work always.

    He condemned some Pastors who run after money and jettison their ministries and their duties with the Lord.

    “Baba” as fondly called among the CAC family urged the new Pastors to live a life which will serve as a role model to others.

    While congratulating them, he described the ordination as a welcome development.

    The CAC President said even though there has been some in the past, but this year’s own was unique because embargo had been placéd on it for a long time.

    In his own address, former General Evangelist, Pastor Paul Bandele expressed his joy over the development.

    He appreciated the leadership of the CAC worldwide for the success recorded on the programme.

     

  • CAC pastors seek God’s favour for Nigeria

    CAC pastors seek God’s favour for Nigeria

    An annual retreat by pastors and other clergies in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) came up last Thursday at the Babalola Memorial Miracle Centre, Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State. DAMISI OJO was there.

    The 2014 edition of the annual Pastors’ Conference of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) was not only a spiritual avenue for Pastors within the church’s fold to renew their knowledge and teachings of the holy scripture, but also a platform  to seek God’s face for a better Nigeria and Nigerians.

    This year’s conference which had as its theme “giving and receiving” was attended by pastors in the South West including Edo and Delta states.

    President of the CAC worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun took some time to pour out his mind on the state of the Nation.

    According to him, the burning issue of Boko Haram in the country today has not been laid to rest because of favouritism by the powers that be.

    “This Boko Haram matter, I don’t know why it is very difficult to be uprooted, even in the time of Shagari, Maitashine (a similar band of terrorists) you will remember was eliminated within two years of the Shagari administration, and they were no more in existence”

    “We don’t know why this Boko Haram is so difficult to uproot, I think it is because of favouritism, they don’t want to touch some people,” Pastor Akinosun said.

    The CAC president expressed concern over the fate of the 200 Chibok school girls still in captivity by Boko Haram, stressing that terrorism is a great crime against God.

    He lamented that “it is disheartening to note that Boko Haram has continued to breach our security at random. A group which started with guerrilla tactics has become so audacious that is now taking territory and naming it its caliphate.

    “Let us say this for emphasis, the government should rise to the occasion and retake the towns already seized by the murderous gang, no inch of Nigeria must be lost to these insurgents”

    While commending the men of the Nigerian Army for their fight against the insurgency, he expressed dissatisfaction on the mutiny attempt on a General Officer Commanding (GOC) by some soldiers serving in the theatre of war in the north east.

    The CAC President, however pleaded that the soldiers involved who have been condemned to death by a military court martial should have their sentences commuted to jail terms.

    He equally urged the Army council to investigate the reasons behind the 400 soldiers who recently deserted the battle front.

    According to him, the soldiers should equally be tried by a court martial, but said if indeed they fled because their weapons were no match for the enemies, the process of procurement of weapons by the military should be reviewed.

    Pastor Akinosun further warned politicians to stop addressing the issue of insecurity in the country from partisan standpoint.

    He said politicians must depoliticize the issue of insecurity entirely, stressing that whatever ambition they have can only be realized when the country is at peace.

    Pastor Akinosun noted that in the event of war, there is no nation in the West African sub region that would serve as place of refuge for Nigerians.

    Speaking on 2015 general elections, the pastor said “the 2015 general election is around the corner, we must all start praying for a successful exercise. We call on politicians to make their campaigns speeches temperate, they should tell us what they have to offer rather than run their opponents down.

    “They should shun campaign of calumny and embrace that of issues, they must shun violence in all its ramifications if indeed, their intention was to serve us.

    “Nigerians are also urged to vote according to their conscience, they should not be swayed by money or any other base consideration, they should realize that with their votes, they can change the system for the better if they vote wisely”

    Pastor Akinosun lamented the lop-sided distribution of wealth in the country, stressing that the gap between the poor and the rich is widening every day.

    “There seems to be no concerted effort to reverse this dangerous trend. The poor lives in shanties while the rich and the wealthy live in palatial buildings. The poor, day-in day- day out barely eke out a living in a nation that is, proverbially, flowing with milk and honey” He said.

    The man of God charged the federal government to declare a state of emergency on employment with a view to creating jobs across the country.

    “Declaring a state of emergency would enable the government to take emergency steps to decongest the job market within a short time. Under this arrangement the government may acquire lands in all parts of the federation and establish emergency farm settlements.

    “Government should also review existing manufacturing policy, Nigeria should ban importation of certain products that can be produced locally; for instance Nigeria has a fair comparative advantage in textile production” Pastor Akinosun advised.

    Speaking on the theme of the conference, the CAC president revealed that the reason why some Christians are poor today was because they lack the habit of giving.

     

  • Park pastors: business or calling?

    Park pastors: business or calling?

    One after another, the passengers boarded. They paid the fare, got their tickets and proceeded to choose their seats on the bus. Apart from the general park buzz, everywhere was quiet. But as soon as the last passenger boarded, a voice rang out from one of the windows.

    “I greet you all in the precious name of Jesus,” said a man clutching a bible. “If you are a child of God shout a big halleluyah!”

    That was how the passengers were treated to a dose of evangelism which ended with prayers for journey mercies.

    But, wait a minute, is this evangelism or plain business?

    In era of problems and daily challenges, one of the options available to the poor and deprived is spiritual solution. It’s an avenue to a world of dreams, beliefs and an escape from the daily troubles of life.

    That, perhaps, is the reason many religious houses are sprouting up across the country.

    This phenomenon has also affected the various motor parks in the country. The Federal Capital territory is not an exception.

    It is common to see buses and cars of different sizes and colours loading passengers and to see traders displaying their wares like recharge cards, petty articles of trade like edibles, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cigarette, kilishi and other things in Abuja parks.

    They are as ubiquitous as the buses and Agbero boys who help motorists invite and load passengers for a fee.

    The messengers of the gospel at these venues are called motor park pastors because they basically practice their callings at the parks.

    Their purpose, to the knowledge of many, is to pray for commuters embarking on a trip and in the process win souls for God.

    It cannot be denied that most people, if not everybody, need prayers and the Holy Book commanded it in the first book of Thessalonians 5 verses 17, saying “Pray without ceasing.”

    These pastors have cashed in on the fact that the parks are usually populated with people who are heading for one destination or the other.

    In Abuja, some of the transport services are Ideal, AIT, Fairplus, Okunline, Ola Express, Abbey Line, Big Joe, Peace Mass Transit; God is Good, the Young Shall Grow, among others.

    These transport services are found in parks like Utako, el-Rufai bus stop in Kubwa, Nyanya Bridge, Jabi Park, Zuba Park, to mention but a few.

    Passengers at all these parks witness the pastors, especially in the morning.

    The common routine at the park is that once passengers are seated, the pastor stands by the window of the bus or if the bus is still open, he stands at the door with his Holy Bible as his tool and usually begins: “I greet you all in the precious name of Jesus. If you are a child of God shout a big halleluyah!’’

    Everybody shouts the halleluyah and then he smiles in triumph and continues. He leads a session of praise, sermon and then he says, “let us pray.”

    Most of the prayers go like this: “Father God Almighty, I thank you for the life of everyone in this bus and for keeping them alive. We ask for your mercy to prevail upon us and forgive us our sins. As they are travelling today, I bind all blood-sucking demons on the way. Nobody will die from accident in this vehicle today.

    “I cover the driver with the blood of Jesus. I cover the steering with the blood of Jesus. I cover the engine with the blood of Jesus. I cover the tyre with the blood of Jesus. In fact, I cover the road from here to your destinations with the blood of Jesus!

    “You shall not run into armed robbers. Father, nobody in this bus will have accident and I pray that everybody in this bus will make heaven at the end of the day in Jesus name.”

    The prayer ends but it has been observed that some of the pastors don’t end it there. They proceed by saying, “Brothers and sisters, please support the work of God. Nothing is too small.”

    This is the part that some commuters have complained about claiming that a true man of God will not ask for money or offering after prayers.

    According to majority of the commuters who spoke with Abuja Review, when pastors ask for money, it reduces the authenticity of the prayer and it looks like they are paying for the prayers.

