Author: Uchenna Eletuo

Prayer

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, on Sunday, attended a faith revival programme of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, saying that prayer contributed to the peace of the state.

Sanwo-Olu said that the  state, with many  mega worship centres, had expectedly remained peaceful.

He was  represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo  Ayorinde.

The event was  the bi-annual revival programme of the church.

It  held at its headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos State, with the theme:  “And the Enemies Submitted”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted worshippers from within and outside Nigeria.

It featured deliverance, testimonies and souls revivals.

Sanwo-Olu expressed hope that  continued prayer will attract  divine intervention to that would make the state better.

He promised that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to flourish.

“As a government, our policies will remain people-oriented.

“It is our duty to engender policies that will make people to attain self-actualisation.

“The church, since its inception, has remained a rallying destination for upliftment of souls,” he said.

He charged worshippers to pray  fervently for the state and the nation at large for advancement. (NAN)

EUC/IGO

========

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Celestial Church of Christ, C&S move to unite

Unity

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 29, 2024 (NAN) The Celestial Church of Christ and the Cherubim and Seraphim on Saturday staged a unity rally in Lagos.

The rally was carried out to cement their bond.

The rally began on Victoria Island, as members of the churches drove in a long motorcade across major roads and streets  to inform Lagos residents of the unification.

The rally was apiced-up with a  life band, songs and dances by members of the churches.

They distributed handbills and T-shirts to the public.

The handbills and T-shirts had various inscriptions showing unity of worship and purpose among the churches.

The rally had the theme: “Celebrating the Unity of the Holy Spirit: Celebrate the Comforter, Abuja 2024”.

It was organised by Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi,  the Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, Victoria Island.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the churches are also planning a unification crusade in Abuja  on the July 20.

The  crusade, to be held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, is expected to be attended by Christian religious leaders including the Supreme Head of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Worldwide,  Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao.

Ajayi said during the rally  that the Holy Spirit had brought comfort to the churches.

According to her, the presence of the Holy Spirit  depicts freedom, love, unity and purposeful leadership.

“It is meant to harmonise and modify traditions and ways of doing things as faithful of one fold, to project the body in a good and acceptable manner.

“As believers, we should not encourage crack in our fold in order not to give an unsavoury impression.

“We worship one supreme God. Those things that can encourage people to clinch to God should be our signpost,” she said.

Ajayi said that disunity in the body of Christ negatively affected soul-winning.

She  said that there was the need for churches to continue to render humanitarian services. (NAN)

EUC/IGO

=======

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Tribute

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Clerics and other Nigerians on Wednesday paid tribute to Bishop Margaret Bolanle Odeleke, General Overseer of the Power Pentecostal Church, on her 50 years of  gospel evangelism and 74th birthday anniversary.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Archbishop Stephen Adegbite, and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Christian Church were among the clerics that felicitated  Odeleke.

The celebration took place  at the Power Pentecostal Church Headquarters at Cele, Okota, Lagos State.

They described Odeleke as a  woman of virtues, who should be emulated.

Adegbite described her as a light  that illuminated its surroundings.

According to him, the celebrator has remained a role model to many.

He said that Odeleke had a character that endeared her to all who encountered her.

“As a preacher, her message and disposition have been uncontroversial.

“Fifty years on pulpit and 74 years of age are eloquent testimonies,” he said.

Ashimolowo said that the celebrator started preaching when women preachers were rare.

He said that he had known her for the past 45 years.

According to Ashimolowo, Odeleke lost her mother  when she was two years old but she confronted her challenges and remained steadfast.

“Bishop Odeleke’s standing in the ministry is that of a groomer of people; many ministers of the gospel can trace their inspiration to her.

“She is a role model for the youth,” Ashimolowo said.

He charged the youth to be steadfast in Jesus Christ in spite of any challenges. (NAN)

EUC/IGO

=========

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Eid-el-Kabir:  Carnival on major streets unites Nigerians on Lagos Island

Unity

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Eid-el Kabir celebration on Sunday united Nigerians on some major streets on Lagos Island  irrespective of their ethic, religious and political leanings.

Residents of  the streets ate, played and danced together   to commemorate the Muslim festival as families mounted beautiful canopies and set tables of assorted foods and drinks and entertained guests.

The imposing canopies covered the length and breath of streets such as Glover, Bamgbose, Joseph and Campos.

Hired local musicians entertained hosts and guests with  tunes that got many dancing and gifting money to  the singers and  drummers in appreciation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual celebration attracted  home, some ‘Lagos Islanders’ residing abroad.

The feast began after the symbolic slaughting of rams at  prayer grounds.

A cleric, Alhaji Agunbiade Lasis, said at the event that the feast signified sacrifice, obeisance to God and unity of purpose.

Lasis, who moved from house-to-house to offer prayers before ram slaughering, said that  Lagos Island residents always looked forward to the festival to express love and togetherness.

A youth leader, Mr Demeji Ojukutu, said: “Islanders are lovers of celebration.

“We welcome all and sundry in our fold with open arms as you can see here.

“If you are not told, you cannot differentiate the natives from visitors, as many of the guests wear same attire with the hosts.

