Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari on Wednesday said that the murder of eight persons at Talata-Mafara in the state was caused by false alarm.

A student of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic was killed on Monday over allegation of committing blasphemy against Islam alongside seven other persons.

A mob had set fire on the house of a man who tried to rescue the student.

Speaking with reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja Yari described the act as unnecessary and an act of the devil.

He said: “From the intelligence I heard from the security agencies, there was a fight between two students and I think one of them injured the other and started shouting that the other person abused Prophet Muhammad.

“Other students came and beat the other boy who is Yoruba and from Kogi State. Some people are saying he was a Muslim and some say the boy was a Christian. They beat the student until he collapsed and thought he was dead.

“Then security personnel requested help from one shop owner who then took the boy to the hospital in his car.

“When the students heard that the boy was still alive and in the hospital, they went to the hospital. But the boy was rescued by the army in the hospital.

“Then the students went back to the polytechnic and burnt down the shop of the person who gave his car to rescue the boy.

“They went back to town again and as you know the police in the division don’t have enough men to contain the riot and before reinforcement came, the crowd threw tyre in the man’s house and burned the House down."
More at: http://naijachurchnews.com/zamfara-killings-caused-false-alarm-says-yari-vows-prosecute-killers/

Eight persons were killed on Monday in Talata-Mafara community in Zamfara following violence that erupted over alleged blasphemy by a student of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara.
The student, it was gathered, was a Christian convert preaching on the campus of the polytechnic.
He was lynched when some of those he was going preaching to reportedly accused him of blasphemy.
The student was alleged to have made a blasphemous statement against Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
He was consequently attacked by a mob.
It was gathered the boy was said to have been beaten to pulp by the mob and was rushed to the hospital in his car by a Good Samaritan simply identified as Tajudeen.
Enraged by the act of the man who rescued the student, an eye witnesses said the mob moved to his (Tajudeen’s) house, set it on fire and killed eight persons.
More at: http://naijachurchnews.com/christian-convert-7-others-killed-alleged-blasphemy-zamfara/

A 49-year-old businessman, Mr Andrew Ndubisi has accused his wife of committing adultery with their pastor and told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State to dissolve his marriage to his wife.

The petitioner also said that his wife was secretive, as she had two previous children to two other men before they were married, a secret Andrew said his wife, Saraphina kept from him for a long time,

“My wife had two boys from two men but did not tell me before we married. After our marriage, she brought them to live with us and I was paying their school fees.”

“My wife is promiscuous, she dates different men,” Ndubisi told the court.

He also alleged that the wife had an affair with their pastor. “My wife is a flirt, she dates different men. I have caught her severally with some of her lovers. She is also having an affair with our pastor.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/my-wife-is-sleeping-with-our-pastor-has-two-children-with-other-men-man-tells-court/

The five men who allegedly killed a 74-year-old pastor’s wife Bridget Agbahime in Kano on June 2 were again denied bail by a Kano Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Agbahime was murdered at Kofar Wambai Market, Kano, over alleged blasphemy.

The accused: Dauda Ahmed, Abdulmumeen Mustafa, Zubairu Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Abdullahi, were charged with inciting, disturbance, culpable homicide, joint act and mischief.

The prosecutor, Mr Ekwe Sunday, told the court that the case diary had been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

More at: http://naijachurchnews.com/kano-killing-court-refuses-suspected-killers-bail/

Controversial entertainer and TV personality, Charles Oputa, aka Charley Boy, has lambasted pastors, calling their followers, ‘religious mumus’.

Charley Boy who claimed to have read the bible page to page for over 20 times said there is too much religious hypocrisy in his social media post.

He condemned Christians and people who claim to be religious but constantly fall for the antics and deceit of fake pastors.

Read more at: http://naijachurchnews.com/charly-boy-blasts-pastors/

Wife of the pastor of House of Testimony, a Pentecostal church located along Idumebo Road in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Pastor (Mrs.) Obehi Irabor, has been shot dead by gunmen

The victim was shot at close range at her residence in Ihumudu Quarters in the presence of her husband, Pastor Ose Irabor at about 11:00pm last Friday.

It was gathered she was shot from the back by two gunmen while she was padlocking the gate to their apartment to return to their church all-night programme.

She was said to have returned home to change her clothes.

The death of the mother of nine- month- old baby has thrown the family and church into confusion.

Sources said the husband and her relatives have struggled to fathom the cause of the suspected assassination.

Oblivious of the fate that awaited her at home, the late Mrs. Irabor had requested her husband to drive her home just before the commencement of the all-night programme to change her clothes, which had zip problem.

She had made the request because her pastor husband had told her he was going to pick his brother few streets from their home for the all-night service.

To kill two birds with a stone, the pastor husband obliged.

Reports said the deceased had successfully changed into other clothes and was padlocking the gate to her apartment when the unthinkable happened.

Two armed men emerged from the blues and one of them pointed a gun at her and shot her at her back, killing her instantly.

The pastor husband, who was already inside the car, rushed out while her killers hurried away, it was learnt.

The police were immediately contacted and evacuated the corpse to the morgue.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/gunmen-kill-pastors-wife-ekpoma/

“Gospel music is not competing with secular music” – Sammie Okposo, Tosin Martins

Gospel artistes Sammie Okposo and Tosin Martins have aired their views on the disparities between gospel and secular music.


According to the duo, there has never been any competition between the two.Both industries are market places were money is made, they say.

“I want to say right here, real quick that the gospel music industry is not in any form of competition with the secular music industry, we are not competing. We are gospel music ministers, not just artistes’ and the music is doing very well. I am glad at where it is and you haven’t seen any yet”. Okposo said.

Tosin Martins also had this to say: “One of the things I would use this avenue to say is that people need to stop seeing gospel music as religion but as an item, art. It’s music, so people coming to support music should stop seeing music or who listen to it as a church but as a market because they pay and spend money, so if we look at it from the right perspective, we will have a different scenario”.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/gospel-music-not-competing-secular-music-sammie-okposo-tosin-martins/

Bayo Akinjiyan, a former pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has accused the church of a total of N2.1milllion unpaid debt being payment for a consultancy project he was hired to do for the church.

The pastor, Akinjiyan, claimed the church body failed to acknowledge the receipt of a building forfeited to it after he resigned.

Akinjiyan, while speaking on Wednesday at a press briefing pointed out that he was a member of the church for over 23 years adding that he was contracted for different projects, including Christ Redeemers College, CRC, a private secondary school operated by Christ the Redeemer’s Ministry.

He further accused the religious body of failing to acknowledge the receipt of a property he was awarded to construct at plot 15 Diligence Road, Redemption Camp Estate, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which is worth N15.5 million.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/rccg-owing-me-n2-1m-debt-refuses-to-paypastor-cries-out/

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, has established a Micro Finance Bank (MFB) in Jos, the Plateau capital.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Akpe, Assistant Coordinator of JDPC, who inaugurated the steering committee of the bank, said that its sole goal was to minimise poverty among the residents “especially widows”.

“Given the huge number of poor people in the state, there is a need for the Church, and indeed other individuals, to take steps that will bring succour to the poorest of the poor in the society,” he said.

Akpe explained that the main aim of the MFB was to empower poor women and youths in the society.

He said that the bank was an offshoot of a micro credit scheme that had empowered more than 4,000 women, currently engaged in petty businesses, as part of efforts to raise their economic status.

He said that statistics had revealed that the state had more than one million people with no means of any meal in a day, and described the situation as “terrible”.

“The success of the micro credit scheme and the positive impact it created in the lives of many women on the Plateau, necessitated the need to start up the MFB that will open more doors and opportunities for petty traders,” he said.

The cleric regretted that thousands of families in Plateau were living below the poverty line, pointing out that government alone could not tackle the issue.

Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, had commended JDPC for the giant stride aimed at ameliorating sufferings in the state.

Kaigama, who was represented by the Vicar General, Monsignor Ben Obidaigwu, said that the gesture would curb poverty in the state, especially among women and widows.

“I commend JDPC for crossing this milestone within this period; after barely 10 years of operating a micro credit scheme, we now have a Micro Finance Bank.