    Sandra Kawu, one of the commuters who spoke with Abuja Review in Utako Park said: “I am travelling with Plateau Riders to Jos. I always encounter them in Utako Park. I feel most of them engage in it as a form of business to make ends meet. I have had cause to donate to them or give offering. It is not like I believe in them but as a Christian, you have to support whatever since it is their own business.

    “Sometimes, if you don’t want to give, at the end of the prayers, they will tell you to drop something for their ministry to move forward. I am serious about this.”

    Mercy Ocholi had this to say: “I travel with Benue Travelers. Each time I board bus at the park under Nyanya Bridge, when the bus is filled, they will walk up to the travelers and say, ‘ok, now that the car is filled, we want to pray for journey mercies.’

    Everybody closes their eyes and the pastors will pray. After that, he will say if you have anything to drop for the man of God, please drop and at that moment, you will see people who have good heart dropping money to help the man of God.

    Miss Ocholi further said: “I believe in what the pastors do because it really helps. It is encouraging. There is no problem in that, because even if the pastors don’t come, sometimes after a bus is filled and it’s in motion, one of the passengers willingly leads prayers in order to ask God for a safe trip.

    Ikenna, another passenger said he suspects that the transport service and especially the drivers have a deal with the pastors because of the patience they exercise to allow these pastors finish their business.

    He said: “The driver is always patient enough to wait for the pastors to finish praying. I think the pastors have a deal with the transport service.

    Biodun Tijani said he sees motor park pastors as businessmen.

    His words: “With each Naira note the pastor grabs, he rewards the faithful with a ‘’bless you” and when he is sure no more is coming he wishes us a ‘safe journey’ and moves on to another bus.

    “I think they are a nuisance. Is there anyone of them who doesn’t ask for donations/offerings at the end of their sermon and prayer? They are little more than corporate beggars who just capitalise on people’s fear of traffic accidents and highway robbers. They pray against these incidents just to make you feel better, and put you in a good frame of mind to give them money and then they are off to the next bus.

    “The ministry they represent is unclear and it makes me feel they represent the ministry of their pockets and stomach,” Tijani added.

    In a chat with Abuja Review, the Secretary of the pastors, Pastor Abiola he said that he belongs to an association called Mobile Ministers Evangelical Ministry of Nigeria.

    Pastor Abiola, while explaining that he goes beyond motor parks to minister in churches, schools and sometimes in the hospitals if he is led by the Spirit, debunked the notion that the pastors are out to make profit.

    “It is wrong to say that it is for business purpose. If I want to do it for business’ sake, I will sit back in my office because I have an office opposite NYSC camp in Kubwa. We, the mobile ministers are about 15 in number and our ministry is basically to win souls for Christ.

    Continuing, he said: “We don’t ask and passengers are not compelled to give. Those who give do because they are led by the Spirit to give and it won’t be nice for us to reject.

    Debunking the notion that pastors pay the transport firms for the time taken in praying, Mr. Lekan Ojo of Okunline said that they don’t charge anything. They are just propagating the gospel and I feel it won’t be right to hinder them. Since there is no test we can carry out to ascertain whether these mobile ministers are called or not, there is need to do everything decently in order to avoid harassment and anarchy.

  • Why celebrity marriages DON’T LAST

    Why celebrity marriages DON’T LAST

    IT had all the trappings of a fairytale wedding, the type most little girls dream of – a lovely bride and handsome groom both taking their vows in exotic surroundings that could pass for a Hollywood movie set. Indeed, the beaming couple looked so much in love that guests at the star-studded nuptials between American reality star Kim Kardashian and basketball player Kris Humphries in August 2011 thought they were witnessing a Cinderella-type fairytale, and that the couple would ‘live happily ever after.’ How wrong they were! For just 72 days after that ceremony, Kim filed for divorce, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’

    While many were shocked at how quickly the union unravelled, it was no surprise to keen observers of celebrity marriages. Over the years, a strange phenomenon has been taking place in celebrity land, whereby unions of movie and music stars, top athletes and others in the limelight hardly last. Indeed, there was the notorious case of a celebrity couple who wedded sometime ago in the U.S and on the way to their honeymoon got into a big fight. At that point, they realised they were not compatible and could not live together and quickly filed for divorce. All this before some of their wedding guests had even got back home from the wedding venue!

