The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is optimistic that Nigeria will get a new beginning, regardless of its current challenges.
He stated this on Friday while featuring virtually at the 25th Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God – The Americas – themed: New Beginning.
Osinbajo declared that despite doubts in some quarters, the country will experience a new beginning.
According to him “today, many men are saying the same about our nation Nigeria, even men of God, but this is the textbook case of how God works, He is set to give Nigeria a new beginning”.
The VP stated that “in the midst of current travails, the God of new beginnings is about to change our story. He is about to do something new. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”.
The Vice President added that the ideal person for a new beginning is one who requires the strength of God to show forth in their weakness.
He observed that “God did not create us to be independent of Him, He did not endow us with the strength to succeed without Him…The God of new beginnings did not create us to be self-sufficient. We need Him”.
L-R : Pastor Segun Opaleyi; Pastor Detola Akinremi; Pastor Idowu Iluyomade; Pastor Trevor Akindele; Pastor Africanus Sam-Epelle; Pastor Adeyemo; Pastor Lanre Oyegbola; all of Redeemed Christian Church Of God(RCCG) during His Love Foundation world press conference in Lagos
After impacting over 130million people spending N18,444,618,335.97 on a series of CSR activities covering the 6 points of concern of the foundation, His Love Foundation (HLF), the charity arm of Redeemed Christian Church of God, today announced the launch of a new crowdfunding campaign to raise and dispense funds in an honorable, transparent, sustainable and structured manner with a view to continue to deepen her initiatives, spread, and broaden the level of impacts in benefiting millions of Nigerians that are in desperate and dire needs.
In the last three years, the Redeemed Christian church of God in Nigeria has spent on various CSR activities over N18,444,618,335.97, impacting over 130,753,857 people in her 43,000 operating centers spread over the 36 states of the federation.
The funding to be raised will be used to support His Love Foundation’s efforts in addressing a wide variety of in-the-moment, on-the-ground needs in 6 specific areas of health, education, feeding, social enterprise, rehabilitation and prisons at the local, state, national and international level.
The crowdfunding campaign was inspired by growing demands of intervention programmes and projects of the church through the foundation which is in response to the clarion call of Jesus Christ to every believer to be mindful of the sick, the poor, those in prison, and the hungry.
Intercontinental Overseer, Christian Social Responsibility ( CSR ) of The Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade while taking members of the press community through the strides of the foundation stated that “CSR is a matter of life and death and the church has committed itself to give succor in 6 specific areas of health, education, feeding, social enterprise, rehabilitation, and prisons, so this crowdfunding campaign provides an incredible opportunity for individuals, philanthropists and corporations to take part in ameliorating the suffering of people across the world especially in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic”.
He went on to say that, “There are a wide variety of urgent demands where government support will not be available at all or available in time to meet all the rapidly-changing needs on the ground, hence the need for donations from individuals, philanthropists and corporations to fill critical gaps and make a tremendous difference. We therefore need to bring our resources together, so that we can make a tremendous impact.”
He further stated that with as little as #1000 a month or #12,000 lump sum as a year donation or more, from a partner, we will be able to do more for more people, impact more communities and transform more lives.
In addition, the HLF has entered into partnerships with 4 Insurance companies in Nigeria to give 1year free Accident Insurance Policy to partners who make lump sum donations of #12,000 or more at once.
According to Iluyomade, the insurance partners are
Axa Mansard
Leadway Assurance Company Limited
Veritas Kapital
Cornerstone Insurance
The policy provides a worldwide cover on a 24-hour basis and pays prompt compensation in the event of injuries, disability, or death caused solely by accident, external and visible events such as road accidents, Motorcycle and Tricycle ( Keke NAPEP) risks are covered, however, power bikes or bikes used for racing are excluded.
Meanwhile, to commemorate the 3rd year anniversary of the setting up of His Love Foundation – The RCCG Charity, and the 69th Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Foundation will be donating a full-fledged Dialysis centre to be named Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, to the Ogun State government.
The Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis unit in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu to be donated will have 3 units of Dialysis Machines, a Medical Water Reserve Osmosis Purification System and a 30KVA generator.
This donation will be the 16th in the series of specialised medical interventions – Intensive Care Units (ICU)/ Dialysis Centres / Cancer Screening Centre / Primary Healthcare Centres – donated by His Love Foundation in the country.
It is also important to note that this new Kidney Dialysis Centre is the second dialysis centre to be commissioned in Ogun State, following the setting up of the Pastor Enoch and Pastor Folu Adeboye Intensive Care Center in Redeemed Health Center, Mowe, Ogun State.
The first ICU donated by HLF attached to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Lagos in 2017 was followed by the ICU in Jos Specialist Hospital, Plateau in 2018 and most recently in April 2021, the Akindayomi – Adeboye Intensive Care Center in Ondo State.
