News
Pastor Adeboye Leads RCCG In Thanksgiving For Osinbajo After Crash
Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on Sunday morning led the congregation to thank God for saving the life of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in a helicopter crash in Kogi State yesterday.
He recalled that the word of prophecy came during the church’s Holy Ghost Service on Friday that no matter how hard the enemy would try there would be no mourning in our families this year.
“Would you please join me in thanking God that there is no mourning in our family this morning,” he said, inviting the congregation at the headquarters at the church at Ebute Metta, Lagos, and others who participated from various perishes of the church around the world to pray.
On Friday night, he had said: “The Lord has asked me to tell someone tonight that it doesn’t matter what the enemy might try there will be no mourning in your family this year.”
He had also called for prayers for the forthcoming general elections.
Calling for congregational prayers during his sermon, Adeboye said: “Pray for mercy for Nigeria. Pray for mercy before the elections, pray for mercy during the elections and pray for massive mercy after the elections. Nigeria needs mercy.”
He urged people to cast their votes and ensure the votes are counted before they leave polling centres if the security situation permits.
Earlier, his wife, Folu, who is also a pastor of the church, had prayed for peaceful elections during a congregational prayer for all nations. RCCG has a visible presence in 198 countries.
Preaching a sermon on Isaiah 60:1 – 3, under the theme, “Swimming in Glory 2,” the General Overseer reiterated a message he preached in January, that one can only arise and shine in light or Jesus and not in Satan, who represents darkness.
When he made an altar call for people to come into light, hundreds responded in the old and new auditoriums at the Redemption Camp.
The night’s sermon dwelt on one word from the text, “Arise,” which he said is not an advice or plea but a command from God for us to move ahead from whatever position we are in.
Taking the various positions one after the other and what the command means, he said arise to someone who is dead means come back to live; to someone to who is mentally dead is come back to your right senses; and to someone who is materially or financially dead is be debt-free.
“Arise materially means for loses to be restored,” he continued. “Arise to those who are dead spiritually is to come out of sinful life; arise from physical death, which symbolizes hopelessness is to refuse to lose hope in life.”
He illustrated this with the testimony of his uncle, who lost hope in life and planned to commit suicide but had an encounter with God during a church service.
He recalled: “There was this uncle of mine. He was very poor, so poor he could not afford decent clothing. One day he asked his wife to use her wrapper to make buba and soro with which he had planned what to do.
He had decided that enough was enough. So, he made up his mind he was going to die but that he was going to do so in style. He planned to go to church where he would sing and dance so much that everybody would notice him, and then come home and commit suicide so people would say, “Oh, we didn’t know he was celebrating his departure.”
Fortunately, my uncle was struck by the words of the preacher that fateful Sunday. When the preacher told of how Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego said, ‘We don’t know how God will deliver us but we know He will,’ my uncle changed his mind.
He said: “Aaah, I don’t how God can bring me out this storm, but I refuse to die.”
And the Prince of Peace spoke peace to his storm.
The day he was sharing his testimony, he had just purchased fourteen cars for his company.”
Continuing, he said arise to one who is sleeping means to wake up. He likened sleep to an invitation for the enemy to sow into one’s life; and could also mean unfulfilled dreams.
“Arise to someone sitting down means stand up. Sitting means resting too soon, or complacency or even retrogression.
“Arise to someone who is standing means jumping into action; keep moving or for one to take steps to fulfill their potentials.
“Arise to someone who is walking means start running; arise to someone who is running means to accelerate or do greater things.”
He recalled how he started serving God with zeal soon as he gave his life to Christ. He said at the University of Lagos, where he was teacher, he started prayer and Bible studies in his office during break periods with a small group of his staff, but his office soon became so small that they had to move to a classroom.
He said the numbers continued to grow with such rapidity that the late Chike Obi, who was his head of department complained it was difficult to get typists to work for him during Adeboye’s prayer meetings.
“Arise to someone who is already running means begin to fly, which also means for the Holy Spirit to take one to a height in life never imagined, a height one would know only God could make possible.”
Illustrating this point, he said earlier in life, the best he could do was to fast for three hours, and when he saw a small girl testify that she got a miracle after dry-fasting for three days, he was amazed. But by the Grace of God he can now fast for 40 days without food.
Finally, he said arise to someone who is already flying means move from glory to glory. He cited the example of Peter, who became increasingly powerful, performing miracles.
