WOMAN'S WOMB STOLEN FOR MONEY RITUAL MIRACULOUSLY RESTORED

Bishop David Oyedepo has mentioned this particular testimony on several occasions, but not many had any inkling as to which individuals were involved as he had never mentioned any names until the last day of Shiloh 2014. And if you have been a member of the Winners’ family for more than six months, you probably would have heard Papa recount a Shunammite-woman encounter that happened years ago. This is the amazing testimony of Mrs. Elizabeth Aremu, wife of Bishop Thomas Aremu, the second Vice-president of this commission, which she told a surprised and inspired crowd recently at the Fathers and Mothers of nation’s service, a specialized service during the just-concluded Shiloh 2014. It was a joyous woman who recounted how her
womb was “stolen” by a wicked woman and used for money rituals and how God rescued her from the devilish claws.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Mama Faith Oyedepo it was who called her to the podium to share this testimony, and she stunned the participants with her story which began in far-away Ghana.
“I grew up in Ghana under a very wicked woman whom I thought was my biological mother because I was very little when she took me to live with her. This woman was so wicked that she used my womb for fetish purposes to make money and prosper in her business. There were times when we got to her shop, as soon as we opened the door; money would begin to fall on the floor because my destiny in child-bearing had been used for this purpose to enrich her.”
That was not all, the wicked woman even boasted of her evil deeds. “She was so wicked that she boldly told me on several occasions that I should never bother about having children in life as it was impossible, but I was too innocent to understand what she meant at that time,” she recounted

THE BEGINNING OF MY ENCOUNTER WITH DESTINY
The unseen hand of God got to work in her life, even though she didn't recognize it yet.

“A time came in Ghana that the government asked all Nigerians there to return home. This I came to understand much later in life was by divine arrangement, I would have remained in Ghana and ended up wasting my life but I believe God moved the government of Ghana at the time to take such a decision for my sake as a medium to bring me home”, she shared.
Then came the moment of truth and self-discovery:
“Upon my return to Nigeria, my family members were shocked to see my state because I was the only girl from my parents (the rest were boys) yet I did not know this woman was not my biological mother because I was very little when I left home to live with her. My case was so bad that I used to pick lice from my head regularly because they were too many.”
She continued,
“Finally, one of my brothers decided to take matters into his hands and ‘stole’ me from this wicked woman's house and we ended up in Ibadan, Oyo state. Only God, my brother and I knew my whereabouts but somehow, this woman discovered and killed my brother through diabolical means and I became hopeless but this God that we serve is alive and He will always rescue His own.”
How was she rescued? One step at a time, God began to change her story and as God was blessing her, He was also dealing with the wicked woman.
“Years later, I met my husband and we got married. On the day of our wedding, immediately we were joined as husband and wife, this woman died mysteriously in the market place at noon time, without any physical contact. She just slumped with her neck twisted and she died,” recalled the mother of four.

MY ENCOUNTER WITH BISHOP OYEDEPO, THE PROPHET OVER MY LIFE
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,” the Bible says, “but the Lord delivers him from them all.” That was Mama Elizabeth Aremu’s testimony.
“After my marriage I could not get pregnant because of this woman's demonic acts in my life but one day, Bishop Oyedepo happened to spend two nights in our house while embarking on a preaching engagement.”
At this time, her husband was still a Deacon in this ministry. However, she was sensitive enough not to miss her time of visitation.
“I did not know much about Bishop Oyedepo at the time but I said to myself this man must be a man of God and I will make sure he is given the best comfort in our home. So I packed all the money and food we had at home to ensure he was happy during his entire stay,” just like the Shunammite woman in 2Kings 4:8-37.
And she was blessed after the order of the Shunammite woman, and more.
“When he was leaving, he joined my husband's and my hands and said, "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward." 
Even though he didn't know what was happening, Pastor David, as he was then, was sensitive in the spirit.
“Bishop Oyedepo did not know we believed God for the fruit of the womb at the time he said those words.”
And she took another step of faith.
“After he left, I went to the room where he slept and rolled on the bed proclaiming and confessing that I must have my children since a man of God had slept on that very bed who also prophesied over my life. That very night, two men appeared to me in my dream and said, "We have come to return what we took from you and they dropped something on me and left. That same month I became pregnant and 9 months later, I was delivered of a baby girl.”
And it was time for the twins to arrive.
“Much later, when my husband became a pastor in this church, Bishop Oyedepo, my prophet, held my hands at a pastors’ meeting of the church and said, "Behold the latest mother of twins in our midst" and I said "daddy no" but he said, "shut up, you don't argue when I make a proclamation over your life" and I said, "AMEN"
Did the twins come?
“And true to the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of His servant, Bishop David Oyedepo, exactly 9 months later, I gave birth to a set of twins.”
The humble wife of the Bishop in charge of Ibadan Diocese ended her testimony by sharing these words of encouragement with participants at the specialized service.
“Who told you your case is closed? The devil stole my womb as a sacrifice in his kingdom, but God restored what the devil stole and blessed me with children; to Him alone be all the glory.”
-Mrs. Elizabeth Aremu

What do all these have in common ?

Flashback.

 Buhari will die before the Election- Ayo Fayose

-Buhari is brain dead - Patient Jonathan

-If APC survives till October 2014,call me a bastard.- Doyin Okupe

-Mark my words, It will not happen for Buhari to rule Nigeria. - Doyin

Okupe.

-If APC wins, I will go on exile. - Bode George.

-Buhari can never win in Yorubaland. - Gani Adams.

-Jonathan will shock APC with defeat. - FFK

-If Jonathan loses, we would set Nigeria on fire. -Asari Dokubo.

-We instigated the 6 weeks postponement so that Jonathan can win. - Fasehun

-I will deliver 1 million votes to Jonathan in Ondo state. - Mimiko

-We shall deliver the South West votes to Jonathan. - Afenifere

--Tinubu is no longer a force in the South West. -Yinka Odumakin.

-Buhari at 70 wears diapers like my mother. -Fayose

-Jonathan already has Lagos votes.- Obanikoro.😀😁😁😂😂😂😂😂

What has Buhari/ Osibajo done ?

Copied from Awwal Kangiwa

"What has Buhari done?

Buhari administration identified the implosion and civil unrest that will happen with distressed 33 states owing salaries. He approved bailout funds to the state to help them pay salaries and pension arrears. For two years, the states have been given special funds and Paris Club refund in excess of N2trillion.

The administration paid N600b inherited fuel subsidy bill. Paid N60b inherited fertilizer subsidy bill. Paid inherited salaries and pension arrears of Federal workers. Started paying contractors that have not been paid since 2013 on Federal projects especially road construction across the country.

To diversify the economy away from crude oil, President Buhari insisted Nigeria must produce locally things we can produce easily and he anchored this on Agriculture and Solid Minerals. The two sectors have consistently grown in contribution to GDP in the last two years according to NBS quarterly reports.

Nigeria has cut import bill by more than 50 per cent on rice and ramping up production in wheat and other produce. The FG through CBN banned 41 items from accessing forex from official Windows. This was mercilessly criticized by the 'experts' but the Buhari administration is winning the argument today with increased local production and industrial capacity utilisation by factories/manufacturers sourcing raw materials locally.

With the rice and wheat success in Kebbi and other states especially in the north, private capital is flowing into the processing sector of the agriculture value chain. Wacot just opened N10b Rice Mill, Dangote opened Tomatoe Paste Factory in Kano, Olam will commission N20billion Livestock Feed and Chicken Hatchery Plant in Kaduna in September among other investors.

Buhari went to Morocco and signed a deal on Phosphate and Gas pipeline between Nigeria and the North Africa nation. The phosphate is a major component for fertilizer production. With the deal the FG working with the Sovereign Wealth Fund had reactivated 11 moribund fertilizer Blending Plants in Nigeria in the last 1 year that have created 50,000 jobs and producing 1.3metric tonnes of fertilizer. Today the N50b annual fertilizer subsidy is gone while a bag of fertilizer sells for N5,500 which is 30 per cent cheaper than what it used to sell while the FG no longer pay N6000 subsidy per bag for farmers. Six more dead Fertilizer Blending Plants will come back to life before end of the year and Nigeria will be in a position to start exporting fertilizer.

Segun Adeniyi, Chairman Editorial Board of Thisday and a Buhari arch-critic couldn't hide his praise in his recent Thisday Backpage Column where he wrote that a revolution is happening in Nigeria's agricultural sector under Buhari with millions of Nigerians now embracing farming and with increased local production of fertilizer from the 11 revamped Blending Plants.

On infrastructure, the government under Buhari is spending more money to revive abandoned projects - roads, power, rail, pipelines, housing etc. The Lagos-Ibadan rail project has started. The administration has negotiated foreign loan that will connect the entire country by rail network from Lagos to Calabar and Port Harcourt to Kano. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard Guage rail line that had been abandoned since 1987 has been reactivated and FG already set June 2018 as date when it will be commissioned.

