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Tag: Pray

  • While praying, we need to roll up our sleeves

    While praying, we need to roll up our sleeves

    By Abachi Ungbo

    Sir: Nigeria was ranked the second most prayerful country in the world in a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre, a non-partisan America think-tank. It did occupy the top position in 2019 but this time, it was leapfrogged by Afghanistan.

    Revealingly, while less developed countries occupied prime positions, their rich cousins languished at the lowest rung of the ladder. To underscore our reputation as a prayerful nation, a young Nigerian pastor is known to have set the internet abuzz with his effervescent online prayer programme-which assumed the biggest prayer programme in Africa if not in the world.

    There’s miracle in prayer. However, mouthing prayer as a panacea to the debilitating national malaise will drive the nation into a cul-de-sac.

    So, imagine if prayer was the sole elixir, Nigeria would have been an economic powerhouse, enjoying all the trappings of development and economic prosperity. Responsive and responsible leaders would have abounded. Chronic poverty and corruption would have melted away. Infrastructures would all have been top notch. Our country would have become a choice destination for many people in the world. The laughable imputation of sin for the outbreak of meningitis (diseases) by a state governor would have been unheard-of. Recall that a governor who should know better once made the shameful allusion.

    Read Also; Report claiming 94% contested posts awaits tribunal incorrect – INEC

    Prayer is an indispensable instrument of worship and also a shield. And undoubtedly, it has its place. Prayer shouldn’t supplant work. Instead, it should be seen as “the grease in the lock.” And, it should be emphasized that faith without work is dead. Clearly, there are no substitute for hard work, patriotism and justice in arriving at the point of development.

    The wisdom, knowledge, talent and resources that God has bestowed upon the country must judiciously be applied. Recall the parable of the talents- it clearly illustrated the need to put gifts/resources to good use- it also translates into employing the right strategies in investing resources.

    The ranking demonstrably reflected the depth of religion in our society. Religion should be seen as a force for social change. Like a knife, it depends on how it’s being applied.

    Max Weber- the German philosopher, in his work  Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904-05) imputed the emergence of capitalism to religion- meaning religion birthed the modern capitalist system which he ascribed to the protestant teachings notably Calvinism- the adherents were exhorted to put forth strong work ethics, unleash the spirit of entrepreneurship, invest become thrifty and plough back savings into their businesses with government support and availability of capital providing a robust crutch.

    The values were undergirded by individual freedom that it espoused. In fact, work was regarded as a form of giving glory to God and means of finding a place among the ‘elect.’

    The country hasn’t recorded the protestant ethic and capitalist spirit in the scale that development and economic prosperity will thrive. The missing link which is not limited to the absence of hard work which has been eroded by corruption; thrift which has been knocked off by wild and unconscionable spending without thought for saving and investment and vitiated condition for growth of businesses and production. Essentially, pragmatic approach and policies remain wishy-washy.

    The protestant values have proven to work outside the realm of the ‘religious.’ The values work for those diligent enough to apply them. China, for instance which reside in the prayerless bracket places religion at the back seat but it simply drove itself into economic prosperity. It kept working with the single-minded purpose of attaining glory. Its development models are sought after by the ‘prayerful.’ It remains the convenient creditor for development purpose to not a few. Chinese goods and services are ubiquitous.

    In fact, in the quest for accelerated development they flirted with capitalism which spurred private businesses and unprecedented millionaires which explained their zeal and strong work ethics.

    While we pray, we must roll our sleeves in being discipline in building structures that underpins market economy, robust political governance framework, requisite infrastructures and also institute prudent fiscal management.

    • Abachi Ungbo, abachi007@yahoo.com

  • Pray, is “The Force” on the ballot?

    It’s amazing how politics and the media owe a lot, of their racy clichés, to combat-speak.

    At the dawn of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), Prof. Wole Soyinka, pushed for a “Third Force”.  Then a young and fierce government critic, WS was neither for Nigeria nor Biafra,.

    So, that neutral force, in his thinking, would neutralize the Nigeria-Biafra belligerents; and perhaps avert civil war.  For that WS, who would later become Africa’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, got clamped into detection by a nervy Nigerian side.

    Only last year, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who never shies away from crunching clichés, and pretending they are his original ideas, moved with fan fair, the need for a political “Third Force”.  Everyone knew the old man was mortally scared of looming irrelevance.  But the dummy he sold was a rally for the younger folks to elbow aside both APC and PDP, and take over power.

    Needless to say, that “Third Force” crashed even before it took off, and the Owu fox has since moved on to hysteric letters and allied meddling.

    But somewhat, the pull of “force” endures.  The other day, Fela Durotoye and Kingsley Moghalu, two presidential candidates, announced they were pulling forces together, to “disrupt” the so-called big two – APC and PDP – from winning.

    If you recall, Oby Ezekwesili, pulling out of the presidential race, also celebrated how she had used her APCN ticket, now thrown back at the party, to disrupt the Big 2 from winning.

    Pray, how do you start a campaign not to win but to prevent others from winning?  Is that not an electioneering, nay political, equivalent of a dog in a manger; that cannot function, yet prevent others from doing so?

    But it all goes back to the conceptual emptiness of pushing “youth” or “old age”, as political asset or liability.  Neither is totally useful or useless.  But when you now push youth, as if it were some open sesame to solve all problems, you merrily bury yourself in a deep, deep ditch.

    That would appear the long-and-short of the so-called youth challenge to Presidency 2019.  When things got so tough, between 2015 and end 2016, the “youths” started an emotive campaign: don’t blame those behind the PDP-era debacle; instead pounce on those trying to clear it all; and finally, happen on a self-serving eureka: only the “youth” hold the Nigerian redemption magic.  Others are too daft – so, they should vacate power for them! And for good measure, blare: APC and PDP are all the same – the youth have said do!

    But hard into electioneering, the bitter crow is served.  That is why Oby pulled out without much ado but tried to hide everything behind bluff.  Durotoye and Moghalu too, are announcing a “coalition” less than 25 days to a crucial poll!  Besides, is “The Force”, their coalition, on the ballot?

    It’s no crime for youths to crave political power – anyone can dream.  But reality demands much more critical thinking, clinical networking and punishing organisation.

    Anything short of these is just grating noise.

  • Fenwa charges Nigerians to pray, work together

    The General Overseer of Holy Ghost Christian Centre, Pastor Amos Fenwa has called on Nigerians to continue pray and work together with sincerity of purpose in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing the country because God is still in control.

    Fenwa said this ahead of the church Annual Night of Mercy holding on Friday, 9th of November at the Gymnasium, Hall of National Stadium, Lagos, the event will bring together over 12, 000 participants from within and outside Nigeria The programme will feature ministration from different musical groups including the Gratitude (COZA) and the Paraclete Mass choir (PMC). Other special guest gospel artists who are expected at the event include: Efe Nathan, Eben, Sinach, Chioma Jesus and Tope Alabi.

    He said that God has bless Nigeria tremendously with immerse human and material resources but corruption, sin, selfishness and all forms of unrighteousness have been dragging Nigeria back from realising her potentials.

    He took at swipe at the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria, especially in the power sector, stressed that some cabals are behind unstable power supply in Nigeria and their strategies will fail.

    Fenwa commended the presence administration for its effort at revamping the power sector but lamented that the effort have continued to meet a brick wall because the cabal importing generators into the country.

    He posited further that the power sector is improving and when we compare the situation in the power previous years ago, we can see the difference, what is baffling is that there are some cabal who don’t want Nigeria to have steady power supply but I know that they will fail.

    Fenwa noted that the church spent #1 million to buy diesel every month and that makes it #12 million yearly, said “you can imagine what #12 million can do to support young entrepreneurs.

    He opined that if there is power, employment could have been generated. School leavers would have been able to get jobs. In any society where unemployment is tackled, insecurity would not be a problem.

    “Once poverty is eradicated, security would not be a problem. I see our problems as a chain. Corruption in the power sector must be stopped and unfolded. People who own generator  will not want the power sector problem to be solve” , he said

    He added that God has solved the problems of Nigeria but it is left to us to finish. When God created man, the bible say it was good and it is left to us to continue to innovate and creativity solve our mirages of problems.

    He challenge the youths to look inward and find simple solutions to the problems around them.

    Although he bemoaned the government insensitivity to the plight and challenges of young Nigerians, admonish the youths to stand up and make a difference in their generation.

    He restated the place of praise and prayer for individuals, families and the nation at large noting that God’s power is still at work to make Nigeria great again.

    “In our Church, we believe in the power of prayers. So, we always create time to pray for our nation. God speaks to us about our nation all the time, We want God to take part in the selection process of those who would come to power; and when they also come to power, we want the Holy Spirit to take over their lives so that they would do the right thing.

