T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 2, 2016
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EVENT
Gospel Singers Light Up Spirit Life Conference Vanesa Obioha
B
eyond expectations, the 2016 Spirit Life Conference was a memorable one for many who attended. The five-day programme was incredibly empowering with provocative words of wisdom, knowledge and revelation from great men of God as well as musical celebration from renowned gospel artistes. At the Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos were it held, hundreds of true worshippers filled the auditorium to witness the word and musical ministrations. Nathaniel Bassey, Micah Stampley raised the roof with their melodies from the very first day of the conference. Performing hit tracks like ‘Onise Iyanu’, ‘Imela’ and ‘Hallelujah’ the incredible duo set the atmosphere of healing and worship for the conference. Eno Michael and Sammie Okposo were not left out in the jubilation. Sampling their own unique beats they evoked soulful worship and even got the congregation to their feet with their eclectic beats. Tagged ‘From Glory To Glory’, this year’s event was an amazing reminder that there is hope for a better future both for the church and the nation. Dr. Abel Damina who many described as a radical but dangerously rooted teacher of the scriptures kicked off the programme with a powerful sermon. His teachings penetrated the soul of the congregation and they were able to understand the different relationships and covenants that were cut with the people of God in the Old Testament and New Testament. “There is a level of the glory in the Old Testament (which is a relationship built on man’s abilities) and a higher level of glory in the New Testament (a relationship built on grace and what God can do)”. Evidently, this revelation filled the congregation with understanding as they nodded in unison. Also speaking at the event was Dr. Jamal Bryant from the United States. He exposed the incredible reality that Africa will soon be the focal point of global development. Amidst rounds of prophetic declarations, he gave the congregation a reason to hope against all hopes and believe that the glory of our nation will soon be manifested to the world. