Now, What Is So Bad In Men Of God Living Well?

Bombardier Challenger-601-1a Interior

A lot of comments have trailed the news of the new jet acquired by President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Judging from the comments I’ve read, a lot of people think it is such a bad idea for the man of God to acquire a jet.
The USA manufactured 10-seater Bombadier/ Challenger 601 aircraft was marked N431CB. The Challenger 601 is a heavy jet that sits up to 10 passengers and has a range of 3,900 nautical miles. It has a full enclosed lavatory and a flight attendant for additional comfort. The luxurious and spacious cabin of the Challenger 601 is perfect to conduct meetings or simply relax.
“l am not interested in pastor having or not having a private jet but how much is the church paying as tax to the government for them to have this kind of luxury? Simple.”
“Pastor,your mother challenged God for a male child in a better church than what you founded.It would have been better if you have been serving God in the baptist church.By now,you would have understood that you do not need this private jet that you have just acquired.Vanity upon vanity.”
“One would think maybe even jesus had some real pimped out donkey with gold and diamonds all over it. Utter foolishness and clear 419. When do pastors have so much money while there are people in the same bloody church who find it hard to afford 3 square meals a day.”
“There’s indeed money, stupendous MONEY IN THE WORD. Little wonder there’s no shortage of potential dealers (some call them Pastors) and aspiring dealerships or churches if you may. LORD HAVE MERCY!”
“Can one buy shares in these churches ?”
“I would’ve been very happy to read that Pastor Ayo is inviting men of God from UK, USA, and those in Nigeria and other African Countries for an interdenominational crusade in the city of Maidugri.
I strongly believe too that people all over would’ve been happy to hear that the leader of CAN in Nigeria in conjunction with Nigerian prays had stage a day national prayers in Jos to mark his 40th yrs on pulpit.
If the CAN president would’ve channeled the huge amount in acquiring private jet into evangelising, holding crusade in the entire northern region, holding talks with his counterpart in the north i sincerely believe there would’ve been a turned around in the life of terrorist and their sponsors as in the life of Pual,”
“God knows about d serious problem of mammon worship. Your advice, prayers and help is needed not your condemnation.”
These are the kind of comments readers of published stories about the new jet made, most as you can see condemns the new acquisition.
Forbes recently made a list of the wealthiest men of God in Nigeria, followed shortly by a report from a UK-based newspaper about alleged accusations by members of Bishop David Oyedepo’s UK church that they were being extorted.
Most of the arguments I’ve heard about the riches of the men of God are geared towards seeing them live modestly and give back to the society. As good as this is, people seem to go too far in challenging and condemning every step men of God take.
They are men of God, they are supposed to watch over God’s people, but they are also humans; men like you and me with families and children who would live after them. Tell me why they should live only for others. What will be the lot of their families?
They are men of God, but being a man of God is their profession as we all have ours. As we get promoted in our works and our wages gets increased, they also deserve better. They shop where we shop, live where we live, they are humans just like us and they deserve good lives.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been a pastor for 40 years. If you are in a profession for 40 years and still can’t live as well as you’d love to, it means you have failed. More so, reports say the jet was a gift from his church.
We should stop condemning every step they take. They are not superhuman because they are men of God; they are just like you and me, and they can make mistakes, even worse mistakes than you make. There are even mere men that are as close to God as the people tagged ‘men of God’.
Yes, they should help the poor, give as much as possible to their societies, but it doesn’t mean they should not live well.
I’m not disputing that there are some pastors that are in the ministry for business, but who are we to judge? They don’t answer to us, they answer to God. Even the churches with the weirdest of doctrines have members; part of us.
Now, let’s move on to better things and stop condemning, or for some people, feeling bad about the success of men of God.
InformationNigeria.org