”This gesture is laudable as it will help in curbing poverty in the state and also provide help to women, especially widows in the society,” he said

He urged members of the committee to be faithful in carrying out their tasks and challenged them to fashion out programmes and policies that would be friendly to everyone.

http://naijachurchnews.com/catholic-church-floats-micro-finance-bank-targets-widows/

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, has established a Micro Finance Bank (MFB) in Jos, the Plateau capital.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Akpe, Assistant Coordinator of JDPC, who inaugurated the steering committee of the bank, said that its sole goal was to minimise poverty among the residents “especially widows”.

“Given the huge number of poor people in the state, there is a need for the Church, and indeed other individuals, to take steps that will bring succour to the poorest of the poor in the society,” he said.

Akpe explained that the main aim of the MFB was to empower poor women and youths in the society.

He said that the bank was an offshoot of a micro credit scheme that had empowered more than 4,000 women, currently engaged in petty businesses, as part of efforts to raise their economic status.

He said that statistics had revealed that the state had more than one million people with no means of any meal in a day, and described the situation as “terrible”.

“The success of the micro credit scheme and the positive impact it created in the lives of many women on the Plateau, necessitated the need to start up the MFB that will open more doors and opportunities for petty traders,” he said.

The cleric regretted that thousands of families in Plateau were living below the poverty line, pointing out that government alone could not tackle the issue.

Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, had commended JDPC for the giant stride aimed at ameliorating sufferings in the state.

Kaigama, who was represented by the Vicar General, Monsignor Ben Obidaigwu, said that the gesture would curb poverty in the state, especially among women and widows.

“I commend JDPC for crossing this milestone within this period; after barely 10 years of operating a micro credit scheme, we now have a Micro Finance Bank.

”This gesture is laudable as it will help in curbing poverty in the state and also provide help to women, especially widows in the society,” he said

He urged members of the committee to be faithful in carrying out their tasks and challenged them to fashion out programmes and policies that would be friendly to everyone.

http://naijachurchnews.com/catholic-church-floats-micro-finance-bank-targets-widows/

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has commended the Buhari-led federal government on its proposed plans to release IPOD leader, NnamdiKanu, MEND leader, Henry Orkar and others in a bid to broker peace across the nation.

Addressing newsmen after the Holy Mass held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos to commemorate his fourth year as Archbishop of Lagos, Martins noted that the proposal was a very welcome development because “no sacrifice is too much to be made for the continuous peaceful existence of this country.

“We owe our children and generations unborn the responsibility of building a great nation where every citizen can live in peace and given the enablement to participate meaningfully to the growth and development of the larger society,” he noted.

http://naijachurchnews.com/catholic-archbishop-plans-release-kanu-orkar-others-commendable/

A pastor with the Assemblies of God Church, Pastor James Enyidah, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Enyidah was whisked away along the Isiokpo-Elele Road, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Popularly called Enyi Jesus, the cleric was kidnapped while going to Elele Town in search of one of his members, who was arrested by security men during a raid in Ubima.

Vanguard reports that the young man that was arrested was allegedly a member of one of the cult groups terrorising the community before Enyidah converted him to Christianity.

Meanwhile, one ChibuzorAmadi, who was travelling with the victim, said the cleric was dragged out of the car when the gunmen accosted them.

He said: “We were going to Elele to ask for the whereabouts of one of our members arrested by the military during the recent raid in the community.

“However, on getting to Isiokpo, some armed young men came out of the bush. They asked us where we were going and we told them. The next thing they did was to drag out my pastor and asked him to follow them.

“When my pastor tried to resist them, they shot into the air. And when I pleaded, they started beating me.”

The Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Command, Mr. Omoni Nnamdi, said the police were aware and that investigation had already begun.

http://naijachurchnews.com/gunmen-kidnap-assemblies-god-pastor-rivers/

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the General Overseer, the leadership and members of the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) on its 60th anniversary.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said: “Sixty years is a significant milestone in the life of any individual or organisation.

“As the Gospel Faith Mission International turns 60, it is my pleasure to rejoice with the leadership, the teeming members and adherents of the Christian faith, who worship in the church.”

The President added: “Six decades of labour in the Lord’s vineyard must have produced innumerable fruits with great impact from now to eternity.

