Worship
THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012
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NEWS
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HERE were more puzzles than excitement few days ago when popular Lagos-based preacher, Prophet Chris Okafor, returned after 53 days of abduction. Okafor arrived the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) Ikeja to a rousing applause from church members. Surprisingly, he looked ever radiant without any trace of harassment or molestation. While church members clapped away, others simply wondered how someone who was abducted for close to two months looked unruffled and unaffected. He did not lose weight but had indeed added flesh. The general overseer of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles, Ojudu Lagos, was neither unkempt. The fair-complexion handsome preacher even appeared fairer. An observer at the airport wondered: ‘’How come he is looking even cleaner after two months of abduction? How can someone who was in kidnappers’ den for two whole months be this clean?’’ The preacher exchanged banters with some church officials, beaming with smiles as he was escorted to a waiting vehicle amid applause from his followers. This forced many to wonder if he was really kidnapped or arranged the incident. Okafor was reportedly kidnapped on March 11 after holding a crusade tagged Nnewi/Awka power and pro-
Puzzles as kidnapped Lagos pastor returns By Sunday Oguntola phetic conference 2012 with the theme ‘’feast of solution’’. The incident occurred around 12midnight beside Psychiatric Hospital, Nawfia. Okafor was travelling back to Lagos to meet the Sunday service before the abduction. Instead of taking the EnuguOnitsha expressway, his driver reportedly decided to ply the old road. He was said to have discovered that a Camry vehicle with five men was trailing their Black Armada Jeep. The five-man kidnap gang reportedly opened fire on Okafor’s exotic 2009 Armanda Jeep. The heavy fires grounded the vehicles. Attempts by Okafor’s security details to resist the attack turned fatal. While in abduction, Okafor was reportedly in touch with associates and partners of the ministry, soliciting for funds. Okafor, it was gathered, kept calling in the middle of the nights begging acquaintances to save his life. A source, who donated a hefty amount, said there was always heavy gunfire during the midnight calls from Okafor at the background. ‘’He kept saying someone else had been killed, begging
• The bullet-ridden SUV (Inset: Okafor)
that we save his life,’’ the source said. Most of the funds, it was gathered, were paid to a popular deacon in his church (name withheld). Sources said the over N35million was raised by concerned partners and associates to facilitate the release of the flamboyant preacher.
But eyewitnesses at the airport were shocked to see Pastor Tony, his PA, who was said to have been killed during the abduction incident. Tony was grinning with smiles, hugging everyone in sight. Many simply went numb. But there were more surprises.
Instead of heading to his 19bedroom duplex in Magodo, Okafor checked into Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja straight from the airport. He was at the expensive hotel for one week during which his wife and children visited often. An associate said: ‘’How
can someone who was abducted and drained of his hardearned money check into Sheratons after his ordeals? Where did the money to pay the hotel bills come from?’’ They are wondering if the whole incident was stage-managed to convince them to part with their hard-earned money. After many attempts, Okafor spoke with our correspondent last Friday. He attributed his release to the ‘’hands and fingers of God’’. The cleric said his enemies were behind the incident, wondering how he could have arranged it to raise funds. ‘’We are not hungry at all,’’ he began. ‘’There is no reason on earth why I would plan to endanger my life, let alone those of others.’’ On why anyone would be after his life, he said: ‘’If they wanted to kill Jesus, why not me? You don’t have to offend anybody to become a target. ‘’Once you are fulfilling destiny, you become a target but I have forgiven my abductors and their sponsors’’. He said he was held in the same camp with the former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Godfrey Dikeocha. Dikeocha confirmed he was in the same camp with Okafor on phone. He said: ‘’I don’t want to talk about it but for the man of God. We were there together and I can confirm he is a true servant of God’’. Okafor said he was in Sheraton Hotels only for one day ‘’to attend a reception organised by the church’’.
Tributes as Ileri Oluwa is launched
Leave Aregbesola alone, South West CAN pleads
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• Governors Aregbesola and Kayode Fayemi(Ekiti) with Christian leaders and Osun State officials after the visit
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HRISTIANS rose stoutly in defence of Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, last week. They said the governor is too wise and godly to contemplate Islamising Osun State as alleged by political opponents. The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Aregbesola in
By Sunday Oguntola
Government House, Osogbo, said trouble makers should allow the governor concentrate on good governance. Atilade said: ‘’The governor is a prophecy fulfilled. He is here to serve God and the people. He is a god-fearing man who loves people too much to hurt anybody. ‘’He is accommodating and tolerant and cannot contemplate half of the allegations against him. He is for every-
one regardless of religious affiliations.’’ He called on the governor to continue his good works and improve standards of living in the state. The cleric assured that prosperity will judge the governor well considering his populist policies. He called for introduction of interreligious studies in public schools in the state to promote religious harmony. This, he said, ‘’will enable Christians study Koran with
a view to better understanding and Muslims study the Bible.’’ Atilade added: ‘’When we do this, we will douse tensions and ensure religious harmony.’’ Aregbesola promised to protect the interest of all Osun indigenes, regardless of political or religious affiliations. He thanked the delegation for the visit, saying he remained committed to providing good governance despite the many distractions he faces.
RIENDS and well-wishers of Grace Abundance voices, a musical group led by Brother Ezekiel Olusanya, last Sunday converged at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Victory Chapel, Messiah Zonal Headquarters Abule Egba Lagos for launch of its maiden album titled Ileri Oluwa(God’s promise). It was an opportunity for Olusanya to exhibit his passion and recall his days of little beginning. He said he was forced to drop out of secondary school because of financial difficulty. In an emotion-laden voice, Olusanya said: ‘’I came to Lagos with no place to stay but God in His caring ways directed a brother whom I met just once while still in the village. ‘’The brother accommodated me until I got a job as a househelp, the family eventually sent me to secondary school and paid for my WEAC fees, and thereafter I got a scholarship to study at the university’’. He said music has provided a platform for him to serve God and live his passion. The gospel musician explained: “I’ve always wanted to be a member of my church choir while still in the village, so when I got to Lagos I immediately joined the choir and became vibrant in the group. ‘’This album is a collective effort of Grace Abundance Voices, and I really give God all the Glory and adoration
for letting my desired dream come to reality”. The guest preacher, Pastor Jide Olabiyi urged others to learn from Olusanya and be diligent. In his message titled ‘’reward of diligence’’, Olabiyi said: “People who have faith in themselves and are diligent will always succeed in whatever they do”. He added: “if you are diligent and focused, nothing will derail you from your ambition, no amount of peer pressure can make you backslide because God will renew your strength and make your faith stands firm.” He enjoined Olusanya to continue in his good stead as a song minister in the Lord’s vineyard and see where the Lord would lead him. “Ileri Oluwa is good song with sound spiritual teaching, and a good instrument to propagate the words of God and at the same time win soul for the Kingdom of God.