By Bridget Ikyado

The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Aba, has urged the Federal Government to use the proceeds from subsidy removal to revive industries across the country.

Aba made the call in Abuja on Sunday in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of an award ceremony for 78 outstanding members of the church.

The prelate said that rather than sharing monies and foodstuffs as palliatives, government should use the money to make industries work.

“I would have loved the government to change their mind and begin to think about reviving the ailing industries so that there will be job opportunities for our teaming population,” he added.

According to him, the money and food items being shared as palliatives will only provide temporary relief to citizens.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 56 members of the church were raised to Knights of John Wesley, four as Knight of Charles Wesley, and 11 members conferred with the Order of the Wesley while seven were made Member of the Order of the Wesleys.

The Secretary, Methodist Conference, Archbishop Taiwo Babatunde said that the awardees had been given a task to defend the church.

He said that it was the culture of the church to take people with proven integrity, strong religious and moral values who have supported the church and make them knights.

“I believe they are going to go back again to impart what methodism is all about; the principle of discipline, hard work, perseverance.

“Methodist believe in equity, fairness and justice, and I believe these people that you have seen today been decorated by our church, are people that we can vouch for.

“There are people that have clean record, they are people that are willing to turn this whole nation to a better nation,” he said.

Some of the awardees who spoke to newsmen said that they were grateful for the honour, adding that it would spur them to do more for the church.

One of the awardees, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein said it would further spur her to contribute to nation building.

Madein, who is the Accountant-General of the Federation, she would ensure accountability, transparency and probity in the discharge of her responsibilities.

Also, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen said that he would continue to serve the church and society in any capacity.

Another awardee, Sir Ohaeri Osondu, said he was humbled by the elevation.

“I feel humbled because I started as a secretary at the youth level, then I stepped up to the choirs then I was president of one or two organisations.

“That was what God used to put me in this level and I feel very fulfilled and I thank God for the church for choosing me for this honor,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Precious Akutamadu

The General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has gifted a 72-year-old widow, Mrs Esther Ogu, one million naira, while also promising to pay her salary for life.

Chinyere, who made the presentation of the cheque to the widow at his residence in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said she was his best domestic staff for 2022.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogu, had worked for eight years before she retired as a cleaner in the official residence of the General Overseer.

The general overseer said he personally stopped the 72-year old widow last year from working due to her age, noting that the woman was supposed to be resting and relaxing.

“It will not be fair for her to continue to be working as a cleaner, considering her age.

“I told her that her services will no longer be needed, she insisted that she want to continue to work.

“I then instructed the accounts department of the church to continue to pay her salary for life, even as she has stopped work.

“I also gave her One million naira for being the best domestic staff for 2022,”he said.

Apostle Chinyere has been rewarding his staffs over the years, as some have been rewarded with mini estates and cars, while some were rewarded with landed properties and cash. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso and Emmanuel Afonne

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