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Tag: Ministry

  • Bishop Kwakpovwe vows ‘no more abortion’ at world anointing service+Photos

    Bishop Kwakpovwe vows ‘no more abortion’ at world anointing service+Photos

    It was a night of powerful ministration, healings and testimonies as popular Christian minister and founder of Manna Prayer Mountain Ministry Worldwide, Bishop Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe led thousands of worshippers at the first post-Covid gathering of the annual World Anointing Night service in Lagos.

    The much anticipated inter-denominational service, held on Friday 26 January at the ministry’s headquarters in Ogudu Lagos, saw thousands of worshippers from across the world including Canada, Netherlands, Ghana, and Zambia join the service —physically and virtually.

    With the theme “My Year of Divine Performance”, the spiritually charged gathering was a momentous night filled with powerful worship, inspirational teachings, and the anointing ceremony to set the tone for the year ahead.

    The anointing night —a transformative experience for all participants— was the culmination of the 21-day fasting period which kicked off on Saturday, 6th January, from 6 am to 6 pm daily. The three-week fasting period fostered a dedicated time of reflection and spiritual rejuvenation.

    Speaking with our correspondent on the sideline of the programme, Bishop Kwakpovwe noted that his major focus at this year’s Special Service was the spiritual termination of every form of aborted pregnancy.

    “This year, we are declaring an end to every form of abortion…So many people are pregnant with great business and prophetic ideas but are being attacked, leading to spiritual abortion of those ideas. This year, I am prophesying that there will be no more abortion of all those pregnancies,” Bishop Kwakpovwe revealed.

    The Man of God also cautioned his fellow pastors and spiritual leaders against the dissemination of false prophecies in a bid to please men.

    According to the popular minister, the role of spiritual guidance is paramount, and it is the duty of clerics to lead with integrity, honesty, and the unwavering commitment to the truth.

    “Let us be mindful of the impact of wanting to be seen or heard! Our words have consequences on the lives of those who look up to us. As we collectively embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with the New Year, let us remember that unity, compassion, and truth should be our guiding lights,” he admonished.

    The respected man of God said last year was a journey marked by challenges and triumphs. He then applauded the unwavering spirit of the Nigerian people who together navigated the storms and embraced the sunshine to see the year 2024.

    “As we embark on this new journey into 2024, let us remember the power of unity and collective responsibility. It is my fervent prayer that our great nation would continue to flourish while the government policies reflect the aspirations and well-being of its diverse population. May the year 2024 be a year of Divine Performance, abundant blessings, growth, and fulfillment for every Nigerian,” Bishop Kwakpovwe prayed.

    He then implored President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders across the country to prioritize the welfare and security of the citizens, particularly the activities of the bandits and kidnappers.

    “All these criminal activities should be curtailed. The strength of a nation lies in the well-being and safety of its people. I urge the authorities to take decisive actions against the activities of the bandits to ensure the prosperity and protection of every Nigerian,” Bishop Kwakpovwe stated.

    The World Anointing Service had in attendance notable spiritual leaders, captain of industries and public officers including President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Daniel C. Okoh ably represented by Bishop Gbenga Ajaka; industrialist and Emzor Group founder, Dr. Stella Okoli and Nollywood actress, Eucharia Anunobi.

  • Reps committee asks ministry to refund N75bn COVID-19 funds

    Reps committee asks ministry to refund N75bn COVID-19 funds

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has said that the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment should refund N75 billion COVID-19 intervention fund to government coffers.

    The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bassey Akiba (LP-Cross River) at a public hearing on COVID-19 funds on Thursday in Abuja.

    Moving the motion, Akiba said that the committee had written to the ministry three times to appear and account for the funds but they had failed to reply.

    “The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, have been given the opportunity to appear and explain the usage and application of the sum of N75 billion and up and up till now, they have refused to appear.

    “It therefore means that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment does not have any explanation as to how this money was used.

    “On this basis, I move using the relevant section of the financial regulations, that this ministry be asked to refund the sum of N75 billion to government,” he said.