The general overseer rounded up the sermon with congregational prayers with 10 prayer points he gave.
Much earlier youth pastors from among the children from the headquarters of the church preached to the large congregation.
Testimonies shared by some members of the church that night included miraculous healings, raising the dead, and children for the barren.
News
IGP directs police officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja
Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, has directed officers to wear black bands in honour of Taoreed Lagbaja, the late chief of army staff (COAS).
In a statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, Egbetokun ordered personnel to wear the bands during the seven-day mourning period.
“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria,” the statement reads.
“He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means.”
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of Lagbaja.
Lagbaja died on Tuesday after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was 56-years-old.
He was appointed COAS by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
Lagbaja enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.
In September 1992, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th regular course.
He served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
Lagbaja also participated in various internal security operations, including operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in south-east, and forest sanity in Kaduna and Niger.
The president has appointed Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS.
News
LASEPA seals off churches, hotels over noise pollution
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed off some establishments over alleged noise pollution.
The facilities sealed include churches, lounges, nightclubs, bars, and hotels in the Lagos metropolis.
In a statement on Wednesday, Babatunde Ajayi, the general manager of LASEPA, said the move was in line with the agency’s efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.
“In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, LASEPA took action, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state,” Ajayi said.
He noted that the establishments were found guilty of breaching environmental regulations despite multiple warnings from LASEPA.
He reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy on regulatory non-compliance, saying “we will not permit disregard for our regulations”.
Ajayi said the enforcement drive focused on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota.
He added that the sealed outfits include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Night Club and Lounge, and Bridge Spot Bar.
Others are Okiki Event Centre and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.
The LASEPA boss urged all businesses to recognise their environmental obligations and work alongside the state government to foster a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
News
Tinubu approves establishment of Teaching Hospital in Ondo
The Federal Government has approved the establishment of a teaching hospital in Akure, Ondo State, to support the training of medical students at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, to initiate the necessary arrangements for the establishment of the teaching hospital. Prof. Pate has since dispatched a team to Ondo State to assess the location.
Leading the team, Dr. Jimoh Olawole Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, inspected FUTA’s permanent site, designated for the hospital. Salaudeen also visited the Akure Annex of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), which will serve as a temporary site for the teaching hospital.
Speaking with reporters after the inspection, Dr. Salaudeen expressed optimism about the hospital’s potential to become operational soon, citing available facilities. “President Tinubu directed that Akure should have a federal teaching hospital,” Salaudeen stated. “We are here to coordinate with the state government and review the site options for establishing the teaching hospital.”
Salaudeen highlighted the urgency of the project, noting that FUTA has begun training medical students, who are now in their third year. “The state government has provided a temporary site, and we are pleased with the infrastructure at the permanent site, including an auditorium, health center, and classrooms,” he said.
He added, “Our goal is to identify equipment needs at the temporary site to create a model federal tertiary hospital that supports student training. The enthusiastic support from the community is encouraging and will facilitate a peaceful learning environment.”
Ondo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, affirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the project, ensuring it aligns with the president’s vision. “We have drafted an MOU and laid groundwork for the medical students to complete their training on schedule,” Ajaka said.
FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, expressed relief, saying, “We’ve been concerned about where our medical students would complete their clinical studies. I’m thrilled that the federal government has stepped in to provide a solution.”
Prof. Oladiji also highlighted FUTA’s biomedical engineering department, which aims to contribute to the school of health sciences by producing essential medical equipment. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to training future health professionals and engineers who can innovate and support the healthcare sector,” she added.
-
Health6 days ago
NAFDAC warns Nigerians against purchase of unregistered condom brand
-
Entertainment6 days ago
I now need police escort when I drive – Tems speaks on adjusting to fame
-
News6 days ago
Communique of the Gateway Movement
-
Special Features1 week ago
Bodex Social Media Hangout Hits a Milestone to celebrate 5th edition in grand-style
-
Entertainment1 week ago
I’ll never offer free service to my state… they abandoned me during illness, says Ngozi Nwosu
-
Health7 days ago
NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to recall of Nivea deodorant variant, says ‘It contains harmful chemicals’
-
Health1 week ago
Did you know moringa leaves can clear acne and pimples? Here’s how
-
World1 week ago
Trump pulls up in refuse truck after Biden called his supporters ‘garbage’