“There were irregularities in the Ondo elections” – Jega

The re-elected governor of Ondo State Olusegun Mimiko, Labour Party candidate.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega has admitted that there were some irregularities and imperfections in the October 20, 2012, governorship election in Ondo State.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND in Washington, DC, United States, on Thursday night, Jega said: “To be honest, there were some imperfections and irregularities during the just-concluded governorship poll in Ondo State. The irregularities were very few compared to all the other elections we have conducted since April 2011.
“For example, in Ilaje area, we had a situation where some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members disappeared on the election day and we had to cancel results in about 25 wards; the number of wards cancelled did not affect the final result but it is an unfortunate thing that there were such irregularities because these are people who have signed up for election duty and they disappeared when they were needed.”
The INEC chairman stated further that there are always irregularities in any election but noted that the most important thing is that such irregularities should not constitute factors that can affect the success of elections.
Speaking on the allegations of the opposition parties that the election was rigged in favour of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Jega said: “You know politicians can say anything they like and you cannot stop people from making accusations or allegations, but if they have any evidence, let them go and prove it in the court.
“It is clear and the fact of the matter is that we trained corps members. We knew they were supposed to come and collect materials and, suddenly, they did not come to collect those materials; they disappeared. And you know there was nothing we could do than to make sure that no election took place in the affected areas. If election did not take place, you couldn”t declare results in those places.”
Earlier at a seminar tagged “Towards the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria”, held at the Wilson Centre in Washington, DC, Jega said that the electoral body was striving to make 2015 elections substantially better than 2011 by drawing lessons and factoring them into the commission’s preparations for the polls.
He also berated Nigerian politicians who often make use of their resources and influence to exhibit what he called “do or die mentality”, stressing that INEC would continue to work on such politicians in order to achieve remarkable improvement in the 2015 elections in Nigeria.
He also said that electoral offences are often committed in Nigeria with impunity, adding that this was the reason the electoral body supports the calls for the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal that will be handling the prosecution of electoral offenders.
Speaking on the preparations of INEC for the 2015 elections, Jega promised that it would improve on stakeholders’ consultations, increase civic and voter education, refine and improve use of technology and accreditation, improve in the training of electoral officers and increase transparency and integrity of the country’s electoral process.
 DailyPost

Zimbabwe First Lady Refers To Nigeria As War-torn, Asks Zimbabweans To Stop Visiting Nigerian Prophets

President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace has blasted members of Nigerian preacher TB Joshua’s church who frequently fly out of Zimbabwe going for healing and other church meetings.
Mrs Mugabe said Zimbabweans should not waste their money visiting foreign prophets but should instead seek salvation cheaper locally.
Addressing thousands of Christians of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa, ZAOGA, at the Today’s Women Conference at Glamis Stadium in Harare yesterday, Grace referred to Christians who visit what she termed war-torn countries naming Nigerian and Ghana, of which it could be only TB Joshua’s country Nigeria since it is the other of the two which is war torn.
“I really don’t understand why scores of people are putting their faith on foreign preachers. They are having to raise a lot of money to visit them when in Zimbabwe we are blessed with anointed people of God who are able to do even greater things,” she said.
Grace Mugabe’s comments come at a time when scores of Zimbabweans, including Cabinet ministers, are flock¬ing to countries such as Ghana and Nigeria seeking divine intervention.
“It doesn’t matter which denomina¬tion you belong to, we are all seeking one God. Believe in our prophets and stop wasting money visiting faraway countries. In Zimbabwe we have people who, through prayer, can heal you from your sickness and restore your broken marriage.
“People have this misconception that Zimbabweans do not know how to pray. Little do they know that we have a lot of anointed people who are able to help us because they know the environ¬ment that we are operating under. A closer look at the countries which are being thronged by our people reveals that they are torn by war and hunger,” she said.
Grace Mugabe told the thousands of people who attended the last day of the conference, organised by Prophetess Eunor Guti of the Zimbabwe Assem¬blies of God, that she also seeks the help of local spiritual leaders.
“I might be Grace Mugabe of Zimbabwe, but I cannot do it all on my own,” she said to wild applause.
“I go to Amai Guti seeking guid¬ance and she prays for me. The prayers enable me to keep my family and life together. I see God’s power in her and I have come to realise that God gives you people in your life to do certain tasks that you cannot do on your own because they are anointed in that area.
“There is no point in trying to com¬pete or badmouth the anointed because theirs is a gift from God.”
Amai Mugabe added that she also believes in fasting as she seeks God.
“Prayer and fasting have sustained me and I have also learnt to ask God for wisdom every day.
“The book of James 1:5 says: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let them ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him.’
“To know what to do require wis¬dom that comes from God,” she said.
The conference ran from November 8-10 and attracted dele¬gates from more than 182 countries.
InformationNigeria.org

