By Anita Uzoagba

Pastor Sampson Amoateng, the General Overseer, House of Miracles Ministries, has advised churches to follow scriptural practice of making tithe payment a freewill and not by force.

Amoateng, who made the call in a statement on Wednesday, explained that tithing was a biblical practice of giving a portion of one’s income to support religious institutions and the community.

According to him, tithing and offering are scriptural practice that are meant to be freewill and not by force.

“The concept of tithe is rooted in the biblical teachings of the Old and New Testaments, as recorded in Deut. 14, Matt. 6 and Malachi 3:10.

“I am against pastors or churches forcing people to document their tithe cards, saying, ‘my money is mine.

“It is carnal to document tithe cards. Tithing is a spiritual discipline that requires faith, trust, and obedience,” he said.

Amoateng said tithing demonstrates our gratitude for God’s blessings and provision, and also express our trust in His ability to provide for our needs.

“Tithing has practical advantages; it helps to support the church and ministries, enabling the spread of the gospel and the care of the poor and needy,’’ he said.

Amoateng said that tithing fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility among believers, as they work together to support the work of the church.

He said that in recent times, people who do not go to church give money to people in need as their way of tithing, adding that, this was the way to go and not forced.

“Tithe is a vital aspect of religious practice that demonstrates our gratitude, obedience, and trust in God.

”It is a spiritual discipline that requires faith and commitment, but yields rich rewards in terms of spiritual growth and financial responsibility.

”As we consider our relationship with God and our role in supporting the church, may we embrace the practice of tithe with joy and generosity,” he said.

He said doing so, people would not only honor God but also contribute to the building of His kingdom on earth.

Amoateng who based in Accra, Ghana urged people to be committed to God’s work and abide by His teachings. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

Anti-corruption: Al-Habibiyyah tasks FG on partnership with religious organisations

By Suleiman Shehu

An Islamic organisation, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, has urged the Federal Government (FG) to partner with genuine religious organisations in its fight against corruption.

The association’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Kola Adeyemi, gave the advice at a 2-day sustainability training on Anti-Corruption and Accountability campaign in Ibadan on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the Islamic Society for Imams and Islamic scholars in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Adeyemi said partnering with sincere religious organisations would help the government in changing the attitude of Nigerians toward corruption.

“Government should partner with those religious organisations that will not take advantage of their enormous influence in misleading the society, but use it to advance the course of governance.

“The government should be able to identify what they want without mixing or playing politics with religion,” the chairman said.

He said the programme was organised for Imams and Islamic scholars to ensure they lead and show good leadership examples in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Adeyemi called on the participants to always inculcate good morals in their children and followers to avoid indulging in vices and to impact positively on the society.

He further called on the participants to engage in one form of business or the other to avoid consuming what was forbidden by Almighty Allah.

“Al-Habibiyyah have gone around the country to ensure that Imams and Islamic leaders come together and work for the good of the society and be role models in their deeds.

“We have also taught the children the importance of digital technology to discourage them from its negative use; they must use it positively for the development of the society,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, The Just Foundation, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, said 95 per cent of the country’s challenges would be solved if issues of corruption were adequately addressed.

Adeyemi added that Nigerians would experience peace of mind if everyone worked together in fighting corruption.

According to him, some of the challenges of food, health and other social amenities provided by the government will be resolved.

“We, the scholars, must come together; we must be upright and disseminate the right messages to the citizens for the good of the country,” Adeyemi said.

He further says Al-Habibiyyah, apart from being a religious organisation, also engages in agriculture and will soon come out with good agricultural products to the admiration of Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Moses Solanke

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Rev. Fr. Bernard Desben of the Missionary of St. Paul (MSP), has urged Christian faithful in Nigeria to put their love in action, just as Christ did to his church.

Desben gave the advice during his homily on Sunday at St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy, Gwagwalada, Abuja during the celebration of Fathers Day.

According to him, one of the most important things today is the theme of love which is coming from John, Chapter 15, verse 9 – 17.

“In the gospel of John, Jesus let his disciples to know that the greatest love one can show for his friends is to sacrifice his life for his friends.

“So, we as Christians having been baptised in Christ and we receive new life in Christ, and as we live our Christian calling, we are trying to seal that love,” Desben said.

The reverend said that Christians should be obedient to God’s commandments which is “to love one another”.

He said that love required action which should be expressed by charity.

Speaking on the importance of fathers, Desben said that fathers are pillars in the church, adding that while the mother’s love is that of nurturing, oftentimes father’s love complements mother’s love.

“Oftentimes the father’s love substitutes for what the mother’s love cannot give,” he said.

Desben urged families to always appreciate their fathers while encouraging fathers to look into their grey areas and make amend.

Similarly, Most Rev. Fr. Augustus Essien (MSP), the Pioneer Priest of the Chaplaincy, while congratulating the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) of the Chaplaincy, advised Christians to love and be in love with one another.

Essien also prayed that God would strengthen the fathers to remain the pillars of the church, and encouraged them to continue to support the church.

In his speech, Dr Ezekiel Alagboso, the President of CMO of the Chaplaincy, on behalf of the members pledged to uphold the sanctity of fatherhood and cherish the priceless gift of family as the domestic church.

Alagboso thanked God for the blessings of fatherhood and the boundless love of the heavenly Father.

He prayed that His divine grace would continue to guide and bless the members in their endeavours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the occasion was the awards given to the pioneer members including the pioneer priest.

St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, was created in 1996 with the Most Rev. Fr. Augustus Essie as the pioneer priest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Razak Owolabi

By Emmanuel Afonne

Former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, on Sunday celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with thanksgiving at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja.

The couple exchanged vows on April 19, 1969, at the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, during Gowon’s tenure as Nigeria’s Head of State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to join the celebrants in commemorating their wedding anniversary during the thanksgiving service.

The couple presented the Holy Communion at the altar, during the service, which also marked the third Sunday after Easter in the Anglican Church’s liturgical calendar.

During the service, Mrs Gowon read the Old Testament lesson from 1 Kings 17:17-24.

Venerable Tiwatope Elias-Fatile, Vicar of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, congratulated them on their milestone anniversary, commending them for their dedicated service to the nation and the church.

Elias-Fatile, who extolled their exemplary role as a couple within the Christian community, invoked blessings of physical and spiritual strength in all aspects of their lives.

“I pray that the good Lord gives you physical and spiritual strength in every aspect of your lives.

“In your position, you have become an adviser, mentor, counsellor to many families and I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and use you to continue your good work for our country and many homes,” Elias-Fatile prayed.

NAN recalls that Gowon was Nigeria’s Military Head of State from Aug. 1, 1966 to July 29, 1975. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole