By Olatunde Ajayi

The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso, says transforming Nigeria into a better country is a collective responsibility.

Its President, Rev. Stephen Ayankeye, said this on Tuesday in Ogbomoso during a news conference on the forthcoming 2023 NBTS Ministers’ Conference, scheduled to hold from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14.

Ayankeye said that the theme of the conference; “Vessel for Honour”, was apt, following the current situations and challenges in Nigeria.

He said that gospel ministers were expected to lead people to be God-fearing and impact spiritual renewal in them.

According to him, the conference will help gospel ministers to be further equipped and reinvigorated for Godly living and effective ministries.

Ayankeye said the conference, embedded with continuing education programme, would help to update the academic and professional knowledge of gospel ministers.

This, he said, would also sharpen their ministerial skills and provide them the opportunities for fellowship as well as denominational promotion.

“It is the responsibility of all and sundry to participate in the transformation of the society.

“This will be possible and faster if the gospel, which is God’s power unto salvation, is handled by vessels well molded.

“We call on all political office holders and all others in government to live in gratitude to God, for having granted us peaceful elections in Nigeria.

“The citizenry should also be law abiding and be praying for our leaders, regularly.

“Time has come when all should work hard to make Nigeria great again in all ramifications,” he said.

Ayankeye noted that the conference would be a transitioning ministers’ event,  as Prof. Emiola Nihinlola, the outgoing President of the body, who had complete his ten years tenure on June 30, would retire on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

“This is why I have been appointed by the Nigerian Baptist Convention to assume the position of the Seminary President from July 1, 2023.

“The conference holding at NBTS Alumni Multipurpose Hall will feature key programme personnel such as Reverend Israel Akanji, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and a visitor to the Seminary, Reverend Victor Adebayo-Dada, among others.

“We look forward to the active participation of all categories of gospel ministers: church pastors, specialised ministers on music, education, children and youths as well as evangelists and missionaries,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, NTBS, Rev. Simon Ishola, noted that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure safety of lives and properties of all conference participants.

He added that the seminary security apparatus in conjunction with teams of security outfits from the Police, State Security Service and Federal Road Safety Corps would be on ground to maintain law and order. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Pope Francis is due to arrive in Ulaanbaatar on Friday morning in a startup trip to Mongolia, the first by a pope to the East Asian country.

The head of the Catholic Church is scheduled to rest after his arrival after a long flight from Rome, and plans to start his official schedule only on Saturday.

The pope is set to meet with Mongolian leaders, public figures and representatives of civil society.

Francis is the first pope to visit the landlocked country, which lay between Russia and China.

Immediately after his arrival, he is to be officially welcomed at Genghis Khan Airport and spend the remainder of the day resting.

The 86-year-old planned to stay in the East Asian country until Monday.

His meeting with the Mongolian leadership would be on Saturday.

He would then give his first talk and meet with the clergy.

There were only about 1,500 Catholics in Mongolia out of a population of more than three million.

The main religions in the country are Buddhism and shamanism.

Francis aimed to bolster the small Catholic community and promote dialogue between the religions during his visit.

A meeting of representatives of several religions is scheduled for Sunday. (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma

Bridget Ikyado

A business mogul and philanthropist, Mr Tony Elumelu, has urged youths in the country to work hard and build a bright future for themselves.

Elumelu was one of the speakers at The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP)-RCCG  Teens Career Conference 2023  holding in Abuja.

He told the youth on Saturday that “there is a future, but you have to be the builders of that future now.

“I did not become who I am today because I went to the best schools or was the most brilliant.

“Few things helped me in life which were hard work, discipline, sacrifice and obedience to elders and my parents.”

He also told the youth that for success to be achieved, they must go the extra mile to attain it.

“Study at night, take your studies serious, and know there are no short cuts; these and more helped me in life.

“Be disciplined to avoid bad habits and to do what you ought to do; take corrections from teachers and parents, and at higher institutions be responsible.

“Make sacrifices. I did make a lot of sacrifices to achieve my today. Make priorities, have the will power to rise above negative influences and go for positives to gain rewards in future,” Elumelu further said.

He also advised the youth to utilise the ICT to make positive impact in the country.

“Be yourself, in the world today there are a lot of influences from the ICT; social media has its impacts positively just as negatively. Know what you want and don’t abuse opportunities,” he said.

Elumelu admonished the youth not to allow their present circumstances to determine their future, and listen to their parents at all times.

“You cannot outgrow their advice, all parents wish and want the best for their children.

“Remember your humble beginnings and orientation. Shun social vices and peer group influence especially as been portrayed on social media these days”, he added.

Similarly, Ms Juliet Lamin, a U.K based Actor, Educator and Activist, advised youths to be focused in their pursuits and be intelligent about it.