    In his ruling, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) said that the activities of the committee is backed by the Constitution, Standing Rules of the House and other relevant laws.

    He explained that the motion affects all the Permanent Secretaries that served in the ministry since 2019.

    The committee also resolved that the Federal Ministry of Health should also refund the sum of N10 billion to government coffers.

    The amount which was earmarked for COVID-19 vaccine production is yet to be utilised by the health ministry.

    The committee gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency to submit documents to back its expenditure of over N12 billion COVID-19 intervention funds.

    The committee said that the agency should also appear before the committee on Monday, Jan. 22, to give proper account of the expenses made.

  • Ebuka Obi’s Zion Ministry releases end-of-year programme

    Ebuka Obi’s Zion Ministry releases end-of-year programme

    The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMOM), led by Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, has announced the details for this year’s “Odeshi” programme.

    “Odeshi”, which literally means “Does not leak or penetrate”, is a programme which usually officially marks the end-of-the-year activities for the ministry located at Zion Estate, Ago, Okota, Lagos.

    Speaking at the midweek Prophetic and Deliverance programme on Wednesday, Evangelist Ebuka disclosed that “Odeshi” would be held next weekend, December 9 and 10, beginning from 10 a.m. each day.

    He stated that the programme is to seek for divine protection for all those who would be travelling during the Christmas and New Year celebrations as well as to prepare followers of the ministry at Zion City as well as millions who follow online for God’s special blessings and favour for 2024.

    The Evangelist added that, going by experiences and testimonies of previous editions, the 2023 Odeshi is expected to record thousands of people giving up their lives to Christ, outstanding miracles and healings, deliverance from bondage and salvation of souls.

    With increase in cases of accidents and crime during the festive season, it is important for people to seek for divine protection as they travel within the country and from different parts of the world to visit families and loved ones, Ebuka noted.

    Apart from mind-boggling testimonies and pin-point prophecies with solutions recorded at Zion, Ebuka is increasingly growing popular for conversion of native doctors, cultists and prostitutes, saving marriages on the brink of collapse, charity works of his Seraphic Foundation, free treatment for indigent families at Seraphic Hospital and giving out money to reconciled couples and converted people to enable them to start up decent businesses.

  • See why Evang. Ebuka Obi says Zion ministry is prophecy with instant solutions [Watch]

    See why Evang. Ebuka Obi says Zion ministry is prophecy with instant solutions [Watch]

    The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach in Okota, Lagos on November 12, experienced huge testimonies during the Sunday service in the church.

    Founded by Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, the ministry has become synonymous with stories of mind-boggling miracles of healings and deliverances occurring either at Zion City there and those witnessed in different parts of the world.

    The testimonies come from people who say they were located during online prayers by Evangelist Ebuka or were healed after using Seraphic Water and Seraphic Oil blessed by the Spiritual Director of the ministry, Ebuka.

    The people who testified to their healing last Sunday included a woman who had breast cancer; a US-based kidney disease patient (Onyedikachi), and Beatrice Obiozor from the United Kingdom who had glaucoma for 40 years and was healed after surgery failed to rectify the problem. There was also the story of Pirekina Anyanwu of Isiala Mbano, Imo State, who flew in from Florida, US, to testify to how the Seraphic oil and water healed his spinal cord injury and saved him from a highly risky surgery recommended by doctors.

    Watch video:

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your trade versus your ministry

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your trade versus your ministry

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: ACTS 9:6-16, 18:3

    Meditation verse:

    “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God…” (1 Cor  1:1).

    The work that we do can be divided into three basic categories. A ‘Job’ which  simply pays the bills. A ‘Profession’ which is work that we undergo training for.  A ‘Calling’ which is work that is at the core of who you are and is a vital part of  your identity. Let’s look at some differences between the last two.

    Profession involves prolonged training, or a formal qualification and you get to  decide which profession you want and undergo training for it. Calling on the  other hand is divinely inspired. God decides your calling and equips you with  special gifts to fulfil it.