Other health interventions by the foundation are The Healing Stripes Cancer Screening Centre at Surulere set up in 2010, having 12 Dialysis machines and offering highly subsidized dialysis to patients with most of them done free of charge, the Dialysis centre at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State ín 2019; refurbishing of the Kirikiri Correctional Centre Referral Hospital, Kirikiri, Lagos into a modern health facility for the benefits of the inmates and rehabilitation of the Resettlement Community Primary Healthcare Centre, Ajah, Lagos.
These health interventions have been done alongside several other projects executed over the years in the areas of feeding, education, and skills acquisition, all in the fulfillment of His Love Foundations commitment of “Help for the helpless, Hope for the hopeless, Food for the hungry and Strength for the weak.”
The center to be commissioned in Ságamu shall be commissioned by the Governor of Ogun State His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun with other State dignitaries and the leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in attendance.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday condoled with the family of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on the passing of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
Son of the revered cleric was reported to have died in his sleep on Wednesday, shortly after ministration.
President Buhari in a statement signed on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina commiserated with members of the RCCG on the demise of the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35.
He urged them to “find comfort in the teachings of the Holy Scriptures that those who have chosen to serve God faithfully will see Him as He is in eternity.”
The President prays God Almighty to grant the departed rest in His everlasting kingdom and comfort the grieving family, friends, and associates.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has confirmed the death of Oluwadamilare Adeboye.
Oluwadamilare, 42, was the son of popular cleric and General Overseer of the RCCG, Enoch Adeboye.
In a statement released on Thursday, the church said Oluwadamilare, who was a pastor at one of its branches in Akwa Ibom, died on Tuesday.
“It is with a deep and heartfelt sense of loss, we announce the departure of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye, who went to be with the Lord on the 4th of May, 2021,” the statement said.
It is with a deep and heartfelt sense of loss, we announce the departure of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye. Who went to be with the Lord on the 4th of May, 2021. His life was well lived as he served the Lord without reserve,giving… pic.twitter.com/7n1mvuTWzY
“His life was well lived as he served the Lord without reserve,giving effortlessly and leading fearlessly.”
Oluwadamilare was survived by a wife and three children, the church said.
“Though shaken, our anchor remains Jesus Christ in whom we have the assurance that we will one day meet in a place where there is no pain,” the statement continued.
“It is the wish of the family to be granted privacy at this moment and that prayers be offered on their behalf.”
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye meets with Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna on April 13, 2021. Credit: Kaduna State Government
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has met with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
The meeting held on Tuesday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna, days after some RCCG members were abducted in the state.
In attendance were some top officials of the Kaduna State Government and those of the church.
Although it is unclear what transpired at the meeting, both leaders confirmed the talks via their Twitter handles.
“Earlier today, I decided to go out of my schedule to see my Children who God delivered from the den of the kidnappers while they were on their way to the venue of the Lets Go Fishing Exercise. To the Glory of God, they are Hale and Hearty,” Adeboye tweeted.
The revered cleric disclosed that Governor El-Rufai “appealed to me to visit the State House in Kaduna to pray for the state, its people and its leadership for peace and protection after laying hands on my Children who were sick. It is my prayer that the peace of and kingdom of God will be established in Kaduna State.”
Pastor Adeboye had on April 8 announced that eight of his church members kidnapped by bandits on March 26 in Kaduna State have regained freedom.
Shortly after their release, all the abducted persons were taken to a hospital for medical check-up.
It hasn’t been confirmed if any ransom was paid, sources close to the freed victims told Channels Television that they were released in batches.
See photos below:
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye meets with Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna on April 13, 2021. Credit: Kaduna State Government
A file photo of the bus conveying the RCCG members who were abducted in Kaduna State on March 26, 2021.
The eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) kidnapped by bandits on March 26 in Kaduna State have regained freedom.
Shortly after their release, all the abducted persons were taken to a hospital for medical check-up, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who is the General Overseer of RCCG said in a tweet on Thursday.
The clergyman announced the release of the church members two weeks after they were abducted by bandits while on transit along the Kachia Road in the southern part of Kaduna.
Today I got the exciting news that our brethren who were in captivity of kidnappers have all been released and taken to the Hospital for checkup and tests. Glory be to Jesus. We pray for lasting peace in all troubled regions of the country in Jesus name.
Although it is unclear if any ransom was paid, sources close to the freed victims told Channels Television that they were released in batches.
Three of them were said to have been released by their abductors on Tuesday, while the remaining five persons regained freedom on Thursday.
A combination of file photos of the map of Kaduna State and a gun recovered from crime suspects.
No Negotiation With Bandits
The freed persons are members of the RCCG Region 30, Trinity Sanctuary in Kaduna and were on their way to Kachia for an evangelical outreach programme before their bus was ambushed by bandits.
