Lagos Pastor, David Ajibade Hosts Bethel 2018 (PHOTOS)

This year edition of Bethel 2018 was held between December 8 and 16, in Lagos. The annual event is a spiritual convention of House of Prayer Apostolic Mission, Meiran, Lagos. The theme for this year’s event was Fresh Oil, and it turned out to be a most impactful and fruitful event. The Presiding Minister of the Church, Pastor David Ajibade and other anointed men of God ministered during the event. 

UBA Academy Gets CIBN Accreditation for Excellence in Training, Capacity Building

In recognition of its high standard, quality of human resources development, training and capacity building, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN) has certified and awarded UBA Academy the certificate of accreditation in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Competency Framework for the banking industry .

UBA Academy, the dedicated learning and development centre of the Pan African financial institution,  United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, was accorded the new recognition of excellence at a ceremony presided over by the President/Chairman of Council of the institute, Dr. Uche Olowu in Lagos on Thursday.

According to the president of the institute, UBA Academy was conferred with the new status having met the rigorous standards set for the delivery of their suites of programmes by the Institute.

The certification follows rigorous assessment exercise carried out by the institute’s Capacity Building Committee, the accreditation agency under the competency framework for the country’s banking and finance industry instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“This Accreditation is an affirmation that UBA Academy has adopted and complied with the minimum assessment standards for programmes run by the organisation, which have gained a label of recognition and distinction,” Olowu said.

According to him the accreditation of UBA Academy would enable its graduates to be eligible for exemptions from various subjects in the banking professional examinations thereby facilitating their completion of the Chartered Banker examination.  “This will not only enable them comply with the provisions of the Competency Framework for the banking industry, it will go a long way in the strengthening of the intellectual resources and capabilities available in their institutions,” he concluded.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Bank’s Group Head Human Resources, Mrs Patricia Aderibigbe, while appreciating the recognition conferred on the UBA Academy, said the academy has already embarked on training for the future with digitisation of its training programmes and modules.

“With Ignite, UBA has taken training into the future as we believe that the only way to get the best results and continually stay ahead of the curve is to continually sharpen our most important asset – our people, using mobile technology,” Aderibigbe said.

Aderibigbe  promised that UBA Academy will continuously seek improvement in ensuring that it serves the needs of industry in a changing banking industry.

IN PICTURES: Ambode Attends 2018 Lagos National Convention of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship Int’l

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); National President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International-Nigeria (FGBMFI), Arc. Ifeanyi Odedo (left) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (right) during the 2018 Lagos National Convention of the FGBMFI, at the Police College, Ikeja, on Saturday, November 17, 2018.

 

Zamfara Twins: Kidnappers Demand N15m, Vow To Kill One If Payment Not Made On Time

The abductors Zamfara twin sisters have threatened to kill one of the girls if payment of their ranson is not made on time.

The twins, Hassana and Hussaina, were kidnapped last month in Dauran town while distributing the invitation cards of their wedding.

A family member, Ibrahim Abubakar, who spoke with the kidnappers and the twins on phone said the kidnappers had reduced the ransom to N15million.

“We are only able to get N6m selling our properties and receiving contributions from family members, politicians, traders and ordinary people,” Mr Abdubakar told DAILY NIGERIAN on Thursday night.

In a viral audio clip, one of the twin sisters, Hussaina was heard sobbing, complaining about maltreatment and appealing for help.

“I am battling with headache. We are in dire situation, they are about to kill us,” Hussaina sobbed.

“The beat us every morning. Please help rescue us. Even yesterday, they slaughtered some people in our presence.

“We are starving. Please get contributions even from the general public.”

But one of the abductor’s interjected, saying the call would be the last he would make with the twins as they failed to deliver the ransom.

The state government had last week directed the recruitment of 8,500 civilian Joint Task Force operatives from 17 emirate councils across the state to assist security agencies in combating insecurity.

Siju Iluyomade Hosts 10th Arise Women Conference

The annual conference of Arise Women, a faith-based non-governmental organization committed to accelerating nation building through the empowerment of women in the society held it’s 10th edition on Saturday, 27 October 2018 at the City of David Sanctuary (COD) Church Road, Off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Dideolu Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference hosted and convened by Mrs Siju Iluyomade with the theme, “Arise Now” had the Vice President’s wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Wife of Lagos State, Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode;  wife of the Imo state governor, Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha;  first lady of Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Joke Adefulire.
Others were Former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun; wife of Enugu State Governor; Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi and Rev. Mrs. Tina Bawa amongst others.

