Nigeria’s global gold-winning Choir

Lagos City Chorale, a Nigeria Choir group has won two Gold and two Silver Diplomas at the first European Choir Games held in Graz, Austria July 13 – 22.

The awards won by the Choir directed by the maestro, Sir Emeka Nwokedi , makes Nigeria the only participating nation with the highest number of awards in the Austrian Open Competition for choirs worldwide.
According to a statement, the group contested in four categories (Folklore, Music of the Religions, Music Contemporanea and Mixed Choir)
As part of this global choral festival, the Lagos City Chorale also participated in two friendship concerts in Murau, a typical Austrian village with great antiquity and Schloss Eggernberg in Graz.
The group performed in Songs of Spirit Festival in Minoritensaal, Graz (met the Mayor of Graz) and in Heiligenkreuz a. Waasen. The Song of Spirit Festival is designed to bring together people of different religions and to foster peace and unity amongst them using the medium and potency of harmonious choral music.
Lagos City Chorale was also invited to lead the service in a Catholic Church at Heilingenkreuz a. Wassen on Sunday July 22.
The 10-day event brought together over 50 choirs from different countries to contest in the Austrian Open Competition.
Each choir displayed the best of her country’s culture through indigenous choral music, costume and choreography. Nigeria’s Lagos City Chorale being the only choir from Africa in attendance was the cynosure of all eyes.
The sparkling and varied costumes in National colours did not go unnoticed as they were cheered with loud ovations in public places and after each performance. Their performances which attracted large audiences were adjudged to be of high standard by the international jury, hence the top awards. They were specially selected with other choirs to perform at the closing concert at Congress Graz.
The festival was brought to a climactic close with colourful parade of participating nations which commenced at Stubenberggasse, Graz through some major streets to Congress Graz.
The Mayor of the City of Graz, Siegfried Nagl accompanied by representatives of the City of Graz expressed great pleasure over the success of the 10-day global event. The President of Interkultur, Günter Titsch in his speech conferred on Graz the World’s Music Capital in appreciation of regular hosting of International Music Festivals.
Lagos City Chorale has in the past few years been showcasing Nigeria’s positive abilities in the world’s center stages through participating and winning laurels for Nigeria in global chorale music festivals and competitions.
In July 2012, the group participated in the 7^th World Choir Games in Cincinnati Ohio, USA and won three Silver medals in three different categories of the competition.

CAN petitions Borno gov, police, others over Boko Haram threat

Members of the District Church Council (DCC) of Ekilisiyar Yanuwa Nigeria (EYN); under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gwoza Council of Borno State have petitioned Governor Kashim Shettima, the Police, State Security Services(SSS)over a threat letter by Boko Haram to the communities in the area.
They also complained about the killings of 15 people, destruction of 274 houses, 12 churches and 341 bags of grains.
Bokko is a border community with Cameroon.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the Boko Haram and Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) clash at Mainok village has risen from one to four as three other youths that were admitted at the Umaru Shehu Hospital, Bulukutu for gunshot wounds died Saturday morning.
The threat letter written in Hausa language and dated July 8, 2013 to Barawa, Chinne, Arbakko, Attagara, Ngoshe I and II residents reads in part: “Despite the fleeing of these residents, we are still pursuing you, because the soldiers with you people cannot protect you as the Muslims in these communities are being killed. Your lives, farmlands and other property are also not safeguarded. By God’s willing we should not fail to tell the people of Bokko community and the listed Churches in this letter to be attacked this month (July).”
The petition which was signed by the DCC Secretary, Rev. Joel Y. Ndirmbita and copied the Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Police commissioner, Director of State Security Service (SSS) and Gwoza Emirate Council added: “We consider it an onerous task to bring to your notice an attempt and grand design to wipe us (Christians) from the face of the universe by some unpatriotic fellows who claimed to be members of the Boko Haram sect.
“This faceless group has perfected plans to launch an attack against our lives and property as contained in their threat letter of July 8, 2013; and addressed to various Churches in Gwoza Local Council. It is on the strength of their letter which they have now commenced to implement by uprooting crops on our farmlands and spraying them with herbicides. But as a body of responsible Nigerians, we are deeply saddened at the trend despite the efforts of the government in enhancing security to protect citizens’ lives and property; as well as providing unflinching ways of strengthening peace and national unity. In view of this development, we are appealing to His Excellency, the security agencies and all stakeholders to come to our aid before the planned violence erupts.”
In the petition, the secretary also listed 15 people killed, along with the destruction of houses, churches farmlands and motorcycles.
Speaking further on the killings, Yakubu Toeye, who also got a threat letter from the Boko Haram sect, told The Guardian that 12 churches were set ablaze with furniture and documents destroyed at the Gwoza Hills settlements in Kunde, Hembe, Gathahure, Klala, and COCIN Church of Himbe.
He said on June 6, 2013, the gunmen also torched seven churches and the houses of Christians, and carted away their grains along with livestock.
He added that a total of 274 houses were also destroyed in 10 villages and communities in Gwoza council area, while 341 bags of assorted grains were also destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking on Sunday in Maiduguri at the hospital premises, BVYG’s chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Mallum said the death of the four members of the group was a tragedy to the group.
Also, in a statement yesterday, the JTF’s spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, said: “On hearing the news of the clash at about 11 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2013, the JTF troops were drafted to the area and have been operating in Mainok and surrounding villages with a view to apprehending the bandits.”

Pope Says Gays must not be judged, marginalised

Pope Francis, in some of the most conciliatory words from any pontiff on gays, said they should not be judged, marginalised and should be integrated into society.

He, however, reaffirmed Church teaching which says that homosexual acts are sin.

Reuters reports that in a broad-ranging 80-minute conversation with journalists on the plane bringing him back from a week-long visit to

Brazil, Francis also said the Roman Catholic Church’s ban on women priests was definitive.

Although, the pope says he would like them to have more leadership roles in administration and pastoral activities.

He expressed pain over scandals at the Vatican bank during a remarkably forthright news conference, his first since being elected in March to replace Benedict XVI, who became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.

Francis said there were saints in the Holy See but also “those who are not very saintly’’.

