The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)

  • Police arrest father for defiling own daughter 

    Fifty-one-year-old Godwin Akpan has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly defiling his six-year-old daughter (names withheld).

    The suspect, a resident of Modupe Street, off Balogun Street, Ikeja, allegedly penetrated his daughter’s private part with his fingers.

    He was said to have brought the minor to Lagos from Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State in January, where the victim lived with her mother.

    The police said the victim’s mother is a farmer based in Akwa Ibom State.

    Read Also:Police rescue commercial sex worker from client in Lagos hotel

    According to Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, Akpan’s incestuous behaviour was uncovered on May 23, after the victim refused to follow him home.

    Edgal said the man usually dropped off the minor with one Mama Winner of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) before going to work and picked her up later.

    “But on May 23, when the suspect came to take his daughter home, the minor refused to follow him. Asked why she did not want to go home with her father, the little girl narrated the sexual ordeal she was subjected to. The man blamed the devil for his action. Suspect would be charged to court.”

  • N134.8b Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project to attract toll gates

    Section I of the newly reviewed N134.8b Lagos – Ibadan expressway will include construction of two toll gates, underpasses and flyovers, Federal Controller, Ministry of Power Works and Housing, Engr. Adedamola Kuti has said.

    He disclosed this at the project site during an inspection by the Minister of State for Power Works and Housing II, Surv Hassan Zarma, Thursday in Lagos.

    Kuti listed the reviewed infrastructures to include four under passes, two flyovers, interchange to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the toll gate plazas.

    He explained that the original contract will be completed this year.

    The project commenced in 2013 with an extended completion date set to July, 2018.

    According to him, the FEC recently approved the augmentation of the contract to N134.8b from N70.7b.

    Read Also:Will Lagos-Ibadan Expressway ever be delivered?

    “The augmentation came up as a result of additional works included to the project. When the original contract was conceived, so many other considerations were not included in the project.

    “So, with the augmentation government also extended the completion date to 48 months,” he said.

    The project which commenced in Lagos through Shagamu interchange has been significantly completed.

    “11.6km on both bound has been substantially completed. We have also completed another six kilometres on both lanes aside from a four kilometres bridge.

    “People used to sleep on this road in recent years but it’s no longer the case now. The contractor has just moved to site,” he added.

    In his remarks, the Minister assured the project completion stressing that the N105 billion Sukuk bond has guaranteed its attainment.

    He expressed excitement over the project saying it ought to be completed by December but for the additional infrastructure.

    “The road project has so far reduced travel time, save automobile life span and reduces road carnage.”

    Julius Berger, Division Manager, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway project, Wolfgang Loesser said Section 1 of the ongoing project has attained 56 per cent completion and to be delivered in 48 months.

  • Buhari congratulates Adeboye at 76

    Buhari congratulates Adeboye at 76

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday joined all members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christians in Nigeria and many parts of the world in congratulating Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the RCCG, on his 76th birthday on March 2, 2018.

    Speaking in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, also extended warm felicitations to the family and friends of the highly revered preacher and teacher of the word of God under whose leadership, since 1981, the church has grown to become one of the largest congregations in the world, with parishes in almost all countries.

    The President affirms that the exemplary leadership provided by the servant of God has resulted in an exponential growth of the church, which directly translates into development of infrastructure, building of educational and health institutions, as well as vocational centres that have created a means of livelihood for many Nigerians.

    Buhari commends Pastor Adeboye’s warmth and friendliness, recalling his visits to the State House, and most significantly, the historic visit in London when he was on medical vacation.

    The President believes Adeboye has planted seeds of the gospel that posterity will always remember, especially his divinely inspired dream of ensuring that there will be a church within every walking distance in the country.

    The President extols Adeboye for his humility, focus, discipline and sacrificial spirit of giving up his personal comfort, career and dreams, to take up the higher call of leading the Lord’s flock.

    Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant the church leader longer life, good health and more strength to propagate the word of God.

    Read Also: 76 HOURS MARATHON PRAISE FOR ADEBOYE’S BIRTHDAY

  • Cleanliness, next to Godliness – Adeboye

    Cleanliness, next to Godliness – Adeboye

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has enjoined members of the church to keep good hygiene.
    This occurred in a final address early Saturday morning at the Redemption Camp Grounds, Simawa in Ogun State on the occasion of the yearly December Holy Ghost Congress tagged “Songs of Victory.”
    Pastor Adeboye encouraged members of the church to avoid littering the Church Auditorium and camp premises at all times.
    He also told the mammoth crowd present at the Congress to transfer this attitude down to their homes and places of work.
    “Cleanliness is next to godliness, let us be good ambassadors of the church. Pick up any trash you see in Church premises and let this trait extend to your homes and wherever you go,” the soft spoken preacher stated.
    Adeboye buttressed his point by emphasizing the importance of cleanliness.
    “Cleanliness is next to godliness. Everything has it own space. No one packs the car in the garden. Whenever you see something that is not meant to be; put things in the right place,” Adeboye explained.
  • Abiara celebrates 75th birthday in style

    Abiara celebrates 75th birthday in style

    The General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, turned 75 over the weekend.

    It was a gathering of Who’s Who in religious circles as men of God from all over the country converged on the popular CAC Agbala-Itura for a thanksgiving service to mark the popular prophet’s new age.

    On hand to celebrate with the popular man of God was Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Also in attendance was the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among other prominent workers in the Lord’s vineyard who added colour to the occasion.

    Not left out were prominent South-West politicians, including the first lady and the deputy governor of Oyo State.

  • Breaking: Badoo strikes again, kills pastor

    Breaking: Badoo strikes again, kills pastor

    A Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor was killed at the hours of Sunday by suspected members of the Badoo ritual gang.

    His wife and 10-month-old baby were said to have been found unconscious and rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital by policemen from Igbogbo Division.

    The attack occurred few hours after acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal met with all stakeholders at the palace of the Ikorodu monarch, Oba Abdulrasheed Shotobi on the menace of ritual killings.

    It was gathered that the assailants smashed the head of the pastor identified as Victor Kanayo with two big stones, which were said to have been found beside him.

    The Nation gathered that the murderers cut the iron bars on the window of the bungalow the family lived in before entering the house.

    This is coming on the heels of several efforts by the police to contain the resurgence of the badoo killings which died down after massive raids of several shrines in Agbowa and Imota axis suspected to be the base of the cultists.

    According to sources, the pastor and his family were the only ones living in the building because the landlord moved out some months ago as a result of increased insecurity.

    The source said: “The pastor was an easy going person. His wife and child are unconscious as I speak to you. They were rushed the general hospital. The police took them them.

    More details later………

  • RCCG opens drug abuse rehabilitation centre

    RCCG opens drug abuse rehabilitation centre

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday urged parents, guardians and caregivers to watch out for signs of drug abuse and addiction in their children and wards to tackle it fast.

    Ambode said on Tuesday that drug abuse was harmful to its victims and threaten the peace of the society.

    The governor spoke at the inauguration of the Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM) Rehabilitation Centre of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Araga-Epe in Lagos

    He said that it was important for parents to be vigilant as drug addicts could be easily lured into crime which would ultimately threaten the development of any society.

    ”Let me use this opportunity to implore parents, guardians and caregivers to be vigilant in order to detect early signs of drug addiction in their children and seek help from appropriate quarters before it gets complicated.

    ”On our part as a government, we shall continue to take preventive measures through public campaign programmes, especially among our youths so that they are adequately informed on the dangers of drug abuse, ” he said.

    Ambode hailed the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and his wife, Folu,  for joining in the fight against the menace.

    He promised that the state government would support the initiative to achieve the desired aims.

    ”CADAM has, on its own, with it own resources, picked up, fed, sheltered, treated and rehabilitated many people who have been addicted to drugs,  and given them a new life.

    ”I am optimistic that many lives that had been compromised as a result of drug addiction will be redeemed, stabilised and given a new hope for a better and meaningful future, ” he said.

