I never wanted to be a pastor, says Adeboye
Vanguard on April 06, 2014
A multitude of accompanied children from across the nation, on Friday night, listened, with rapt attention, when the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, relived how he objected to his election to be a pastor by the founder of the church, the late Rev. Josiah Akindayomi.
Preaching a short sermon entitled: “Great and mighty seeds”, at the April Holy Ghost Service dedicated to children, the 72 years old former mathematics lecturer recounted how he joined the then unknown RCCG because of a problem and was contented with the salvation of his soul.
Justifying his teaching on the theory of how people attain greatness in life, he maintained that some people are born great, some others become great by dint of their own efforts while others have greatness thrusted upon them. According to him, a problem brought him to the church.
”But not long after, Papa Akindayomi said I was going to be ordained pastor. I was not prepared to become a pastor. I was satisfied with just coming to the church to worship and go home,” he narrated, adding, however, that the founder called him a few years after to tell him he had been ordained to succeed him.
”I couldn’t say no to him immediately. So when I got back to the University of Ilorin where I was a lecturer, I wrote a letter to the founder telling him to appoint someone else. I was prepared to assist whoever turned out to be his choice. Papa was an illiterate, he couldn’t read. Thank God, the one who read the letter to him is here on the platform tonight; Pastor David Kuo,” he stated, turning to the direction where members of the Governing Council of the church were seated.
Adeboye said there are three categories of greatness in life; those who were born great, those who attained greatness and those who had greatness bestowed on them, noting that there were in certain cases some people who combined two of the categories like Isaac and Solomon while in other occasions some combined the three categories.
”A classical example of people who combined the three categories was Elisha,” he said elucidating his point with the biblical narrative of how even after death, the bones of Elisha continued to heal people.
The RCCG leader said another example of someone who combined the three categories was Jesus Christ, drawing attention to several biblical passages including Matthew 3, Luke 1:30-33, Acts 10:38, Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:11-12 and Romans 8:16-17.
He said, however, that anybody could become great, noting that as soon as one becomes born again, he has become great but he must work hard to remain great by meeting all his spiritual obligations to God.
In continuation of the special service for the Nation’s children, the General Overseer is expected to pray for students at all levels today at the national headquarters of the church at Ebute Metta, Lagos. The service will begin at 7.30 a.m.
Again, gunmen kill 70 in Zamfara
•Burn down village
Sunday Tribune
Barely 48 hours after gunmen killed 22 people in two villages in Zamfara State, suspected Fulani cattle rustlers struck again on Saturday, killing about 70 people in Yar Galadima village of Maru Local government of the state.
An eyewitness told Sunday Tribune that the hoodlums, numbering over 70, stormed the venue of a meeting being held by the vigilance group in the village to discuss security challenges in the area and the neighbouring states of Kaduna and Niger.
Findings gathered that in attendance were members of the vigilance group, youths and community leaders in these concerned states.
The day, it was also said, was the market day of the village, which made the number of people around to be on the high side.
According to a source, midway into the meeting, the armed bandits stormed the venue between 3.30 p.m and 4 p.m. and surrounded the entire building.
The source revealed that the gunmen, who reportedly came with sophisticated weapons such as Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs) and AK 47 rifles, sprayed those at the meeting with bullets, killing about 70 people on the spot.
They also reportedly set fire on the village before fleeing.
“We counted about 70 corpses on the ground”, the source declared, saying that other bodies were yet to be recovered from nearby bushes.
As of the time of filing the report, the Sunday Tribune investigations revealed that the corpses of some of the 70 deceased persons had been deposited at the General Hospital, Dansadau, while others were still lying on the ground in the village.
Also, the source declared that the town had turned to a shadow of itself, as many people fled the village for safety.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Lawal Abdullahi, confirmed the attack. However, he said that 30 people were feared dead and not 70.
He disclosed that the Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Bichi, had deployed counter-terrorism squad to the area in order to maintain law and order.
Also, soldiers and mobile policemen were stationed at the village to secure it.
Sunday Tribune also learnt that the Assistant Commisioner of Police, Operations, the Divisional Police Officer, Karu, and other senior officers visited the village on Saturday night.
Maru Local Government is said to be the largest local government in Zamfara State and is also reputed to be the most problematic.
APC governors shun Jonathan daughter’s wedding
National Mirror on 06 April, 2014
Almost all the state governors on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), including Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday stayed away from the traditional wedding ceremony of the foster daughter of President Goodluck Jonathan, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
However, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State was present on the occasion. The society wedding of Faith Elizabeth Sakwe and her husband, Osim Godswill Edward, attracted dignitaries which include serving governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, ministers, service chiefs and captains of industry.
The ceremony was held amid tight security at the private residence of the President located off Nikton Road in Kpansia axis of the state capital.
Some of the security agencies in the area include the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, State Security Service (SSS), National Security, Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Security personnel at the venue of the wedding ceremony frisked dignitaries, including politicians and well-wishers, before they were allowed entry into the expansive premises.
Some of the dignitaries that graced the event are Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River State) Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Theodore Orji(Abia) Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa ) and PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih.
Others include political organisations such as the Progressive Friends of Nigeria (PFON), Continuity Movement for Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa People Assembly and the Progressive Friends Foundation(PFF) which distributed hand bills with inscription ‘Good Deeds of Goodluck’ .
While pronouncing his fatherly blessings, the President said Faith’s husband had become his son by reason of marriage.
While congratulating the couple, Jonathan said he and his wife had blessed their union as they prayed it would be a successful one.
He said: “With what has happened now, you are now my son. My wife and I bless you. Congratulations, my son. We pray the marriage will succeed.”