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Tag: anglican church

  • Anglican Primate urges FG to lift ban on religious activities

    Anglican Primate urges FG to lift ban on religious activities

    The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has called on the Federal Government to systematically lift the ban on religious and socio-economic activities currently under lockdown as a result of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Ndukuba told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that easing the lockdown on religious activities would provide spiritual dimension to the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to him, continuous lockdown on economic activities can increase the negative impact on the country because the pandemic had no cure for now.

    “I urge the Federal Government to systematically relax the lockdown and possibly allow Churches and Mosques to reopen.

    “Allowing us to come back to worship will strengthen the people and as well encourage the spiritual dimension in this warfare and help the country return to a normal life.

    “The effect of the pandemic will be much to bear and could amount to more job loss for Nigerians if not handled with wisdom.

    “It is not sustainable to continue to lock up places, because the pandemic may not be completely eradicated anytime soon.

    “We cannot continue like this, to stop people from going to look for the source of their livelihoods, it is not sustainable.

    “I am, therefore, pleading with the government that while we sustain the guidelines they have given, we should also ensure that we allow the people carry on with their normal life,” he said.

    Ndukuba believes that allowing religious gatherings to systematically open would help Nigerians to return to normal life and help us to function as we should as a society, adding that the pandemic may have come to stay.

    While commending the Nigerian government on the actions taken so far, he urged the leaders to learn from these happenings and ensure that the welfare of the people remain above personal and political interests, not just now, but even after the pandemic.

    Ndukuba also restated the church’s readiness to continue to provide palliatives for the indigent members and other valuable Nigerians.

    He reminded the people to maintain hygienic rules and maintaining social distancing with a view to ease out the pandemic.

  • COVID-19: What God revealed to me about lockdown – Anglican Bishop

    COVID-19: What God revealed to me about lockdown – Anglican Bishop

    The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Warri, Rt. Rev. Christian Ide has narrated what God revealed to him in dreaming, advising Nigerians to use the lockdown for spiritual examination.

    Bishop Ide said while the world governments are preoccupied with physical examination to checkmate the spread of Coronavirus, the Lord said Christians should be occupied with that which concerns spiritual well-being.

    Read narrative below:

    “Early today morning, April 20, 2020, the Lord took me in a dream to a classroom setting. All lectures/lessons had been concluded, and all was set for examination to commence. Thereafter, I came out of the classroom, with the mind of going to the house to pick something.

    “However, there was no way to get to the house because a roadblock had been mounted by armed soldiers. When I told one of the armed soldiers at the roadblock that I wanted to get home to pick something, he replied sternly, “NO”. At that point, I woke up from my sleep.

    “As I went on my knees to pray about the dream, the Lord told me He had allowed the Lockdown we are currently experiencing, so that we can undergo spiritual examination.

    “While the world governments are preoccupied with physical examination to checkmate the spread of coronavirus, the Lord says we should be occupied with that which concerns our spiritual well-being. Just as the world is clamouring for physical checkups against coronavirus, the Lord is urging us to give ourselves spiritual checkups.

    “2 Corinthians 13:5 says, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified.

    “The lockdown, the Lord is saying to us, should be utilised to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith – if we are really Christians as we claim or merely imposters.

    “This is the time to Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). This is the time to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

    “This is the time to actively seek to grow closer to God, and not to draw farther away from Him. This is the time to ask ourselves whether we are walking according to the gospel that we profess.

    “After the lockdown, that is, the time God is giving us for the spiritual examination, the Lord says, He will release the results of the spiritual examination of each and every one of us, that life will never be the same again. The outcome of the spiritual examination would be a determinant of the kind of life we will experience after the lockdown.

    “Dear people of God, we wish to draw our attention for the third time to the following counsel we gave to us while the lockdown was to commence in Delta State on April 1, 2020:

    “Beloved in Christ, let’s seize the opportunity the lockdown provides to utilize to the maximum our quiet time (personal devotion), couple altar (husband and wife having devotion together), and the family altar (parents, children, etc living in the home having devotion together).

    “It is time to stoke the fire of these three altars (personal, couple and family) where the fire has simmered down, while we await Jesus’ second coming’.

    “As we conclude this message, we urge you to know …that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).

    *And …Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Amen!”

  • Covid-19: Anglican Diocese donates food items to families

    Covid-19: Anglican Diocese donates food items to families

    The Anglican Diocese of Lagos on Thursday donated food items and medical supplies to the weak and vulnerable families in the state as part of efforts to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

    Bishop Humphrey Olumakaiye of the diocese who made the donations at the Seminary Ground in Marina, Lagos, said that it was to complement what the Lagos State Government was doing to fight the pandemic.

    Rev. Olumakaiye, who was represented by Ven. Segun Ladeinde, commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for his doggedness in the fight against COVID-19.

    “We commend and appreciate the great work you have been doing, since the outbreak of the pandemic.

    “A great leader is known during time of crisis, you have demonstrated an uncommon leadership trait.

    “We deem it necessary, as a Diocese, to lend our own support to the laudable efforts of the government to cushion the unsettling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among many families in Lagos State.

    “Apart from the N5 million already paid by our Province into the designated account provided by the government, we are donating food items directly to the weak and the vulnerable in the state,” he said.

    He said that the donated food items and medical supplies were to support the state in the fight against this pandemic.

    “Five hundred bags of rice, ‘garri’, sugar, noodles, beverages, sanitizers and other medical kits will be presented to identified vulnerable and weak families.

    “We want to assure you that we are not just supporting you physically, our prayers are assured and we know that we will overcome this challenge soonest.

    “We also pray that God will continue to give our leaders sound health and wisdom as they lead the state in Jesus name. We are always proud of you,” he said.

  • COVID-19: God has assured He will provide a way out – Bishop Ideh

    COVID-19: God has assured He will provide a way out – Bishop Ideh

    Rt. Revd. Christian Ideh, the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has said God has assured He will provide a way out for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bishop Ideh made this known in a statement on Friday, stressing that while the lockdown ordered by governments has implications on Easter services, Christians should seize the opportunity to maximize their quiet time.

    Ideh urged citizens to obey government decisions on the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the decisions are for the collective good of the people, and that they would have to be alive to be able to serve God.

    The statement reads: “Greetings to you all, good people of the Diocese of Warri, and all who love Jesus Christ! The times we are now are difficult times, but God who is faithful, has assured us in His Word that he will provide a way out so that we can endure it (1 Cor. 10:13).

    “To avert any outbreak of COVID 19 in Delta or contain its spread if it occurs, the government has directed that all residents in the State are to stay at home from Wednesday, April 1, 2020. This, among other restrictions, will last for two weeks in the first instance.

    “The implication for us Christians is that we may not be able to gather in Church on Easter Sunday, for Easter Service and other Services associated with the Easter season. Very painful indeed, you will agree with me.

    “All the same, we have to obey the government since the decision is for our collective good (Rom. 13:1-5). We need to be alive to serve God, and that is the intention of government.

    “Beloved in Christ, let’s seize the opportunity the lockdown provides to utilize to the maximum our quiet time (personal devotion), couple altar (husband and wife having devotion together), and the family altar (parents, children, etc living in the home having devotion together).

    “It is time to stoke the fire of these three altars (personal, couple and family) where the fire has simmered down, while we await Jesus’ second coming. The signs are everywhere that His coming will not delay. So, prepare to meet Him!”

  • Archbishop Okoh sounds notes of caution in valedictory message

    Archbishop Okoh sounds notes of caution in valedictory message

    Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, outgoing Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has cautioned the Church against tribalism and ethnocentrism.

    In his valedictory service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp in Abuja, Okoh expressed concern that tribalism and ethnocentrism were prevalent in the Church.

    “If the Church of Nigeria did not kill tribalism, it is likely going to disorganise the balance completely. If the bishops fail to kill tribalism, it is going to destroy our Church.“If the bishops themselves do not destroy ethnocentrism in their dioceses, it is going to destroy the dioceses and Churches around them,’’ he said.

    Okoh decried a situation where people who were baptized and share the communion could not accept themselves because of tribalism.

    He also urged the Church to guard against false teachings.

    “False teachings abound today. There are many people teaching anything that comes to their head; that does not make it right.

    “What has torn our church into pieces is this same careless teaching, a senior bishop and a senior clergy going about opposing and rebuking God in a way with false teachings.

    “I attended a meeting of very senior bishops outside the country and they gathered black people with placards around the Cathedral. They were asking us, Anglicans from Africa, to repent because what we say and do amount to persecution of homosexuals.

    “They told us the future of Africa is homosexuality. I know they are here but God will protect us.

    “Beware of people with gifts without character. They lack self-control and in this generation we have forgotten that self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

    “They claim to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit but have no self-control. That is abomination. The Holy Spirit cannot condone immorality,’’ he said.

    Speaking with newsmen after the service, Okoh noted that the Coronavirus had humiliated the entire world, indicating that “there is only one super power – God.’’

    “We have not be able to find solution to the virus. So, we must turn to God for solutions, we must appeal to Him to save us from this kind of destruction.

    “Government must also look for ways to police and protect the rural people and educate them to prevent an outbreak,’’ he said.

    Okoh will be succeeded by Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, the Primate-elect, who was until his election in September 2019, the Bishop of Gombe Diocese and Archbishop of Jos Province of the Anglican Communion.

    His presentation is scheduled to hold on Wednesday at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Abuja.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Mr Peter Obi, PDP Vice Presidential candidate at the 2019 general election attended the service.

  • Gov. Wike tasks churches on redemption of Nigeria

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the Church to rise up and work towards the redemption of the country.

    Speaking during the 3rd Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Evo in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike urged the Church to intensify prayers for the salvation of Nigeria.

    Represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke, the Rivers State Governor also said that the Anglican Church should take a decision for continuity in the state, following the outstanding developmental strides being enjoyed by Rivers people.

    “The Church must pray and rise up to redeem this country,” he said.

    The governor said that the Church cannot stand aloof in the face of political developments in the country. He said that the involvement of the church is key to national rebirth.

    “You cannot build a stronger church in isolation of the society. If there is a total breakdown of law and order, the church will also be affected,” he said.

    Wike reiterated the commitment of his administration to better the lives of Rivers people

    “What we have done in three years have shown our commitment to transforming the state and improving the living condition of the people. The signs of development are everywhere in Rivers State.

    “Three years down the line this administration has proved to be God-fearing, delivering on all fronts for the state. The time has come for the Church to take a decision to fully support continuity,” he further stated.

    Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Kubwa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Duke Akamisoko said that the Church must invest in social amenities to improve the society.

    While calling on the Federal Government to work to promote good governance, he wondered why the President continues to seek medical attention in the United Kingdom.

     

  • Anglican Church dissociates self from notorious kidnapper, Evans

    The Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Diocese, Revd James Odedeji on Friday refuted claims by the notorious kidnapper, Chikwudidume Onuadike alias Evans of being a member and a philanthropist of high repute in the Anglican family.

    Odedeji made the clarification in a reaction to an exclusive story published by TheNewsGuru.com on the dreaded kidnapper, Evans, who claimed to be a member of Anglican, Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos, where he alleged that he sponsored indigent students, gave money to widows as well as donated immensely to the renovation of his church building. [READ THE FULL STORY HERE]

    Speaking through one Ven. Paul Adeyemi who contacted TheNewsGuru.com via the telephone, Odedeji said: “We have verified it, and we are very certain that Evans is not a member of any elements of our church. We don’t know him and we have no affiliation with his person”

    “All that he his saying about paying school fees for indigent students, helping widows, and donating hugely to renovations of our church are pure lies.Please ignore the false information, it is only meant to mislead the public,” he said.

    When asked if Evans had probably been one of the anonymous philanthropists in the church, Odedeji replied ‘We know all our members, he is not one of us and he has never been part of us”

    He added that Evans may be putting up such lies in order to whip up undue sentiments to attract public sympathy.

    Also recall that Evan’s wife, Precious made similar claims during an interview session with a national newspaper [Not TheNewsGuru].

    In the interview, which had earlier been cited on TheNewsGuru.com, Precious reportedly said: “He reads psalm 23 a lot. Even his phone, he sets alarm for 12 noon to read psalm 23. He took part in our daily prayers in the morning, evening and night. He used to lead us in prayers. We attend Anglican Church. He has never given them money to show off,” she said.

    “We used to give N5000 or N10,000 and the highest we have given so far was N50,000 when we baptised one of our children. I am appealing to the powers that be to spare his life (crying), as I speak now, I am kneeling down with my children, crying and begging for forgiveness. Have mercy on us.

  • EXCLUSIVE: ‘I am not a bad person, ask Anglican Church at Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos,’ Evans

    • I helped indigent students pay school fees, give money to widows in church
    • Moves to name South-east big names behind the kidnap of his victims

    Arrested Nigeria’s most celebrated and controversial billionaire kidnapper, Chikwudidume Onuadike alias Evans has apparently made up his mind not to go down alone in his present travail with his latest outburst. The self-styled philanthropist extraordinaire exclusively whispered to TheNewsguru.com that he was not at any rate alone in the kidnapping business saying that some southeast businessmen specifically fromAnambra State gave him names of those he kidnapped for ransom.

    Evans equally informed that the loot was shared with his informants on 60/40 formula; some of them he said lives in Italy and France.

    According to him, he didn’t know those who had made it big in business but got clues of the residents and itineraries of his victims for kidnap especially, the foiled kidnap attempt of the chairman and chief executive officer of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Ujumadu.

    “I have given the Police names and identities of those who give me names, residential addresses, and movements of my victims but I think they are keeping secret for now because they want to arrest them. But if I wait and they do not arrest them or make their names public, I will tell the world before I die. Some of them are living in Italy and France and are into drugs.

    I will not die alone because they too benefited from the money I collected,” Evans said.

    The self-styled philanthropist also quipped; “I am not a bad person, you can go and ask about at the Anglican church at Ikosi- Ketu how I have helped so many indigent students pay their school fees, I give money liberally to the widows in the church, paid their house rents and even donated hugely for the renovation of the church and any church project.

    The only time and can describe myself as wicked is when I want relations of my victims to pay a ransom, then I was always mad at

    any of my victims because I want them to entreat on their relations to dance to my tunes.”

    On why he took to crime, a highly snaky Evans blamed it on his ordeal in the hands of the Nigeria Customs who he alleged seized his 40 feet container of auto spare parts. He said, “When I came to Lagos, I had nobody to assist me so I started selling ‘black market’ fuel at Suru-Alaba along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, where I was making small money from the business. Later I met one Kingsley who introduced me ‘rice and beans’ and we made so much money and we decided to go into the importation of auto spare parts. But at the Apapa Ports, the customs seized the goods and we were back to square one.

    Later I met one Kingsley who introduced me ‘rice and beans’ and we made so much money and we decided to go into the importation of auto spare parts. But at the Apapa Ports, the customs seized the goods and we were back to square one. With this, my friend said we should relocate to Benin and start kidnapping; that is how I went into full-scale kidnapping.”

     

    Meanwhile, the Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Diocese, Revd James Odedeji has refuted claims by the notorious kidnapper of making huge donations to the church.

    Speaking through one Ven. Paul Adeyemi who contacted TheNewsGuru.com via the telephone, Odedeji said: “We have verified it and very certain that Evans is not a member of any elements of our church. We don’t know him and we have no affiliation with his person”

    “All that he his saying about paying school fees for indigent students, helping widows, and donating hugely to renovations of our church are pure lies.Please ignore the false information, it is only meant to mislead the public,” he said.

    When asked if Evans had probably been one of the anonymous philanthropists in the church, Odedeji said ‘We know all our members, he is not one of us and he has never been part of us”

    He added that Evans may be putting up such lies in order to whip up undue sentiments to attract public sympathy.