Kukah berates national confab •Says it will create more problems for Nigeria

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, The Right Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, has berated the Federal Government’s national confab which is expected to commence soon, arguing that the conference will only create more problems for the nation. Kuka, who earlier expressed optimism in the oneness of the country, related his fears, saying that the confab had been fraught with many irregularities before its commencement. He stated this while making his keynote address as the guest speaker during the 6th Cardinal Anthony Okogie’s annual lecture, which was held on Thursday at the McGovern Hall at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Kukah, while dwelling much on the topic “Calming The Storm, Witnessing In A Time Of Insecurity”, said that “many people have been clamouring for a Sovereign National Conference. Now it is here. I don’t believe that Nigeria’s problems can be solved through a National Conference. This is because the delegates are not going there as one Nigeria but as different ethnic groups. This will even create more problems to the country.” He stressed that Nigerians have politicised every issue on the altar of religion and tribal sentiment, adding that “Nigeria is not the only country with many tribes, cultures and religions. If a person commits an offence in USA, the offender is tried as a criminal but in Nigeria people will try such a person on the grounds of his religion, tribe, thereby bringing sentiment into the case. This is Nigeria’s biggest problem and until Nigerians see one another as Nigerians and not from religious perspective, the nation will not know peace.” From Tribune Newspaper

The fear of God’s wrath drove me into music —Alawiye-Aluko

Bisi Alawiye-Aluko is a gospel artiste with a difference. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she reveals the reason behind her dumping her accountancy profession, why her husband follows her to all her shows, among other issues. Excerpts: WHAT have has been sustaining your career? The sustainability of my music career is beyond my imagination. Instead of giving instances, I will return all glory to God for making me a vessel unto honour. He has been using me to bless lives through the ministration of songs. My songs have been a source of inspiration in ways that I cannot imagine. What has remained your major challenge? This is what you cannot leave out in the life of any human. But I want to believe that without a cross, there won’t be a crown. Once again I want to thank God for His grace and the sustainability of my life. I know He has a purpose for still keeping me. Though it has not been easy when I came into the limelight; I don’t see every challenge of my life as an end road because He will surely create ways where there is none. Can you recall the reason behind your choice of gospel music? My journey into mainstream gospel music started when I discovered my talent for music at a tender age. The mystery began immediately I finished my secondary school education and got admitted into the polytechnic. The talent surfaced and I found my way into a studio where I waxed an album entitled “La’na Komi”. We gave it to a marketer. The song was a hit and it was beyond my imagination. I never believed I would end up as a musician. I just obeyed the directives of God back then. Meanwhile, I studied accountancy at the tertiary level, but I don’t think I would have gone as far as I have done in music if I had settled down in the accountancy profession. Can you recall the exact turning point that made you realise you possess the gift of music? I was shocked in an encounter that I had at Ile-Ife where I was singing during a thanksgiving service at a church. A man walked up to me and called my name in the presence of the congregation. He said, “Bisi, you have refused to obey and heed my words. If this people perish as a result of your disobedience, you will also perish with them.” That statement really struck my heart. How successful are you as a gospel musician? As I said earlier, I thank God for whatever I am today and I am contented with whatever I am or have today. I will be foolish if I start flaunting all assets that vanish within a twinkle of an eye. I am comfortable with what I have. What aspect of gospel music do you sing? I sing pure and undiluted gospel music. I agree with you that there are different types of gospel music today, but I am not to judge or select which should be and which should not. Whatever is not Biblical cannot pass as gospel music. How have you been able to combine your home front and music? I have been able to achieve this through divine wisdom coupled with a good and sound driving force. My home has always been awesome. My husband and I do things together; we are always together wherever I go, especially to perform. It might be strange; but to me, I derive joy in it because he believes in my vision and always guides me. Don’t you think you are lagging behind as a gospel musician because you reside in Akure? The popular belief that one will lag behind if not in the cities, especially Lagos State, is a fallacy. God is not interested in one’s location or jurisdiction to make one shine or excel in life. Despite the fact that I reside in Akure, music has taken me beyond the shores of this country. I have been to Europe to minister. At the moment, I am making arrangement to go to America. What is your take on the state of gospel music in Nigeria? The fact remains that no matter how gospel music is blended into other things, you cannot compare the adulterated with the original. We have a lot of pure and evergreen songs that never go into extinction; take a look at Baba Ayewa’s popular songs, Baba Ojo Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Bola Are among others are typical examples of icons that produce songs that cannot go into extinction. This is the school of thought that I belong to. I believe originality will remain forever. So, you agree that the industry is unclean? No, not in that context. The entire earth is even corrupt. The industry and all other sectors are inclusive. The fact remains that whether we want it or not, we need the entire entertainment industry to be purged and it is when the bad eggs are removed that we can enjoy God.