    Earlier, Pastor Adebayo,  represented by his wife, said that the CADAM initiative was founded in 1991 by Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, a Special Assistant to the General Overseer of RCCG.

    She said that it started as a department in the RCCG to visit homes of addiction victims and hospitals to pray and minister to their physical needs.

    According to her, the name was changed in 1996 to enable a wider dimension as well as remove stigma associated with addiction – stigma directed at the addicts and their families.

    ”Since inception, the centre has assisted more than 2, 000 beneficiaries, most of whom have become professionals and well-to-do persons in the society.

    ”Over N200 million has been spent so far to put up the facilities.

    ”The centre will soon commence full implementation of educational and skill acquisition programmes for empowerment, ” she said.

  • Nigerians should love themselves – US Envoy

    Nigerians should love themselves – US Envoy

    The Charge d’ Affairs of the United States Mission in Nigeria, Mr David Young, on Sunday enjoined Nigerians to shun political, religious and ethnic sentiments, and to always love themselves.

    Young, who is also an ordained Pastor, made the appeal in a sermon entitled “Where is Nigeria as a Nation Today and Where Do You Want to be?,’’ in Lagos.

    The Envoy said in a sermon at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Lagos, that it was imperative for Nigerians to embrace agape love.

    “Whether you are Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani or Hausa, Muslim or Christian, Nigerians should love themselves and their neighbours.

    “We must understand the kind of love that Jesus wants us to have for ourselves and for God. Agape love is a special love. This is the kind
    of love that would make Nigerians truly love themselves and even their enemies.

    “This is really the type of love that Nigerians need today. This kind of love is also needed in America,’’ he said.

    Young said that it was important for Nigerians to realise that God sent Jesus to demonstrate and teach humanity agape love.

    The Charge d’ Affairs also urged Nigerians to learn to begin to live according to Biblical Scriptures on the need for them to always love
    themselves and their neighbours.

    Young said that it was imperative for Nigerians to also known that Jesus did not encourage or support actions and attitudes that would
    divide people and communities.

    “You should love yourselves because love came from God to us all. We must all focus on how to live on agape love.

    “We need to work for justice and respect for all people around us, irrespective of their tribe, religion and lifestyle.

    “We need to symbolically wrap everything we do or engage in, with the love of God. We need to know that Jesus is always walking with us, but we are not seeing him.

    “We need to allow Jesus walk the roads of our lives with us always. We need to always show hospitality to our neighbours, so that we can see Jesus,’’ he added.

  • Women create change in homes, govt – Cleric

    Women create change in homes, govt – Cleric

    Pastor Ayannike Rotimi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Faith Chapel, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja has advised women to create change in their homes and in  government.

    Rotimi made the call at this year’s Women of Zion Convention of the FCT Province 7 in Abuja on Saturday.

    The theme of the convention was “For such a time as this’’.

    She said the convention planned to bring women together to deliberate on family, national and spiritual issues, with a view to proffering solutions to family and national challenges.

    She said the theme for the convention was apt considering the “perilous” incidents happening across the world at the moment.

    Rotimi, who described the family as the bedrock of the society, advised woman to strive to build responsible and Godly homes, raise Godly children and intercede for their husbands “so that the they can contribute to building a Godly country.

    According to her, Women of God can only make the desired change in the country by being part and parcel of governance, through active participation in politics.

    “The essence of this programme is to bring women together as a church, to deliberate on issues that are bothering us at the family level and spiritually.

    “To the theme that we have chosen, looking around us, we know that so many things are happening at this time and we deem it fit that the theme of this year’s convention which is `such a time as this`.

    “What are we positioned as women to make intervene at this time that children are losing foresight of God, children are fighting against their parents, the nation are not offering the citizens what is required to be.

    “ We women need to rise up and do something because we are not just called to sit down.

    “Based on this, our text was taken from Esther 4:16, Christian women of this generation should be like Esther who stood up for her nation so that they would not perish.

    “We women have to arise to meet the king of kings on behalf of our families, our nation, the church, our children so that things will fall the way God has proposed it to be,’’ Rotimi said.