Despite acute low revenue, the Buhari administration is saving more money into the ECA and boosting Foreign Reserve. The Foreign Reserve went up by over $500million by CBN records last week. To further stimulate the economy the administration recently approved N2trillion Bond to pay local contractors who have been owed by FG for 10years. A committee is working to verify all debts to contractors already.

The same government for the first time in our recent history is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and National Productivity with Executive Orders already yielding positive results with some MDAs such as Immigration, Customs, FRSC, FIRS, CAC, NPA etc.

If previous administrations had done what Buhari administration is doing now our development trajectory as a country would have been far better than we currently have.

The President is confronting corruption squarely. The administration is recovering billions of naira, hundreds of Millions in dollars in cash and real estate never done before. He confronted corruption in the Armed Forces and touched serving and retired Generals. He confronted corruption in the Judiciary and broke the unwritten code of Judicial untouchables. It is only a Buhari without a moral and corruption baggage that could do these.

I should think these are what those who genuinely campaigned and voted for Buhari asked for and wanted him to do.

The local and global inventors' confidence in the economy is at an all time high because of the global approval rating of the President and the fight against corruption. Market Capitalisation at the Stock Exchange was at N13trilion last, week breaking 3 years record. Nigeria just reclaimed the 3rd position as the destination for FDIs in Africa with $4.6billion inflow in 2016 following Angola and Egypt after 5years year on year decline from 2010-2015 under Jonathan administration. The government that had unprecedented oil revenue and a super Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

All these happening in two years under an administration that was challenged with low revenue yet the administration is still investing in social intervention programs- School Feeding for primary school pupils which has taken off in 19 states, NPower which has employed over 200,000 jobless young people who are now adding value to the communities where they work and to themselves.

I recognize missed steps and areas where things should have been done better especially proper coordination at governmental and inter-agencies levels. These are not reasons to be disillusioned or regret voting out a government that wrecked Nigeria.

At this point i can only pray and wish President Buhari good health."

But some people will only talk about rats and rodents!

Meanwhile, what are your Governors doing?

Have you also been deceived to believe that your Governors are not your problem, but Buhari in Abuja?

OZUBULU MASSACRE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH REVEALED

B y Somuadila Ugwummadu || Biafra Writers

Following different versions of false news peddled by the Nigerian media and most regrettably, respected individuals, to narrate the very unfortunate incident that happened at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, Biafra Writers, in our culture has dug out the details of this event and how it deteriorated to the August 6 massacre.

Aloysius Ikegwuonu, presently a drug baron in South Africa, was born in 1981 to the family of Chief Ikegwuonu, Amakwa Ozubulu. He grew up in a very poor home and often helped his mother who trades at Orie Akpu market, Off Ugwu Orie Bus Stop, Amakwa Ozubulu.

'Aloyee' as fondly called by his friends in his early youth stage, first came to limelight in 1999 when he became the senior prefect of Comprehensive Secondary School, C.S.S., (formerly College of Basic Studies, C.B.S.) Egbema Ozubulu; a school founded by Reverend Father Nwabaju Izuchi, a United States based Catholic priest.

Right after his secondary school studies which he finished after his May/June WASSCE examination in the year 2000, he traveled out to South Africa on March 2001 where he became a multi millionaire within his first four (4) months of his stay there. He came back nine (9) months later (December 2001) and splashed his money around. This was the first major drug deal advert in Ozubulu, a land formerly known for the bravery of her indigenes, tranquility and high moral standards. (This seed Aloyee planted did not take time to bear fruits.)

With this, Aloyee attracted many friends to himself especially his school mates at C.S.S.. They indicated interest to serve him and do whatever he wants them to do as long as they will end up as 'successful' as he is and as quick as he made it. There was an exodus of Ozubulu youths to South Africa between the years 2004-2007. With these many people around him, Aloyee who had adopted the name 'Bishop' in South Africa needed someone he could trust better. He went for his best friend in the aforementioned secondary school, Ginika Nwoke.

Ginika, alias Giniyee, hailed from Mbaise in Imo State; he is an orphan and the only child of his parents. He grew up with his uncle, Ite Ego (a butcher at Orie Akpu market, Ugwu Orie Ozubulu) all through his childhood and adolescent age. He gained admission to study Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the year 2001 and was living at an unpainted two storey building, a lodge for students, about 100 meters from Unizik temporary site junction. Due to pressure from Bishop, he abandoned his university education just after his 200 level. Giniyee's room mate at the University was Nonso Ewulu, alias Ajagara Igwe, who studied Political Science in the same university 2001-2005. Ajagara Igwe was also Giniyee and Bishop's classmate at C.S.S. Ozubulu.

Bishop's notorious act began with his own mother. He allegedly sacrificed his mother (who had rejected his ill wealth) to occult group. This allegation seemed more truthful when he refused to raised a stone at his mother's grave. Bishop leveled his father's home with an interlocking tiles months after his mother's death and till today, you cannot identify his mother's grave in his father's compound.

To douse this rumor, Bishop engaged in an aggressive philanthropic aid. He renovated most churches at Ozubulu (particularly St Michael's Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu) the Igwe's palace and instituted a charity foundation. He also penetrated the state government, donates to the state police and the local vigilante groups.

These events were happening so fast, Bishop was audacious, intimidating and energetic. His friends that traveled to South Africa had started complaining about him: his intimidation and oppression; killings had started; it has become the survival of the fittest, the jungle of beasts. More than six (6) people had died, all from Anambra State in some misunderstanding between Bishop's group of drug cartel and many more groups of drug cartel in South Africa. Even at this stage, no one took any information about Bishop so seriously. Life went on and on and on.

The peak of this crisis was in a clash between Bishop and his best friend, Giniyee. Bishop claimed he handed Giniyee a package (hard drug) to deliver to a buyer buy ended up with some cooked up stories with the intention of duping him. Giniyee denied this, but stated that Bishop's enemy ambushed him at the point of delivery (in what seemed more like a set up) and made away with the package -a package worth hundred of millions of naira.

It got so heated that it was reported to the Igwe of Ozubulu who summoned the two with their families and pleaded for all to exercise patience till the truth be revealed. Bishop rejected Igwe's verdict and swore that "isi ga ada" (meaning that 'head must fall') within some months if his money is not remitted back to him.

Few months later, the stunning news broke out, September 2015, Ginika Nwoke was shot died in the city of South Africa, the only child, an orphan with a wife and a little girl was killed. An Igbo adage says that "ihe mee onye ara, i mara na onwere mmadu" (meaning that when something happens to a mad man, you will know he has people). Mbaise indigenes made it clear that the only thing that will suffice them is a revenge, Bishop must be killed or a total war against Bishop and his kindred.

Situation started to deteriorate; between October 2015 and March 2017, Ozubulu youths were gunned down on monthly basis in South Africa. The owner of Vacarmata (located around Michael Junction, Egbema Ozubulu) Mr Obinna Ebuzeme, Mrs Nchedo (Nkwado's wife) and many others, especially the alumni of C.S.S. have been killed.

Since then, Bishop attends occasions with over 50 security personnels, very intimidating entourage, but Mbaise indigenes had not given up. In this latest event, he came back July 2017, he is still being tracked. Investigations revealed that he was to be gunned down on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, a church he built himself, from the foundation to the roof. Mysteriously, he got the news and escaped from Amakwa at mid night (Saturday, August 5, 2017).

The killers invaded his church still assuming he was there, opened fire and killed more than a dozen people. To prove it was targeted and purposed to get at Bishop, Bishop's father ran away the church building with a bullet shot but the killers chased after him and shot him severally to ensure he dies.

OBIANO'S ROLE

Bishop is a very good friend to Willie Obiano, the governor of Anambra State, so we are not surprised that Anambra State forwarded their report in less than two (2) hours. Yes, it's a drug war as they disclosed but we must disclose it here that Obiano has tactically exempted Bishop from the whole story. From intelligence, Anambra state government is about to frame an innocent young lad up (also an Amakwa indigene). We must speak against this and Bishop must face the wrath of the law.

OUR STAND

We should all take responsibility. Rather than caution Bishop and reject his wealth, he was celebrated and most regrettably, by churches and the government.

Just last year, he invited the murderer-in-chief of Anambra State, Willie Obiano (Governor of Anambra State), the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese and other traditional rulers to celebrate his 35th year birthday; all in a bid to cover up for his atrocities.

Having taken responsibility, we also believe that Igwe Ozubulu should have done better. This matter tarried for too long. It does not take a lot to set up a peace committee between Ozubulu and Mbaise. With this recent massacre, the death toll on Bishop's case has risen to over 40 people from 2015 till date.