Ripples From Chime's Demolistion of MFM'S sOUTH-East Headquarters

Emotions rose high on Thursday October 10, 2013 in Enugu when officials of the state government carried out their threat by demolishing the multi-purpose building of the South East regional headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, situated along Zik Avenue, Enugu. It will be recalled that in September last year, when Governor Sullivan Chime was out of the country for medical trip and for vacation, bulldozers arrived the church and were ready to pull it down but could not because the church instituted a law suit claiming that they acquired the place legally and that the church plan got government approval. Religious leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and that of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) pleaded with the government to re-consider its position. According to the former resident pastor of the church, Pastor Kennedy Udeogaranya, they were grateful to the government for giving them a place to relocate. He however opined that government should give them time to relocate. Pastor Udeogaranya told reporters pointedly that the place they were given by the government was a land in dispute, saying that two communities in Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas of the state were each laying claims to the ownership of the land even when the government had given the church the certificate of occupancy to the said land. Emeke Ogene, an Enugu resident told Tribune Church that the MFM acquired the land legally and there was no reason why the place should not be demolished. “Don’t mind them. The church acquired the place legally. This idea that they did not get government approval is not true,” he said. The Commissioner for Land, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, said they would not pay compensation because the church did not get government approval before building. He said that the governor gave the church an alternative place to relocate because he was a man who liked handling things peacefully and amicably without seeking recourse to court action and violence. Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA), Ikechukwu Ugwuegede said the government pulled down the edifice because the church did not get government approval. He said what was uppermost in the mind of the government was to the security of lives and property and that is what prompted the demolition. Detachments of armed policemen and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) were stationed at strategic points apparently to wade off hoodlums from carting away the property of the church as well as quell any rebellion. A statement issued by Ugwuegede, on Thursday, insisted that the structure was illegal and unapproved, adding that application for approval was rejected in March, 2012. According to him, “copious opportunity was given to Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries to make good the illegality ever since then. With the allocation of land of more than 4000sq m to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles more than three months ago, the state government believes that they do have an alternate area to develop. “It must also be borne in mind that with the seasonal rains and floods this year resulting in the collapse of three buildings within the capital territory and the loss of one woman and an unborn child, the state government has a duty to all and sundry, including adherents and worshipers at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles. “No responsible government will stand and permit a predictable catastrophe to befall its people before taking appropriate steps. The state government had also identified other structures which must be brought down to present any unsafe condition or illegal structure from remaining” he concluded,” he said. As at last Thursday, when Tribune Church visited both the demolished church and the new site given to the church by the government, some of the church members were still seen discussing the demolition exercise as they claimed that they were not given enough time to relocate. Meanwhile, rods, plywood and other valuable property belong to the church were being evacuated from the rubble. Culled from tribune Newspaper

80 years after, C&S celebrates Moses Orimolade

THE grand finale of the 80th remembrance of the founder of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church, the late Moses Orimolade Tunolase got a massive turnout at Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, hometown of the founder of the church. The celebration, which started in July back in London, ended on Saturday October 19, 2013 with church faithful from within Nigeria and abroad who were present at Ikare, Ondo State and Lagos last weekend. The chairman, organising committee for United Kingdom and the President of the Cherubim & Seraphim Development Organisation international, Special Apostle Oladokun Aduragbemi said the activities started in London to commemorate the death of the founder of the Cherubim & Seraphim Church, the late St Moses Orimolade Tunolase who died on October 19, 1933. The United Kingdom event was held at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London. According to him, “The London event was impressive due to the mass number of people that graced the occasion from numerous churches including the Celestial Church of Christ, Christ Apostolic Church, Christ Faith Tabernacle, The Redeemed Christian Church of God among others. Also present were spiritual fathers including His Eminence Baba Aladura General George O. Tunolase G.C.O.A from Ikare Akoko, His Grace Most Rev. Father Samuel Abidoye, Head of C & S Movement, His Grace Most Rev. Father O. Abiola of Order of British Empire (O.B.E), Head of C & S Aladura International, Special Apostle Prophet Gabriel Fakeye, Superior Senior Apostle Olu Legbe, Head C & S Church Zion UK & Ireland, Pastor J. Olalere, Head of CAC Mount Zion UK and Apostle Alfred Williams and Head of Christ Faith Tabernacle worldwide who was the preacher of the august occasion.”

Thrill as gospel artistes lead monarchs in worship

This year’s tenth annual King’s Day of Praise had dignitaries among whom were monarchs both within Nigeria and outside. The event which is running in its tenth year organised by its visionary, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso under his Oba Karunwi III Evangelical Movement (OKTEM), was held at Bishopscourt, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The venue came alive when Tope Alabi mounted the stage to dish out her popular tracks leaving everyone present in a joyous mood. Other gospel artistes such as the Divine Twin Sister, Hannah Sokunbi, Ayan Jesu, also made the event a memorable one. The fuji maestro cum gospel musician who is also the chairman of the organising committee of the praise event, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey led dignitaries in worship through his popular evergreen songs. The performances of the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Niger-Delta and French cultural groups made this year’s concert a memorable one. In his remarks, Obey said this year’s King’s Day of Praise was indeed a success compared to the previous ones, adding that, “I am really impressed with the success recorded in this event and I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the brains behind the event, especially the visionary, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, who saw the importance to always appreciate God irrespective of one’s office or prestige.” The event was also graced by the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Yewande Amusan.

