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Boko Haram menace in Nigeria transitory, says Tanzanian envoy

BY: VICTORIA OJEME

T

BY: VICTORIA OJEME

The High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Daniel Ole Njoolay, yesterday, said that the present security challenges confronting Nigeria, especially in the north-eastern states of the country, is but temporary.

Njoolay, who made the remarks at a press briefing in commemoration of the Tanzania 50th Anniversary celebration in Abuja, said Nigeria would sooner than later overcome those challenges.

He said he was of the belief that the spate of terrorism in the country would not affect the country’s bilateral relations with other countries as terrorism has become a phenomenon almost in every country of the world.

“Nigeria is a big country; Nigeria is a strong economy; Nigeria has everything it takes; Nigeria is a big brother in Africa. I think these issues of Boko Haram are transient. Definitely, they will come to an end sooner than later. It is not something that will interrupt business relations between countries. Sooner than later, it will come to an end. It is my very sincere opinion that it is something transient, temporary. This kind of thing happens everywhere,” he said.

The envoy, who said that corruption is not limited to a country, pointed out that having strong institutions and political will to fight the menace would drastically reduce the problem.

His words: “I think corruption is problem everywhere; not only in Tanzania, not only in Nigeria but everywhere. It is a question of greed, I will say. In the developed world, in the underdeveloped countries, corruption is everywhere. Corruption is in every country. In Tanzania for instance, we have an institution called Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (BCCB). It is a very strong institution.

“And it started a long time ago but over the period it has been strengthened to go down to the grassroots, to the district level; from high offices up to the district level, to try and combat corruption at the lower level all the way to the highest level. So, if you have strong institution and if you have the political will of the population, you can curtail corruption; you cannot wipe it out. Don’t let anybody deceive you that it can be wiped out but you can curtail it. But there has to be political will, there has to be strong institution that are well taken care of, well equipped with personnel and with equipment to be able to cut down corruption.”

On the celebration, he said Tanzania would mark the 50th anniversary of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar on the April 26, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/boko-haram-menace-nigeria-transitory-says-tanzanian-envoy/#sthash.bKFDvhvk.dpuf

STAR ACTRESS JANET OLUSEYE:IS DEAD

One of the prominent faces of Yoruba genre of Nollywood, Janet Atayero-Oluseye who got married last year to Olalekan Oluseye has passed away. 

She died at the age of 32 on Wednesday 23th of October, 2013. The member of Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioner (ANTP), Ibadan chapter was with the Ojopagogo movie caucus in Ibadan until her death.

She was said to have complained of pains on her foot and couldn’t walk with it for months and subsequently her health deteriorated even though she was treated in the hospital and some spiritual measures were taken to help her out, she however died and was buried in Lagos, the same day she died.

Bishop David Oyedepo: An extraordinary Life

David O. Oyedepo, affectionately called "Papa" by members of his church congregation (born September 27, 1954) is a Nigerian Christian author, Preacher and the founder and Presiding Bishop ofLiving Faith Church World Wide also known as Winners Chapel and its affiliated International churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000 seat church auditorium reputed to be the largest church auditorium in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. The Winners Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities in all states of Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Oyedepo has been seen as one of pioneers of the Christian charismatic movement in Africa and has been referred to as one of the most powerful preachers in Nigeria. 

 

Early life and history

On September 27, 1954 David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born in Osogbo but is a native Omu Aran, Kwara into a religiously mixed family: his father,Ibrahim,was a Muslim healer and his mother, Dorcas, was a member of the Eternal Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement (C&S), a branch of the Aladura movement in Nigeria. 

He was raised by his grandmother in Osogbo, who inculcated into him the virtues of Christian life via the early morning prayers which she attended with him. She also taught him the importance of tithing. David was “born again” in 1969 through the influence of his teacher, one Ms. Betty Lasher, who took special interest in him during his high school days. 

He studied architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic and worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before resigning to concentrate on missionary work. Oyedepo also gained a Ph.D in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, United States of louvain lakasi America. 

RECEIVING THE CALL TO SERVE GOD

Bishop David received a mandate from God through an 18 hour long vision in May 1981 to liberate the world from all oppression of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith. This is the inaugural vision that led to the founding of the Living Faith Church World Wide(LFCWW), first called Liberation Faith Hour Ministries, in 1981. Two years after, on 17 September 1983, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, ordained David and his wife, Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith Abiola Oyedepo) to become pastors also officially commissioned the newly started church of Oyedepo. Five years after, Oyedepo was ordained a Bishop.