Lam Adesina in Oyo, Ondo Governor’s Press Secretary, 2 PDP members die in Akure

Alhaji Lamidi Adésínà, former Oyo State Governor has died aged 73.
He is to be buried today at his Felele residence according to Islamic rites. Adesina was a dependable member of the old political guard. Adesina was born on 20 January 1939. He attended Loyola college in Ibadan and studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1961-1963. Later he attended the university of Ibadan in 1971. He worked in private educational institutions before entering politics. He was born on 20 January 1939.
Meanwhile, former  Press Secretary to Dr Olusegun Agagu, Babatunde Carter has died. He slumped at his home yesterday and passed away before he could get to the hospital. He was an energetic and hard-working broadcaster. Friends have visited the Carter’s home in Alagbaka since the incidence.
Two other members of the Ondo State PDP were also reported dead yesterday in Akure.  They include a former Akure South Youth Leader popularly known as Bowo and a Ward Youth leader Segun Alawaye. The 3 deaths have plunged the Akure South PDP into mourning.

The late Tunde Carter

LibertyReport

El-Rufai mocks Pastor Oritsejafor on his new private jet

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has ridiculed the decision of members of the Word of Life Bible Church, to purchase a private jet for their founder, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor on his birthday.
As soon as the news broke on social media and went viral, El-Rufaia tweeted one of the links to the story and added: “Hope Bakare will receive same…hehehe..no!”
It was perceived by a lot of people as a blow below the belt, as Pastor Tunde Bakare, who is a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), will probably not accept such gift from his members.  And moreso, President Goodluck Jonathan was present at the occasion.
El-Rufai also went on to retweet the tweets that supported his stand on the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s new aircraft.
DailyPost

Oshiomole Explains Why He Sacked Some Teachers: “The Bible Says He Who Does Not Work, Does Not Eat’’

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has explained that his government took a tough stance against erring teachers, because even “the Bible says he who does not work, does not eat.’’
Oshiomhole said this at an Inter-denominational Service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for him in Benin City on Saturday, as part of activities to usher in a second tenure in office on Monday.
Oshiomhole said he prays to God every day to have the courage to do the right thing for the people of the state.
The service attracted the cream of the society in Edo State including former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria, market women, Youths and students.
The event was held at the hard court of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
On the plea by the Chairman of the CAN, Edo Chapter, Bishop Peter Imasuen, for the recall of the sacked teachers, Oshiomhole said: “the prayer I ask for everyday is for God to give me the courage and wisdom to take the right decision.
“The Chairman of CAN has asked me to undo all that we have done. I am a Catholic and every day I ask God to forgive me my sins, even as I forgive those who sin against me.
“I appreciate the power of forgiveness but the Bible says the labourer deserves his wages and the Bible also says that those who do not work should not eat.
“And these are the challenges of leadership. The Bible also tells us that if a finger leads you to commit sin, it is better to cut it off.
“If a teacher would lead us to commit sin we better dismiss that teacher.
“For Edo to work, all its parts must work. Every man and woman of age must work. That is why I take my work seriously.
“Every leader must device the right means under the guidance of God to deploy the carrot and the stick.
“Just as much as you desire to honour or reward those who helped to deliver service,you must also find the courage to bring to line those who think they can earn without working” he explained.
Oshiomhole remarked that the courage to do the two was what he asked for and the courage to define the limit, and that “is what has guided me”.
The Governor said “it is important that I also clarify that it hurts me when I have to say to a man who voted for me only four months ago that his job is over.
“Ninety- eight percent of those teachers or more voted for me. I actually met some of them and know some by their names.
“I know they are relations of ACN leaders. Even yesterday, I learnt that one is the wife of a very senior ACN leader, a very personal friend.
“But my understanding of my brief is that, if I don’t have the courage to instill discipline in our public service, the capacity of the government to deliver will be severely weakened”.
Oshiomhole, explained that all those beautiful schools will come to naught if the teachers are in Onitsha when they are supposed to be in the classroom, adding that “I worry about the future of our state.”
“If we must have a work force that would produce men and women who have the capacity and the skill to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria, we must pay maximum attention to access, quality of public schools with teachers that are ready to teach and impact knowledge in an environment that is enabling,” the governor noted.
InformationNigeria.org

When Conscience Flees

FATIMA AKILU

Can man without conscience ever really be whole, I had previously thought no, believing that the internal barometer that combines guilt with the sense of right and wrong exists in all of us and would ultimately save our souls. It is that mental stop light that prevents us from giving free reign to our basest instincts, the line that separates us from the animal kingdom.
However, events in our recent history make me now wonder if, in fact, we are living in a narcissist world of self-denial, and that we have slowly become animals.  It is only in the animal kingdom that when one kills another, there is no expectation of remorse.
We have always gone to great lengths to assert moral superiority over non-humans in the territories we jointly share. We are proud of the higher order of things that distinguish us, such as our ability to reason, to think abstractly and view the world from multiple perspectives.
The need to live in groups and share space and resources draw on yet other fine human traits, such as empathy, compassion, justice and fairness. We have spent time and money crafting institutions that are both religious and secular to ensure that we live within rules that care for the most vulnerable among us.
The laws of evolution are such that our higher order traits, with each new generation getting refined and developed further. Thus the generations after us, by the normal rules of nature, should consist of  more superior beings, who are stronger, healthier and probably more intelligent than we are.
But somehow in Nigeria, the usual order of things is being truncated; in fact we are regressing in many areas that will define our next century. We are less intelligent due to the disintegration of our school system and the failure to teach critical thinking skills, as well as the stifling of the growth of imagination. We are less healthy, due to poorer diets, increased prevalence of diseases and poor health care facilities.
That is just the beginning. The failure of both the institution of the law and religion meant that our society has failed and we have in fact collapsed.  The human structure is in decay; those things that prop us up that make us who we are no longer exist.
Conscience has fled, leaving only an empty shell, stripped of its humanity. We are back right where we began in the animal kingdom.
The darkness that surrounds us is enveloped in talk of war - yes, we are at war, a war larger than we can conceive, for it is a war within the self. A battle so fierce is being fought with our soul; it has killed our spirit, stolen our conscience and seems to be on the winning side.
The rules that guide the conduct of any society, be it in the areas of behaviour or morality, usually come from the top. It trickles down because those in the lower classes of society emulate the top as a way to better themselves. This top-down approach works both ways.
As the ruling elites and the other 10% that occupy that coveted space at the top, have gradually lost their ways, allowing immorality, greed and other forms of avarice to be their constant bedfellows, the lower rungs of society have similarly copied them. Gradually, all notions of our humanity are fading. We have adopted a whole new set of values that is focused on preserving the self at all cost, regardless of how many casualties are scattered in its wake.
Living in the new jungle we have created, everyone makes the laws that they can live with; communal laws apply only to the stupid. In this new world we have created, supported with new modes of thinking that are totally without empathy, we believe we can take at whim whatever we want from the weakest among us.
It is this current societal order that allows our politicians to continue looting the treasury even when logic tells them that their behaviour is tilting the scales of our crumbling giant, leading him to a precarious cliff edge that could cause it to collapse any minute. It is this same order that allows civil servants to pocket monies meant for hospitals, schools, roads, agriculture. Reduced to thinking like animals, we all fail to really truly take stock of how our behaviour is affecting us collectively.
Living for the day now defines our existence; we care only about the millions that we have got our hands on. Like the animals that we have become, we fail to see that without the infrastructure it was meant to provide, we will never be able to enjoy this money in the country that most of us want to continue to live in. We do not even realise that we have killed the country. We go to bed and sleep on our naira-stuffed pillows. Those without, we have long ceased to think of them as our responsibility.
We have become hard, a nation devoid of a single space for light to exist in its heart. I have long since given up hope that our managers will change and suddenly grow a conscience that will stir their hearts in the direction of the people’s suffering, but I am now growing despondent that the people have also emulated some of the abominably insensitive behaviour of our leaders, and, when they can, they too act without conscience or remorse.
Such was the case last night when, on my way home, a poor soul in his attempt to cross over a busy highway, where no pedestrian crossing was provided, was hit by a car. The car accelerated; in his attempt to speed away, he drove a couple of cars off the road.
This was not an ordinary car, but a police patrol officer, most probably on duty. In my heart, I thought this man, an officer of the law we once feared, will go home to his family, have dinner and sleep like a baby, grateful that he had got away with possible murder. That, to me, says it all. This is  our new Nigeria, where we are most closely related in action and behaviour to animals. God save our crumbling giant.
Leadership