    He opined that God is ready to win soul, release the oppressed, set the captive free and do the miraculous at the Night of Mercy 2018.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Pray for successful poll in Osun, Aregbesola tells intending pilgrims

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to pray for the successful conduct of next month’s governorship election in the state when they arrive in the holy land.

    The governor said the prayers became necessary since this year’s Hajj is the closest to any election held in the state since he assumed office about eight years ago.

    Aregbesola spoke during a farewell ceremony at the state secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital, for this year’s pilgrims from the state.

    The governor urged the 599 intending pilgrims from the state to seek God’s guidance for free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

    He said: “We need prayers for the success of the governorship election as it is not a coincidence that this year’s Hajj is the closest period to our governorship election since we assumed office almost eight years ago.

    “So, the only thing I need from you (intending Hajj pilgrims) is to pray for the success of the 2018 governorship election in the state because we want peace to continue to reign in our state.

    “Since Saudi Arabia is the Holy Land where prayers are answered, I want you all to dedicate prayers for the free, fair, credible and peaceful election to elect a worthy successor who will continue from where we will stop.

    “However, it is on records that Osun has witnessed all-round growths and development in all aspects of life, a feat that can never be allowed to stop.

    “We have recorded giant strides in all sectors, we have made a difference in the socio-economic and political landscape of our state as these claims could be attested to in the successes we made in the last seven and a half years of our administration.

    “So, we appeal to our people to continue to support our administration and display same gesture by voting for continuity as our state cannot afford to be backward again.”

    The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Simeon Obawale Adebisi, said 599 intending pilgrims were leaving the state for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

    He said: “The last editions of Hajj were success stories. It is our plan and hope that this year’s exercise will be much more successful in terms of planning, execution and result.

    “At the beginning of this year, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja allocated 964 Hajj seats to the state on the strength of which forms were sold to the public and people from other states.

    “For this year’s Hajj, 599 self-sponsored pilgrims and officials are embarking on the holy journey to Saudi Arabia.

    “To make adequate arrangement, the preparation for this year’s Hajj started last November with the interview and screening of intending pilgrims to ensure their physical, medical and spiritual fitness for the exercise.

    “Mr Governor has magnanimously approved all the expenses for the board to organise the Hajj operation and our pilgrims have been provided with uniform dress, bags, Saudi sim cards among other incentives.”

     

  • Onaolapo to Nigerians: pray to enjoy real change

    Nigerians must raise voices to God in sincerity to enjoy the much-clamoured change President of the Christ The King Rescue Global Ministry Lagos, Prophet Gabriel Onaolapo, has stated.

    He spoke at the 6th anniversary of Winners Chapel of the church in Ogun State last Sunday.

    Speaking on the theme of the anniversary: ‘The helper of this season,’ he said Nigeria needs divine intervention to surmount the many challenges confronting it.

    The cleric declared the nation has been suffering from the spirit of error, which makes occupiers of Aso Rock prone to making mistakes that led to misrule.

    He said Nigerians need to cry to God for deliverance from the spirit for the country to move forward.

    Reacting to recent calls by some groups for Christians to vote only Christian candidates, he said Nigeria problems are more than spiritual.

    “In electing political leaders, Nigerians must look beyond religion because we have the other religions and Nigeria is a secular state as enshrined in the constitution.

    “Instead, we should be praying to God to give us leaders that are visionary and in asking for such a leader, Nigerians must look beyond religion and be neutral minded in order not to divide us along religious lines,” he argued.

    The branch pastor, Tunde Adetiba, added nothing is impossible for God if Christians ask sincerely.

    “I am sure that what God has in stock for us as a nation, family and community, is more than we are expecting.

    “The dignity and honour of Nigeria would be restored by God very soon but Nigerians should continue to pray steadfastly,” he stated.

    According to him, obedience to God’s commandments and prayers for the nation at all times will enable Nigerians to enjoy His bounties.

  • Clerics, others pray for return of remaining Chibok girls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Pray for leaders, Ademowo urges at Easter

    Nigerians have been urged to intercede for their political leaders always to overcome the challenges confronting the country.

    In his message during the Good Friday Service in Lagos, Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, The Most Rev’d Dr. E. Adebola Ademowo, also implored Christians to seize the occasion of the season to reconcile with and move closer to God.

    Ademowo, who expressed optimism in the future of the country, urged Christians to remain committed, prayerful and focused.

    “With the present situation of the country, especially socio economic challenges, we can only get it right through consistent prayers for our leaders and the country at large.

