Poverty Could Imperil the Amnesty in Niger Delta
Two months after Nigeria’s leaders declared an amnesty program for armed vigilantes a success, there are signs a relative quiet may not last.
Will you allow your only son to take oath of celibacy ?
Is it right or wrong to let one’s only son to take oath of celibacy ie to become a Catholic priest? This is the question that our roving correspondent Bridget Amaraegbu seeks responses from individuals this week. While some people think priests should be allowed to marry and have children, some are of the opinion that since they are not married, they have no right to counsel married people. The question they ask is, what does an unmarried priest know about relationship, when he is not married? What is your opinion and what would you do if your only son announces his intention to become a priest. Here are the opinions of some celebrities we interviewed during the week. Read on: Why not? If my only son decides to give himself completely to God, then who am I to say no? What if God hadn’t given him to me? What of those who have no child at all? What about those who have lost all their children in ghastly motor accidents? Most of them are still alive. So, why should I stop a young man who has chosen to dedicate his lifetime to the service of God via Catholic priesthood? Is it not the sons and daughters of men that go into robbery, militancy, kidnapping, youth restiveness and all kinds of social vices? I should count myself lucky to know mine is interested in serving God all the rest of his life. As far as I am concerned, I don’t see anything wrong with my only son going in for celibacy because it’s a means of rendering service and sacrifice to the Most High. I want to state categorically here that even if I have an only son who is interested in the things of the Lord, I can advise him to go in for celibacy, even if he fails to mention it. Let me tell you that I’m also a proud Catholic and an only son. I am blessed with a family of five children which include two boys and three girls. But I still believe my life would have been better if I was a priest. I’m saying this because when you’re in the priestly vocation, every member of the Catholic faith becomes a member of your family. As a priest, you end up having more children than those of us who are married. Sometimes, those of us who are married concentrate more on our immediate family and find it very difficult to pay attention to other people. But as a priest, you owe every member of your congregation that fatherly obligation which must be fulfilled. A lot of people have criticised Catholic priests based on the fact that they do not marry. But I ask myself, what’s the big deal about marriage? And the answer is simple, nothing much. Even some people who’re married have no child and yet we complain. Some have also come up with stories that priests of today go about chasing women and all sorts of nonsense. But I still do not think it’s enough to condemn celibacy completely because it’s our duty to pray for them and not to criticise them. What about the pastors who’re married and still chase everything in skirt? What do you say about them? Some of them even go as far as snatching other people’s wives and discourage young women from getting married to their choice partners just because they have the intention of sleeping with them. I think life is all about discipline and if you get yourself disciplined, you’ll be able to stand against different forms of temptation. Don’t also forget that there is more tendency for children of God to fall into temptation, especially amongst our youths of today . Even as an individual, once you’ve dedicated yourself in a very special way to the service of God, certain things which you would not have desired will begin to call for your attention. I want to advise all of us to stop criticising these men of God. Whether he’s a priest or pastor, our duty as people of God is to continue praying for them as that is the only way we can encourage them to the glory of God. For me, I have nothing against any of my boys who intends to become a priest. In fact, I’ll be very glad to know that they have the intention of going in for celibacy, after all it’s a noble vocation. God gives and takes …. — Kate Henshaw, Actress Ah … What’s wrong with my only son becoming a Catholic priest? If he’s my only child and so what? No be the same God give me the pikin? What if he didn’t give me any child at all? Would I have killed myself? I can’t stop any child from becoming whatever he wants to be, after all this is a better way for any man to live. Most times, I wish I could have more time to serve God. In fact, I’ll be grateful that my own son is taking to the service of God. What more can I ask for? Do you still remember Hannah in the Bible? How she promised to give back to God if