Leading in songs and unparalleled worship was a line up of A-list guest gospel artists including King Sunny Ade, Adewale Ayuba, Tope Alabi, Chioma Jesus, Kunle Ajayi, Nathanel Bassey, Frank Edwards, Deejay Sax, Bukola Bekes, Frank Edwards, Enitan Adaba, Ash Ekiye, Big Bolaji, Ayan Jesu and Bois Olorun.

There was free medical talk/screening during the conference for Cervical Cancer screening, Blood Sugar level, Blood Pressure, Skin Care Consultation, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Meningitis and Free Dialysis Treatment.

Archbishop Benson Idahosa Deserves National Posthumous Award

The leadership of the Church of God Mission International says the late founder of the church, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, deserves a national posthumous award in recognition of his numerous contributions to the social-economic development of the country.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Church’s 50-year anniversary, Prof. John Okhuoya, made the assertion on Wednesday in Benin, while briefing newsmen on the preparations for the event which will hold on Saturday, 15 September, 2018.

He said if a day could be set aside to honour the late Martin Luther King, the church also hopes that one day, the federal government will also set aside a day to honour the late Archbishop who has done the country proud internationally and locally.

He said the church will keep reminding those in the corridors of power to do the needful by rewarding​ those who have contributed immensely to the growth and survival of the country.

“How can we quantify what he has done to this nation. We are passionate about it. We feel that Papa has not been properly honoured; not even one university even if it is posthumous.

“Papa deserves a national honour, papa deserves a recognition. We have approached some persons and it appears that our efforts will not be in vain. Let those in the corridors of powers do something to honour this man.

“This medium is to provoke people to know that there is something that can be done. We are not relenting. We will keep pushing the matter until papa is given the right place of honour in this country,” he said.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to deliver the Golden Jubilee lecture titled “The Christian, Politics and Nation Building.”

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: Rev Mother Esther Ajayi Takes The US By Storm, Hosts Joint Crusade of CCC, C&S

Last weekend, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, the founder of the Love of Christ of Generation (C & S) Church, London and The Esther Ajayi Foundation, shut down New York, the financial capital of the world, for the second edition of Celebrate The Comforter 2018, a mega Christian crusade. 

The event took place on Saturday, July 28, at the United Palace, Broadway, New York, the United Stares of America, USA. 

The event was designed to glorify God and to also act as a bonding agent between the Cherubim & Seraphim Church and the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC. 

The event was graced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ooni of Ife, HRM  Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi  and the Chairman of Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu,  Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi, Prince Iyiola Ayoade and many other dignitaries. It recorded a massive turnout of faithfuls from both the Celestial Church of Christ and Cherubim and Seraphim.

This year’s edition of a celebrate The Comforter was directed by Ola Ajayi. 

Photo Credit: Aydin Adem (Adesoji Ajayi)

@ayinademyildirim


 

T.B. Joshua: Celebrating God’s Gift At 55

Prophet T.B. Joshua deserves to be celebrated from different perspectives, especially at a time like this when the nation is passing through some kind of recession. He has put smiles on faces and has become the greatest friend of the poor and downtrodden in society. Apart from his healing and deliverance gifts, Prophet T.B. Joshua walks tall in several aspects of human endeavours. The story of his life is an excellent demonstration of God’s ability to use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. With just primary school education, the General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations has established himself as a force to reckon with in God’s vineyard.

His ministry is arguably the most visited Christian ministry in the whole of Africa and has continued to attract scintillating reviews from the international media. Tens of thousands of visitors from across the world have continued to throng the Ikotun-Egbe based ministry in search of spiritual succor. But it does not end there. The man of God understands the challenges of the troubled world and has maintained a rare reputation for helping individuals, institutions and nations overcome their spiritual as well as socio-economic challenges through crusades and humanitarian efforts.