    “I also want to beg us all to emulate the meekness and spirit of forgiveness exhibited by Jesus Christ even unto the point of death,” he said.

    He added Christians should be prepared to face persecution and should not give up but continue to speak with one voice in the face of challenges.

     

  • Associates pray for aspirant

    Supporters, associates and friends of a former member of the House of Representatives, Mashood Mustspha, yesterday organised a special prayer for the realisation of his governorship ambition.

    The prayers held in Isale Aluko area of Ilorin, the capital.

    Though the prayer was specifically organised to mark Mustapha’s 55th birthday, the clerics were requested to beseech God to grant his desire of becoming governor.

    One of the clerics, Alfa AbdulGaniyu Asileke, repeatedly asked the clerics and dignitaries to focus  the prayer on his governorship ambition.

    Mustapha, a close aide and ally of Senate President Bukola Saraki, is yet to make his ambition public, but his supporters have begun subtle moves to ensure that he clinches the seat in 2019.

    Mustapha was commissioner for Lands and Housing; special adviser (Special Duties) to ex-Governor Bukola Saraki between 2003 and 2011.

  • Herdsmen killings: ECWA prays for Nigeria

    Herdsmen killings: ECWA prays for Nigeria

    Following killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the country, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Kaduna South District Church Council on Sunday held special prayers for the peace, unity and development of Nigeria.

    The church said it will continue to pray for God to expose, unseat and judge any leader behind the killings going on in the country.

    Secretary of the church’s council, Reverend Enock Joshua Bitiyong while condemning the herdsmen attacks in some parts of the country, called on the Federal Government, security agencies and all relevant authorities to intensify security in the affected states and also do more in tackling the menace.

    According to him, “If all is not well with Nigeria and Nigerians then nobody is safe and we all know the evils that are happening in this country, nobody is happy. It takes only a crazy person to be happy with the present state of our country Nigeria.

    “I wonder if our leaders, President Muhammadu and all Governors go to bed and sleep while innocent people are being killed every day.

    “Look at what is happening in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and other states of the country and yet no serious action is being taken to end the killings. As a Nigerian and as a Pastor, I am not happy when I see people crying, when I see children being massacred.  I am not happy when I see parents being killed, when I see caskets and mass burial taking place all over. Yet we have President, we have Governors, Senators and other lawmakers. Nigeria must change.

    “As Christians and as a Church, we will continue to pray. I call on all Christians to intensify prayers and I tell you we will continue to pray for God to unseat and reveal any leader who is behind these killings.  We will ask God to judge between us and our leaders over what is happening

    “It is the responsibility of government according to Nigeria’s constitution to provide security of lives and property of its citizens, but what we see in Nigeria is only when people are being killed before security is provided. I think something is wrong somewhere

    “This was not what we know Nigeria to be in the past. Our Leaders must do something to restore the lost glory of this country, he said.

    In his own remarks, Chairman of the council, Reverend Iliya Yunana said the present economy and security challenges facing the nation calls for prayers.

    He said, religious, traditional and political leaders must rise to their responsibility of educating the citizens on the need to live in peace with everyone irrespective of ethnic, political or social differences.

    According to him, “Government should do all within its power to fish out those involved or sponsoring the kidnappings, armed robbery and the frequent attacks in communities across the country.

    The prayers which is part of the church’s Annual Consecration week brought many clergy men and members of the Church together to seek God’s face in the year 2018.

  • Aregbesola urges Nigerians to pray for Buhari’s son

    Aregbesola urges Nigerians to pray for Buhari’s son

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has enjoined Nigerians to pray for the recovery of Mr. Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Aregbesola spoke at the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the Annual National Conference organised by the Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen (Society of Nigeria), at City Hall, Iwo.

    The governor said the call was necessary to support the administration, adding: “The comfort of the President is the comfort of all.”

    Yusuf Buhari had an accident on his motorcycle in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Aregbesola described prayer as the only instrument that can rescue Nigeria, hence the need to attach priority to prayers and fasting.

    The governor urged religious leaders to dedicate prayers for President Buhari, his sick son as well as for the socioeconomic prosperity of the country.

    He said: “I am happy that every religion emphasises this. As it is, something important we can do to support the present administration is to pray and fast for the leaders.

    “As we all know the condition of President Buhari’s son. I urge Nigerians, regardless of our socioeconomic, political and ethnic differences, to pray for the quick recovery of Yusuf Buhari, who is currently recuperating.”