The airborne encounter with journalists ranged over issues as varied as the pope’s insistence on low-key security to his desire to slip out of the shackles of the Vatican to go for walks.

The pope arrived back in Rome on Monday after a triumphant week-long tour of Brazil which climaxed with a huge gathering on Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana beach for a world Catholic youth festival, which organisers estimated to have attracted more than three million people.

Francis defended gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church’s universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful homosexual acts are.

“If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him,’’ the pope said.

“The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalised because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society,’’ he said, speaking in Italian.

“The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, and Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem,’’ he said.

Francis was answering a question about reports of a “gay lobby’’ in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over paedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See.

“You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay,’’ he joked.

Addressing the issue of women priests, the pope said, “The Church has spoken and says ‘no’ that door is closed.” It was the first time he had spoken in public on the subject.

“We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more,’’ he said in answer to a question.

“But with regards to the ordination of women, the Church has spoken and says ‘no’. Pope John Paul said so with a formula that was definitive. That door is closed,’’ he said, referring to a document by the late pontiff which said the ban was part of the infallible teaching of the Church.

The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women because Jesus willingly chose only men as his apostles. Advocates of a female priesthood say he was acting according to the customs of his times.

Many in the Church, even those who oppose a female priesthood, say women should be given leadership roles in the Church and the Vatican administration.

The long session on the plane was highly unusual in the history of the modern papacy for both its candour and breadth.

Unlike his predecessor Benedict, who knew in advance the few questions journalists would be allowed to ask, 76-year-old Francis, who as an Argentine is the first non-European pope in 1,300 years. He imposed no restrictions as he fielded 21 questions.

Pope Francis closes youth festival with mass

Pope Francis has closed the biggest-ever Roman Catholic youth festival with a Mass on Brazil’s Copacabana beach.

More than three million people are estimated to have gathered for the service in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Many of the pilgrims had slept on the beach after attending an all-night vigil, which Pope Francis also led.

Sunday’s ceremony marks the end of the Pope’s five-day visit to Brazil – his first foreign trip since becoming pontiff in March.

He is set to fly back to Rome later on Sunday.

The BBC’s Wyre Davies in Rio says almost every inch of the two-and-a-half mile long beach was occupied ahead of the Mass, as most of the young people stayed after the vigil, pitching tents or sleeping in the open.

The vigil and Sunday mass have attracted the biggest crowd ever to Copacabana beach, which has hosted rock concerts, sports events and the traditional New Year celebrations.

He encouraged young Catholics to get out of their parochial boundaries in order to help others.

“Go and don’t be afraid of serving,” he said.

“Jesus did not gather the Apostles so they lived in isolation. He called them so they formed a group, a community,” said Pope Francis.

He announced the next Catholic youth festival would be held in the Polish city of Krakow in 2016.

Female activists held a demonstration nearby in support of abortion and women’s rights.

But our correspondent says the Pope and the Church hierarchy will be delighted at the huge turnout and the way Francis has been received by pilgrims from across the globe.

How A Bible Survives Road Crash,fire

Miracles are experiential occurrences which spontaneously raise the conviction of believers and their devotion to spirituality across all faiths. One of such phenomena occurred in Abuja, last Saturday, when a Bible remained untouched by flames from a car that burnt into ashes.

The car, driven by one Jeremiah Giwa, who arrived the country from United Kingdom about five months ago after completing his tertiary education, swerved off the road, tumbled and eventually landed in a ditch, exploding in flames. Jeremiah narrates his account of the event.
“My younger brother, Joshua and I were going to pick our parents and elder brother from the airport, so we had an accident on the way at the road before Galadimawa. We were coming from our home in the Games Village. The car was very fine and it hadn’t developed any fault before.
That morning, it was raining and the car began to swerve off the road. I tried to bring the car back on the road but the break was not holding anymore. I tried ceaselessly and I later lost control of the car. The car eventually tumbled twice after moving zigzag on the road and landed in a ditch.
I have been driving close to five years and I was very okay when I drove the car. “When it happened, we immediately unhooked our seat-belts; I talked to my brother for a few seconds to ensure he was okay. We unhooked the belts; thank God it wasn’t jammed.
We tried to open the driver’s door but the door was jammed. We tried to break the glass too, it refused to break. We managed to spot one of the windows at the back; we broke it and climbed out through it, under one of the chairs. We went far away from the car to ensure our safety because the car was already in flames.
The two of us were the only occupants of the car and my brother was sitting beside me in front. We were so shocked that we both came out unscathed.
“We watched the car go up in flames while other drivers initially drove past us. It was about a few minutes before 6am; so it was still a bit dark.
By the time people began to stop, everything had burnt beyond recognition. To our surprise, the early morning rain which we thought could help save the car also stopped immediately the car was completely gutted by the fire. Sympathizers didn’t even know we owned the car.
They all ran past us to see the burning car. They were wondering if people were still there and all that. “By the time my parents and elder brother were aware of the incident, they all cried, but I think it was for joy. Initially, when my dad was aware of it, he wasn’t happy that we were coming to pick them.
We had intended to give them a surprise lift from the airport. But, when we took our dad to the scene of the accident, he couldn’t talk anymore.
He was in tears. The car wasn’t the reason he cried. I guess he was just surprised and was grateful to God as to how we manage to come out unscathed and how the bible was not touched by fire.
“I am sure God really loves us. We had just finished a youth vigil a night before the incident and prayed against destiny wasters. Shortly after we left the scene, we went to Garki General Hospital for necessary tests including x-rays. Nothing happened to us. We were given paracetamol and pain relievers, which to my knowledge none of us has been taking because nothing happened to us.”
Jeremiah noted that the Bible was later recovered from the ashes of the burnt car while it was not scathed by the inferno, disclosing that many people had been coming to Christ Victory Life Church in the city to see the Bible and use it to pray over their problems.
Bishop Napoleon Obayojie is the Presiding Bishop of the Church. He told said, “My reaction to the accident that happened is that God is God and that He takes care of his own and He shows forth His glory.
The enemy had meant the accident for destruction, like the day of Shedrack, Mechack and Abednego.
The Lord God came in and delivered the children. The Bible that was in the vehicle which the fire burnt to ashes did not burn; the Bible is still at my altar right now.
That was a sign God showed to the world that He was the one that intervened and that caused everything that happened. If you had been to a scene of an accident, you will definitely know it is only God that can do that; no one else.
“In these last days, I think there are many people whose faiths are wavering, whose beliefs are shaking, and who do not have the stamina to continue. Maybe one thing had happened to them or the other. They might attribute such to God’s failure or that God did not answer their prayers.
But with this kind of thing that happened, they should understand and be convinced that God is still God and that He is in control of human affairs.
He is in control of the entire world. So, if any man believes in Him and trusts in Him, He is very much reliable and He will never fail you. If your faith is already failing, you have to rise and be sure that the same God that did this would answer you.
God is not partial, As He loves these children, so does He loves all brethren in other churches. If there is anyone that wants to know Him more, come closer to Him, you will experience Him.
The Bishop noted that in the 17-year history of the church, no owner of any car in his church had died of accident “Christ Victory Life Church has been given a covenant since 1996. God declared it to me that you are going to serve people that are living, not the dead!”