he would only give her a child and what happened later? Was Samuel not given back to God? Let’s have an open mind towards the future of our children. He’s old enough to make his decision? — Etcetera, Musician What’s wrong with that? Would he rather serve an Ogun, Osun or Amadioha? I’m not in that school of thought that says my children can’t be all female. Even if I had a male as an only child and he decides to become a priest, heaven knows I won’t stop him. What about those who do not have any child? Are they all dead? I’ll not decide for my child what profession he should go into. If he wants to be priest then so be it. Let him go and I’ll adopt another — Kehinde Olorunyomi, Actress Why not? If I have an only son and he decides to live his life in the service of God and humanity, why should I stop him? You see, this is one of the reasons why our people should be more conversant with child adoption. Our people should learn to embrace adoption. Even when you have children, it’s necessary for us to find a way of bringing up these other children who have been abandoned, somehow. I don’t know why our people are so much attached to male children all because we are looking for someone who will inherit our wealth. I’m not a member of the Catholic faith but I’m not against celibacy. If it’s only for the purpose of procreation, then I’ll adopt another son if my only son decides to become a priest and I’m sure I can’t have more children. I may be lucky to adopt a child that may become more useful and loving than my own sons. No way — Aniekan Udoh, Chemist I can’t allow any of my children attempt celibacy for reasons I won’t say on the pages of newspapers. Now, you’re talking about an only son, how is that possible. Though I’m not against the Catholic faith I don’t think it’s noble for an only son to become a priest. An only son in my own view has too many responsibilities to be associated with priesthood. I thought the Catholic church had passed a law to stop an only son from being a priest
Where are you going?
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18). When the Bible is talking about vision, it is not about images and dreams you see in the night. It is about a clear understanding of where God is taking you to, a clear revelation about your tomorrow, about the next step you are going to take, the next plan you are going to make. Why do you think Esau sold his birthright? No vision. When there is no vision, people do anything. No matter what might have taken place in your life, if you will cooperate with God, your tomorrow will be alright. The fact that you are alive now and you are not dead means there is hope, the fact that Jesus Christ has not come means there is hope, so, there is still a great future waiting for you and today you will step into it. Man is a creature of hope, a hopeless man is worse than dead; part of what makes life worth living is the excitement and the eagerness of hope. Hope makes life worth living. Give yourself a hope. Where are you going from here? If you are not clear in your mind where you are going, you may be depressed. You need to have something exciting to look forward to. Give yourself a hope; catch a dream of a great tomorrow. Don’t bother how young you are, Samuel began to see the vision of a great tomorrow from the age of three. It doesn’t matter how old you are, Abraham began to see a vision of great tomorrow at the age of ninety-nine. So, between three and ninety-nine, you can dream, you can have a vision, you can plan to make your life better. God has a better deal for you than what you have now. If anybody tells you that what you have now is the best that God has for you, that person is your first enemy. Your better days are still ahead of you and you can step into it today. When a man stops dreaming, he’s dead. When a man stops seeing visions, he’s dead. When a man stops seeing a greater tomorrow, he’s dead. Where are you going from here? Begin to dream and to see visions and then begin to aspire towards the vision you see and begin to give your life a lift. Begin to dream of a better tomorrow. It is where there is no vision that the people perish. Why was it that Joseph refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife? It is because he had a dream of a greater tomorrow. He refused to destroy his future by the messing of the present. Where there is no vision, people do anything, they sleep anytime, they wake up any time, they talk anyhow, and they live anyhow. The question is: where are you going from here? Do you need to restructure your business so as to move to the next level? Do you need to go to school or to attend a seminar to improve yourself? In what ways do you need to repackage yourself, your business to get to the next level? You need to key into the vision that is a guidance that He has prepared for you.