    Your profession is targeted at fulfilling your own needs. You are the centre of  focus, and you will reap ephemeral rewards like money, status, and fame. Your  calling fulfils the needs of others. God is the centre of focus, and He will give you  eternal rewards.

    Your profession is specialized work, and you gain mastery by continuous  training. With calling, the Holy Spirit inspires and teaches you. It is a place where  you can attain full expression of yourself because your calling is at the core of  who you are. Whilst you will not be required to give an account of your  profession on the last day, you will certainly give an account of how you fulfilled  your calling.

    To which do you allot more time, energy, and other resources? Choose wisely.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Keep becoming

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: PHILIPPIANS 3:12–18

     

    Meditation verse:

    “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

     

    You are a work in progress. You need to keep moving towards perfection because you must realise your full potential to become all you were created for. You must finish your race. God has declared the end of your life. He knows who you are meant to be. And who you are meant to become is a solution to someone’s problem. If you do not become this person, you will be robbing them of the blessing they would have gotten.

     

    Jesus Christ came to this world to die on the cross for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, we obtain salvation. Against all odds, He set His face on this goal. He did not stop until He died on the cross. Just before His death, He declared that it was finished, and then He rose on the third day. If he did not die and rise again, salvation would have eluded mankind. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

     

    You are on a journey on this earth and there is an assignment for you to accomplish. You must keep going until you become all you were created to be and complete your assignment. Myles Munroe is quoted as saying, “the richest place on earth is the graveyard”. Many people die and are buried with their assignments still in the wombs of their destinies, thereby robbing the world. Refuse to be amongst this group. Choose rather to die empty. Here’s what Paul the apostle said:

    Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

    – Philippians 3:12–1

    Why not adopt this mindset going forward.

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder, The Rock Teaching Ministry, (TRTM)

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org

     

  • Ministry, WHO, NCDC make urgent call for increased funding for health

    Ministry, WHO, NCDC make urgent call for increased funding for health

    The WHO, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday issued urgent call for increased funding for the health sector in Nigeria.

    The ministry and the NCDC, supported by Resolve to Save Lives, an NGO, made the call hosting a multisectoral workshop on ”Health Security and Health Financing’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that in 2018, Nigeria launched a five year comprehensive multi-sectoral National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS).

    Speaking , the Director-General, Budget Office of Federation (BoF), Mr Ben Akabueze, said the workshop was an advocacy call to increase funding for implementation of the NAPHS and explore opportunities to cascade it to the sub-national level.

    ”If anybody had any doubts prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, or about the need to strengthen the Nigerian health system, or any doubts at all, it has been resolved by the COVID-19.

    ““The International Health Regulations (IHR), last revised in 2005 requires Nigeria, as a third party, to provide for the financing of its health system and other related activities and as an obligation in its annual budget,” he explained.

    He noted that the workshop would improve the knowledge of thematic leads identified in the National Action Plan on Health Security on the national budgeting process.

    “It will equip budget officers in the MDAs with the ability to mainstream budget for health securities in their annual budget, create the necessary synergy between budget officers and the NAPHS technical leads.

    ”It is hoped that the workshop will establish the needed budget lines within key MDAs to strengthen health security activities outlined in NAPHS for 2021,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization(WHO), Dr Rex Mpanzanje suggested that Nigeria should ensure adequate framework for financing epidemic preparedness and response.

    “As a country, we need to stand on our own feet and not solely rely on external financing,” Mpanzanje advised.

    Also contributing, Dr Chike Ihekweazu, Director-General of the NCDC, said that the preparedness for future outbreaks, starts from the budgeting stage.

    “Investing in preparedness is much cheaper than response. But, how, where, and by who?” he asked.

    Ihekweazu said in 2020, stakeholders worked hard to scale up our ability to respond to infectious diseases and strengthen our health systems nationwide with support from the Federal government and partners.

    The NCDC boss noted that Nigeria must ensure health security remains a national priority.

    D. Emmanuel Agogo, Country Representative for Resolve to Safe Lives, said that previous and ongoing outbreaks were evidence of how critical funding was to drive all aspects of public health response.

    “We can not over estimate the impact and importance of this workshop,” Dr Agogo stressed.

    NAN reports that the NAPHS is a comprehensive document that aims to address major gaps identified in a 2017 Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of Nigeria’s International Health Security (IHR) core capacities.

  • COVID-19: Minister predicts Nigeria’s economy recovery date

    COVID-19: Minister predicts Nigeria’s economy recovery date

    The Federal Government has predicted that the economy will rebound to positive territory in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021.

    Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed made this prediction when board members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) paid her a courtesy call.

    She hinged her optimism on the minimal impact of the corona virus pandemic. She said: “The shocks have not manifested as expected, and that the pandemic has not impacted much, especially in Nigeria because of the proactive measures taken by government especially in the health sector.”

    A statement from the ministry signed by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the Special Adviser Media and Communications to Minister of Finance, quoted Zainab Ahmed as saying: “We are expecting by the first quarter of 2021, we shall be okay.”

    The finance minister reminded the FIRS board members that “there are other government obligations and debt servicing which requires revenue to fund and we can see that the capacity to do more is there and we expect you (FIRS) to do more”.

    Mrs Ahmed said she was happy “the FIRS has remained resolute as both Value Added Tax (VAT) and Stamp Duty have helped in boosting the revenue”.

    FIRS Chairman Mr. Mohammed Nami, said the agency is doing well and the reforms are working.

    He added: “In the three to five months, FIRS has been contributing up to 70 percent of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation.”

    He noted that oil figures were down and that COVID-19 has impacted negatively and, therefore, a lot of reforms being carried out are already yielding results. The FIRS team solicited the minister’s support for their reforms.

  • Expression of grace in ministry of Jesus (1) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    The centerpiece of Paul’s doctrine of salvation is what he refers to as “the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5). In his epistles, Paul shows that God does not relate to people: “according to their good or bad works.” (Romans 9:12). On the contrary, he relates to them according to His own purposes which He determines all by Himself.

    This grace of God does not conform to any human yardstick. We cannot deserve it or work to earn it. God says to Moses: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19).

    This means it is God who determines those on whom He showers His grace. It is dispensed entirely at His discretion. We cannot choose to receive God’s grace. It is completely gratuitous. Jesus says to His disciples: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16).

    Gracious Jesus

    Paul mentions the word “grace” no less than 91 times in his epistles. However, Jesus, the very architect of God’s grace, does not mention the word even once in the gospels. But this should not lead to the conclusion that Jesus did not display the grace of God.

    Indeed, Jesus preached God’s grace more than Paul. But he preached it practically by showing grace in action. Indeed, it can even be argued that Paul merely taught the grace that Jesus practiced.

    Bible prophecy says gracious words would stream from Jesus’ lips. (Psalm 45:2). This was realised from his childhood when Luke observes that: “the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40). Furthermore, at his inaugural preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, Luke says everyone was amazed by: “the gracious words that came from (Jesus’) lips.” (Luke 4:22).

    John also observes that Jesus was: “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). He says Jesus came from heaven to dispense one grace after another. (John 1:16). He then points out that: “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17).

    What precisely is this grace of God, and how does it find expression in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

    Unmerited favour

    Throughout his ministry, Jesus never gave anybody what they deserved. He only gave what they did not deserve. John the Baptist warned Israel not to assume their Abrahamic heritage would earn them special favours. (Matthew 3:9). Nobody obtains anything from God by entitlement.

    As a result, Jesus was a master of the unexpected. He turned water into wine at a wedding even though it was not yet time for miracles. (John 2:1-11). His people expected him to do His miracles in his Jewish hometown of Nazareth, but He did not. (Matthew 13:58). Instead, he did them mostly in Capernaum, a predominantly Gentile city that He made the base of His operations.

    When they complained, He pointed out that there were many widows in Israel, in the days of Elijah, when it did not rain for years and there was a great famine in the land. Nevertheless, Elijah was sent to none of them but to a widow in Zarephath, in the non-Jewish region of Sidon. He also pointed out that many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha. Nevertheless, none of them was cleansed except for Naaman the Syrian.

    This expose of the unmerited grace of God so annoyed Jesus’ people in Nazareth that they decided to kill Him. But He managed to escape from them.

    Last will be first

    When Paul had what he describes as “a thorn” in his flesh, he expected Jesus to heal him. He pleaded with Jesus for healing on three different occasions but Jesus refused. Instead, Jesus told Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

    Accordingly, Jesus’ principle of grace teaches us to be counter-intuitive. The Lord said to me: “Femi, never give people what they deserve. Only give them what they don’t deserve.” This is because God ignores those who think they deserve anything from him. He only pays attention to the undeserving.

    Jesus says: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30). Thus, when He came to his own people, the Jews, they rejected him. (John 1:11). God says to Israel in Hosea: “You are not My people, and I will not be your God.” (Hosea 1:9).

    In effect, favoured Israel went from first to last. It is only from this last position that Israel can become first again and get back into God’s favour: “It shall come to pass, in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’ there it shall be said to them, ‘you are sons of the living God.’” (Hosea 1:10).

    God said to Rebecca: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23).

    Accordingly, God procedurally rejects entitled first-borns. Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn son, but God preferred Isaac to him. Esau was Isaac’s firstborn son, but God chose Jacob. Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn, but he forfeited his birthright by sleeping with his father’s concubine. (Genesis 35:22). Thereafter, Judah became first. (Judges 20:18).

    Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn son, but God preferred Ephraim. (Genesis 48:17-19). Aaron was the firstborn son of Amram (Exodus 6:20); but God chose his junior brother, Moses, to supersede him. Eliab was the firstborn son of Jesse, but God preferred David as the king of Israel. The oldest son of David was Absalom, but God chose Solomon as David’s successor.

    Grace in action

    Jesus was only impressed with the faith of those who were not Jewish and therefore not entitled. He commended the faith of a Roman centurion, saying: “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:10). He healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, even though He was only sent to the Jews. (Matthew 15:24-28).

    When he healed ten men of leprosy, the only leper who came back to give thanks was a Samaritan. He revealed himself as the Messiah to a woman who was not a Jew but a despised Samaritan. (John 4:26). Despite his miracles, the Jew did not believe in him. But the Samaritans believed in Him without seeing any miracles whatsoever. (John 4:39-44).

    With Jesus, the worst sinners received the warmest welcome, while the most scrupulous law-abiders received the greatest castigation. (Matthew 23:13-36).

    Jesus dined and consorted with sinners. He appointed a thief, Judas, as His treasurer. He invited another thief on the cross to be with Him in paradise. He called Matthew, a despised tax collector, to be one of His disciples. He befriended prostitutes and women of easy virtue, insisting they would enter the kingdom of God before the religious leaders. (Matthew 21:31).

    This is Jesus’ word of grace to entitled Israel: “Many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12).

    CONTINUED

  • Senate President denies receiving N-Power slots from Ministry

    Senate President denies receiving N-Power slots from Ministry

    The Office of the Senate President, has denied media reports that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, had allocated N-Power recruitment slots to the Senate President and other lawmakers.

    Mr Ola Awoniyi, Special Adviser (Media), to President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the denial in a statement, in Abuja on Saturday.

    “The attention of the Office of the Senate President has been drawn to a publication on Sahara Reporters portal, purporting that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management allocated N-Power recruitment slots to the Senate President and other lawmakers.

    Awoniyi said: “We hereby advise members of the public to totally disregard the fake and malicious publication in its entirety, as regards the Senate President.

    “It should be noted that the fairy-tale only blandly and obliquely claimed that some lawmakers printed out application forms from the portal of the scheme, but failed to provide any evidence that this was to fill its speculated allocated slots.

    “We wish to stress that neither the Senate President, nor this office, has anything to do with the purported slots mischievously credited by the publication to the Senate President.

    “We urge the media to always strive to be factual in their reports and abide strictly by the ethics of their profession which require them to hear from all sides and objectively establish the facts, especially before publishing accusations capable of damaging the reputation of public officials.”