Living Faith Church (a.k.a Winners Chapel) started in Kaduna, but moved to Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria in September 1989 to start a new branch of His Church, after receiving an instruction from God to reach out to the population in Lagos. This Church in Lagos grew to become the International head quarters of Living Faith Church,with a constantly increasing flow of crowds spilling over to adjacent roads, and on decks of uncompleted buildings nearby,compelling people to stand for hours to listen to His teachings.This led to the building of the renowned Faith Tabernacle, as instructed by God.

Oyedepo is the wealthiest preacher in Nigeria with a net worth of over USD $150 million. The church he pastors, owns four private jets and they own buildings all around the world, including London and the United States.

Oyedepo is an acclaimed author and publisher who has written over 70 titles apart from periodicals. He is also Chairman/Publisher of Dominion Publishing House (DPH), a publishing arm of his ministry. DPH has over 4 million prints in circulation to date.

Through him, Covenant University, Landmark University, Faith Academy and Kingdom Heritage Schools have been established to equip the youth for impact.

Place of Worship

In 1998,Oyedepo set forth to build a new building to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. This resulted in his Church's acquisition of the initial 530-acre (2.1 km2) facility, known as Canaanland, which serves as the headquarters of His Church.It is the home of the 50,000-seat capacity auditorium, the 'Faith Tabernacle', which is reputed to be the largest Church auditorium in the world.This was a feat also recorded by the Guinness Book of Records.

Canaanland

The speed of the construction of Faith Tabernacle was breath-taking, considering the size of the building. Construction of this gigantic project was completed within 12 months, which experts claim could only have been a miracle, because such a project should normally take a minimum of three years to complete. Reports also claimed that this building was built debt free. This 50,000-seat edifice was dedicated on September 18, 1999 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Canaanland is in Ota, a suburb of Lagos and is the 5,000-acre (20 km2) estate and campus, that houses The 50,000 church building, the church secretariat, the church's youth chapel, a primary school called Kingdom heritage model school, a full boarding mission secondary school called Faith Academy, with over 1,500 students and its University facilities which accommodates over 7,000 students, fully resident in ultra-modern hostel facilities, with fully equipped faculty buildings and numerous staff housing facilities. Canaanland campus also has four profit establishments operated by the church such as a bakery, a bottled water processing plant, a petrol station, various restaurants and shopping stores, several residential houses that provide for the over 2,000 church employees, and guest houses. Four banks are also present on this Estate, three of which are branches of external commercial banks and one which is a community and micro-finance Bank and operated by the Church. 

His Mentors

The teachings of Oyedepo has put him in the category of what is commonly called the Word of Faith Movement. He has referred to principal exponents of the Faith Movement such as Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland,the late Kenneth Hagin, T.L Osborn, Smith WigglesWorth as well as renowned Nigerian preachers Enoch Adeboye and the late Benson Idahosa as mentors. 

12 PILLARS OF DESTINY

The teachings of Oyedepo are grouped under a range of topics called '12 pillars of Destiny', which include: Faith, The Word, Prosperity, the Holy Spirit, Praise, Consecration, the Supernatural, Wisdom, Prayer, Success, Vision and Healing.

The Overall focus of His teachings centre around Faith in God's, Prosperity and Miracles.He teaches that faith in the word of God is the key to a life of God's blessings and security of the works of the devil.His teachings on prosperity are aimed at empowering people to live free from poverty, particularly the African continent. He describes his own teaching on prosperity as “covenant software for programming yourself into victories and triumphs."

His Church (Winners Chapel) also operates a Bible training programme known as Word of Faith Bible Institute for members and non-members alike to develop knowledge of Christian principles and to develop leaders and future pastors.This institute is run in major branches of the Church.

Oyedepo who operates like the “Chief Executive Officer” of a conglomerate, is the President of David Oyedepo Ministries International (DOMI).

DOMI is the umbrella organisation comprising Living Faith Church World Wide (a global network of churches), World Mission Agency (WMA); the global missionary arm of the church's operations, Dominion Publishing House; the publishing arm of the church, Covenant University, and the Social Development Missions projects (made up of hospitals, maternity homes, schools, etc.

Family life

In 1982 he married Florence Abiola Akano (now known as Faith). They have four children together (David Jr, Isaac, Love and Joys).

David Jr and Isaac Oyedepo were ordained as Pastors in May 2007 by Kenneth Copeland. David Jr pastors the London Branch of the Church with His wife, Kemi while Isaac Oyedepo is the present Resident Pastor of Winners' Chapel International, South Africa.

                                   Pastor Faith Oyedepo
                                       

Educational endeavors

Oyedepo's socio-economic endeavors include founding over 100 educational institutions based on Christian principles for primary, secondary and tertiary stages of formal Education to empower the young generation, develop the human capacity and improve the educational system in Nigeria and Africa. This has led to the establishment of kingdom heritage model schools in different cities in Nigeria for primary education, Faith Academy; a missionary full boarding secondary school was opened to students on October 25, 1999 and Covenant University.Covenant University was opened to students on October 21, 2002 and was adjudged to be the best private university in Nigeria as of 2005. On March 21, 2011, Landmark University, Omuaran Kwara State (another educational institution founded by the Ministry) officially opened the doors to her pioneer students. 

Being a chorister has helped me musically –Femi G

Femi G

Femi G is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer. He recently spoke with Sunday Mirror on how the Choir ministry has contributed positively to the advancement of his music career.

The eclectic musician whose genre of m u – sic cuts across, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Pop and Jazz revealed that being a chorister of Saint Andrews, Anglican Church Ipaja, Lagos, helped his creativity and performance in music. Femi said he first joined the choir at the age of 13 when his father was a lay preacher at the United African Methodist Church in Lagos.

‘‘I have always been a choir boy. I can remember when my father made my sister and I join ourchurch choir in the 80s. Since then, there has been no going back. There is nowhere I went that I did not belong to a church choir. Presently, I am with St Andrew, Anglican Church Choir, Akinyele Ipaja, Lagos. I play the alto-saxophone with the church band,’’ he said.

Speaking further, he said his involvement in the choir at an early age helped him appreciateGospel music deeply. It also helped him develop diverse creative interest in song composition.

A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Femi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. He enjoys teaching young people, working in the studio or playing music with the choir as well as performing on stage.

On the meaning of his name, he said, ‘‘I am Femi G.G stands for Gbolahan my middle name; G also stands for my first instrument, the guitar and vocal key G major. Now, I have gone further. I sing on A major,’’ he said.

‘‘I was inspired initially by pure creativity and imagination to start writing my own songs right from when I was in the primary school. My first major mentors were Eddy Grant and Chris Okotie in the early days. Then many others; some of them are J.T.Taylor of Cool and the Gang, Michael Jackson and R Kelly.’’

On Nigerian music, Femi said: ‘‘I listen to a lot of Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade and I’m thinking of working on a couple of their songs in the future. My vision for my music is such that I should be able to produce big and inspirational songs like R Kelly and Michael Jackson. Being a chorister has helped my musicianship a great deal in terms of exposure and skills development. I am not only a Gospel artiste; I am into all kinds of music that sound good, beautiful and worthwhile and edifying.’’

‘‘Two out of my Gospel songs are ‘Call on Jesus’ and ‘Oh Lord, have your way’. I will say I am more like R Kelly in that aspect and approach. I have just recorded a song that I am very proud of and I want the public to hear it soonest. It is a great song. It makes me feel like the first time I heard Michael Jackson’s Rock with You,’’ he said.

TITHES: In whose interest?

TITHES: In whose interest?


YEMI OLAKITAN

There have been many controversies on the issue of tithing in both denominational and individual point of views. While some say that tithing is a divine instruction of the New Testament aimed at blessing the givers others have claimed that it is a relic of the Old Testament designed to bless the clergy. It has also been said by many that tithing is the pathway to prosperity. Postponements of the faith movement such as Kenneth Hagen, Kenneth Copeland, E.A Adeboye, David Oyedepo, and Benson Idahosa have all taught the tremendous benefits of tithes payments. Is it a fact of reality or is it some Christian dogma, theology or actual reality that tithes open the way to financial blessings?  Yemi Olakitan, Senior Correspondent examines the subject of tithing.  What really is the relevance of tithing to the believers and the church? More importantly, Are tithes payments truly biblical? Is it a relic of the Old Testament? Is it still relevant today? This and many other questions are answered through the scriptures and discussions with clerics and believers alike.
According to the Bible, tithing is generally defined as the tenth part of one’s income, profits, land or stock given to God and used to support the clergy or charitable cause. The custom of giving tithes reaches back to Genesis 14, where Abraham offered tithes of the spoils of the enemy to the royal priest, Melchisedech, so in Genesis 28, Jacob is recorded as giving a tithe of all his possessions to the Lord. In the time of Moses the payment of tithes was one of the laws of the Jewish people; made obligatory. The Hebrews were commanded to offer to God the tenth part of the produce of the fields, of the fruits of the trees, and the firstborn of oxen and of sheep (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). In Deuteronomy there is a mention not only of an annual tithe, but also of a full tithe to be paid once every three years. While it was to God himself that the tithes had to be paid, yet we read (Numbers 18:21) that he transfers them to the priesthood. In the book of Proverbs 3:10) the bible encourage believers to honour the Lord with the first fruits of their wealth. It also says, it is better to give than to receive. However, the verse most often cited in support of the tithe is from the Old Testament, Malachi 3:8-10:

8. ""Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it.

In a chat with Edmund Ike, a member of the Catholic Church he said, tithes in today’s Christian Church is meant to support the preaching of the Gospel since the Bible says those who serve in the altar should live by the altar. (1 Corinthians 9:13) Speaking further, he said provision of some kind had to be made for the ministers of God. In the beginning this was supplied by freewill offerings.  However as the Church expanded and it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy, the payment of tithes was adopted. According to Ike, Tithing is an obligatory act of giving which supports the institution of the church and it not just a relic of the Old Testament scriptures. ‘‘Don’t forget that the Bible says,
we should give and it shall be given to us. Good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto us. Giving is a cardinal commandment of scripture and the Christian faith.’’
In another chat with Reverend Father Steven Akinsowo of Saint Peters Catholic Church, Langbasa, he said tithing is biblically correct. ‘‘It is an offering made in gratitude to God. It is like giving back to God from the abundance of all the things he has giving to us. Giving a tenth of your income to God is a very small; sacrifice compared to all the wonderful blessings he has given to us. In the Catholic Church we recognise tithing but we do not emphasize it like other churches do, in other denominations, people are persuaded. Tithe is to be given in absolute freedom. You cannot force people to know or accept God. You cannot coerce them. People are to give tithe if it comes from their hearts, if you obey the instruction to give, God will bless you.’’ he said.
In another chat with Senior Superintendent, Apostle C.A Bayode of the Cherubim and seraphim church, Ago Igbale, Ebute Metta, he said tithing is a commandment of the scripture. In the book of Malachi, God said the people should bring all the tithes into the store house of God. The tithes are not meant for the clerics alone, they are meant for the expansion of the Gospel and also for the poor. It should also be used for the orphans, the widows and the less privileged in the body of Christ.  Tithing is like medicine for money if the believers diligently do it. There is a promise alongside the commandment. It says, I will open up the floodgates of heaven. You will become blessed. Anything you lay your hands on will prosper exceedingly.  On the argument that tithing is a relic of the Old Testament, he said that Christ did not come to abolish the law but he came to fulfill it.’’  He however, warned that when people give tithes they should not give tithes to show off, they should give it to the Lord alone.

However, Roseline Ademola, a member of the Anglican Church in Lagos, said that Christ has already paid all the tithes and redeemed us from the law. Speaking further, she said that tithes is like placing the Christians under the law and saying the death of Christ is not enough which is some kind of heresy.  ‘‘There is nothing wrong if a Christian gives tithe willingly, cheerfully, without the burden of guilt been placed on him because the scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. The problem is that so many pastors preach tithes as law quoting Malachi. They are in error because Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. We are not operating under that Law, we are under grace. In Malachi, God was referring to the Jews and not to us. We are operating under a better covenant than they.  When you preach that people are cursed with a curse, that they are robbing God, unless they tithe, you are preaching a guilt based giving which is contrary to ( 2 Corinthians 9:7 ) which says,  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’’  I do not believe in tithing, I believe in voluntary giving without the burden of guilt. Jesus paid all the tithes with his precious blood. I give as I have decided in my heart. It could be ten percent, it could be 20, it could be 50 or 100 percent but it is subject to my personal decision, not imposed,’’ she said.

A member of the Jehovah’s witnesses, name withheld, who spoke to P&W on the subject, said that tithing is being used to coarse Christians to give to the church authority. He said, ‘‘it is the clergy that benefits the most because they sit on the seats of the priesthood and collects the tithes. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:5 and 9 that every believer is a priest! Hebrews 5-8 also teaches us that Jesus is the only priest that we need. However the institutional church has borrowed from the Old Testament model of the Levitical Priesthood, thereby establishing a new priesthood that is separate from the rest of the body of Christ. This makes them collect the tithes. Jesus did not collect tithes, neither did the apostles.’’

Another believer, a member of the Global Church of the Living God, Deaconess Shola Abimbola, said ‘‘many testimonies abound in Christendom on the concept of giving, particularly tithing.  Many tithers have testified that God has blessed them financially through tithing, therefore tithing works. It is practical.  Furthermore, giving is a basic commandment of the scriptures and tithing helps the believer to cultivate a regular habit of giving to God for the support of his work.  Jesus said, when you give, you will receive. Tithing cannot be wrong. You see, without the commandment to tithe many people will not give, though you are free to give or not to give. Tithing helps; maintain the habit of giving as directed by the scriptures, so the issue of coercion is not there at all. The principle of choice is in place. I have been paying my tithes for years because tithing fulfills the law of giving and I can say, God has blessed me financially,’’    she said.