Benin Catholic Diocese, top priest on war path
BENIN — CRISIS is brewing in the Catholic Diocese of Benin as some Reverend Fathers are set for a show down with a top priest (names withheld) in the Diocese, who is acting on behalf of the Bishop of the diocese, Bishop Richard Burk, currently being investigated by the Vatican. The said Reverend Father was accused of using his present position to favour some persons presumed to be loyal to him, just as Vanguard learnt that he had perfected plans to post those whom he presumed to be threat to his administration to rural areas. A source at the Diocese who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that, “we are not surprised at some of the actions taken so far by this priest who is suppose to be like a father to all. “This is somebody who has been staying with one little child whom he converted to a cook for over fifteen years. This child has served him right from when he was in NAIFO till now that he is in Upper Sakpoba. “He refused to send this child to school after the child failed examinations in one of the miracle centres and that is wickedness. “In the priest’s last gathe-ring at the Pastoral Centre, he announced that he will arbitrarily transfer priest and not for pastoral reasons but to satisfy his ambition to succeed the suspended Bishop in the event that the allegation against the expatriate Bishop by the Vatican is proved.” Vanguard reliably learnt that one of the priest also jostling for the position of the Bishop included a prominent priest in Egor council area of the state whom, according to the Vanguard source, “earlier opposed the emergence of the suspended Bishop. But there is doubt if he will make it on health grounds.”
409 Christian pilgrims to leave for Israel Sunday
All is set to airlift Christian pilgrims from the North-central zone to Israel on Sunday, the 29th of November, the Niger State Coordinator of the exercise Mr Titus Kolo said in Minna yesterday. Kolo said about Niger has about 93 pilgrims, Nasarawa State,310 and nine officials will be leaving from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. This is the second batch leaving for the exercise through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja The pilgrims are expected to spend 10 days in Israel and are expected back on December 10,2009. The Commissioner for Youth’s Affairs and Strategies, Mr Timothy Jiya, who is the leader of the Niger State delegation, on a visit to the Governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, thanked him for supporting the pilgrims. He told the governor that all intending pilgrims had been duely screened. Governor Aliyu urged pilgrims to imbibe the tenets of Christianity. “I appeal to you to see yourselves as ambassadors of Nigeria and that whatever you do will rub-off on the image of the country. I urge you all to remain committed to your faith,” he said.
Pope, Williams meet on Catholic, Anglican ties
POPE Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams have taken steps to ease tensions between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. They met at the Vatican last weekend two weeks after the Vatican made it easier for Anglicans protesting certain doctrinal breaches to convert to Catholicism - a move that caught Williams off-guard. Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Williams as saying yesterday that he was informed of it "at a very late stage." In the meeting, described by the Vatican as "cordial" and by Williams as "friendly," the Anglican leader said he voiced "concern about the way in which the announcement... was handled." "Clearly many Anglicans, myself included, felt that it put us in an awkward position for a time," Williams told Vatican Radio after the meeting. However, he said media descriptions of the Vatican's overture "as a kind of dawn raid on the Anglican Communion misunderstands the process that happened." British news media had painted Williams' visit, though scheduled long before the controversy, as a "showdown" after the Vatican unveiled an "apostolic constitution" easing the way for Anglicans to join the Catholic fold. The Vatican statement said the two men recalled that a joint commission was to meet shortly to prepare a new round of "theological dialogue" between the two churches. Williams said the Pope's "main message... was that the constitution did not represent any change in the Vatican's attitude to the Anglican Communion as such." The Archbishop of Canterbury added that there was a "good chance" that matters such as the ordination of women and papal primacy would be on the table at the next round of talks.
‘Fela!’ Broadway? Dance!
“Fela!” follows a tricky path between musical reproduction and reinvention to explore the life of a musical legend.
Bakare Vs Oyedepo, Adeboye, Kumuyi
In the aftermath of the blistering criticism of leaders of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Winners Chapel, by Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Pentecostal Christian community has been polarized. While some church members and pastors have described the radical preacher’s comments as a function of his rabid desire to be in the limelight, even at the expense of others, others said that the fundamentals he raised should be addressed. Speaking with Saturday Sun, a visibly agitated Deacon Okpara, Media Officer of Winners Chapel, said: “Whatever Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Day Assembly says remains his own personal opinion and he is entitled to it. As for us in Winners Chapel, we are too busy to be featuring in such drama. As far as I am concerned, my church is not occultic. Over 100,000 worshippers come to worship here. Do we bring them by juju? Whatever he said does not change anything. We are busy preparing for Shiloh 2009 with the theme ‘The Hour of Restoration.’ “Whether the devil likes it or not, it shall be successful. Bishop Oyedepo is not occultic and cannot teach occultic doctrines. He is a renowned man of God. He is a man of integrity, who has affected lives within and outside the country. You should know the kind of pastor that Pastor Bakare is if you have been in the media for long.” Okpara refused to have his photograph taken, threatening hell and brimstone. When Saturday Sun visited the international office of the RCCG, at the Redemption Camp, on the Lagos-Ibadan Express way, our reporters were asked by one Mrs. Olawole to see a woman heading the legal unit of the church. On the door that leads to her office is written Coordinating Centre. However, when asked to react to the burning issues raised by Bakare, she retorted: “It has been the tradition of the Redeemed Christian Church of God not to comment on any issue brought from the media. We are mandated not to speak to the media on any issue. However, you can write an application for an interview and address it to the General Overseer (G.O) and take it to Ebute Metta, where our headquarters is.” Indeed, the bespectacled, dark complexioned and robust woman of average height rebuffed every question, saying: “No comments”. Saturday Sun wanted to know her name and designation but she said: “Look young man, I cannot tell you my name or my designation because I know you people at The Sun can say that so and so said something that is scandalous. Don’t even describe me. I have told you people what you should know. Good day.” Efforts to get the official reaction of the Deeper Life Bible Church, at its international headquarters, Ayobo, Lagos, was unsuccessful, as Kumuyi and his key men were said not be available. However, one of the pastors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We should pray for him (Bakare). This shows that he’s not following what the holy book says; he’s derailing from what he is preaching. But people should call him to order and bring him back to what we knew to be. The Deeper Life Bible Church is known for truth; people know that the church stands on the truth. Moreover, he did not catch any Deeper Life pastor committing adultery or stealing or doing anything wrong. But even Christ passed through trying period. It will fizzle out in due time.” Reacting to Bakare’s interview, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the pastors involved should be warned. Speaking on behalf of CAN, Engr. Samuel Salifu, general secretary said: “The Bible says it is not by our power but by the Grace of God. So, whatever position we are today, you should always remember that it is not by our works or making, but by His Grace. All this unnecessary bickering and arrogant show of wealth is not the way of Christ. Christian leaders especially, should stop playing God and refrain from unnecessary squabbles and work together for the interest of the church. “Christians in Nigeria should always remember that they are Christians under the Grace of God and that they would give account of their stewardship when they appear in Heaven. It is, therefore, unnecessary to engage in petty issues when there is God’s work to be done. The stories in the papers between Pastor Tunde Bakare and Pastor Oyedepo are unnecessary. Whether it is T.B Joshua, Oyedepo or Tunde Bakare, all of them are doing great exploits by the Grace of God. It is not by their works because anything outside the Grace of God will end up to nothing. “Christians must be humble and remained focus on the work of God. It is not by bragging on the pages of newspapers. A Christian is expected to do what is right, transparent, humility and honesty. Unfortunately, brethren dwell so much on prosperity.” The CAN secretary said that the association does not impose doctrine, adding that churches are free to choose their doctrines. He said: “We don’t impose doctrines on churches. Churches are free to choose whatever doctrine they believe in. But at the end of time, everybody will appear before God and give account of himself. We cannot say one church doctrine is better than the other. It is the business of the church and its members. However, we will resist any noticeable act of heresy against the