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Tag: RCCG

  • RCCG signs 10 artistes to record label

    RCCG signs 10 artistes to record label

    In its quest to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through music, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has unveiled 10 gospel musicians signed to its recently launched record label One Hallelujah Records (OHR) on Thursday at the church camp.

    The artistes which include renowned saxophonist,  Kunle Ajayi who is also the front liner,  Nathaniel Bassey, Tosin Bee, Femi Okanuga, Moses Onofega, Michael Akingbala, Obabike Adeyemi known as OBA, South Africa-based James Okon, Rebecca Ogolo and Funke Akiokun

    They were unveiled at an event and presented with cheques of One million naira each as sign-on fees except Kunle Ajayi who signed on for free.

    According to Kunle Ajayi, the mission to start up a record label started as a vision of Pastor Enoch  Adeboye.

    “He found out that everywhere he has been to, he hears joyful noise and he discovered that there are talents in RCCG that we can use to preach and sell to the world and to bring about change to the world,” Ajayi said.

    “Daddy is looking for a way to project these talents and he supports it in every way. It is a vision that he is into.

    “The aim is not just to entertain but to bring change into the world of entertainment.”

    It was also revealed that the artistes would be going on a tour of Europe and Nigeria in a couple of months.

    Director of the label, Pastor Lanre Oyegbola said “the purpose of RCCG setting up One Hallelujah Records is for those that can actually sing meaningful songs that can bring down the presence of God to have a platform, hence we decided to sign these 10 bubbling music ministers on the OHR imprint.”

    Leke Adeboye who was also there said it’s been long overdue since RCCG should own a record label.

    “We are sitting on a volcano of talents and we don’t want it to erupt the wrong way so we got to channel the energy the right way and obviously with the right backing we might start small but we can only grow bigger from where we are starting.”

  • Was it murder or an accident?

    Was it murder or an accident?

    A 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Uche Rickson Esegine, is being detained with a pastor and three others at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Edo State Police Command over the death of an admission seeker,  Lucky Chukwuka. An autopsy allegedly revealed that Chukwuka was murdered. But, the suspects denied the allegation, saying he bled to death. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (600-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    What killed Lucky Chukwuka? This is the puzzle the homicide division of Edo State Police Command is trying to unravel. Chukwuka died on July 2, after he returned home from a regional prayer vigil organised by the Sapele Road branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Benin City, the state capital.

    Chukwuka, an admission seeker, allegedly died in a bus conveying him and fellow RCCG members back to Benin City, shortly after they left the vigil. Five people, including a pastor and the bus driver, are in police custody over the matter.

    An autopsy report by the police allegedly indicated that the deceased may have been murdered, but the suspects denied having hand in his death.

    After the vigil, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the officiating pastor pleaded with church members, who came with vehicles, to help others who did not have any means of returning home. The late Chukwuka hopped into the bus, which was going to Benin City. It was gathered that the bus was full before it left the vigil’s venue.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that an accident was averted when the bus almost collided with a trailer coming from the opposite direction. Although the passengers panicked, they suspected nothing, until the late Chukwuka’s blood-stained phone was found on the floor of the bus.

    It was gathered that the late Chukwuka was found bleeding from the head, prompting the driver and other church members to rush him to the Central Hospital in Benin City, where he was rejected. He was then taken to the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where he was pronounced dead.

    His distraught parents filed a complaint at BDPA Police Station, which led to the detention of the suspects. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that they were moved to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), following the autopsy report.

    One of the suspects, Uche Rickson Esegine, a 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), said he knew nothing about Chukwuka’s death when he spoke to CAMPUSLIFE before he was moved to CID.

    Uche said nobody in the bus knew the deceased was bleeding until his blood-stained phone was found on the floor. He wondered how the police came about the murder story when efforts were made to save Chukwuka’s life.

    “If truly the deceased was murdered, why did we have to take him to two hospitals in an effort to save his life?” Uche asked.

    Explaining how the accident happened, Uche said after the vigil, he joined four other church members in their chartered bus to return to town. Before departure, he said some faithful appealed to them for a ride, which they obliged.

    “As Christians, we believed it was good to help our fellow Christians. Our bus was filled up as we left the camp. I was so tired and sleepy. Some minutes into the journey back to Benin City, I dozed off. The scream by other passengers woke me up when our bus was almost hit by a trailer. We were all frightened by that experience. After a while, we heard someone from the back seat shouting ‘blood…blood’.

    “We discovered Chukwuka, who was sitting at the extreme right of the back seat, had an injury on his head. He was bleeding profusely. His phone was stained by the blood. We alerted the driver, who made a diversion to the hospital. He was rejected at the Central Hospital, after which we rushed him to UBTH where he died.”