Culled from nartional Mirror Newspaper

CAN Says "Enough Is Enough," Alleges Incitement By Islamic Cleric

The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association (CAN) of Nigeria on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to caution an Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Muhammadu Gumi, who, they claimed, was inciting Muslims against Christians in his Ramadan preachings.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, Secretary of CAN in the state, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, also advised the state government against allowing its radio and television stations to be used in attacking Christians.
Ibrahim warned that if Gumi's inciting messages are left unchecked, they could lead to a major religious crisis in the state.
Warning that no religion had the monopoly of violence, he said Christians in the state would resist any attempt to attack them.
His words, "It has come to our notice that a Ramadan message titled 'Christianity has loss its focus' by a self-acclaimed Islamic scholar, Muhammed Gumi, was televised by Capital Television and aired by a radio station owned by the state government on July 17, 2013.
"Gumi went further to say that the more Archbishops, Bishops,Pastors and General Overseers, the more the iniquities we have in the society. He also made some negative comments on the personality of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ibrahim noted that Christians in the state were aware about the Islamic cleric's provocative preachings.
He added, "Many innocent Christians had been killed and maimed in the past due to instigating messages of people like Muhammed Gumi.
"We want to make it point blank that we will continue to resist as we have done in the past, despite all the injustice against Christians.
"Enough is enough. Muhammed Gumi and others like him should know that civility is not a sign of weakness, as nobody has the monopoly of violence.
"We therefore call on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to take drastic action against people like Gumi.
"We are also appealing to the Kaduna State Government not to allow its media houses to be used as tools of disunity among the people of the state and the nation at large."
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/41189.html

Cleric makes debut with gospel album

Apostle Joseph Akanonu, the General Overseer of Joint Heirs Christ Church in Meiran area of Lagos has launched his new album entitled Touch me Holy Spirit.

The four-track album is a melodious mixture of slow paced gospel songs meant to bring you into the presence of God where your faith to receive blessings is easily exercised.
According to the man of God who is also the author of the widely sold faith motivational book, Creation Realities, he was inspired to release the album as a means of preaching the gospel and blessing his generation. ‘’ I am a singer and instrumentalist. I studied music at the International School of Ministry in Minnesota, USA and when I came back to the country to establish an apostolic ministry, I decided to use my musical talent to preach the gospel and also to heal the sick, especially with the hit track, Touch me Holy Spirit, he said
The album contains songs written in both English and Igbo language with rich harmonious tunes that are uplifting as well as inspiring.

Nigerian Cardinal Criticizes Govt Over 17 million Housing Deficit

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese John Cardinal Onaiyekan yesterday berated the Federal Government over its failure to bridge the nation’s 17 million housing deficit. He also flayed the government for its failure to evolve realisable housing policies which could take care of the lower echelon of the society.

Onaiyekan spoke in Abuja during the commissioning of the 500 units ultra modern business and office mall estimated at N1billion.
The complex, built by Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited, is expected to take care of the fast fading middle class in the country. Onaiyekan said: “We are worried at the inequality as far as housing is concerned in our country.
Those who are rich are living in beautiful mansions, while those who have no money are living like rat and cockroaches. There must be a bridge across this huge gap.
“I hope that people like Engineer Mbaka, the Managing Director, Platinum Mortgage Bank, can help government design policies that will ensure decent housing for the people who are not super rich.” In his address, Mbaka said the complex was built to cater for the interest of middle class.
He said: “Our objective, as a Mortgage Bank, is to ensure a vibrant middle class in Nigeria.
This complex yet provides another unique opportunity to sustain this class, which is rapidly going into extinction. We give you the opportunity to retire from government office to your own personal office.”
Mbaka added that the bank had set a target to build 10,000 housing units within the next five years across the country as part of its contributions to the government’s efforts at bridging housing deficit gap.
On efforts to ensure the realisation of the target, Mbaka said: “We have already started 5,000 in Abia State. We were there two weeks ago where the state governor flagged off the construction the housing estate.
“Construction is ongoing now. We also have project in Badagry, Lagos State.” He added that the bank would continue to pursue its dream to ensure better housing for the people, especially the low income earners.

Stop inciting Relious War,Nigerian Christian Body Warns Sheikh Gumi

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday accused a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muhammed Gumi, of inciting religious war.
The association, therefore, called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to stop the cleric from inciting Muslims against their Christians brothers.
Addressing a news conference in Kduna over Sheik Gumi’s Ramadan lecture, Kaduna State CAN Secretary, Dr. Sunday Ibrahim, called on state government not to allow its media establishments used as agents of disunity among the people.
CAN stressed that Gumi’s alleged plan to cause crisis between Muslims and Christians through his utterances would fail as both faiths would continue to embrace peace.
He said: “It has come to our notice that a self acclaimed Islamic scholar, Muhammed Gumi, in his Ramadan lecture televised by Capital television owned by Kaduna State Government on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 entitled: “Christianity has loss its focus” has degraded comment on the personality of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, was present at Gumi’s inciting preaching. Gumi is inciting religious war in Kaduna State.
Enough is enough. Gumi and others like him should know that civility is not a sign of weakness, as nobody has the monopoly of violence. We want to make it point blank that we will continue to resist as we have done in the past, despite all injustices melted on Christians.
“Gumi should know that we are not ignorance about his activities to cause trouble, war, conflict and anomie through his utterances to instigate the peace-loving Muslim of Kaduna State against their Christian brothers and sisters.
“Many innocent Christians have been killed and maimed in the past without offence of theirs due to instigating messages of people like Gumi who is Islamically myopic. Can he tell his followers why he was detained in the Holy land by the Saudi Arabia government?”

Nigerian Government Approves Land for take off of Another Christian University

The Federal Government has approved 100 hectares of land for the permanent site of the proposed Anglican University, Abuja.
The Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Duke Akamisoko, stated this in an interview with Newsmen during the 2nd Session of the Second Synod held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nyanya in Abuja.
Akamisoko also assured that any Anglican Church member who meet the five credit including English Language and Mathematics requirement would be offered admission into the University without writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) or Post UTME.
According to him, “already, five Anglican professors have indicated interest to teach in the University”, which has been scheduled to take-off soon.
He said, “The NUC said before now that they were giving approval to universities for less than 100 hectares. Till now, they (the universities) refused to go to their permanent site. But we have been gracefully given 100 hectares by the President. We are going to pay the President a thank you visit with a team. A committee is to raise N5billion for university”.
Akamisoko disclosed that, children of the church members would get the leverage of paying only half of the fees in the University, adding that their wards would get discount, because their parents would have already toiled and paid to establish the university.
He expressed worry over the growing number of Anglican Church members who could not secured admission into existing universities despite their qualifications.
“Every Anglican in this country once you have five credits in WASC, you will gain admission . There is a special fee for Anglicans. Your children must benefit from it . Anglicans to pay half school fees. No Anglican will not gain admission except they are not qualified,” he said.
Consequently, The Bishop set up committee to shop for N5billion for the establishment of the University.
However, Akamisoko urged President Jonathan to prosecute individuals and groups making inflammatory and unguarded statements capable of dividing the country.
He pleaded with the Federal Government to suspend every other project and concentrate on providing adequate electricity to the citizenry.
“Every other thing will follow after light. All the industries will wake up if there is light. People can work for 24 hours when there is light,” he said.
The Cleric went ahead to charge Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo to chase away the demons that have allegedly militated against the provision of adequate power from the sector.
He said ” Nebo should chase away those demons and give us light. We need nothing less than 1million kilowatts”.
The church also conferred on President Goodluck Jonathan with the National Education Merit Award.
Others honored include the 1993 former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonenkan; Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the ex-Anglican Primate, Peter Akinola; Executive Secretary, National University Commission, Prof. Julius Okogie amongst others.
The cleric justified their awards saying, “we are recognizing some Anglicans in politics . The have all given me their consent. What I have realized is that when our leaders are no longer there is when we recognize them”.

Don’t Be Desperate In Seeking Life Partners, Primate Okoh Warns Unmarried Women

 

  The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has urged unmarried young women not to be too desperate in seeking life partners.

The clergyman specifically warned them against forcing themselves on men.

The prominent preacher gave the warning last Sunday in Abuja , at the Dedication Service of Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko’s twins.

The bishop’s wife had been waiting upon the Lord for the fruit of the womb for 18 years.

His words: ’’ If you are a girl and your parents are worried that you have become a laughing stock saying ’you are not married up till now, what are you waiting for?’ Do not allow yourself to be stampeded. Just wait on the Lord because He will give your own.

‘’Do not attach yourself to married people so that you become an attachment like the one you see while travelling on luxury buses to Lagos or elsewhere. More importantly, it is not the will of God that you will be on that attachment seat. So do not take the attachment seat in homes’’

CAN,NEF, Arewa Youths, doubt Boko Haram’s ceasefire

The Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, and Arewa Youths Forum said, yesterday, that they had taken the declaration of a ceasefire by Boko Haram sect with some caution, given the antecedents of such groups in the past.
The umbrella body of Christians in the North, the Northern Christian Elders Forum, also appears to be unimpressed by the reported ceasefire agreement reached between the Federal Government and the militant Islamist group.

Abubakar Shekau (C), the suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, flanked by six armed and hooded fighters in an undisclosed place.

Secretary-General of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, and National President of Arewa Youths Forum, Alhaji Gambo Gujungu, expressed their doubts in separate interviews with Vanguard in Abuja.
Abdullahi noted that while the group received the announcement with some level of happiness, it was too early to be too optimistic about its workability given the fact that there were many factions of the sect.
The former Ahmadu Bello University Vice Chancellor said: “Perhaps, we should accept the pronouncement as the truth for now and begin to see if it will work in the next few weeks and months.
“My fear is that perhaps, we are dealing with many Boko Harams because while one group is rooting for peace the other is causing more havoc.
“For now, we should take the optimistic view that it will work and be on the watch out.”
On his part, Gujungu doubted the sincerity of the Federal Government Amnesty Committee in bringing about a workable and lasting peace in the North.
Gujungu said that the Amnesty Committee was not sincere and could not bring about the required peace in the region. He asked Federal Government to disband the committee.
The AYF leader said: “I strongly doubt if the claims of ceasefire is genuine.
“I would advise the government to take steps to stop the killing of people in the north and to address the monumental underdevelopment and poverty in the region instead of deceiving people with unworkable ceasefire.”
Spokesman of Northern Christians, Elder Sunny Oibe, said: “For us in the North, we know that there are some factions within the ranks of the sect. Which faction has reached the agreement with government?”
He, therefore, called for caution and urged the Goodluck Jonathan administration to be mindful of fifth columnists within his government.

Boko Haram / FG ceasefire agreement puzzling – Oritsejafor

The National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has hailed the sentencing of four Boko Haram members to life imprisonment by an Abuja High Court.
Oritsejafor made his feeling known at the presentation of a book, “Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God’’, written by Reno Omokri, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media.

From Left: Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; National Co-Ordinator/Executive Secretary, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, and Co-Chairman, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, at a meeting

The court, presided over by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, on Tuesday sentenced four out of six persons accused of bombing INEC office in Suleja, Niger in April 2012.
Many were killed and others wounded in the blast.
The CAN President, Chairman of the presentation, spoke in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said although Christianity preaches forgiveness, the judgment will assuage the families of the victims of the attack.
“We are Christians, we are taught to forgive, but what is important is the feeling that there is justice.
“I think that is what it is now. Those people that were killed left people behind. There are widows and there are orphans.
“They will sit back and say if there is nothing else, those people who did this will remain in custody for the rest of their lives and that gives a bit of comfort,’’ he said.
On the ceasefire agreement between Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect, Oritsejafor said it was puzzling.
“We have had occasions in the past where some people come out suddenly and say they have renounced violence but the next day, we see people killed here and there.
“A week or two later, the Boko Haram leader, Shekau came out to say he knows nothing about those people and that it is President Jonathan that needed amnesty and not the sect members.
“We also know that there is another faction that came out of Shekau’s group that kills foreigners.
“There are at least two deadly groups that we know, so which group are they negotiating with.
“To me, the whole thing is suspect, but anyone that will come out to say he is tired of violence is a good thing because the number of religious fanatics will reduce by one.
“However, I am a little bit puzzled on the position of government that the groups have agreed to cease fire’’, he said.
Oritsejafor, who was recently re-elected as chairman of CAN for another three years term, said he would concentrate on the unity of the association.
He said he would also work toward the completion of the Jubilee Centre which CAN is building behind the National Christian Centre.
The centre, according to him, will contain a guest house, conference hall and other facilities for use by members of the body.
He said he would also ensure discipline among members in the new term and prayers for the nation particularly to end terrorism.
On the 176-page book, Oritsejafor said “it is topical and a seed that will go out to Nigerians and the rest of the world to desire to do the right things.
Present were Mr Leo Ogor who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Director of Lagos Business School, Dr Pat Utomi and Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Oronto Douglas.

CAN ratifies Oritsejafor’s re-election

In line with the constitution that established the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the body’s National Assembly, yesterday, ratified the re-election of Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor to pilot the affairs of the umbrella body of Christians in the country for the next three years.
This is just as the re-elected boss called for a review of understanding of Christianity in the country.
In May, a five-member electoral committee, headed by the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Mr. John Opara announced the incumbent president, Pastor Oritsejafor as winner, having polled 80 votes.
His only opponent and the President/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Baptist Convention, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, got four votes.
Other officers are expected to be appointed in due course in accordance with the constitution of the august body.
Asked by reporters for his response to the recent reports of a ceasefire between the Federal Government and the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, the returning CAN National President made it clear that he is not averse to such moves by government.
He said: “In the past we have read about some of the factional leaders denying ever reaching any agreement with people who had claimed to negotiate on behalf of government.”
According to him, governance is all about transparency, adding that there will not be misgivings among Nigerians if government officials put their cards on the table for every Nigerian to appreciate what they are doing.
He also urged the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to leave Christian religious bodies alone, arguing that churches were registered under Act C, which is for non-governmental organisations, while CBN’s demand is for Act F, which obtains for business organisations.

Pope widens criminal punishment for child abuse in Vatican

Pope Francis on Thursday bolstered criminal legislation against child abuse in the Vatican and increased criminal liability for employees of the tiny city state in a legislative overhaul.
The Vatican said in a statement that the pope’s decree included “a broader definition of the category of crimes against minors” including child prostitution, sexual acts with children and child pornography.
The new laws are part of an introduction of forms of crime indicated in international conventions that the Vatican has already ratified including against racism and war crimes and on children’s rights.
“While many of the specific criminal offences included in these laws are undeniably new, it would however be incorrect to assume that the forms of conduct thereby sanctioned were previously licit,” said Monsignor Dominique Mamberti, who is in charge of relations between the Holy See and other states.
“These were indeed punished, but as broader, more generic forms of criminal activity,” it added.
Francis also increased cooperation with other states against money laundering and terrorism in a continuation of reforms begun by his predecessor, Benedict XVI, to get the Vatican in line with international legislation.
The new norms also introduce the administrative responsibility of Vatican departments — a potentially radical change that would complement his plans to root out corruption from the scandal-ridden Vatican bureaucracy.
The pope’s reform “extends the reach of the legislation contained in these criminal laws to the members, officials and employees of the various bodies of the Roman Curia,” the central body of the Catholic Church, Mamberti said.
“This extension has the aim of making the crimes included in these laws indictable by the judicial organs of Vatican City State even when committed outside the borders of the state,” he said.
The laws will come into force on September 1.
The Vatican explained some of the provisions in its criminal code were “rather dated”. Among the novelties is that life imprisonment will be outlawed and replaced with a maximum sentence of 35 years.
There was also a direct consequence of the “Vatileaks” scandal last year when Benedict’s butler Paolo Gabriele published confidential documents from Vatican offices alleging widespread corruption and mismanagement.
Punishment will be increased for anyone stealing secret papers.

Bishop criticises wealthy Nigerians hosting weddings abroad

The newly consecrated Bishop of Akure Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Simeon Borokini, has criticised Nigerian leaders who flagrantly display wealth by celebrating birthdays, marriages and other programmes in foreign countries despite the increasing level of poverty in the country.

Borokini said this while delivering the bishop’s charge to the first session of the eleventh synod with the theme,  “Riches of His Glory at the St. David’s Cathedral, Ijomu, Akure.
He said that “”even government officials now use public funds to sponsor private marriages to be celebrated in far away and exotic cities of the world”.
According to him “in a country that is faced with bad economy, we witness the disturbing and most expensive way some people celebrate marriages, birthdays, burials, promotions, chieftaincy titles and the so-called house warming.

Cardinal Okogie condemns crisis in Rivers State House of Assembly

Lagos, July 15, 2013 (NAN) Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, on Sunday expressed displeasure over the recent brawl at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Okogie, in a statement in Lagos, said the act of turning the hallowed chamber into a battle field by the lawmakers was unexpected of their personalities.
The statement said the crisis was shameful and should be condemned by every right thinking Nigerian.
“I condemn the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. More importantly, it is very disappointing to see our so-called honourables exchanging blows like gangsters.
“Such an act, if not checkmated, is an invitation to terrorism and gangsterism
“I call on every right thinking Nigerian to rise and speak against such unruly conduct by men who are supposed to be making laws of our land.
“It is unfortunate that the lawmakers who are expected to be men and women of integrity have allowed themselves to be used as pawns.
“They are supposed to be masses-oriented,’’ the statement said.
It commended the House of Representatives for declaring legislative emergency in the state.
The statement added that such a step was necessary in order to safeguard the integrity of governance in the country.
The statement said that those found culpable should be made to face the wrath of the law

Nigerian Cleric Says Those Opposing Boko Haram Cease Fire Are Benefiting From Crisis

The Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, Bishop Idowu Fearon, on Monday said only those benefiting from the current crisis in the country would oppose the cease fire proclamation by the Boko Haram.
Fearon said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that Christian groups opposed to the current rapprochement with the insurgents, should learn to encourage the process in the interest of peace.
“I heard some Christian groups were reacting negatively to the Boko Haram announcement of a cease fire.
“Any Christian who reacts negatively to this act of cease fire is part of the group whom we believed were benefiting from this crisis situation.”
Fearon expressed concern over the growing distrust among Christians on the efforts of government to end the current security challenges in the country, adding that “this lack of trust will not help us”.
“I want to plead with the Christian community, especially the leadership in this country, for the sake of peace, since Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace, i think we need to believe people when they say this is what they want.
“I take objection to any leader who says this cease fire should not be trusted, you are not God, do not Judge anyone wether a Christian or a Muslim.
“It would not help the government when we have leaders speaking negatively on the cease fire.”
The Bishop urged Muslims to use the period of the Ramadan to promote issues that would unite the country and engender peace and tolerance.

Priest arrested in Vatican bank probe

A priest has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and corruption in connection with the sweeping probe of the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, Italian media reported Friday.Nunzio Scarano, a priest from Salerno, was arrested after an investigation into the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), as the bank is known, unearthed a suspected international fraud scheme, reports said.Initial reports that had suggested Scarano was a bishop were incorrect, Vatican senior media advisor Greg Burke said.The priest was suspended from his position as a member of the administration that manages the Vatican’s assets (the APSA) “about a month ago, after his superiors learnt about an investigation into his activities,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.Scarano was arrested along with a former member of the Italian secret services and a financier for allegedly plotting to illegally move 20 million euros ($26 million) from Switzerland to Italy.The money allegedly belonged to friends of Scarano and was brought into Italy on board a private jet belonging to the former secret service agent, Giovanni Maria Zito, the reports said.Zito purportedly received 400,000 euros for the service.According to the daily La Repubblica, Scarano is also under investigation by the Salerno prosecutor on suspicion of money laundering.“They called him Monsignor 500… because of the great number of 500 euro notes he had at his disposition,” which he allegedly used to launder money for friends in southern Italy, the daily said.It added that it was an initial investigation into Scarano’s bank account at the IOR which led to the discovery of the suspected racket.

Kumuyi speaks on youth empowerment for progressive Nigeria

The General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi has said that his vision for the youth is to see that they are groomed in faith to ensure that the circumstances of life do not take them away from the Lord.
“I want to see that I hold the youth in my hand, take them to great heights in life.
“I want to help equip them with the knowledge and skills required for leadership in the country and service of the Lord. I will make sure that I impact the life of the youths across the country; that is my vision for the youths and also the country.”
Kumuyi spoke in an interview with journalists in Lagos, ahead of the forthcoming mid-year celebration of the church with the theme, “Now Is The Time When Mountains Move” between today and tomorrow.”
The clergy said as he is getting close to departing planet earth, having served God and humanity and is eagerly looking forth to see Nigeria listed among the G8 in terms of producing leaders with great integrity and uncommon socio-economic development in the country.
“I am talking of raising up a leadership for the country as legacy before I pass on, so that this country will be among the G8 or whatsoever they call it. And I want to see a new and better country.”
Kumuyi however, urged parents to be abreast with current technological developments across the world in order for them to properly raise their children to greater heights.

‘How Oyedepo, Onaiyekan, others tried to save Yar’Adua’

…Family warned to evacuate ex-president 3 weeks before death – PFN scribe
The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua may not have died had the family heeded the advice to evacuate him from Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja three weeks before he died.
National Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Pastor Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, one of the four pastors who visited the Villa to pray for Yar’Adua at the height of his sickness in 2010, disclosed this at the weekend.
The three other pastors were Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith World Outreach, aka Winners Chapel; Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja; and erstwhile Aso Rock Chaplain, Prof. Yusuf Obaje. The pastors visited the seat of power for the prayer session after Yar’Adua was flown back from Saudi Arabia where he had been taken for treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Late President Yar’Adua

The PFN National Secretary said he told the Yar’Adua family at the meeting that there was the need to take the president out of Aso Rock within three weeks to keep him alive.
According to him, however, they shunned the advice as they were afraid that President Goodluck Jonathan, then vice president, would take over (power) if they took him out of the Villa immediately.
“Of course, I was not obeyed and exactly three weeks after that visit, he died”, Kure, based in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, but spoke to Sunday Vanguard in Lagos, last week, said.
Narrating what transpired at the prayer session for Yar’Adua, which he claimed lasted about 10 minutes, “sharp and straight to the point”, the PFN leader said: “When we went in there, they pulled me aside and said the reason you are here sir, go beyond that, can God show mercy? Can God change these things? It’s like deep inside of them, they felt he (Yar’Adua) might not survive. And they had the right to ask God for mercy. That was why they called in the Muslims and the Christians”.
He continued: “So I knew my own mission but I sensed things do not happen like that and I told them what would make him escape death. I told them privately. That is, me and them, it had nothing to do with the four (he and the other pastors). My reason for being called was slightly different from the other three. I think Oyedepo was called because of the miracles (he was performing) in the Living Faith Church. We were called in because they believed we have access to God and that we could pray some effective prayers that would help the matter.
‘Not politically convenient’
“I told them the Lord said that within three weeks they should take him out of the Villa to somewhere he’d be without pressure. That was the time the polity was heating up. I told them to take him away from there (Aso Rock) because while there within those three weeks, even if as much as one mosquito bite him, he would die. I told them I saw only three weeks. So if they had taken him out within those three weeks, maybe God would have shown mercy and given him some rest and added some time to his life.
“I don’t know how much, I’m not God. I’m just an oracle who spoke for that season. And the understanding I got later, I was told they couldn’t take him out because it was not politically convenient. They were afraid that Jonathan would take over if they took him out immediately. He kept him there to ensure that Jonathan did not take over even when it was to the detriment of his health. Maybe it was a tactical move; the wife had no say in the matter”.
Captivity
Exonerating the former president’s wife, Turai, from blame over the failure to move Yar’Adua from Aso Rock as advised, Kure said, “Nigerian politicians are very complicated and sophisticated people when they know their interests are at stake; they will use you to remain relevant. They will keep you there until they get what they want. I think she was also in captivity.
“Of course she would have wanted her husband to live; she would have wanted to remain the first lady naturally. Let’s not pretend about these things. Constitutionally it was not her call; it was the politicians’ call which was what the people in the National Assembly and Nigerians were making that, `let the constitution have its way’. It was a constitutional call, it was not her call
Culled from Vanguard Newspaper

Why I Prefer Stealing In Churches

Anti-robbery policemen attached to Oko-Oba division have arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly specialised in bugling churches around Oko-Oba area of Lagos.

The suspect identified as Sannu Umaru was reportedly caught in the act inside one of the Pentecostal churches in Oko-Oba, weekend.
Umaru who claimed to be son of a retired army personnel, told policemen during interrogation that he preferred stealing from churches because of the security lapses.
Preliminary investigation, according to police sources, revealed that Umaru was allegedly involved in some robbery incidents in churches around the area. Before his arrest, he allegedly bugled a church where he made away with some musical instruments.
According to Police sources, “on that fateful night, he scaled the fence of the church and went to where the musical instruments were. As he was about carrying the piano valued close to half a million naira, one of the instruments fell down and attracted the night guards who went for him.
“He jumped through the fence with one of the instruments he stole. But he was apprehended by residents of the area who were alerted by the the guards and was brought to the station. He was found to have also burgled another church within the week.”
In his confessional statement, Umaru blamed his indulgence on frustration, saying: “I was tempted to steal because of the death of my father. After his death, I went into scavenging but did not succeed. I chose to bugle churches because it is easier than any other place.
“Aside this, I do not need to be armed. I was scared of carrying arms and did not want to spill blood. That is why I considered stealing in churches as a gentleman’s way.
“What I do is, anytime I go there, I would search the offering boxes. At times I would find money inside, while at other times I would not.
“At Saint Barnabas Church, I did not find any money inside the offering box. So, I decided to steal their music instrument.”
Police sources said Umaru had been charged to court.

72-feet crucifix to be unveiled in Enugu

A 72 feet crucifix, named the Giant Agonising Crucifix, and acclaimed to be one of the tallest in the world, is to be unveiled in Enugu on Friday where 10,000 Catholic faithful are expected, according to a statement.The statement issued in Abuja from the Apostolate of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, and signed by Mr Jude Edochie on Tuesday, stated that the crucifix had been erected at Uje, Imeziolo in Enugu Local Government Area.It explained thet the erection was the culmination of a vision through a priest, Barnabas Nwoye.“Over 10,000 people are expected at the ceremony – Bishops, Priests, the Religious and the Laity from countries including Canada, USA, Britain, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Australia, China and Germany.“The unveiling of this crucifix, a world Catholic religious event, will be preceded by a Holy Mass and a big religious ceremony,’’ the statement stated.The statement called on people to come and witness the “historic religious event of our time.“With this project accomplished, the power of the kingdom of darkness shall be seriously shaken for the Kingdom of God shall be established throughout the world’’.

Catholic, Anglican churches battle over ownership of Onitsha school

Anambra State-owned Lafiagi Primary School in Fegge area of Onitsha has become a subject of controversy as Catholic and Anglican churches are battling for its ownership.The school, which situates between St Michael’s Catholic Church and St Faith’s Anglican Church, both in Fegge, was before the clash used by both churches for social activities.Vanguard gathered that an incident occurred during Sunday’s worship as youths of both churches tried to stop the other from making use of the school field.Parish Priest of St Faith’s Anglican Church, Rev Canon Obiora Uzochukwu, told newsmen yesterday that there had been a lingering crisis over the ownership of the land where the school was built.According to him, trouble started when the state government gave the Anglican Church the space in the school to conduct its church service.Rev Obiora said: “The Anglican Communion has been worshiping at the primary school for more than 40 years and we view the recent attack by the Catholics as a way of playing scripts written by unknown hands to intimidate us.“They (Catholics) came to the open space where we normally have our weekly activities, but the one that broke the carmel’s back was the incident where members of the MOD of the Catholic Church swooped on our members and destroyed two canopies set for Sunday’s service.”However, the Parish Priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Rev Fr, Celestin Aniofor, said the school in question did not belong to either of the denominations, adding that it was a government school.Aniofor said: “Lafiaji Primary School belongs to the state government. What happened was that the members of MOD in the church got approval from the headmistress of the school to do their camping programme in the school from Friday to Sunday. When they came to report to me that members of the Anglican Church had used canopies to block the field where they were doing parade, I quickly pleaded with them to give peace a chance.“The Anglican Communion has been dragging the school, which is a state government school and ASUDEB had earlier barred any church from having service there. So when the MOD men came, the Anglican people came to make trouble and went as far as inviting the soldiers to arrest the MOD commander and it took us several efforts to get him on bail.“On Sunday again, they came with the police and we see this as purely madness because nobody is dragging anything with them”. - Culled fromVanguard newspaper

BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian Christian Body Re-Elects Oritsejafor As President

The National Assembly of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday in Abuja re-elected Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as President of the association for another three years.Oritsejafor was re-elected at the 9th session of the CAN National Assembly held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.*OritsejaforThe assembly also elected Mr Olasupo Ayokunle as the new Deputy National President to replace the Most Rev. Daniel Okoh.The major blocs that make up CAN were represented at the 9th session of the assembly that re-elected Oritsejafor.He was first elected into the position in May 2010.In his acceptance speech, Oritsejafor pledged to unite all Christian groups in the country and strengthen relations with Nigerians of other faiths to achieve national development.The CAN president said he would do everything possible to address some of the controversies that characterised the association during his first term as president.“We must speak with one voice in line with our motto: `That they all may be one.’“I want to dedicate my second term to bringing all Christians under one umbrella.“I agree that there have been needless disagreements and controversies in our association in the past but I make a promise here today that I will be willing to bend over to bring about the much desired unity and to make the Church one,’’ he said.The president appealed to past presidents and leaders of CAN to support and assist him in uniting the Church and address some of the common problems confronting Christians in Nigeria.He said “CAN will now be more courageous in its defence of Christians in the hands of their persecutors within and outside the country.’’Fielding questions from newsmen on the re-election of Oritsejafor, the Chairman of CAN in the North-west, Bishop David Bakare, said the re-election was an indication of unity in the association.Bakare said that the presence of the leaders of the five blocs that make up CAN was a good sign of togetherness and the growth of Christianity in the country.The association would pursue genuine reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among people of different faith across the country, he noted.The event was attended by state executives of CAN and other stakeholders.

Police parade gay pastor for alleged rape of member

The Edo State Police Command, yesterday, paraded 26 suspected criminals including a pastor identified as Philips Ogbebor, alleged to have had carnal knowledge of a 20-year-old male member of his church (names withheld).
After the act, the pastor allegedly threatened to kill his victim if he disclosed the act to the public.
Speaking to Vanguard, Pastor Ogbebor simply said: “God will judge, go and talk to others” and kept on mumbling.

The alleged gay pastor

But his victim narrated his ordeal: “I told him I have never done this since I grew up, but he insisted. It was painful and I told him I will not allow it again. So after the second attempt, I told him I will expose the act. He then administered an oath on me, saying if I ever told any one, I will die.
“He carried sand and olive oil and poured them on my head, then he wore black garment, saying I will die if I ever leaked the secret. He killed a black fowl and gave me the liver and gizzard to eat at about 2 a.m., threatening that if I ever said it out, I will die like the fowl.
“But when I realised that it is a sin, I met a man of God to pray for me that God should forgive me and that I am ready to expose it since he forced me. There after I went to the church and told the congregation about the act. When he heard it, he threatened me by sending his younger brother and members of his gang after me. Since then I have been running.”

Other suspects paraded

The state Police Commissioner, Folusho Adebanjo, explained that among the suspects were two suspected cultists believed to have participated in the recent rival cult clash in the state and seven suspected pipeline vandals and operators of illegal refineries.
Others were two suspected robbers, from whom a Toyota Camry car they stole at gunpoint in Kaduna State was recovered; a suspect who was alleged to have demanded N20 million ransom from one Joseph with death threats and three others whom the police boss said were in possession of firearms without licence were also paraded.
There was also an alleged case of rape against two suspects who were said to have dragged a 20-year-old female victim into the bush. He also paraded five persons including a middle aged woman all from Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government council accused of burning to death, one Funmi Abiodun on allegation of being a witch responsible for the death of a relation.
According to him, “the war against criminality is relentlessly being waged against men of the underworld. The command is not leaving any stone unturned regarding crime and criminality in Edo State.
“This man who claimed to be a pastor defiled a young person. Another thing that is so common here and I don’t know why this defilement issue is so prevalent.
“I wonder if there is something about it. You see very old men defiling young girls who are five years, two years, and so on. We are not going to tolerate this and cases of rape are also increasing too but we will go all out to make sure that they are convicted.”

Rape In Nigerian Church: Bishop says "The devil used me''

MANY found it hard to believe. They made calls to confirm if those close to the bishop had heard the story.
But the ‘man of God’ himself told the story before journalists at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze

Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze narrated the story of how he allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl after ministering at Calvary Army Ministry, Rumuoji Eneka in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers state.
He blamed it on the devil and also accused his host as the one who set him up. According to the cleric, after he finished ministering, he retired to rest. The girl later came for deliverance.
He said that while he was pleading the blood of Jesus on the little girl, she started removing her dress. Before he could restrain her, he said he found himself on top of her.
“But to my greatest surprise, I was surprised when I saw her pulling off her blouse and skirt. But, before I knew it, I had a carnal knowledge of her. That is the truth of the matter.”
His head suddenly dropped after the confession, then went up again; this time he said anybody could have fallen for it.
According to him, when he realised he had sinned against God, he called some junior pastors to tell them what he had done to pray for him.
Nwabueze said he took a second look at the little girl who probably was still lying nude and waiting for a second round and what he saw pissed him off.
“She started laughing at me. She said ‘are you angry?’ I told her that I did not know she had hypnotised me. She said I should not bother,” the bishop said.
“I was so angry and annoyed that I called some of my pastors and made a confession, that I did not know what was happening.”
Nwabueze said it was not true that he raped the girl, stressing that it was a consensual act. He also dismissed the allegation that he later procured abortion for the girl when the father called to inform him that she was pregnant. According to him, it was the girl’s father that did it but he paid the bills.
The bishop maintained that the pastor of the church where he went to preach set him up and he fell for it.
“We have different Colleges of Bishops. I am the Chairman of the Communion of Bishops in Rivers State. Well, what actually happened was a set up. It was set-up by my enemies. I have so many people who are my enemies. The man in-charge of where I went to minister is my enemy. He is the person that set me up,” he stated.
“He invited me to his church for a programme, claiming to be my friend. After the programme, he set me up because of the tussle over the chairmanship of the communion.”
Meanwhile, the police have advised Christians to be vigilant and ask the right questions sometimes on the actions of some pastors. This way the police said, Christians could different between true and fake pastors.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers SCID, Mr Samuel Okaula, who paraded the bishop and a male nurse who allegedly facilitated the abortion, also said people should be conscious of worship centres. He said Nwabueze would be arraigned before the court to serve as a deterrent.
Reacting to the development, Executive Director, Institute of Human rights and Humanitarian Law, IHRHL, Mr Ayankwee Nsirimovu, described the action of the bishop as unfortunate as it was done by one in a position of spiritual trust. He said the incident was one case out of the experiences of under aged girls, married and single women in the offices of randy bishops and clergy men.
 Culled from Vanguard Newspaper