Meet Nigerian-born pastor, Alex Omokudu, is affecting lives in the Uk

The month of October in the Uk is set aside for the celebration of Afro Caribbean culture, history and those that have made a positive contribution to both their local community and across the globe. Pastor Alex Omokudu is one of those that should be celebrated for the positive impact he is making in the lives of those in his local community of Barking and Dagenham and globally. Born in a small village close to Auchi in Edo State, Pastor Alex was born dumb. He struggled through school with his difficulties and was always the target of his teachers, all of whom did not fully understand his condition and how to help him. They thought he was headstrong and labelled him ineducable. His classmates did not make things any easy for him. They constantly made jest of him. Due to his disability, he was quick to temper and lashe out at them, which always led to him being thrown out of class. He was a force to reckon with but even through the mayhem he was causing people could see he was kind-hearted. After lashing out at his classmates, during lunch, he would buy them snacks and defend the weak from bullies a trait he has carried with him through the years and that is still manifesting in the way he cares for people and feels their pains when they are passing through difficulties. When God arrested him, he that was dumb spoke and the once ineducable became a fast learner. He started his pastoral journey in Lagos preaching, healing the sick and touching lives. When it was time for him to get married, a mutual friend gave his wife his number and she called him for prayers from the UK. When she called, the Holy Spirit ministered to him and told him that was his wife. He told her and two weeks later, they were married and he relocated to the UK where God is using him to save lives. The father of three is different from other men of God because of his fear and love for God, which could be seen in the way he does things and the things he preaches about. He touches on areas most men of God would avoid preaching about so they don’t lose their members and constantly warns his members to stay away from sin, especially fornication. He has reshuffled his choir more than ten times because he perceived they where involved in fornication. His zero tolerance for sin has carved a niche for him as a salvation preacher while the manifestation of the glory of God in his life is showing everyone how prosperity can be attained from God by sowing seeds into people’s lives, living a holy life and having faith in God. While most men of God are crazy for earthly tittles, he is contented with just being a pastor. His humble nature has prevented his members from ascribing a God status to him. Though he is accepting his fellow colleagues in Christ, most of them have not extended a hand of fellowship to him. Most recently, he was invited to a church to join them in celebrating the opening of a new site. He went there whole- heartedly but on getting there, he was not acknowledged. Rather than being upset about the situation, he rejoiced with them but wondered why men of God are not supportive of one another. Pastor Alex’s display of love and care can be seen in his actions. He has sponsored numerous marriage ceremonies so that couples who could not afford to get married but want to be married can have a holy union. Members seeking mortgages are helped with funds to secure them; those in difficulties are helped, regardless of the cost. Total strangers he meets on the streets that walk up to him for help are helped. Talking about wealth and how men of God should live, he said “my wealth belong to the people whatever I make I give out. People are suffering and need help.” In most services of 5,000 people, he would refuse to take offering and ask them to go home with their money because God is interested in their heart and not their money. His talent is mostly seen is in his ability to turn the lives of gang members, murderers, criminals, drug users and dealers around. Nineteen-year-old Kenny Oladipo was a typical London youth who was into gangsterism and was notoriously known by the police. After his encounter with Pastor Alex, his life was changed for the better and he was placed on the right direction. His change was so exceptional that the police visited the church, Victorious Pentecostal Church, where Pastor Alex is the founder and General Overseer, to see the man that could affect Kenny’s life in such a positive way within a short time. Kenny is still on the straight and narrow and is currently working with Her Majesty service. Another youth touched by Pastor Alex is Jason Tsolakis who was meant to be jailed for 30 years for the role he played in a gang murder. After meeting Pastor Alex, not only was he spared jail but the fear of God now resides in him and he has turned away from his old ways. Joseph Subi 18, was caught with drugs and would have been jailed for four years. He was tagged during his court case but he located Pastor Alex during this period and he was spared jail and is now a dedicated Christian. The testimonies of the lives he is changing are endless unlike most churches where miracles are based on the law of large numbers Pastor Alex deals with each individual and this has earned him recognition from both people and the government. Councillor Liam Smith leader of Barking and Dagenham Council wrote to him, acknowledging his contribution to the positive impact of those living in the community. Moffat Ekoriko of News Africa described him as a “man with talent and character.” Pastor Alex’s ministry is growing really fast and within a short period, he has acquired things that bigger and older ministries cannot even dream of having. Due to unsuitability of air time so he could reach out to more people, God gave him his own TV station and he now owns Believe TV. The UK currently lacks good moral leadership but Pastor Alex is filling the gap. Blacks no longer have to look up to only footballers, actors or musicians whose life styles are somewhat questionable. A man whose main aim is to “make history” and inspire people, and whose greatest achievement is “affecting lives” definitely has a good vision for humanity. With his limited education, he is breaking barriers and his genuine love for God and the people is keeping UK strong. Be inspired. Culled from Tribune Newspaper

Prepare as rapture approaches, says Pastor Chidi

Pastor Chidi Anthony, General Overseer of King in Christ Church warns against the dangers of taking “the mark of the anti-Christ.” Excerpts: Ninety-eight percent of the people that come to church do not come because they want to learn the word of God. They do not even come for Christ Himself; neither do they come to become genuinely born again. But they come because they are seeking solution to their personal problems; after which they go back to their former lives. But let me tell you something, child of God, whether you like it or not, anything can happen any time from now. If De Parnassus, pastor of somebody would stand before the entire world and declare boldly that he is God to come; stand to say that there is nothing like heaven and earth and that heaven and hell are here and even had the effrontery to say he had power to give life, it, therefore, shows that the end is near. When I was meditating upon this, I cried. And you still see people rushing to the fast-expanding church called Christiana and Gracias that is located in Miami, USA to collect the mark, 666. Remember the Bible says that it is the mark of the anti-Christ. According to media reports, the church’s growth is tremendous because that is what people like. People like where they will be free and do anything even in the house of God. But let me tell you; heaven is real and hell is real. And God said, “I have made you a watch man. After watching de Parnassus speaking on CNN, I sat down to ask myself: “Am I doing the right thing? Am I giving the people what they are supposed to receive? If anything happens tomorrow, will their blood be required from my hand? The Lord said to me: “Warn them again. Tell them that my coming is at hand. “My question is: how prepared are you? Do you care a hoot about rapture? Some people will be eating with their husband or wife; one will be taken up in the sky and the other left behind. They may be working in the farm, when the trumpet is blown; some will go up in the sky and others left to face torture. If the trumpet sounds now, where will you be? You ought to know how prepared you are. I am warning you us to be on the alert. Hear me now; the enemy is very close. You need to be on the alert; and run for dear life while there is still time. How can you run for your life? There are things that you do that do not please God. Let’s take for instance; some of us are looking for money by all means, either by clean or unclean methods. What if you get this money and begin a house project or whatever with it, and when you are about to complete the project, rapture takes place. You have not enjoyed the house and you also miss heaven. Why should you kill yourself because of these worldly things? Things that have no value and cannot last forever. Why can’t you store your treasure where cankerworms, locust and palmerworms will not devour it? Why are you storing your riches in the things of the world? I hear a story shared by a certain man of God ministering raw salvation message at a crusade. After his ministration, he made an altar call and there was tumultuous rush of new converts to the altar. There was this young man that came to the crusade with his girlfriend. The message touched the girlfriend so much that she decided to give her life to Jesus Christ. As she ran out to surrender to Christ, the boy looked at the girl and told her, ‘com’on, get back.’ And the girl decided to go back as she did not want to offend the boyfriend. The boy decided that they should leave the crusade ground before the programme closed. As they were about to cross the road, an oncoming car hit her and immediately, she died. The young man ran back to the church and began to plead with the pastor to forgive him. The young man was led to Christ, but the girlfriend died without Christ. Brethren, do you know that anything can happen any time? That is why the Bible said, “I will come like a thief.” Even if you are a doubting Thomas, everything that the book of Revelation says about the end time is happening one after the other. Last time, we heard about the mark of the beast, 666. Now the American President, senators in the US have passed a law that every man in the US must carry a micro-chip on their forehead and on their wrist. That also is the mark of the anti-Christ. The micro- chip is planted on the forehead and without the chip, your ATM card will not work. That is what gives you access to your money in the bank. It is what connects you to the network. They plant it on you temple and your wrist. Remember, the book of Revelation 14 says that anybody that does not have this mark will neither buy nor sell. That means they will frustrate anyone that does not have this mark. You will not sell, buy or eat. When you cannot eat, you will be forced to accept the mark of the beast. But before this aspect will begin to happen, the rapture would take place. The saints of God would have gone to meet the Lord in the air, before the persecution. As a wise person, you should prepare yourself to be rapturable before the dawn of the persecution; the reason being that you cannot stand the persecution. You will have to collect the mark or die. But the danger in collecting the mark is that it will herald your own end. It is the mark of condemnation. This is why you need to prepare yourself that when the trumpet sounds, you will be raptured with the saints. I pray that my eyes will not see that day. Who are you? What kind of life do you live? We have come to the ‘ember months’ where many people do anything to make money. This is the season. Even people go to market on Sundays. One of my sons from South Africa called me recently and told me that he played lottery and gave the receipt to his younger brother to keep for him. He had no idea that the numbers he played could ever win. When the result came out, he actually worm some thousands of Swiss Franc. He went back to his brother to collect his winning receipt; it was a tug of war before his brother could release the receipt. The younger brother claimed that he didn’t know where he kept the receipt. We are talking about sibblings. The elder brother, asked his little brother what he meant by ‘he didn’t know where he kept his receipt.’ And fight broke out. The younger brother broke a bottle to stab his elder brother because of money. The elder brother called Nigeria to report the matter; and their father counselled the elder brother to leave the quarrelsome brother. When that other boy learnt that the elder brother had reported the matter to me, he quickly confessed their conspiracy to my son because he is so afraid of the oil upon his life. He felt that if my god-son gave their names to me to pray about, the perpetrator of the act would die. Because of money today, you see a father killing his children. You see a son killing the father or mother to get rich, ride good cars, live in mansions, take chieftaincy titles and make big friends. Young men, young women, musicians, actors actresses join church of Satan or the illuminati to acquire fame and money. At about 40 years, when they ought to relax and enjoy the money, Satan will take them prematurely. That is a very big error. It would have been better that after such death, all troubles will end; but when they die in such manner, they go to meet the main death. I don’t know the kind of sign you need to know that the world is coming to an end. Prepare now while there is time. Culled from National Mirror Newspaper