    Uche’s explanation did not convince the bereaved parents, who suspected foul play in the death of their son. It was learnt that the parents urged the police to investigate the circumstances of their son’s death.

    Uche’s collegues are worried by his continued detention. They have threatened to stage a protest against the police and the school. The students said they would march on the Police Command if Uche was not released before his third-year professional examination, which started last Monday. His colleagues threatened to boycott the examination.

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) leadership, however, waded into the matter, urging students not to embark on the planned protest. The union president, Elvis Osemudiamen, promised to meet with the school management and police authorities on the matter.

    Briefing the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Faraday Orumwense, Elvis urged the school to wade into the matter, noting that Uche should be allowed to write his exams while police continued. The management promised to do what it could to get Uche back in school for his exams. The VC promised students that the school’s legal team would be informed about the matter.

    The SUG leaders also visited the police command to meet with  the commissioner. Elvis urged the police to make their investigation open.

    The commissioner reportedly told the union leaders: “Litigation is the next step. Only the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the court have jurisdiction to dismiss, discharge or acquit a murder suspect.”

    The Deputy Speaker of the union, Philip Omoaregba, described the matter as “dicey”, urging students to remain calm.

    He said: “We have spoken with Uche and he is traumatised. He is still  in shock. This case is dicey, because there is evidence in support and against. But, we are curious as to why the police only detained five persons of all the people in the bus. It is unfortunate Uche found himself in this mess.”

    A 600-Level Pharmacy student, Anthony Ehimare, urged students not to disrupt the examination, saying: “Due process is being followed to get Uche out of detention.”

    Another student, who asked not be named, said “We must stop being emotional. We should also think about the trauma of the bereaved family. They are grieving over their son. What they did was simply report to the police. Uche was only found at the wrong place at the wrong time. May God help him.”

    It is not clear whether the police have concluded plans to charge the case to court, but the continued detention of the suspects is raising dust.

    Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, urged the police to “thoroughly investigate” the circumstances leading to Chukwuka’s death, but their poser to the police is: “If suspects committed the murder, why would they try to save the life of the victim by taking him to two hospitals?

  • RCCG Lagos Province 54 to host Breakforth 2017

    The Lagos Province 54 of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) will on July 2 host a special family programme, tagged: Breakforth 2017 at 7 a.m.

    The programme, which will be held at the Museum Centre of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Oba Ogunji Road, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos, will have Pastor Charles Kpandei, the pastor-in-charge of RCCG Region 11, as guest speaker.

    His wife, Pastor Bola, is special guest.

    Host Pastor Ben Femi Ayanda, the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 54, said the programme is designed to impact the lives of families.

    Ayanda said: “This programme is designed for all to receive and enjoy Father’s blessing in the second half of this year so that we can break forth into all-round enlargement.”

  • RCCG empowers 200 job seekers

    No fewer than 200 job seekers have graduated from a month-long skill acquisition training organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 44.

    The training sponsored by the church aimed at equipping them with requisite skills and vocational capability.

    They were trained in agro-allied, event and decoration, bead and hat-making, website design, graphic design, shoe-making, aluminum, catering, generator repairs, soap and deodorant-making, beautician and fashion design.

    Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Pastor-in-charge of Province 44, Amos Emovon, said: ’’Last year, when we ran the skills acquisition programme, I asked my son in high school to join the shoe-making section. Today, I buy shoes made by him.

    “It is our aim that having so empowered you, you will become a source of joy to your family and to yourself.”

    The Lagos State Training Institute helmsperson, Mrs. Bolanle Arikawe-Out, enjoined the graduands to be focused, persistent and demonstrate integrity in their dealings with their would-be customers.

    Lagos Island Local Government Vocational/Skill Acquisition Institute’s assistant principal, Akamo Olabode, stated that with the RCCG training members, the society will become more self-reliant and self-sufficient.

    One of the graduands from the catering section, Akinshola Dorcas, expressed joy that the province has fulfilled her dreams of becoming self-reliant.

  • RCCG donates equipment to LASUTH

    RCCG donates equipment to LASUTH

    •Adeboye prays for hospital, patients, staff

    The Apapa Family of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has renovated the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja and donated four ICU CR 5000  electric beds.

    Other features of the ICU Bed are collapsible side rails and removable head and foot ends.  The church also installed Air conditioners in the ward.

    Items donated included the Alpha-Active 4 Mattress, infusion pumps, syringe pumps, bed side lockers and patient monitors. They are supplied by JNC International.

    The church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, while inaugurating the equipment, prayed that anybody that comes into the unit would not die, but go back home smiling.

    “That the healing power of God will begin to operate here. In the entire hospital, the patients will get better. All those that work here, let it be well with them. Take care of their family. Let your healing power flow through them. This day marks a new time of testimony, signs and wonders in the hospital and all other hospitals in Lagos State. All those that have ailments heal them all. We unveil this plague in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God bless you,”the cleric prayed.

    Giving reasons for the donation, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade of RCCG, Apapa Family said he was happy along with members of the church for being a blessing to mankind.

    He said:“We have been partnering the state in the area of health because we believe one of the duties of the church is to serve God and humanity. This is just another milestone in our CSR project.

    “This is a partnership of over 25 years. In the last 10 years we have been able to assist with mobile clinics, hospitals, cancer screening centres, feeding over 6000 people every Sunday within the state. We have rehabilitation centres, and equipped over 500 libraries in the state.”

    Head, Anesthesia and Intensive Care (IC), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Adetinuwe Majekodunmi,   said the hospital was happy with  the donations and the inuaguration of the renovated intensive care unit  at the hospital’s Surgical Emergency

    She said it formed part of the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to mark the 10th anniversary of the RCCG Apapa Family. “They reasoned that it is part of improving the services here at LASUTH, that there is the need for some equipment to be upgraded, like the ventilators, monitors, acquired some four years ago.

    “With these new equipments now, patients, as usual will experience first class treatment. Though the number to be attended to are much, despite the fact that there are four beds along with the 16 at CCU that make it 20. And still not enough. The beds are always occupied each week of the month round the year. The hospital can do with more because we admit on referrals from other hospitals- private, general or even from neighboring states,” she said.

    LASUTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke represented by Director of Clinical Services and Training, Prof Ayoade Adedokun, said the church’s gesture to the hospital was to compliment the effort of the state. “Looking at the increasing population of the state the church realised that it could assist the state government to care for the over 15million populace. It is a most welcomed effort. The four-bed ICU facility upgrading will bear a lot of burden along with the ones at the CCU. The burden of patients on this beds cause wear and tear and for RCCG Apapa family to have refurbished and renovated the ward is highly commendable.

    “Organisations can also help in our Dialysis Unit.  A lot can still be done in our dialysis unit because the government has put the dialysis unit in place with the dialysers running, so the tear and wear always set in. Organisations can also help patients in the Cochlear implant section. The state government did a lot to assist 10 patients regain their hearing and the number of people that required such intervention are still much on the waiting list,”he said.

    Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr Bayo Aderiye said he was happy with the intervention because personnel were having additional equipment to work with. “The Governor has directed the commission to recruit more personnel across board and we are doing that already. He has issued a directive that every quater we must recruit to replace the retirees, who are exiting the system. That helps with discipline as well because cases of being overworked and committing errors are reduced,” Dr Aderiye said.

  • Undergraduate jailed three years for stealing phones

    An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday sentenced a 20-year-old undergraduate, Innocent Onyeoziri, to three years imprisonment for stealing phones in a church.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, convicted and sentenced Onyeoziri, without an option fine.

    The undergraduate, who resides on Adaranito Street, Famous Bus Stop, Alapere in Ketu, Lagos, had admitted guilt.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, submitted that Onyeoziri stole two phones worth N62,000 and a SIM card in a Redeemed Christian Church of God parish  on Okunusi Street, Alapere on Dec. 13, 2016.

    Ihiehie said that the phones belonged to Mr Oluwasanmi Olukunmi and Mr A. Agbolade, who reported the case along with one other person, at the Alapere Police Post.

    “On Dec 13, 2016 at 7.00p.m., the complainants were at the Redeemed Christian Church of God on Okunusi Street, Alapere for evening service.

    “During the service, Oluwasanmi was charging his phone as well as the other two complainants – Jaiyeola and Agbolade.

    “The accused came into the church and took the phones of Oluwasanmi, removed the SIM card in the phone of Jaiyeola and took the Injoo phone of Agbolade, and absconded,” he said.

    The prosecutor said that it took Jaiyeola some time to track the convict through the SIM card he used to borrow airtime to the tune of N30,000.

    “On May 10, the accused came back to the church area and was arrested,’’ Ihiehie said.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

     

  • RCCG soccer competition begins

    The annual soccer tournament of The Redeemed Christian Church of God Lagos Province I (Beautiful Gate Parish) has commenced.

    It is being held in collaboration with School mart and Dadikeem paints.

    It is christened ‘5G’ connection which signifies God, Grace, Goal Gratitude and Glory.

    The tournament, which began On April 16, will end in December when the final winners will emerge.

    The competition is open for all ages.

    The venue is scattered all over 82 zones in Lagos and Ogun states, namely Lagos Island, Ebute Metta, Ikeja, Agege, Ogudu, Badagry and Comprehensive High School at Ofada town.

    Pastor Samuel Olabode Olaniyan, the pastor in charge of the province, in a statement, said the competition is to empower young men with passion for football.