    Rotimi also called on parents, especially women, not to neglect their primary responsibilities in the home – such as taking care of the children.

    She explained that negligence by most women had led to their children becoming victims of sexual abuse.

    According to her, the province has a platform with a team that goes from school to school encouraging the managements to include sex education in their curriculums so that the child can be sensitised to the need to raise an alarm when he/she is being molested.

    Also speaking, Pastor Adenike Adebisi, said the convention would create an avenue for the women of the province to be educated on the right things to do against the evils in the contemporary society.

    Adebisi said as a participant, she had learnt to stand up for her family and not allow her children to go astray, but to contribute in building a better society.

    In her remark, Mrs Monica Oloye, Programme Coordinator of the convention, said the convention had always been an avenue to reach out spiritually, physically and materially.

    She said apart from spiritual teachings, the annual convention always began with an empowerment programme where jobless women were trained in various skills.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual three-day RCCG provincial Women convention, which began on June 30, is expected to end with a thanksgiving service on July 2.

  • Arowolo, 73 condemned prisoners, others seek pardon 

    Akolade Arowolo, 34, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) youth pastor who killed his banker wife, Titilayo Omozoje at their residence,  Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos,is among 74 condemned prisoners seeking mercy under the prerogative of mercy conferred on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State under the constitution.

    Aside from the condemned prisoners, there were also scores of those serving life sentences at kirikiri maximum prison, Lagos also seeking mercy of the state.

    Arowolo, spotting a sky blue T-shirt over a blue jeans trouser with a low haircut, sat among condemned prisoners who were called out randomly by Prerogative of Mercy Committee led by Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, set up by the governor to review their applications yesterday.

    The committee was on a fact finding visit to Kirikiri Maximum Prison to have firsthand information of the inmates that are eligible for mercy and pardon.

    Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja sentenced Akolade to death having found him guilty of a one count charge murder of his wife, Titilayo preferred against him by the state government.

    Foremost pathologist and Chief Medical Examiner at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), who was a witness during his trial,  Professor  John Obafunwa, had then testified  that he “discovered at least 76 stab wounds resulting from the use of  tremendous force on the chest, heart, lungs, liver, diaphragm, hands and other parts of the deceased’s body.

    The chairman of the committee, Prof. Oyewo said that there are rules and guidelines that would guide the committee in the conduct of its work.

    Prof. Oyewo said the committee would look at how heinous the crime committed was, whether the person cut his victim into pieces, how long he has spent in prison after conviction, whether he has truly repented and is remorseful and whether the society would accept that person.

    He said a lot really depend on the family who is expected to give some undertaking and care for beneficiaries of prerogative of mercy as those who have no family to receive them mighty lose the opportunity.

    He said assurance of lifer outside prison is for them to first reconcile with their family, asking for forgiveness adding “I want to see it in you. Let your works speak for you, the way you comport yourself and mind who you flock with”.

    He however said that nobody on death row, life sentence or serving a long prison term should expect pardon immediately as there are different stages of prerogative of mercy.

    Prof. Oyewo disclosed that the governor has approved the application for mercy of 18 prisoners whose cases were among those reviewed during their last visit to the prison facility.

    Arowolo who delivered a remark on behalf of his fellow condemned inmates, pleaded for mercy stressing that they are all remorseful and have learnt from their mistakes.

    “Your coming gave us a beacon of hope. I know that not everybody wrote application. Would there be opportunity for them? A lot of us have realized the wrongs that we did and having gone through the process of reformation, restoration and rehabilitation (3Rs), being faced with life and death, have held on to God that indeed we are wrong and plead that you give us a second chance”, he told the committee.

    Deputy Controller, Kirikiri Maximum prison, Seye Oduntan thanked the committee for the visit which he said helped to reduce tension amongst the condemned prisoners.

    Oduntan said that the prison was heated since last week following reports that government was considering execution of Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a. Reverend King whose death sentence was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court for the murder of one of his church members, Ann Uzor.