ADVICE

From report, this notorious Bishop has stepped on many toes. This particular attack might not necessarily had come from Mbaise people. Many groups are chasing after Bishop. Hence, we advice Ozubulu elders to ostracize Bishop indefinitely till this matter is resolved.

Churches, the state government and individuals should dissociate themselves from Bishop to discourage our younger generation from desperation for wealth. Any bill board with his image at Ozubulu and environs should be taken down immediately.

We also entreat Ozubulu and Mbaise elders to set up a reconciliation committee. Ginika Nwoke's family must be approached with all humility, sincerity and respect; not because we believed Ginika's testimony but because we want peace to return to Amakwa Ozubulu for the sake of the innocent ones and Igbo tribe at large.

There is no amount of killings that will bring back the dead, rather, will provoke each other towards more killings. Therefore, any other group that feels aggrieved towards Bishop's action should be directed to Igwe Ozubulu for more and more reconciliations.

CONCLUSION

If you do not believe this piece, if you are more interested in believing that Fulani herdsmen left every other church just to attack Bishop's church, we don't take your imagination out. We advice you go down to Amakwa Ozubulu and spend good time to make more investigations. If this story is true, if you don't believe it is true, if you think our report is not sufficient and you have things to add, send us you commendations or contributions (as the case may be), contact us on biafrawriters@ipob.org

#OzubuluMourns

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI: THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD By THEOPHILUS UTCHAYCHUKWU

PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari

 
A LITTLE WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR
BUHARI WILL NOT KILL YOU.
1. No doubt we are going through hard times as a
nation. PMB is slow and steady and we all want
change like magic. That notwithstanding,
CHANGE IS HERE.
2. For example, on Saturday, March 15th 2014,
the then government of Goodluck Jonathan
invited over 7 million Applicants for 4000 jobs, in
the most fraudulent manner lacking in standards.
Eventually, 16 innocent people died.
3. But today, Buhari's Government gave out 200,000 jobs using the E-method of application, and no casualty was recorded.
That is CHANGE
4. Despite that we are under recession, Buhari is paying seven years pension arrears, employing
200,000 graduates at cost of 6bn naira monthly,
and with 300,000 soon to follow.
That is CHANGE
5. Despite the recession, Buhari has released
N700 billion for capital projects to reflate the
economy,
N150bn for women entrepreneurship
development,
N30 Billion for Lecturers' Allowances and CBN is
giving 3 each to graduate entrepreneurs.
That is CHANGE
6. Buhari implemented The Treasury Single
Account (TSA) policy that past leaders were
afraid to implement because it will expose their
corruption.
That is CHANGE
7. Buhari Increased to 30% CAPEX and
Infrastructural Engagements Nationwide.
That is CHANGE
8. The Army under Buhari has fought Boko Haram to a standstill,
rescued some Chibok Girls,
sanitized Areppo,
forced Niger Delta militants to negotiation,
taught IPOB and MASSOB how to observe the
rule of law.
The untouchables like Tompolo are in hiding.
Those who thought they were bigger than Nigeria have understood otherwise.
Gani Adams, Dokubo Asari, Uwazuruike, Ateke
Tom and their likes now know the limit of their
shenanigans.
Even Nnamdi Kanu is secretly negotiating for
freedom.
9. Non of our territories are under the control of non state -actors. At best, all that those
COWARDS can do is to secretly go and bomb our
pipelines or send suicide bombers to IDP camps.
They are all afraid to confront the army under
Buhari.
That is CHANGE
10. Buhari is unwavering in his Anti-Corruption
War. We are getting results that have surpassed
all of the results of former regimes put together.
11. Today, the former National Security Adviser,
Sambo Dasuki and over 26 retired and serving
Army Generals are facing trial. That was unthinkable in the past. And their civilian
counterparts are not left out. With hooligans like
Obanikoro, Olisamethief, Fani-KayoStole and the
rest returning stolen monies and judicial criminals being arrested the battle is getting set.
That is CHANGE
12. Come to the energy sector, there are many
ongoing Power Projects that will over time make
Nigeria energy sufficient. Buhari has a policy of
Energy Mix, which will ensure that the sabotage
of power infrastructure in the Niger Delta is
tackled . That is CHANGE!
13. Other regions of Nigeria have identified
energy sources that will make them independent
of Niger Delta gas. Today wind and sun energy
are being harnessed from North-East and North-West, Coal in the South-East, Hydro power in the North
Central and the rest. In no distant future, one of
Buhari's ambitious power projects, Mambilla
3,000 plant will gush energy with ease. That is
CHANGE.
14. All these compared to I6 wasted years of
past administration in energy sector. These other
administrations spent over 36 billion dollars and
could not generate 3000 megawatts. Meanwhile
China spent 25 billion dollars in eleven years to
generate 22,000 megawatts. Meaning that given the same time Buhari has achieved a great feat.
That is CHANGE
15. By 2018, all our rice consumption needs will
be locally met. Tomatoes and many others too.
That is CHANGE
16. How about National Railway interconnectivity
project and the Recent $2.2billon GE PPP
agreement.
17. Many Federal Roads are being constructed.
Contractors who have not been paid since 20I2
have started receiving their checks.
The construction of Second Niger Bridge is under
way, Calabar to Lagos Rail, Lagos to Kano Rail, Ibadan
to Lagos Rail and many other ambitious projects
that will restore Nigeria to it's former glory are
being undertaken by Buhari.
That is CHANGE!
18. Buhari banned 41 Items in the Forex list to
help boost local production and protect Naira. If
you cannot take advantage, that is your fault.
This ban is in your interest.
And that too is CHANGE!
19. Subsidy removal was to stop the elite from
robbing you of the money we need to develop.
Past administrations refused to do it because
they were beneficiaries and they lack the moral rectitude to do it. Only an incorruptible man like Buhari could stand up to those elites who were
the beneficiaries of it.
That is CHANGE
20. Despite organized sabotage by corrupt
politicians and other ignorant elements in our
society, Buhari is trudging forward.
Although, President Buhari needs to speed things up and he needs to restructure our systems and
bring about true Federalism that will help
component units become productive and useful to the whole.
21. Nobody can fix Nigeria in one day. Even God believe in processes, He is not in partnership with magicians. Buhari has not solved all our
problems, but we are making progress.
DO NOT LET YOUR HATE BECLOUD YOUR SENSE OF VALUED
JUDGEMENT.

Adeboye’s stepping down: We are indifferent to FRC regulation, says ex-NSCIA Sec-Gen

Success Nwogu, Ilorin

The immediate past Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said that NSCIA was
indifferent to the Financial Regulation Council Act which stipulated a maximum period of 20 years for the heads of registered churches,
mosques and civil society organisations.

He stated that the law was not strictly meant for religious organisations but for non-governmental Organisations.

He spoke in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Sunday on the sidelines of the 56th birthday anniversary
of General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu. The occasion also marked the public
presentation of two books written by Aremu.

Oleyede said, “I was a bit disturbed because rather than facing issues, we always divert attention. When people talk about this law, was it made by Buhari? The answer is No! It is not a new law, it has been there. When this law was made, our Christian counterparts approached Islamic group to ask for our reaction and our reaction was indifference.

“I believe our Christian counterparts went to the former President about it, what they did or failed to do is not our business. When I read it a daily today (Not the Punch) I felt a bit disturbed that they were not honest enough to say that this is was not a new law. I think some people are just hell bent in creating sensation and discrediting government. It is unfair. I felt very bad about the presentation because this is how people set the country ablaze.

Oloyede also said the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye should in his notification of his withdrawal as the GO of RCCG, Nigeria; should have explained that the FRC regulations was not a new act.

The former NSCIA Secretary general said an impression was given as if the law was made during the current administration of the President
Muhammadu Buhari.

He said, “With due respect to the overseer of RCCG himself, I think he should have made it clearer about the origin and the duration of the
existence of the law. The impression was being given as if the present government created the law. Whether the law is good or bad, that is
another thing and everybody can face that as it is.

“But sensitisation of their programme and given the impression that was bad, I was trying Alhaji Lai Mohammed (The Minister of Information) immediately I saw that. I wanted to ask him that I felt that some mischievous people could use that to discredit the
government.”

Oloyede said the law was not meant strictly for religious organisation but was meant for NGO to avoid extortion of the public.

He said, “My reaction to it is that the NSCIA was indifferent to it. Our position was if it was what is universally accepted, let it be, if it is not, as far as we are concerned, are we NGO or not? Was the law made for religious groups? No! It is made for NGOs and anybody that you know that NGO has become non-governmental individuals, they are using NGOs in a private and personal manner, extorting the public and if in the wisdom of the government, government felt that should be, you are either NGO, or not?

“If you create an organisation in your father’s name, nobody is going to ask you to obey. But they are saying that if you tell the public that this belongs to the public and there must be regulation governing it. What is my problem? To me, it is helpful to the Muslim community because it will eliminate situation that people use Islam to collect money from the public. Rather than being sentimental about this, the position of NSCIA on this matter so far up-til today is that of indifference.

“The law is no strictly targeted at religious organisations. Religious organisation is just one. It is meant for NGOs generally, it is not tagged religious, it is just that whoever registers as an NGO would have to obey the law or the law would have to be abrogated. But they are giving the impression that it was a law meant for religious organisations. No! It is a law meant for NGOs to regulate them and protect the public from extortion.”

PST. E. A ÀDEBOYE COMPELLED TO RETIRE BY NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATION.

Adeboye steps down, Oyedepo, Olukoya, Kumuyi, others to follow

January 8, 2017

Gbenga Adeniji, Bayo Akinloye andToluwani Eniola

It was a mixture of surprise and anxiety on Saturday for ministers in the Redeemed Christian Church of God when the respected cleric and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, announced a new leader for the church arm in Nigeria.

Adeboye made the declaration at the church’s Annual Ministers Thanksgiving held at the Redemption Camp in Ogun State.

Adeboye’s story: From lecture hall to global pulpit

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that Adeboye started his speech at the service by telling the stunned ministers that he initiated a pension scheme for the church’s retired full-time pastors that would enable them earn 100 per cent of their salaries as pension.

He reportedly said that government had been meddling with the affairs of churches in Nigeria and he had to discontinue with the scheme when the government introduced a contributory pension scheme which the church later joined.

Ministers present at the gathering told one of our correspondents that Adeboye said the government also interfered in the administration of the church by stipulating mandatory office tenure for general overseers of all registered churches in the country through a regulation.

He noted that this regulation also extended to clergymen like Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide International aka Winners Chapel, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, among others.

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FRC regulation

It was gathered that the Financial Regulations Council had stipulated a maximum period of 20 years for the heads of all registered churches, mosques, and civil society organisations.

The FRC established by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, No. 6, 2011, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is responsible for, among other things, developing and publishing accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the preparation of financial statements of public entities in Nigeria; and for related matters.

Governance Code 2016 of the Act encompasses three sectors: the private, the public and not-for-profit. It is the not-for-profit sector, sometimes referred to as the Benevolent Sector, the Third Sector or the Civil Society Sector, that religious bodies fall under.

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 The code read in part, “The founder or leader of a NFPO (not-for-profit) occupies a special position in the organisation and is committed to the success and longevity of the NFPO. Accordingly, a founder or leader should not take on too many responsibilities in the organisation or have an indefinite term in the running of the organisation.

“Where, for any reason, a founder or leader of NFPO also occupies any of the three governance positions of chairmanship of the board of trustees, the governing board or council, and the headship of the executive management (or their governance equivalents), the following provisions shall apply before the end of the organisation’s financial year in which this code takes effect.

“The founder or leader shall cease to occupy these three governance positions simultaneously. This is to ensure the separation of powers and avoid possible concentration of powers in one individual.

“The founder or leader may however choose – subject to the agreement of the organisation’s apex authority as expressed in the annual general assembly, annual meeting, annual stakeholder engagement, annual conference, annual synod, annual fellowship assembly or their equivalents – only one of these three governance positions subject to his current tenure.
This is to ensure a clear division of responsibilities at the head of the organisation between the running of the governing body and the executive responsibility for the management and fulfilment of the organisation’s mission.

“Where the founder or leader has occupied all or any of these three governance positions for more than twenty years, or is aged seventy years or above, the choice in the section above should only relate to the board of trustees as in section below, except the constitution of the organisation otherwise provides.’’

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that apart from Adeboye, the law would cause leadership changes in other churches, where their general overseers had spent more than 20 years in that capacity.

Kumuyi, Oyedepo, Olukoya, others to follow

Some of the general overseers to be affected by the regulation include
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya  of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, who has spent 22 years as the general overseer;
Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (35 years);
Pastor Kumuyi  (43 years); Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of Word of Life Bible Church (29 years); Rev. Chris Okotie  of the Household of God ( 29 years);  Kingsway International Christian Centre’s Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (24 years); 
Winners Chapel’s  Bishop David Oyedepo (35 years).

Others are Pastor Chris Oyakhilome  of Believers’ LoveWord International (26 years);
Pastor Samuel Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church (39 years); Pastor Sam Adeyemi  of Daystar Christian Centre (21 years); 
Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly (27 years);  House on the Rock’s Pastor Paul Adefarasin (22 years), among others.

When contacted by one of our correspondents, the Public Relations Officer of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Mr. Segun Babatope, declined to speak on whether Pastor Kumuyi would also step down like Pastor Adeboye did.

He referred our correspondent to the church secretary, who also declined to speak on the matter.

Babatope said, “I cannot speak on behalf of the church. We are not fully aware of what Pastor Adeboye said and we cannot comment on rumours.”

Also, calls made to the mobile of Rev. Chris Okotie were not answered. He did not also reply the text message sent to his mobile as of press time.

Similarly, when contacted on Saturday, one of Pastor Olukoya’s media aides, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone, neither did he respond to the text message our correspondent sent to him.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Adesina, who is an ally of Bishop David Oyedepo, told SUNDAY PUNCH that he needed to read the FRC’s code to give “an informed opinion” on the issue.

How the ministers’ meeting ended

Sources said after his speech at the meeting, Adeboye introduced Pastor Joseph Obayemi as the ‘new overseer’ of the church, Funsho Odesola as the new church secretary and Joseph Adeyokunu as the new church treasurer.

Adeboye reportedly said,
‘‘At least, nobody can stop me from being a general overseer in other countries of the world.’’

By the pronouncement, Adeboye ceases to be the General Overseer of the RCCG in Nigeria while he remains the church’s spiritual leader worldwide and general overseer of its international arm. The church has branches in about 190 countries.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the clerics, who were newly appointed into key positions in the church, were not allowed to speak to the gathering. But Adeboye asked the ministers to pray for them and he also did the same.

A statement reportedly issued by Odesola after the meeting stressed that the new structure was particular to Nigeria alone as Adeboye remained the spiritual leader and global missioner of the church.

Before now, there had been expectations in the church that Adeboye would name a successor after he clocked 70 — the stipulated retirement age by the church.

In a statement credited to Leke Adeboye, Adeboye’s last son and personal assistant, he cited the FRC’s law as the reason for the church’s decision, adding, however, that Adeboye remained the General Overseer of RCCG worldwide.

Adeboye is now 74. He became the church’s general overseer in 1981 after taking over from the church’s founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.

Our correspondent gathered that at the service, Adeboye asked the ministers to tell all members in their parishes to join any political party of their choice.

The revered cleric noted that by joining political parties, they would be able to partake in the making of vital political decisions at the ward level in order for the country to have good representation.

He also noted that their involvement in politics would check imposition of candidates.

Lawyers’ speak on FRC regulation

Speaking with one of our correspondents, a human rights activist and lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, who commented on the FRC law, said churches, mosques and other not-for-profit organisations, as long as they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, were bound by the new financial regulation targeted at ensuring financial transparency and seamless succession.

Adegboruwa who is also an RCCG pastor, said, “The plan of succession must not be to the benefit of a family member. By law, churches are called incorporated churches with a board of trustees. It cannot be run by a family. Pastor Adeboye, of his volition, decided to obey the regulation by handing over to a successor. I must also state that the confusion being created by some people that Pastor Adeboye is the general overseer of the RCCG Worldwide is unnecessary. There is no such organisation as the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide. He is the Global Missioner and Spiritual Leader of the Church. There is nothing like RCCG Worldwide.’’

There were reports on Saturday that the Federal Government had suspended the not-for-profit governance code of 2016. The human rights activist and lawyer explained that the law was suspended in relation to the public sector and not for organisations like churches and mosques.

He said, “There was a stakeholders’ meeting where churches, mosques and civil society organisations met with the government. We actually challenged the regulation at the Federal High Court and we lost. We decided to comply with the regulation because we didn’t want the government to see Christians as people who do not want to follow a seamless succession system. We also do not want government to see us as people who have something to hide about their finances. The RCCG is a transparent organisation and that’s why it decided to comply.

“This (regulation) is not just about Pastor Adeboye. It concerns all the churches registered in Nigeria. Any church leader who has spent 20 years has to hand over to somebody else.”

Also, Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, stated that the agency’s regulation for religious organisations was still in force.

Another legal practitioner, Moses Alao, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the FRC regulation provides that a religious leader of a registered religious organisation should step down after 20 years in office or on attainment of age 70.

He said, “Whichever comes first, it is either the religious leader has turned 70 or has spent 20 years or more as the head of the organisation, he has to go. The person will stop being involved in administrative issues of the religious organisation.
He will only be a figure head with no real authority.
Pastor Adeboye, in the case of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, will still be the spiritual figure head but there will be a general overseer (a position he had relinquished).’’

Copyright PUNCH.