She said that youths should make sure that they attain milestones at every stage of their development.

Lamin who shared her experience which changed her life completely, told the children that most better opportunities came through challenges, bitter experiences and difficult times.

“The death of my son, changed my life completely, the doors of opportunities were opened when I stood up and took responsibilities.

“I have a plan that in the next five years in the U.K to mentor 30,000 black youths to take responsibility.

“Pain, suffering, sacrifices will knock you down, but whatever circumstances you find yourself get up and start work,” she told the young people at the conference.

Another guest, Ms Dorata Oakley-Matuszyk, a teacher and social advocate, spoke on the topic: The value of Responsibility.

“Responsibility is a big business as one needs to be focused and hard working to achieve a bright future”.

She outlined what the youth could engage in to build themselves and society.

“Manage resources, work, serve others, have a right attitude, be diligent, be creative, be determined, be the light and salt to others,” she said.

In his remarks, Evaristus Uzoma-Azodoh, the Pastor in charge of RCCG-TEAP, said the programme was organised to remind children of the roles they should play in the society.

“The teens conference acts as a reminder to the children to stand on their feet, face the challenges and prepare for the future,” he added.

Also, Mrs Elizabeth Ekenyong, coordinator of the event, said it was the seventh held by the church to teach the teens to take responsibility of their future.

“Have their imagination fired through interactions with accomplished professionals in the society.

“Make them realise that no matter the odds, they can reach their goals.

“Get them understand that God still intervene in the affairs of men”.

Some of the young people at the event, Ayinda Kuzhe, Agbiyinu Sarah and Imikan Essien-Ibok, said they have learned that they have to be strong and resilent to succeed in life.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Bridget Ikyado

A U.S. based cleric, Keith Moore, on Sunday advised Christians to allow peace to reign in their lives.

The cleric gave the advice at the wrap-up of “Impartation Conference 2023”, organised by the Summit Bible Church Abuja.

Moore, who is Founder and President of Moore Life Ministries, said peace comes from God alone, not through one’s possession or “lying on a psychologists couch”.

Citing the Holy Bible from Philippians Chapter four verses six to eight, the cleric said that when the faithful set their minds on God, He would lead them in the path of peace.

“There is no peace for twisted things. We can’t control everything that goes out, but we can control what goes on in our minds.

“Let God’s peace reign and rule in our minds,” he said.

Moore further called on Christians to shun strife in homes and churches in order to sustain the peace of God in their lives.

“Strife is the manifest presence of the devil whereas peace is the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit.

“We must not have manifestations of the enemy in the Church. The strife must stop in our homes and church.

“Strife is a hindrance to the blessing. We have to make up our mind and say we won’t harbour strife.”

He also urged christians to focus on things that were true, noble, just and pure.

On his part, Senior Pastor of Summit Bible Church Abuja, Andy Osakwe, urged Christians to remain focused, so as not to lose sight of the blessings of God.

“There are so many distractions in the world today. We must as God’s children pray fervently so as not to lose hope”.

The highlight of the conference was thanksgiving in songs led by renown gospel artiste, Pastor Nathaniel Bassey.

Other pastors and song ministers who honoured the event included Apostle Michael Orokpo, an itinerant preacher, and Dave Dam, the Koinonia Global Choir Leader, among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Bridget Ikyado

Founder and President of Moore Life Ministries, Keith Moore has called on Christians to remain focused in spite of the challenges of life.

The cleric made the call at the opening of a three-day Impartation Conference tagged ‘Triumphant’, organised by the Summit Bible Church in Abuja.

Moore, also the Founder of Faith Life Church Sarasota, Florida, said in spite of the myriads of challenges facing mankind, believers ought to be “led by the Spirit of God”.

This, he said, would help them to avoid depression and chaos in the course of their lives.

“There are scores of decision that Christians try to take daily. How do you take the right decisions? There is only one way; and that is, to be led by the Spirit of God.”

The cleric further said that God has a plan for every human, adding that to achieve success and victory in life, the faithful must intensify prayer.

Also speaking, the President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh said that the association provides a platform for all Christians in Nigeria to come together, collaborate and demonstrate visible unity.

“The reality is that we are not yet there, but we are on a journey that our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for; “That they all may be one”.

“We as children of God must be seen to be together to ensure the growth of the Church.

“This is because that is what the enemy doesn’t want. Because once the children of God come together in one accord, that is where our potency lies.

“The unity has to continue to build up so that the kingdom of the enemy, will not only be jittery but will be totally disarmed.”

Earlier, Senior Pastor of the Church, Andy Osakwe said that the annual conference was aimed at impacting the lives of Christians.

He urged the congregation to remain steadfast in their belief in Jesus Christ. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed