₦airaland Forum

EMBATTLED Christ Embassy Church founder Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is under fire again after it emerged that he charged parishioners a N1,000 (£3.60) gate fee to attend a New Year’s Eve service in Lagos.

On April 9 last year, Pastor Oyakhilome's wife Anita filed for a divorce citing unreasonable behaviour and adultery as her grounds for seeking a separation. Since then, he and his wife have been involved in a high-profile exchange of words in the media, with each of them accusing the others of all forms of impropriety.

To add to his headaches, Pastor Oyakhilome has come under fierce criticism for charging worshippers to attend his New Years Eve service at Christ Embassy’s headquarters in the Oregun area of Lagos on December 31. Those who could not afford the N1,000 passes were turned back and told that they could go elsewhere to worship or watch the service online for free.

Many people described it as extortion and abuse of Jesus’ teachings and another confirmation that some Nigerian churches and pastors are more interested in making money than winning souls for God. However, the church explained that it was a way of controlling the crowd and discouraging thousands of people who come to church once a year on December 31 and prevent real worshippers from securing seats on that important night.

With a seating capacity of roughly 20,000 seats, Christ Embassy might have made at least N20m (£71,500) from the sale of gate passes used for the crossover service. [/b]Worshippers and former staff have complained in the past that the emphasis was often too much on money in the church rather than on spiritual things Jesus Christ taught his disciples.

Since the revelations about the gate fees collection at Christ Embassy Church were made public last week, Nigerians have continued to express shock, outrage and indignation with many finding it hard to believe it. Many worshippers expressed their indignation on the social media, especially Facebook.

[b] Femi Olulowo said: "Gate fee collection appears good for crowd control in a theatre or secular concert but not sound enough in the house of God where Christ the head of the church bids everyone to come, even when they only respond once in a year. Even if the church prefers its already saved members to partake in a particular service, gate pass should have been given to them at no cost and they will have the privilege of going in first."

Onyeka Okochi added: "Salvation doesn’t come at a cost. In the Bible, a man who wanted to pay for salvation was refused."

Pastor Oyakhilome's congregation is reported to be 40,000 strong and Forbes estimated his net worth, which includes diversified interests such as newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate, at $50m. He travels around the world in a jet and moves around Lagos with bodyguards and heavily armed policemen.


Source: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/6113-pastor-oyakhilome-charges-worshippers-n1000-entry-fee-to-gain-entry-to-his-church#sthash.jHlibhJl.dpuf

Part 5


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WquWKmhrzI

Part 4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp5f0fydwx4

Part 3


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOmc68wCYXc

Part 2 of Prof Osibanjo's Interview


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyJwTyrgSKQ

Part 1 of Prof Osibanjo's Interview


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pDs0z_qKSg

NIGERIA'S military has confirmed that former head of state General Muhammadu Buhari's academic qualifications are available in the army records offices and can be made available should they be requested.

General Buhari, is running for president in next month's presidential election and under the guidelines laid down by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), all candidates have to provide copies of their certificates. Over recent weeks, General Buhari has been unable to do so, directing Inec to army headquarters to obtain copies.

In what has now become a political fight between the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and General Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC), he is being asked to produce the certificates by his political opponents. There have been question marks about whether the certificates are indeed still with the Nigerian Army but yesterday, an official spokesman claimed they are available.

Brigadier Olaleye Olajide, the director of public relations of the Nigerian Army, said that the Nigerian Army is in possession of all records of serving, retired and deceased officers since its inception. He added, however, that all military officers are supposed to keep original copies of their certificates.

According to Brigadier Olajide, in the event where an officer loses his or her original copy of records, the concerned officer must officially apply for copies from the army. He stated that the army responds to such requests in an expeditious manner.

Brigadier Olajide said that as a former director of records at the Nigerian Army headquarters, he had seen records of older and retired generals. He added that he was in no doubt that General Buhari’s records were intact.


- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/6110-nigerian-army-says-it-is-in-possession-of-general-buharis-academic-certificates#sthash.QXBxbopn.dpuf

iwriterng:
I would be sincere in my analysis so read carefully.

1. Rule out the possibilities of watching/streamlining YouTube video if you don't reside in Lagos or Abuja.. You can always download and watch later.

2. If you reside in Lagos, to enjoy fast and reliable data package, you would subscribe to private ISP and not all these mobile network of a thing.

3. Internet is poor but not very expensive. You won't be spending up to $30/month for a quality internet service in Lagos/Abuja.

4. If you will be using your handheld device, you would have to subscribe to a mobile network package.

Personally, I use MTN (They're reliable than others IMHO) 3GB for #2500 monthly plan, but it only works in the night, however they would give you a bonus 1.5GB data that can be used at any time of the day, the catch here is just that, they don't start deducting your Night plan data until you exhaust the bonus.

5. After exhausting my bonus, what I do is, buy another 1GB SME data, I use the SME data during the day and 3GB at night.

In all I spend an average of #5000 on data monthly, so its not as expensive as what you have in Slovakia.

Heck! You can as well get a complete SME data bundle of 10GB for #10000 per month and use your hand device as hotspot whenever you're to use your PC.

PS: You're that man with the cute baby on YouTube right? Bathing him?

Thank you very much for the detailed analyses. I think the 10k per month bundle will meet my need. Yes, I am David's father. He'll be two years old come January 04.

Mondisweets:
Prove am joor lol. Why don't your check the network providers' websites, try and find out more about the broadband and the promotions they offer, its much easier that way to estimate how much you will need by yourself.

True talk. However, it's one thing to read the individual service providers' websites, it's another thing to get opinions from those who use or have used these services as they only can give first hand experience and advice on not only cost, but also reliability...

Mondisweets:
Pics of the contract with Orange or wedonbilivit

Trust me, even if I scanned the doc and attach here, you won't understand anything as it is in Slovak language. :p

It is illegal for a married man to marry someone else without first divorcing the previous partner-especially under civil union. Please consult a lawyer, seek legal advice and if you have a case, sue the guy's black a*ss

How much does it cost a heavy internet user to use the internet in Nigeria and what service provider would you recommend to someone who is coming home and would want to be connected 24/7? By heavy internet user I mean someone who uses internet to whatsapp, view youtube videos, and other job related functions. What service provider offers the best and fastest, reliable internet connection?? How much will it cost one? With all the Glo adverts I do see on CNN, it seems to me that Glo will meet my needs, but since I am not in the country at the moment, I will appreciate opinions from fellow Nairalanders.

Here in Slovakia, I am on a 2 years contract with Orange and I pay 65 Euro monthly for all the calls I can make in the world, all the sms I can send, and 3000MB of internet data per month. So, whether I call or not, I have to pay 65 Euro every month for 2 years. Lest I forgot, this contract came with a Galaxy (can't even remember the phone model) phone. I am 5 months away from the end of the contract.

Please let's hear from you- what service will you recommend when it comes to using reliable, fast, internet in Nigeria and how much does it cost to be on internet 24/7? Thanks

Cutesexy1:
how come he is only campaigning in lagos

Perhaps he will first start from his quarters before moving out to others. Imagine him kickstarting his campaign from Abuja or Imo when he has not prepared his own people's minds. ..

Awww, she was such a pretty young woman...

Source: http://lindaikeji..in/2014/12/lola-omotayo-shares-throwback-photos-of.html?m=1

He just posted these photos on his Facebook page...thought some of you might want to see them..:-)

Source: http://lindaikeji..in/2014/12/apc-vp-presidential-candidate-prof-yemi.html?m=1

Over 60 Nigerian soldiers on death are currently being served starvation that is likely to kill them.

According to military sources, the over 54 soldiers currently on death row for mutiny are not being fed.

The founder of INRI Evangelical church in Lagos has called on President Jonathan to save the lives of the soldiers.
Primate Elijah Ayodele said their execution would demoralize other soldiers in the country who are waging war against Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria. Ayodele said if Jonathan failed to spare the lives of the soldiers, his re-election in 2015 could be seriously undermined.

Jonathan is the only man that can spare the lives of these soldiers but the man is yet to talk about the condemned soldiers, but has been very busy pushing forward his 2015 re-election message.

Source:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is not winning the war against Boko Haram. An indication of his fears were confirmed with his recent visit to his kids earlier relocated from the British International School, Lekki, Lagos to London last month. Close aides of the President announced he was going to the United Kingdom without details on his mission last week.

Close sources hinted his recent visit to the United Kingdom was to see his children who he might not see in the next few months of the electioneering campaign. On his visits were some of his close relations to ensure a family re-union.
Prior to the relocation of the children from the British School, his aides had bought a befitting house in upscale London to accommodate the family and their aides, following threats and hints that Boko Haram were on their trails. Observers believed the move by the President preclude the notion that Nigeria is safe and confirms the fears in some quarters that a wholistic approach is being applied to tame insurgency.

If that be the case where lies our hope and confidence that Nigeria is winning the war against Boko Haram Nigeria. Why should a Nigerian soldier put his life on the line when the President has relocated his own immediate family? Who wants to be a sacrificial lamb? These and more probing questions are on the lips of Nigerians who expressed dismay at the development.

As at today, there is no statement credited to the Presidency or his aides on his mission to the United Kingdom.

Me see humility in the person of Prof Yemi Osibanjo. He looks simple and does not dress flamboyantly like a professor of Law or a VP to be, he mingles with common man on the streets, talks to them in person instead of printing posters and sending out paid campaigners to the streets... If Nigeria is ready for business, I think this man has got a listening ear and a people-person personality that we need in a leader...

More Pics

Buhari's running mate, Prof Yemi Osibanjo is seen on the streets of Lagos campaigning to roasted plantain sellers, Keke Napep operators, and street hawkers. I think this has never happened in Nigeria before...

Me thinks this man means business. What do you think?

Pic1: PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO CAMPAIGNING TO ROASTED PLANTAIN (BOLI) SELLER

Pic2 &3: ROF. YEMI OSINBAJO CAMPAIGNING TO COMMUTERS OF TRICYCLE (KEKE MARWA) ON THE STREET OF LAGOS

Pic4, 5, &6 : PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO CAMPAIGNING ON THE STREET OF LAGOS

Source:

Chanchit:
I trust the Clueless one, he fit send Sambo go next Pasuma live show for Mushin, na there them go kidnap am.

Markenny:
Have you try calling berlin??maybe ther might have alternative solution for paymentam not sure if obi is in germany now last time I talk to him was about 6months ago...he say somethin about going to nigeria...I will still send you his number...if he is in germany it you will get appoitment under 12hrs.

@Markenny, I am also about to start processing my about to be expired passport. Since I live in Slovakia, I will need help with securing appointment in time so I can return back to my family same day or so. Do you know whether that guy of yours still work in the embassy in Berlin? Would you be kind enough to provide me his contact number please? Thanks a lot.

Crocz:
How hard is it for people to tell the truth...yes, its obvious Jona's government is as corrupt as anything but me no see where the post categorically say his government is corrupt.

The quote starts from "Ordinarily" didn't it?

The quote starts from: "The current Nigerian government is widely seen as the most corrupt since independence from Britain in 1960." The "Ordinarily..." part was the second paragraph in the story. Full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/opinion/the-nigerian-status-quo.html?_r=0

According to the New York Times, since independence from Britain in 1960, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is the most corrupt ever in Nigeria. In its article published on 16th November titled: "The Nigerian Status Quo," the paper writes that:

Ordinarily, this would be a huge problem for President Goodluck Jonathan and his People’s Democratic Party, which has been continuously in power since the end of military rule in 1999. But things are unlikely to change. To many Nigerians, it sometimes seems as if we merely swapped military dictatorship for a one-party state.

Read more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/opinion/the-nigerian-status-quo.html?_r=0

sholatech:
If you are Nigerian coming into Nigeria, you won't be asked when entering. But if you are non-Nigerian, you will need to fill customs currency declaration form on arrival. And you only declare it, not forfeited

Thanks. I was wondering whether once one declares an amount, the Naija factor of settle us or we give you problems may set in. From your post, it seems you declare and not necessarily forfeit or part away with some...

justwise:
Anything more than 10 thousand need to be declared

Thanks for the response. I guess by 10,000 you refer to Euro not dollar

Whywasibanned:
Someone should please UNBAN me. I created a thread titled: How Much C*ash Can I t*ravel to Nigeria with from Europe---then I got banned. Seun and other moderators empowered to look into this should please unban me and release the thread so fellow Nairalanders can advise me on the issue I raised. Thanks
AmnestyLaw1

Thanks to the person who unbanned me.

I have tried searching for info online, but could not find anything helpful. I am planning to come to Nigeria soon, but was wondering whether there is any customs regulation in Nigeria regarding the limit to amount of money one can enter the country with from Europe. In other words, what is the maximum amount of money (in EURO) I can enter Nigeria with without declaring to custom? Considering the way Naija is, do I really need to declare any currency even if it equals or slightly above the minimum amount that needs to be declared?

Thanks for your numerous responses.

Fellow Nairalanders, I need your help. I am residing in Bratislava where I have residence permit. My Nigerian passport will be expiring in June 2015 (that is when the 5 year passport validity period will elapse). My residence permit of 5 years will also expire in March 2015. I would not be bothered if not that I am planning to travel to Nigeria in February 2015, and was informed that no one will allow me back if I have an expired residence card or passport that has less than 3 months validity on it. In order to renew my residence permit for the indefinite residence (before I come to Naija in February), I need to get a passport with more than 1 year validity...

Am not sure whether what I need is a RENEWAL or EXTENSION of passport, but I am sure I can do it either in Vienna or Berlin as these are the nearest Nigerian embassies to Bratislava.

Since I have not had any experience renewing or extending my passport, I am seeking guidance from anyone who has had experience with either Vienna or Berlin. Which of the embassies between the two should I go to? Can I get this done in a day? What are the documents I need? Will I need a new passport? HOW MUCH will RENEWAL or EXTENSION cost? Vienna and Berlin are about 1 and 9 hours respectively by bus- so, Vienna will be my best bet. If, however, Berlin will ease my pains, I am ready to take vacation from work to go there.

Please I need your advise, Nairalanders.
Cc: Seun, Obinoscopy - Please can you help place this on frontpage? Thanks for your kind assistance.

pureguide:
Make una contribute money for me. Make I arrange 1bottle of origin

No be only Origin, na Destination. Orijin wen you go buy and another peson go carry an go where you dey watch Mercy Johnson.