“Foods, drinks and gift items are given to people freely. We are happy to see people come  and celebrate with us. That is the beauty of the day.”

Mr Etop Bassey, an Ibadan-based printer, said that he was a guest of his friend and business partner, Mr Taofeek Olagoke.

Bassey said that the event enabled him to make  more friends.

Chief Emeka Nnaji and his wife, Beta, guests of Alhaji Tunde Akainni, said that the event had no social boundary.

“Alhaji Akainni and I have been together for year; so, he can’t be doing such a big feast without my respecting him with my presence,” he said.

Earlier at the Ojo Army Cantonment Prayer Ground, Imam Ibrahim Ishaq, in his sermon, preached love, peace and prayer for  Nigeria’s leaders.

Ishaq, a Lieutenant in the army, said Eid-el Kabir signified  divine exchange of a human sacrifice for a ram.

According to him,  it entails obidience, sacrifice and trust in God.

“The ram meat is to be divided into three by faithful:  one for the household, one for  neighbours and one to be shared to the needy around  as an act of love,” he said.

NAN reports that Muslims worldwide celebrated the 2024 Eid-el Kabir on Sunday.  (NAN)

EUC/IGO

========

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

LASU chief imam blames hardship  on cumulative political misadventures

Hardship

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 15, 2024 (NAN)  Prof. Amidu Sanni,  the Chief Imam of Lagos State University (LASU), on Saturday appealed to the organised labour and the Federal Government to tidy up all issues concerning a new minimum wage.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message in Lagos, Sanni said that timely completion of the entire process would be in the interest of the country.

“The harsh economic conditions which we are all passing through today is the outcome of cumulative political misadventures over the years, lack of an enduring commitment to public good, and the shortage of trust between leaders and the led.

“The situation in Nigeria today calls for a new approach to governance and consistency in the deployment of public resources for the good of the largest majority.

“The crisis in the Middle East which is reflected in the Israeli-Palestinian war, the Russian-Ukraine war of attrition, the unending insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and the pervasive insecurity of life and property in Nigeria should elicit the concern and empathy of all.

“The persistent advocacy for prosperity by religious leaders has promoted corruption in all aspects of life at the expense of morality, and other worldiness and the edification of criminality and perverse behaviours with impunity has made nonsense of our age-long respect for high moral values, innovation and dignity,” he said.

He said that while a living wage is legitimate and desirable, labour leaders should  be reasonable in their demands and think of non-monetary measures which could also benefit ordinary Nigerians, the majority of whom are outside the formal labour sector.

The cleric congratulated all Muslims on the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration to take place on Sunday.

“Sacrifice of personal wishes for higher ideals and demonstration of love and affection to all are what the feast entails.

“We pray that the Almighty Allah  will enable all our brethren who are away on Hajj to the holy land to perform all the rites of the exercise and return safely to their homes.

“We also pray for the governments at all levels that Allah grants them the grace of making life more meaningful,” he said.

Sanni also prayed that the Almighty would guide  the authorities of LASU toward  achievement of set goals. (NAN)

EUC/IGO

========

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Hunger eroding patriotism among Nigerians, says Cleric

Democracy
By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The General Overseer, Calvary Kingdom Church, Okokomaiko Lagos, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, says that hunger has eroded patriotism among many Nigerians.

Ojo, an Executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

He was reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

He said that “hungry Nigerians waited patiently to hear from the president, steps taken to ameliorate their sufferings.

“Nigerians expected the president’s message to dwell on measures taken by his government to crash prices of staple foods,” he said.

The cleric spoke against the backdrop of rising cost of food items in the market.

He said: “Hunger is eroding patriotism in the people.

“Nigerians at this point expect messages of hope that will become a reality in the shortest time.

“The address should have addressed the daily challenges facing the people, especially the soaring food prices, to give hope of a better tomorrow.

“That rice and gari will become cheaper, petrol price reduced.

“Those are what is uppermost in the minds of the suffering masses now,” the clergyman said.

He further said that the country was in dire need of stable power to boost production.

“The issue of electricity should be prioritised in the scheme of things to make the Democracy Day celebration worthwhile,” he said. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

EUC/OIF/USO
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah

[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]

Joshua

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN)  Members of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), on Wednesday,  extolled the virtues of the late Founder of the church, Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua).

The SCOAN members spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly before a church service to celebrate Joshua’s 61st birthday anniversary posthumously.

The late founder of SCOAN headquartered at Ikotun Egbe, Lagos State, was born on June 12, 1963, according to the church.

The renowned televangelist and philanthropist, died on June 5, 2021.

Mr Dare Adejumo, a member of SCOAN, said that Joshua had  tremendous accomplishments across the globe in terms of gospel preaching, healing, deliverance and humanitarian works.

“As a child,  he was a precocious one. The little Temitope stood out in character, understanding, knowledge with a propulsive bold faculty that used to amaze elders.

“He grew up facing life without losing focus of his assignment on earth as he grew up more in grace, wisdom and power till when the time came for him to announce his apostolicism,” he said.

He described TB Joshua as a game changer that invigorated and rejuvenated the early church.

Pastor Robert Acosta from Argentina said:  “The man of God who impacted lives and transformed generations under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit never died.

“The teachings, the example, the impartation continue to live  in our hearts.

“Prophet TB Joshua, his life, example and ministry have been a gift from God to the whole world, but in a particular way to my life, my wife and family, and to our church and congregation.

“He was our pastor, our friend, for five years until he passed on to glory, and we continue to live with the legacy he left.

“I believe there is still much anointing to continue resurrecting lives and ministries, not by a man that has passed on to glory, but by the Spirit of God that continues to operate.”

Pastor Sandro Gomes dos Santos from Brazili said: “I am here to celebrate the birthday of Prophet TB Joshua, a unique man, a unique prophet, a great man of God. His legacy remains.

“The good works he did here on earth are wonderful and cannot be forgotten.

“Prophet TB Joshua impacted my life not only with his ministry of miracles, signs and wonders, but with his love for the Word.

“His teaching on offence and forgiveness completely changed my heart. I learned how to let go of offence and the importance of having a pure heart.”

He said that he was determined to come to Nigeria for the posthumous birthday anniversary celebration.

“There is a fresh anointing, something new and extraordinary. The wonders of God continue  here, at SCOAN.

“God has done great and extraordinary things through Prophet TB Joshua, and that mantle continues to rest upon Pastor Evelyn Joshua,” he said.

Mr  Kolawole Samuel, an engineer and   a follower of Joshua, said: “For the past 14 years, I have been part of the ministry, and by the grace I received through the anointing, I have not stopped coming despite the fact that I come from the far North of Nigeria, Sokoto.

“Every year, I specifically budget to be here in June for our prophet’s birthday anniversary celebration.

“The way he treated people inspired me to follow him,” he said.(NAN)

EUC/CHOM/IGO

===============

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ijeoma Popoola

Minimum Wage: Nigeria’s interest should supercede others – cleric

Wage

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Chief Imam of Falomo Central Mosque, Lagos State, Dr Tajudeen Adebayo, says Nigeria’s interest should supercede other interests in arriving at a new minimum wage.

Adebayo spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

He spoke against the backdrop of ongoing  negotiations by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage.

The cleric said that consideration of the interest of the nation should be the guide for  the committee to arrive at a sustainable and acceptable minimum wage.

“Looking at the minimum wage issue from the perspective of Islam, I would like to situate the matter under the law of contract.

” Interactions between  employers and  employees should be governed by fairness and transparency on both sides.

“The employer should spell out the duties of the employee and agree with him on what will be his remuneration, which should be commensurate with job done and the economic reality of the time.

“The employer should provide the employee with the required tools of trade and create an enabling environment for his success,” he said.

The cleric added  that there should be a yardstick to measure the employee’s performance.

“The employee deserves a decent and fair remuneration.

“He should be made to know his wage before embarking on the job, and it should not be delayed unduly.

“The employee must also carry out his duty diligently without compromise.

“In view of these, both sides need to look inwards to see how their stands can be of mutual benefits,” he said.

The cleric also said that the position of the parties should be of benefit to the country as a whole.

The cleric appealed to the Federal Government to be considerate in its offer,  adding that the organised labour should be realistic in its demand to ensure sustainability. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

EUC/BEKl/IGO

============

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Ijeoma Popoola

Training

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Dr Segun Musa, Chairman and Chief Consultant, Global Transport Policy (GTP), says  it is important to train traffic officers as it  impacts positively on their service delivery and reduces road incidents that most times claim lives.

Musa, a former Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidate, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the forthcoming GTP training of  traffic officers of the Lagos State Police Command.

According to him, the session is essential to infuse global best practices in the officers, as  human induced mishaps and the dearth of trainings contribute to life threatening risks on the roads.

He described transportation as an essential aid to trade and commerce, saying the training was GTP’s corporate social responsibility intervention to better the society.

According to him, the session for the Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) of the Command will equip officers with Emotional Intelligence (EI) capabilities as they constantly relate with the public.

The training, planned for June 21, at the Bon Hotel, Ikeja GRA, has the theme: “Improving Traffic Policing: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence Skills”.

Musa said: “The innovative brand management kit to foster global multimodal systems, structures, strategies and policies through strategic collaborations and consultancy services will advance participants civil culture in service delivery.

“It will specifically focus on crucial issues such as developing self-awareness and self-regulation to manage stress and emotions effectively, enhancing empathy and social skills for better communication and conflict resolution,” he said.

Musa identified Emotional intelligence as a crucial skill set in law enforcement, particularly in high-stress environments such as traffic management.

“Analysts say officers with high EI are better equipped to handle challenging situations, communicate effectively with the public, and make sound decisions under pressure”.

According to him, investing in the EI of police officers is a proactive step toward creating a safer and harmonious traffic environment in Lagos.

“Applying EI techniques in real life traffic scenarios helps to de-escalate conflicts and promote cooperation,”

NAN reports that the GTP team, led by its chairman, had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Adegoke  Fayoade, to seal the training arrangement.

According to the chief consultant, the police boss commended GTP’s move to partner the force to improve service to the public. (NAN)

EUC/VIV

====

Edited by Vivian Ihechu