As soon as the bus conveying them stopped, the bandits immediately transferred the eight passengers to their vehicle and zoomed off to an unknown destination, abandoning the church bus on the road.
A day after the incident, the bandits established contact with the leadership of the church to demand N50 million ransom before they could release their victims.
But this is against the position of the Kaduna State government which said it would not negotiate with bandits, saying the recent attacks in the state was as a result of its action.
According to Governor Nasir El-Rufai who featured on the last edition of Channels Television’sSunday Politics, bandits are using the ransom they collect to fund Boko Haram terrorists operating in the North East.
In this file photo, a man is seen holding a rifle. AFP
No fewer than eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) have been kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State.
The gunmen were said to have abducted the church members on Friday evening while on transit along the Kachia Road in the southern part of the state.
While the authorities in the state have yet to react to the incident, the leader of the men’s fellowship of the church in the province, Elder Adaji, confirmed the abduction of their members to Channels Television on Saturday.
He explained that the abducted persons were on their way to Kachia for an evangelical outreach programme before their bus was ambushed by the bandits.
According to sources from the church, the bandits stopped the bus conveying the persons and immediately transferred the eight passengers to their vehicle, and zoomed off to an unknown destination.
The church bus was said to have been abandoned on the road.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, said the police have yet to confirm the incident.
The abduction of the church members comes on the heels of the chains of attacks by bandits on various communities in Kaduna State.
Day 16 In Captivity
Among the prominent ones is the invasion of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in the Afaka where bandits attempted to kidnap scores of students from the school.
The prompt response of the military, however, led to the rescue of 180 people, comprising 132 male students, 40 female students, and eight civilian staff.
Despite the military intervention, the assailants abducted 39 students – a situation that has left their parents in despair with calls on the government to rescue them.
A photo combination of late Ibrahim Shamaki and his daughter, Fatima.
A breakdown of the missing students of the tertiary institution shows 23 females and 16 males, according to the government.
While the parents continue to protest for the return of the missing students using whatever available medium, the state government has insisted that negotiating with bandits was not an option.
Sadly, one Ibrahim Shamaki, whose daughter is among the abducted students, died from a heart attack on Friday evening.
Ibrahim was the father of Fatima Shamaki, one of the girls with hijab seen in the video that was released by bandits who attacked the school.
According to family sources, late Shamaki died after he fell ill shortly after the news of his daughter’s abduction was broken to him.
He was said to have later died while his relatives were about to take him to a hospital for further medical treatment.
Saturday makes it the 16th day since the students have been in the captivity of the bandits as the government says efforts are ongoing to secure their release.
A file photo taken on December 25, 2020, shows some Christians gathered at a church in Abuja. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.
As Nigeria begins to witness the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, various churches in the country have announced how they will conduct the crossover service.
The service, which is also known as watchnight, is conducted annually by churches on December 31 to mark the end of the year and usher in a new one.
On the last day of the year, millions of Christians storm churches to worship their Maker during the service which usually starts in the night and ends some minutes, and in some cases, about an hour into the new year.
However, it will not be the usual business this year as a result of the alarming increase in the figures of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria.
In a bid to address the issue, authorities in various states have announced stricter restrictions to curb the spread of the disease after an initial relaxation of the protocols.
VIDEO: CAN Directs Churches In Lagos To End Crossover Service By 11pm
The measures include crowd control to enforce social distancing, use of facemasks, and asking children and elderly people – who are believed to be more vulnerable to the disease – to stay at home.
On Monday, the Lagos chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) directed all churches in the state to end their crossover services on Thursday by 11 pm.
CAN Chairman in Lagos, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, had explained that the directive became necessary to allow the attendees get to their respective homes before 12am when the curfew imposed by the Federal Government would start.
Following the action of the state authorities and the directive by the Christian body, some churches have decided to modify how the crossover service will be conducted.
Mode Of Service
For some Christian religious centres, members will have to join the service virtually while others insist that members should be present at the auditorium.
Some of the churches that announced how the crossover service will hold include the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Daystar Christian Centre, Covenant Christian Centre, Christ Embassy, and the House on The Rock.
In a Facebook post, the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, wrote, “God has been so good to us. He has kept us despite the many hurdles of this year.
“It is time to crossover gallantly into 2021. Be a part of the crossover service and be empowered for the year 2021. Don’t miss it! God bless you!”
Pastor Adeboye’s post was accompanied by a flyer in which the church announced that the service would commence by 6pm on Friday.
No time to end the service was stated.
God has been so good to us. He has kept us despite the many hurdles of this year. It is time to crossover gallantly into…
On its website, Daystar Christian Centre noted that the New Year’s Eve service would be conducted online between 7pm and 9pm.
For the Covenant Christian Centre, the Senior Pastor at the church, Pastor Poju Oyemade, revealed that the service would be conducted physically and virtually.