    He said the drive is to keep them from crimes and harness their talents for national development while ultimately winning souls.

    120 teams are participating in this year’s soccer tournament with the first carting away cash prize of N250, 000.

    The second place team goes home with N150, 000 with N75, 000 for the third placed.

  • RCCG offers free project management training

    No fewer than 400 people penultimate weekend benefitted from free project management training by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Province 58 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Province pastor, Godwin Obadan, said the training was in fulfilment of a mandate by general overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye to engage in community and humanitarian services.

    He pointed out many people don’t know how to manage what they have whereas everything about life is a project.

    “Everything about life is a project. So, once you lean about project management, you can manage business, you can manage your life and you can manage your community.

    “So we feel that way we will be improving life and improving our society,” Obadan stated.

    Managing partner of Oak Interlink Company Limited, Seye Kolawole, was a key facilitator at the training.

    He said: “I think they’ve got sufficient knowledge. They were enlightened and educated and I think they’ve gained some useful project management knowledge and skills that they can immediately deploy on their businesses and jobs and in their carrier as well.”

    A project manager, he said, needs a mixed of experience knowledge and certifications.

    A participant Fumilola Dan-Agboola, said: “I may not be a project management expert but I am sure I can now stand by an expert and talk about project management.”

  • RCCG empowers over 200 women

    RCCG empowers over 200 women

    No fewer than 200 women in Lagos have received empowerment items as part of measures to alleviate poverty by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Province 8.

    The presentation of the items was highlight of the 2017 Sisters conference of the province with the theme The King’s business.

    The three-day conference ended penultimate Saturday in Lagos.

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, presented the items, which include deep freezers, grinding machines, mixers, sewing machines, shoe and hat making materials.

    Wife of the Pastor in charge of the province, Mrs. Foluke Adeyokunnu, said the empowerment scheme was driven by the vision to ensure women don’t end up as beggars.

    “We believe it will enable our women fend for themselves and develop capacities to be of blessing to the church, community and their immediate families.”

    Pastor (Mrs) Wonuola Adetayo, in her presentation, said women must learn to fend for themselves instead of being dependants.

    Empowered women, according to her, will be able to deliver the King’s business better with urgency.

    The King’s business, she said, include teaching and preaching, counselling, being models of Christian character, financial support for God’s works and mission backup.

    She said churches must empower women spiritually, financially, mentally, professionally and politically to become the best and profit the nation.

    The Acting Lagos Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, said women must become more involved in political process to proper representation and dividends.

    On why women must be empowered, she said: “There is no gain saying any more that the development of women is sine qua non for development of a nation.”

  • Hundreds graduate from RCCG’s vocational training

    Hundreds graduate from RCCG’s vocational training

    No fewer than 200 youths have graduated from a two-week intensive vocational training under the auspices of Redeemed Initiative for Skills and Empowerment (RISE).

    At the 13th graduation ceremony at the Redemption Camp, KM 46 Lagos-Ibadan expressways, last week, the students had the opportunity to showcase different vocational skills they acquired.

    RISE was organised by the Redeemed National Youth and Young Adult in collaboration with Freesia Foundation.

    Some of the skills learnt include arts and crafts, web designing, photography, fish farming, baking, interior decoration, wooding crafts, desktop publishing and driving, among others.

    The chief facilitator, Femi Ariyo, explained that the programme was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students.

    He said the training was targeted at salvaging the challenges of youth unemployment, poverty and practical application.

    “Each of the students is engaged to be a problem solver, not just to leave here and still be waiting for what they can get instead of what they can give,” he said.

    He praised the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Assistant General Overseer Young Adults and Youth Affairs, Pastor Peter Amenkhienan, for their support that has been very encouraging about the RISE programme, which is why it has always been a success.

    Michael Obians, 24, who came from Rivers State, said the programme has brought changes to his life.

    “Before I came here, I was into different types of businesses but I learnt ankara craft here.

    “I have passion for fashion because I was a tailor. I want to kick start my own fashion industry.

    “Fashion never ends; it also rebrands itself, so I believe that with my knowledge of fashion I will make it big.”

    Mary Isaac, a 200 level student of the Taraba State University, said:  “It has been inspiring. I learnt ankara craft. When I get back to Taraba I will start my hand work and get better in it.”

    Emelis Onisofien from Rivers State learnt web designing.

    He said though it was tasking, the training was also interesting and adventurous.

    The Chemistry teacher said he learnt web designing because it is what any person can do as long as they have passion and interest in it.

    A Yoruba Language student, Gabriel Grace from Ondo State, said she can now handle the camera and take good shots.

    She said: “I have learnt how to go into the world and market myself and how to relate with my clients.”