Uncountable number of people both Nigerians and foreigners have continued to benefit from his ministry’s milk of human kindness. Through his ministry’s Emmanuel TV Partners, millions of lives, nations and destinies have been changed across the world. According to the man of God, true love always searches for whom to help whenever and wherever it is in a position to do so. How he has been able to maturely manage the bad press emanating from the collapsed building incident remains very phenomenal. He has maintained a calm and unperturbed disposition – a quality that can only be God-given especially in situations of crisis. T.B. Joshua is the only Nigerian pastor that is hardly seen around the corridors of power. You will never find him in any government house because he believes that a true servant of God should be for all and not frolic around with politicians. We have seen some Christian leaders who have rubbished their reputation because of money and partisan politics but Prophet Joshua prefers to empower the masses.

In the last two years, the man of God has received both national and international recognitions for his exemplary service to mankind. He was recently ranked amongst the most famous prophets in the history of mankind. The ranking was contained in a publication by an America-based research organization – www.Ranker.com. According to the organization, the ranking was based on votes from over 250 million people worldwide. A statement on its website read, “From reputable, prominent, and well known prophets to the lesser known prophets of today, these are some of the best professionals in the prophet field. If you want to answer the questions, “Who are the most famous prophets ever?” and “What are the names of famous prophets?” then you are in the right place.

The publication, which parades a total of 71 prophets named T.B. Joshua as number 13 in the world and number one in Africa followed by the late Joseph Ayo Babalola who occupies number 32 in the world and number 2 in Africa. Only these two prophets are named from Africa. The list included great biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Elisha, Micah and Paul the Apostle, amongst others. The publication describes Prophet T.B. Joshua thus, “Temitope Balogun Joshua (born June 12, 1963), commonly referred to as T.B. Joshua, is a Nigerian preacher. He is the leader of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a religious organization that runs the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos, Nigeria.

He has been awarded various accolades, notably receiving the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government in 2008 and being voted the Yoruba man of the decade by Pan-Yoruba media outlet, Irohin Odua. He was recognised as one of Africa’s 50 most influential people by Pan-African magazines, The Africa Report and New African Magazine and also listed among world’s most famous prophets”.

Born on June 12, 1963, in a rustic village of Arigidi in Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria, Joshua is said to have spent 15 months in his mother’s womb. His birth and early development is also said to be shrouded in mysteries after narrowly escaping a boulder from a nearby quarry, which came crashing inches near him in his parents’ house. The name ‘Temitope’, meaning “what you (God) has done for me is worthy of thanks”. He attended St. Stephens’ Anglican Primary School but failed to complete secondary school due to poverty. While in primary school, he was referred to as the small pastor and led evangelical activities. His ambition to join the Nigerian Army went crashing after the train that was to convey him developed fault along the way and left him stranded for six days. Prophet T.B. Joshua also washed people’s feet on the muddy corners of Lagos and worked as a poultry attendant to earn a living. His ministry, The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, alongside the Emmanuel TV Partners, has become synonymous with acts of charity, healing and humanitarian efforts across the globe. Two years ago he was listed among the world’s famous people by www.thefamouspeople.com.

Trump, Others Mourn Billy Graham

U.S. President Donald Trump was among world’s prominent men who mourned the death of Rev. Billy Graham on Wednesday after he called the evangelist “a very special man” who will be dearly missed.

Trump as usual took to his twitter handle to honour the evangelist saying, “The GREAT Billy Graham is dead,”

“There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man.”

Trump tweets for Billy Graham

Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday at age 99.

Graham, who long suffered from cancer, pneumonia and other ailments, died at his home in North Carolina, spokesman Mark DeMoss said.

Vice President Pence called Graham “one of the greatest Americans of the century.”

“Billy Graham’s ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his matchless voice changed the lives of millions,” Pence said.

“We mourn his passing but I know with absolute certainty that today he heard those words, ‘well done good and faithful servant.’ Thank you Billy Graham.”

Former President George H.W. Bush referred to Graham as “America’s pastor” and recalled Graham visiting his family in Maine, where they would take boat rides and “talk about life.”

“His faith in Christ and his totally honest evangelical spirit inspired people across the country and around the world.

“I think Billy touched the hearts of not only Christians, but people of all faiths, because he was such a good man. I was privileged to have him as a personal friend,” Bush said.