Oyemade, who is also the convener of The Platform Nigeria, tweeted, “To join us for our cross-over service (physical and onsite). Venue: The Covenant Place, Iganmu. 7.00pm to 9.00pm. A time of teaching praises and declarations.”
To join us for our cross-over service (physical and onsite)
Elsewhere, authorities at Christ Embassy announced that the service tagged ‘New Year’s Eve Service With Pastor Chris’ would start by 9pm.
The House on The Rock also said it would hold a special crossover service at The Rock Cathedral in the Lekki area of Lagos.
While some other churches, which are not captured in this report, say they will conduct the crossover service under strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols, others have decided to stream the service online.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has added his voice to the national issue of restructuring.
Speaking at a symposium to mark the 60th Independence anniversary put together by the RCCG and the Nehemiah Leadership Institute on Saturday, Pastor Adeboye said restructuring Nigeria must be done as soon as possible prevent a disintegration.
The cleric, as quoted by Punch Newspaper, said: “Why can’t we have a system of government that will create what I will call the United States of Nigeria? Let me explain. We all know that we must restructure. It is either we restructure or we break, you don’t have to be a prophet to know that one. That is certain – restructure or we break up.
“Now, we don’t want to break up, God forbid. In the restructuring, why don’t we have a Nigerian kind of democracy? At the federal level, why don’t we have a President and a Prime Minister?”
A file photo of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Credit: Pastor Adeboye/Twitter
Adeboye also added that the place of traditional rulers must be re-evaluated as they are “the actual landlords” that “control the respect of their people”.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, led members of his church in a prayer walk against insecurity in Nigeria.
Pastor Adeboye had directed the congregation to participate in the prayer walk declared by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to address the spate of killings across the country.
According to an Assistant General Overseer of the church, Funso Odesola, about 25,000 Parishes of the church are expected to carry out the same exercise nationwide.
CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, earlier announced series of activities aimed at asking for divine intervention in stopping the killing of innocent Nigerians and giving the government the capacity to overcome terror in the country.
The Muhammadu Buhari administration has an ongoing major road project in all states across the country.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, stated this while delivering a keynote address at a Christian gathering on Saturday in Lagos.
Outlining the contributions of the present administration in various sectors, he noted that the Federal Government’s interventions through the various reforms would yield greater results.
“Our focus in the last few years has been on investing in roads, rail, and power; we have a major road project going on in every state of the federation,” the vice president was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande.
He added, “Some of the road projects scheduled for substantial completion in 2020/2021 include the dualisation of Suleja-Minna Road, Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Road, Nnewi-Oduma-Mpu (in Enugu)-Uburu (Ebonyi), Yenagoa-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road, Bodo-Bonny Road – with a bridge across the Opobo channel, the rehabilitation and expansion of Lagos-Badagry expressway and, of course, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.”
Professor Osinbajo revealed that 19 other road projects measuring about 800 kilometres have been prioritised in 11 states across each of the six geo-political zones.
These projects, according to him, will be done by 10 local companies who have applied to join Dangote and NLNG in the Investment Tax Credit Scheme of the government which encourages private sector investments in infrastructure.
Benefits Of The Finance Act
The vice president also spoke about the new Finance Act, saying it was the government’s fiscal response to the issues of limited revenue sources and the need to improve the business environment, especially for small and medium businesses.
“The Act has two main purposes with extremely beneficial effects on the Nigerian economy. It addresses the issue of domestic revenue mobilisation on which Nigeria has often paraded quite a low record.
“However, even while achieving this objective for the public sector, the Finance Act is calibrated to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and actively foster private sector growth,” he stated.
The event had in attendance the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, and the National Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, among others.
Pastor Obayemi delivered a welcome message while Dr Adesina commended the present administration for the achievements recorded in the agricultural sector.
The AfDB president also noted that the efforts of the Federal Government have revolutionised agriculture in the country.
The Ogun State Police Command says it has rescued the remaining four persons abducted in the state.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed this on Saturday following the rescue of a woman, Mrs Ibelegbo Chidinma, who was also kidnapped earlier.
Mrs Chidinma is a deaconess at the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), the police confirmed.
The five victims were abducted by armed men on Friday on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.
According to Oyeyemi, all the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt from their abductors by operatives of the Command.
Hours after their kidnap, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, had ordered a massive manhunt for their captors.
Similarly, the police chief sent security operatives after the killers of Reverend Father Paul Offu, a Catholic Priest in charge of St. James the Greater Parish Catholic Church Ugbawka in Enugu state.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, tactical and operational assets of the police have been deployed with the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command taking the lead role in the search and rescue operations.
He also said crack detectives from the IGP-Intelligence Response Unit (IRT), the Forensic and Homicide sections of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), were deployed in Enugu State to complement the Command in their investigations into the killing of the Catholic priest.