    It’s a global issue not restricted to the advanced world alone. In Nigeria, we have had our fair share of celebrity break-ups with all the ‘drama’ and screaming headlines that come with it. So, the question is, why do marriages of most celebrities crash frequently? Some marriage cum relationship counsellors and experts, who spoke to The Nation on the phenomenon, gave various reasons for the breakup of celebrity marriages.

    Columnist Bunmi Sofola attributes it to their hectic jobs and lifestyles. “The job they do could affect their marriages,” she noted, stating: “The man who loves you starts disliking you because of the demands of the job that you do. Your husband, for instance, wants you to be home, but you cannot be at home because you are either on location or doing one story or another. Again, as a man, your wife may want you home, but you can’t be home because you are out there socialising as a celebrity. That is because celebrities are expected and known to be extroverts. At least 90% of them are so, and they are either attending parties or going to bars or clubs. Your wife may not like all that. At the end, even when you have kids, all these factors take their toll and it gets to a point when one of the party says that he or she has had enough, then packs his/her bag and leaves.”

    A marriage counsellor and author, Flora Preye, agrees with this view. She stated: “A major issue is work/career commitments. Actors, for instance, are constantly on the move because of their job. Now, if the husband and wife are both artistes who are always on one location or the other, when will they have time to be together? Regular interactions are a key ingredient for a successful marriage and if it’s lacking, it can cause a crack in the marital ‘wall.”

    She lists other factors responsible for celebrity break-ups as large egos, fan adulation, constant media scrutiny, hectic lifestyles, among others.

    While contending that marriage generally is hard work which requires a lot of effort to work, she noted that it’s doubly difficult for celebrities. “Let me state clearly here that marriage generally is hard work. Ask any old couple who have been married for say 30-50 years and they will tell you it’s not a bed of roses like it’s portrayed in movies and pop culture. Those who are sincere will tell you the truth about marriage. It’s easier to get married than to keep that marriage going. It takes a lot of hard work, involving commitments, compromise, sacrifice and other factors to do that.

    “Now, if marriage is tough for the average person on the street, then imagine what it’s like for celebrities who have other issues to contend with the ones I have stated earlier like ego and media scrutiny.”

    “Why will their marriages not crash when they are building it on themselves and not on the initiator of the institution?” so declared Pastor N. C. Amaefula. To him, marriage had a manual which had to be followed if you want a successful marriage.

    “God is the brain child of marriage and there is nothing any man or woman can do to make marriage succeed except they both go back to God. You cannot give what you don’t have, so being in marriage without knowing God, is fake. It is pretending to give what you do not have in you. And again, most of these celebrities do not live by the precepts, ordinances and rules and regulation that God has given as far as marriage is concerned. There is always a rule. Life is about principles. There are principles as far as marriage is concerned and that is how it can work as far as they want it to work,” he said.

    He compared marriage manual to that of a product, stating: “I tell people regularly, that there is no manufacturer that does not have a manual for the use of his product. And anyone who goes to the market to purchase a product, must use it according to the manufacturer’s specification. You must first of all read the manual and when this is done, definitely, that product will serve the consumer more.”

    In his view, Rev. (Dr) Fubara Sam-Obomanu, a marriage counsellor at TREM, attributes the issue to a lack of understanding of what marriage entails as well as people marrying for frivolous reasons.

    “The reason for all these marriage break-ups is that they don’t understand what marriage is about, they see it as a feather to their cap,” he opined. “They gather people together, go to church and stand before the altar to exchange vows. There’s more to marriage than that. Then, people marry for what they see, the physical appearance and not what’s inside the person. It’s the content that should count.”

    “Many celebrities live a false life,” so said Efe Anaughe, a counsellor. He stated that the pressure to live up to certain standards and give a good impression of themselves contribute to marital splits among them. “I think that celebrity marriages are breaking because they put too much pressure on themselves. Also because of their status they try to live up to the standard of others. They tend to live a life that is not theirs. The pressures of wanting to create or give people the impression of having a sense of perfection, that makes many of these marriages to crumble.