church.” Equally, other pastors are reacting. Speaking on the development, Pastor Daniel Ugochukwu of Fruitful Land Ministry International, Ijegun, said: “We have been taught that we are not to judge anybody, not even our colleagues in the ministry. As pastors, God has not committed judgment into the hand of any man. Jesus said He did not come to judge. God has not made any pastor, any person a judge over anything, if we do, it means pulling the hand of God over an image of God. “There was a time Jesus gave the parable of a farmer in the Bible: We are to leave the wheat with the chaff, that they should gather all so as not to damage the seed in the process of separating the chaff. A lot of things that are hidden to man today are left for God. There are so many things we try to know when we get to heaven.” Ugochukwu described Oyedepo as “one of the great fathers of the gospel we have here in Nigeria.” Pastor Folorunsho Ajao, District Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, said: “When we mention church, it is supposed to be a forum where people of God meet. Jesus called us to work together and share our problems. The church does not mean that people should not go out for their business and engaging in daily service. Actually, the issue of regular programmes in the church is not bad because it is not compulsory. Anyone who attends regular programmes in the church needs it. Otherwise, they will not go. So, it is a matter of choice. Moreover, there is no programme in the church that all attend. For instance, if 1, 000 worshippers are in the church, at least 200 may have time to attend regular church programme, while others go to their businesses. For me, the important issue is to have good purpose. It is unfortunate that some pastors deviate from the godly ways and practise whatever they like.” Ajao contended that pastors making their wives automatic pastors, even when they were not called and ordained, is not biblical. According to him, all these things started with the proliferation of churches. Pastor Chukwudi Emmanuel Onyeari, Pastor in charge of Christ Divine Ministries, said: “My reaction to the issue of Christianity is that there is no peace among the churches. Under normal circumstances, pastors are supposed to be united, loving one another so as to make progress. But it is unfortunate that we are seeing a different thing due to selfish interests. Apart from that, there is division among Christians themselves. As a pastor, I do not believe in that ideology. “On the issues Pastor Bakare raised against some pastors, I believe that everyone has his own calling. For instance, if one has eye problem, he would go to the doctor that treats eye and not teeth ache. Some of us say we are prophets or prophetesses, but we do not know where we are following. For me, I do not address myself as prophet. Rather, I prefer being called a pastor. It bothers me that some of us have messed the whole thing up. Sometimes, we need to ask ourselves questions. Jesus Christ, who we are following was never addressed as an evangelist, pastor, prophet or bishop. We know Him as Jesus Christ of Nazareth, but today the story is different, everyone wants to be on top for selfish reasons. “On the issue of pastors making their wives automatic pastors is wrong. In fact, I observed that such things are common in our churches today. Even when a pastor’s wife is called, she has to go through the right process, the Bible college in order to acquire the necessary knowledge to operate successfully. Bible colleges are not there for fun, it is to train servants of God. There is no shortcut or sentiment. There are other things the pastors’ wives, who are not called, can do to help the church grow, not serve as pastors. The major problem is that some pastors refused to obey what the Bible says. We are expected to seek the kingdom first and then all other things shall be added unto them. But today, some us seek all other things first before the kingdom of God.” Rev Ifembiri Eugene, President of Divine Mandate Evangelical Outreach Ministry, said: “Concerning the issue, it is a known fact that Pastor Tunde Bakare has been a good contributor to the governance of his nation, directly or indirectly. Many of his prophecies have come to pass. During Obasanjo period, it was due to Bishop Bakare’s stand that made some men of God to be invited during the swearing in. I believe he has a spiritual insight. There is a reason and that could point on what is on the ground. You can see that till now none of the seven-point agenda has been fully implemented. That shows that the president is not having absolute power to implement his polices. In spite of that, he is there on the platform of PDP. Fifty per cent of our leaders are there for themselves and never bother about the masses. “In the religious sector, some of our pastors are not doing well. They deviate from the right path and decide to practise what they feel will favour them. Some of us live bogus and flambouyant lives, not minding how their followers survive. Also, the issue of some of us making our wives pastors without the due process is not in line with true Christian worship. In fact, things have to be done accordingly and there should be no sentiment or favouritism. I served under Pastor W.F. Kumuyi of