“I wish GOFAMINT many more successful decades of fruitful service to the nation.

“As you celebrate, accept my best wishes. And kindly tell your members that a new dawn beckons in the country.

“We see it ahead and we shall step into that land of unity and prosperity. God will take us there by His Grace.”


http://naijachurchnews.com/buhari-greets-gofamint-60/

Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s return to politics was down to the insistence of Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Bakare’s insistence, he said, was why he became a governor.

El-Rufai diclosed this on Sunday at the Latter Rain Assembly where he was a guest of Pastor Bakare.

He said: “I am close to President Buhari today. But I would not be here today as governor if Pastor Bakare did not make me to join the CPC.

“I was hounded after I left office, I was persecuted. I swore I would not have anything to do with government again.

“I was bitter. I felt that Nigeria deserves what it gets. But Pastor Bakare said no, I will pray for you and the bitterness would go.”

Describing the present era as the most difficult in the country’s history, El-Rufai called for prayers for Buhari and Nigeria.

He said the President was making efforts to go back to the era before oil became a mainstay of the economy but that the transition would be difficult.

He said: “This is probably the most difficult period in Nigeria’s history. 70 percent of our national income from oil disappeared.

“It is the worst time to be in government. 30 states of Nigeria cannot pay salaries. We are lucky in Kaduna State that we can pay salaries – perhaps because you are praying for us – but it is difficult.

“Any time I sit with Buhari I feel sorry for him because he has the fortune or misfortune of being president of Nigeria at the most difficult time. The first time the NPN had almost destroyed Nigeria.

“There is one thing about him that is a strength and also a weakness – Buhari believes in humanity.

“So, when he gives you something to do, he expects you to do it as he would do it. But sometimes subordinates put leaders in difficult positions.”

He added: “The Buhari I know will not do anything detrimental to Nigeria. And by God’s grace Nigeria will remain united.

“Today we have a president that has no interest in making money for himself, his family and his friends. And that is a big difference from the past.

“But I beg you to have faith and pray.”

http://naijachurchnews.com/bakare-made-return-politics-el-rufai/

But for a mini ‘coup’ by his some of his aides, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle, would not have contested the election that bought him to power.

Ayokunle, in an exclusive interview with naijachurchnews, said one of his aides obtained the nomination form for him without his knowledge.

He explained that he deliberately refused to obtain the nomination form even after God had revealed to him in a vision that he would win the election.

The number one Christian citizen said: “I have an ecumenical officer here in the office who had been troubling me saying even if I was not going for presidency, I was qualified to run for a second term as vice president.

“He said I should submit my name. I said I was praying about it. When he saw that I was using delay tactics and the closing date was around, he went ahead and wrote the application and put my name.

He went on: “He showed it to one of my lieutenants here- Vice president Finance and Investments. They didn’t tell me they submitted it because they feared that I may stop them from submitting it so that if they had submitted and it had been accepted over there, it would be beyond me.

“So it was after they accepted it at CCN bloc and it was forwarded it to CAN that he came to ask me if I was not still going to apply again.

“I told him I was still praying about it and he said they have submitted my name. That was another thing that almost caused feud between me and him. So I said if he wanted to kill me that was how he was going to go about it without me knowing.

“And he said no, this was not about killing but they were convinced that I have something to offer but I was reluctant.

“So we started praying and I was looking for how it was going to come to pass. And the rest is history now.”

http://naijachurchnews.com/coup-made-can-president-ayokunle/

Ogun State Police Command has handed the nine-year old boy, Korede Taiwo who was chained by his Pastor father, Francis Taiwo, over to the state government.
Korede was chained for over a month by his father, who was in charge of Key of Joy parish of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ajinwo, Ota area of the State.
The Officer-in-Charge of Anti-Human Trafficking unit of Command, Oluwatoyosi Bello, handed over the boy to the officials of the state Ministry Women Affairs and Social Development, Abeokuta.
The boy was later taken to Stella Obasanjo Children’s home, Ibara Abeokuta after he told the Police that he would not like to return to his father’s house again.
Korede’s father, Taiwo, said he did know the implication of his action and pleaded with the government to forgive him.
“I didn’t know there is punishment for my action but now I know. I regret my actions. I want forgiveness from the government,” he said.
Also, Korede’s step mother, Kehinde Taiwo, pleaded with the government to forgive her and the husband
“We use to advise him but because we don’t know the implication that time, that is the reason we chained him. What I want is that I want to beg the government not to be angry again,” she said.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that the First Lady, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, expressed readiness to take care of Korede.
He stressed that the AIG Abdulmajid Ali has ordered thorough investigation of the matter and the suspects be charged to court
“The officer in charge has just taken over the case today and we assure you the command will do proper investigation and we won’t waste time on that.
“The man will be charged to court. The step mum is also a suspect in the case so the command will charge two of them accordingly.
“The command was not happy that the boy was chained by his father for more than a month. If you look at the weight of the chain couple with the weight of the padlock, you will know is too heavy for that boy.”
Adejobi added: “The boy is a rugged person and I am very sure God has a purpose of sparing his life. By the time police and Civil defence rescued him, he couldn’t stand for hours.
“He was so weak, the legs were weak not until he was taken to Onipanu Division of Ota by the DPO of the area and after the treatment he was able to stand on his feet.”

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/ogun-takes-custody-nine-year-old-chained-cleric-father/

Lagos state governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered that officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) shouldn’t be granted access to the Chapel of Light tomorrow for a planned press conference.
The Lagos state chapter of the body had scheduled a press conference to express displeasure with last week’s Appeal Court ruling that female Muslim students should be allowed to wear Hijab to public schools.
The press conference was slated for 10am.
But a top official of the body confided in Naijachurchnews that the Chaplain informed the governor had ordered that the gate of the chapel should be locked to the CAN event.
The CAN official said: “Our press conference is for 10am but we just got a communication that the governor has ordered we shouldn’t be allowed in to the venue.
“We can’t understand why he issued the order. The governor, a supposed Christians, has clearly shown that he is on the side of the Muslims.
“He fears them greatly. He has not attended CAN’s functions since he came on board. But he has been openly fraternizing with Muslims.”
The source went on: “He is the first governor that will not attend the annual Interdenominational Divine Service in the last 17 years.
“This is a shame to the body of Christ and we won’t allow this stand.”
Our correspondent gathered that CAN officials are geared for a showdown with the governor over the shut –off order.
Those who spoke with naijachurchnews said they will be at the venue and hold the press conference in front of the facility meant for Christians.
One of them said: “We would hold the press conference. Even if they don’t open the gate for us, we would be at the front of Chapel to address the media.
“This has shown that the governor is out against us.”

http://naijachurchnews.com/hijab-crisis-ambode-orders-can-shut-chapel/

Omega Power Ministries (OPM) has offered to rehabilitate wife of one of the five policemen kidnapped on May 26 at Ukujago-Ama in Port-Harcourt, Mrs. Nkem Opone.

General Overseer of the church Apostle (Dr) Chibuzor Chinyere, last Sunday ordered her immediate rehabilitation.

The church will also bear the educational costs of her two children up to university level henceforth.

It also provided accommodation for the struggling family as well as take-off capital for Opone’s trading business.

Chinyere said the gestures were to mitigate the suffering of the family in the face of the abduction of the bread-winner.

The moves, he said, were in consonance with the humanitarian nature of the fast-growing church over the years.
Mrs. Opone, who is due for delivery, said: “My husband was kidnapped over two months ago and all effort made toward knowing his whereabouts about prove abortive.

“Life gradually became unbearable especially under my present condition. My two children dropped out of school and I started hawking Zobo and Kunu drinks which could hardly sustain my family.”

The indigene of Okwuani in Delta State, added: “My church and even the police authorities my husband was working for have refused to come to my aids.

“One day, while watching my telecast, I suddenly sighted the man of God Apostle Chibuzor with his number displayed on the screen.

“I picked up my phone with tears in eye and called him and I narrated my predicaments to him.

“He demanded that I should see him in the Sunday service which I did. While in the church, he requested to see me and upon sighting me with heavy pregnancy, he showed compassion on me.”

http://naijachurchnews.com/opm-offers-lifeline-pregnant-wife-kidnapped-police-officer/

Nine-year-old Taiwo Korede was on Saturday rescued by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) weeks after being chained by Celestial Church of Christ (Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo) in Ogun State.

The incident occurred at the church’s premises in Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State.

The emaciated Master Korede in chains before officials of the NSCDC rescued him.

The case has been transferred to the appropriate authority for further investigation.

A terse statement from the NSCDC said: “On the 22nd of July 2016 at about 10:30hrs at Ajibawo in Ado Odo Ota Division 2, NSCDC officials rescue a boy, named Taiwo Korede, aged nine years old, who had been chained for weeks at Celestial Church of Christ key of Joy Parish Ajiwo.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/celestial-church-chained-tortured-nine-year-old-ogun/
“The case has since been transfer to the appropriate authority for further investigation.”

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Immediate President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor will leave the country today.

Sources close to him said he is travelling overseas to refresh and recuperate after a six-year reign as the nation’s number one Christian citizen.

Though his destination was not disclosed, our correspondent understands that he will be cooling off in the United States of America (USA).

But there are insinuations that Oritsejafor is leaving the country to forestall a possible arrest and prosecution on money-laundering charges.

Security sources said the Warri-born preacher has been under surveillance since the new administration came on board, especially on the involvement of his private jet in the stack of $10 million cash meant for arms purchase.

The cash shipped through Oritsejafor’s 2014 Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG was eventually seized by South African authorities in September, leading to a diplomatic row.

It was learnt that the former CAN President has since been under surreptitious probe by security agencies.

They were however said to be under to invite him for interrogations because of the ‘sensitive’ personality involved.

There are fears that inviting a sitting CAN president might precipitate religious tension, fuelling speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari plans to Islamise Nigeria.

The President was said to have been advised to allow Oritsejafor conclude his tenure after which he can be invited to explain his roles in the saga and some other financial misdeeds.

To prevent such possibility, Oritsejafor was said to have confided in his aides he would stay “out of view” for as long as possible.

He is also said to be drumming it into his successor, Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle that no Christian leader should be embarrassed for their convictions.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/jittery-oritsejafor-jets-nigeria/

After six years marred by controversies and intrigues, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on Wednesday officially handed over the reins of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to Rev (Dr.) Supo Ayokunle.

Ayokunle, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, took over CAN’s leadership at exactly 12: 15pm in a low-key ceremony at the National Church, Abuja.

He was elected on June 14 after defeating Prof Elder Joseph Otubu 54-28 votes.

Oritsejafor said he had served meritoriously to put Christianity in the front burner and protect the interests of Christians across the nation.

He asked Ayokunle to do much more in looking after the welfare of Christians in Nigeria.

Ayokunle promised to serve God and humanity with fairness and courage.

He said will work vigorously to rebrand the body to earn the respect of governments and all Nigerians.

More: http://naijachurchnews.com/can-finally-oritsejafor-bids-can-farewell/

President-elect of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president-elect, Rev Dr Supo Ayokunle, has lost his mother.

Madam Ayokunle died on Monday morning in her Oyo hometown at 87.

She died on the same day Ayokunle returned from Canada where he has been on personal retreat ahead of his inauguration as the number one Christian citizen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Burial arrangements will be announced later by the family.

http://naijachurchnews.com/ayokunle-incoming-can-president-loses-mum/

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu on Monday appealed to religious leaders to use their platforms to advise Nigerians to shun corruption.
He said religion is a veritable means of tackling corruption and other social vices in the country.

Magu spoke while receiving members of the Inter-Faith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC) at the commission to brief him on their activities.
He said: “Every religion abhors corruption. Therefore, there is the need for us to use religion as a platform to reach out to people to shun corruption in all its ramifications.

The EFCC boss called for collaboration between the Committee, the EFCC and the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC) to effectively use religion as a platform in preaching against the ills of corruption.

Magu said: “Every religion abhors corruption. Therefore, there is the need for us to use religion as a platform to reach out to people to shun corruption in all its ramifications.

“There is the need to organise workshops and seminars in all zonal areas for everyone to key into the war especially women, teachers and the youths.

Chairman of the IAAC, Professor Ishaq Oloyede commended Magu for the renewed vigour deployed by the commission in tackling corruption in the country despite daunting challenges.

“One thing that will not go unnoticed is the contribution that you have made, God will sincerely record it for you,” Oloyede prayed.

He called on the commission to produce more copies of the Inter-Faith Anti-Corruption Preaching and Teaching Manual to ensure adequate circulation to all stakeholders.
READ Christians protest killings, grazing reserve bill in Enugu

He also emphasised the need to have the electronic copy of the manual on the commission’s website to facilitate easy access by all.

Other members of the Committee are: Archbishop John Praise (Secretary); Imam Ahmad Abdulrahman; Alhaji Abubakar Inaboya; Pastor Cletus Alu and Husseini Yusuf Mabera.

http://naijachurchnews.com/help-us-fight-corruption-magu-begs-religious-leaders/

There is mass poverty in the black continent because of many unused brains.

This was the submission of founder and chancellor, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara state, Bishop David Oyedepo.

He said many Africans are poor because they simply refuse to use the brains to think out solution.

Bishop Oyedepo spoke at the third convocation ceremony of the agric-oriented university in Omuaran at the weekend.

He noted that what African nations needed for sustainable growth and development is a generation of indigenous solutions, particularly in field of agriculture.

The faith preacher appealed to Africans not to allow western education destroy native intelligence they were divinely endowed with.

He stressed that African forefathers started farming, identification of edible plants and crops before the coming of colonialists.

He said knowledge is the new currency of the world, adding that application of knowledge would bring about desired changes in the society.

“Human beings are created with equal capacity. They are created with equal brain cells and body system for men and women, equal destiny nd equal opportunities,” he said.

He also said that there are unlimited opportunities yet untapped in the society, charging young generation to arm themselves with required skills to effect meaningful changes in the society.

The chancellor charged graduates to be creative, identify opportunities begging for utilisation, advising that they should think possibilities, think spirituality, think positivity, think solution to problems, and think others, saying only those that think others become leaders.

He also said that they should think impact, think footprints, think future and to think culture.

http://naijachurchnews.com/poverty-high-africa-oyedepo/

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National Daily, the weekly publication of Love World Outreach foundedb by flamboyant preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is under the threat of being rested.

The weekly publication conceived to be a national newspaper could not produce last week because workers downed tool.

Some workers of the publication, who spoke with our correspondent, said they were being five month salaries.

They also lamented that the conditions of service in the publication were horrific without pension, gratuities and allowances.

Investigations revealed that the workers decided to stop the press shortly after the Managing Director, Sylvester Ebodaghe, paid a month out of the six-month arrears he was owing.

It was gathered that the workers are angry that Ebodaghe is living large while he keeps putting the workers through hard times.

One of them said the MD has been staying in a N30,000-per-day hotel somewhere in Ikeja, a development that set tongues wagging.

Some of them said theyw were prepared to take their case to Oyakhimome, who they believe was unawares of their plights.

They already petitioned the flamoyant preacher as well as other prominent leaders of the church.

The petition, signed by all editorial staff of the publication, reads: “Motivation and staff morale are at its lowest ebb as we speak, a reality that threatens our family stability and peace of minds. Fathers can not pay school fees, feed their families or even fulfill any obligation either to themselves or the family as a whole.

“The litany of woes and anguish are endless, and have just reached an unbearable crescendo with unpaid salaries and the painful reality that fathers and wives as well as their children face ejection from their homes because of unpaid house rents.”

They said they decided to protest at the church because of the ongoing International Cell Leaders Conference.






http://naijachurchnews.com/hungry-workers-oyakhilomes-national-daily-cry/

Some concerned members of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Priesthood Parish, Onigari GRA, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, have donated food items to needy civil servants in the state to save them from hunger.

The gesture, which was spearheaded by workers of Federal agencies and Ekiti State University (EKSU), was carried out last week.

It was designed to give the recipients some relief over their unpaid six months salaries.

Food items distributed include rice, Semovita and vegetable oil, which the church’s Assistant Pastor, Anthony Olowonihi, said was carried out to identify with Ekiti civil servants “at this critical period”.

The President of the Men’s Fellowship, Oluwatoba Rotimi, appreciated the gesture, calling on other churches to emulate it.

The pastor in charge, Mrs. Bolaji Aribisala, said members should be their brothers’ keepers and should allow the brotherly love to continue.

http://naijachurchnews.com/church-members-distribute-food-ekiti-civil-servants/

Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement (MCCSW) has awarded complete scholarship to Tunde Olaniyan, the ND 2 student of Lagos State Polytechnic who attempted to take his life in May.

Olaniyan, who studied accountancy, had taken a poisonous substance after his N45, 000 tuition was stolen by pick-pockets on the eve of his final examinations.

He was rescued in hospital after he passed out under the influence of the poison in his Iyana Ipaja, Lagos residence.

The Supreme Head and Prelate of the church, Dr Israel Akinadewo, said the church decided to interview in Olaniyan’s case after he read the report of his near-death in the papers.

Akinadewo, who presented Olaniyan with his parents the scholarship offer, on Thursday said: “Tunde could have died. He could have lost him and it was all because he lost his tuition.

“Our church loves such determined people. We beseech him never to attempt to take his life again but trust God for His sustenance.”

General Evangelist of the church, Elder Prof Joseph Otubu, said the church will bankroll Olaniyan’s education to any level.

“No matter how far you want to go, we shall support you. We’d be by your side. You don’t have to worry about costs again,” he stressed.

Otubu, the vice president-elect of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the church will never allow the ambition of people like Olaniyan to die.

He said the scholarship covers tuition, feeding, accommodation and everything else it will take Olaniyan to study to any level in life.

READ Osun shuts off Baptist School where students appeared in church robes
Olaniyan expressed gratitude to the church for the gesture. He said with the support, he would set the world ablaze with academic exploits.

He said his performances dived when he started working as a bus conductor last year.

His father, Amos Olaniyan, who has been on suspension for 21 years in the Police Force, said he was more than happy.

“I have indescribable joy. God has turned my sorrow to joy. He has intervened in my life,” he stated.


http://naijachurchnews.com/motailatu-awards-suicide-survivor-full-scholarship/

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries yesterday announced that it has banned indecent dressing in all its branches worldwide. The church reiterated that its major standard is holiness.


The chairman of the Ministry’s media committee, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, made this disclosure while he led his team members on a courtesy visit to Punch.

“Our church is principally a deliverance ministry and that means we are fighting against demonic forces,” he said.
According to Bank-Olemoh, the General Overseer of MFM, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, has warned that indecent dressing would no longer be tolerated in the church.

He said, “The G.O. had warned that if those who dress indecently do not change, they will not be allowed into the church. And today, if anybody is not properly dressed, the person will be not be allowed into the church; we will politely tell the person that he or she cannot enter, that is the standard.”

http://naijachurchnews.com/mfm-clamps-indecent-dressing/

The abductors of Mr Patrick Obasse, a member of the Foursquare Gospel Church, have demanded N20m for his ransom.

Obasse, a management staff of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, was abducted last Sunday in Calabar at about 9am on his way to the church.

The kidnappers reportedly got in touch with members of his family on Monday to make the demand.It is not yet confirmed whether the demand would be met or not.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Mr. Lawrence Ekwok, has lamented the increasing spate of kidnap cases in Calabar.

Recently, a Senior Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church in Calabar, Mr. Sey iAdekunle, was kidnapped by gunmen inside the church auditorium, while another member of PFN, Dr. Walter Ibe, was also abducted in Obudu.

Ekwok said the PFN would seek God’s intervention on the release of Obasse, adding that a few clerics had been rescued in the last few weeks.

He said in a text message, “I can now confirm that a member of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Patrick Obasse, of Foursquare Gospel Church was kidnapped on Sunday morning on his way to the church.

“He happens to be the District Convocation Committee chairman of his church for 2016. This is a kidnap too many for my members. From every indication it appears that PFN members have become the target of kidnappers in Cross River State.

“We refuse to be intimidated. That is why we have fixed August 1, 2016 for fasting and prayer to cry to our God from where cometh our help. We are confident that our God will answer us.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, said she was not aware of the kidnap.

http://naijachurchnews.com/1958-2/