    “That is because, there is so much pretence in such marriages. If only they can learn to be themselves in such marriages. People have to learn how to be themselves. People should not allow the pressure of their work get to them,” he said.

    Sam-Obomanu agrees, stating: “Many celebrities have very high tastes and they keep looking at big things like wealth and a flashy lifestyle. And when a time comes and things are no longer working fine, they walk away from the marriage.”

    One common factor that runs through most celebrity break-ups is the issue of infidelity. Some spouses leave the marriage when they can no longer bear the indiscretions of an unfaithful partner. On this, Preye stated: “There is also infidelity but this is not restricted to celebrities only- it’s a major source of marital discord today. But what makes that of celebrities different is the temptations they face regularly. Because of living their life constantly in the spotlight and their fame, they have more opportunities than the ‘average Joe’ to stray. When musicians, for instance, go on shows, girls throw themselves at them. Even a monk can get tempted with all that is offered. If one partner is constantly unfaithful, it can cause discord in the marriage.”

    “Jealousy can also be a problem in a union between two celebrities,” she added. If one, for instance, has more fame, more success than the other, it can cause problems if the other party does not have the strength of character to cope with his or her partner being constantly in the limelight.

    “It takes a very strong man or woman to endure his wife, for instance, being more famous, getting more attention than them. One celebrity union that has been able to cope in that aspect is that of Omotola Ekeinde and the husband. She’s definitely more famous than he is but he doesn’t seem to mind, preferring to stay in the background while the wife laps up all the attention.

    “Their marriage shows that the union has greater chance of success if one partner is an artiste while the other is in another profession? So there won’t be a struggle to be in the limelight if both partners are in the same career.”

    Sofola supports this view, noting: “For instance, you go to a party, and your wife is better known than you, she is being embraced and kissed here and there, jealousy starts getting into the marriage. It doesn’t even matter if both of you are celebrities.”

    Preventing break-ups, saving homes

    So, can celebrity marriage break-ups be prevented in view of the negative effect of divorce on family life, especially on the children?

    “You ask me how the crash of celebrity marriages can be stopped? I ask you, are you sure celebrities really want to stop their marriages from crashing?” retorts Amaefula, who noted that one cannot stop what he does not want to. Speaking philosophically, he said: “If you are going to a place and you are on the wrong road, what you should do is to retrace your steps. Go back to where you are coming from because using a wrong road, cannot take you to the right destination. So if they desire to stop it, then they have to decide and change.

    “The change has to be everyday, mentally, spiritually, intellectually, physically and otherwise. Some of these female celebrities, when they marry, they want the man to be the woman. They want to marry a man who will be cooking for them in the kitchen, while they sit and read magazines in the sitting room. So they have to change their mentality and embrace Jesus as the author and finisher of marriage. Then things will turn around for them and that is how it can work as far as they want it to work.”

    “It cannot be stopped, it’s a global thing,” noted Sofola, adding: “One minute celebrities are in love, they are happy, it doesn’t really matter how rich they are, because it has nothing to do with money.”

    “My advice for celebrity couples? They need to put God first,” said Sam-Obomanu. “Unless you get God’s manual for marriage, it won’t work. Marriage is a union of two forgivers. From the beginning, you must make up your mind to forgive- you should understand that your husband will step on your toes and you will also step on his. They also need to go for counselling before marriage.

    “Then, besides the vows in church, I believe strongly that people should make individual vows saying ‘For me, I will do everything within my power to make sure this marriage works.”

    “I will not say that I see the end of celebrity marriage crashes. There could be limited marriage crashes if they could only learn to take some steps. Some of the steps are those that I have mentioned above. Celebrities should not put pressure on themselves. They should not kill themselves just to make an impression. Celebrities need to work on their fame and family. I am hoping that it will go a long way to help them in keeping their marriages from collapsing,” Anaughe advised.

    Sofola stressed on the importance of long courtship, stating: “When people are getting married, they should decide on long courtship, for instance, to know if they are compatible and the chemistry is right. But as a celebrity, you are already a public figure. And then the dilemma is there because you do not know whether the person that has approached you likes you because of you, or because of your popularity. Only to discover that the person married the name and not the personality involved. After marriage, they then find out that they are not compatible.”