Deeper Life Church for 10 years. I never knew his wife, Biodun Kumuyi, till she died. But many pastors parade their wives in the ministry. And some of them bring marine spirits into the ministry and use it to pollute other women in the church, who always like behaving like her. If a man has the vision, mission and the direction, he will not marry his ministry with his family. They are two different things. Pastor Paul Erakhifu of the United Apostolic Church of Christ said: “What God needs from every pastor is to focus attention on their spiritual callings and not to be distracted by the earthly things. With the way some of us are going, the church of God would soon be fully commercialized. It takes total submission, knowledge of God and commitment to succeed in the pastoral duty. So, those of us in the system should not see it as an ordinary business where money is the target.” Rev Emmanuel Aleyakpo of the Church of God Mission, Apapa branch, said of Bakare’s outburst: “I don’t believe that Bishop David Oyedepo is practising occultism. He is a man of God who preaches the word of God and believes in it. For anybody to say he is an occultist based on what he believes in or do, I disagree with it totally. As for the use of anointing oil, it depends on what one believes in, because it is optional. The oil is meant for anointing believers, which is from the Old Testament. When David was to be made a king, he was anointed and the spirit of God came down upon him. Today, many people have also embraced that part of the portion from the Bible. “I totally agree with Pastor Tunde Bakare that it is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and not the other way round. But if Oyedepo says it is not the symbol of the Holy Spirit but the life of God in a bottle, this does not mean he is an occultic. And that does not also mean that he is right. The truth is that it is a level of people’s understanding. People must understand that it is not the oil that heals believers but their faith in God. The use of oil is a level of one’s belief. Oyedepo, no doubt, is a man that believes in the word of the Lord and preaches it. “As for churches preaching about wealth creation, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Serving God does not mean one must be poor. God’s house is a place of salvation, deliverance and prosperity. If people were poor before, people expect you to be prosperous as soon as you give your life to God. He is the giver of everything, including prosperity, so a place of God is a place of wealth. Churches preach idea and knowledge to people on how to make money, which they, in turn, bring back to God. It is God that gives them the wisdom and knowledge on how to make money. So, people should not say churches don’t ask their believers on how they make their money. Nobody prays for criminals or evil-minded people to make money for them. Churches pray for people to make use of their lives and be prosperous. It is the blessing of God we offer. As you are blessed, extend it to others also. “On the issue of a pastor’s wife becoming a pastor because of her husband’s position is dependent on their calling. Some people married people who have the same belief as them in order to move their ministry forward. It helps in strengthening the husband in the work of God. However, that does not mean that when a man becomes a pastor, his wife must automatically become a pastor. That is the truth.” Pastor Abraham Okoyah said: “As far as I am concerned, I don’t think it is right for anybody to judge the righteousness of another man because it is expressly stated in the scriptures. Every judgment is left in the hands of God. He alone has the right to determine who is doing His will. So, Pastor Tunde Bakare has no right to judge Bishop David Oyedepo. Oyedepo is a man of God, who has advanced in the scripture and has been doing the will of God to the best of my knowledge. For Bakare to regard his preaching and practices as occultic is wrong. I will not toe that line.
REV. MBAKA’S MESSAGES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BECOMES NIGERIA’S BEST SELLING VCD
Just when it seemed that sales of CD and VCD in Nigeria does not favour investors as a result of what industry watchers blame on the activities of pirates, the industry was recently take by surprise as messages of Righteousness, a VCD by controversial Enugu State based reverend gentlman, Father Ejike Camillus Mbaka released early this year broke aa records, becoming the highest selling VCD in Nigeria since the advent of CD and VCD format in the country in 1998. The VCD which contains visual recordings of Rev. Mbaka’s gospel preaching sessions at his Adoration Ministry, from what Hi-Showbiz discovered during the week, has sole over 10 million copies to become the first VCD to so within the first two months of release. It beat other previously music and home movies released in the past two years. The works of musicians like D-BANJ, P- Square and Timaya had been touted as the
SATANIC FACE
Apostle John OKoriko,Senior Pastor, Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Akwa Ibom State is not a stranger to controversies. Just as the dust on witchcraft controversies in which he took to task nearly all the pastors in Akwa Ibom, were beginning to lull, Okor...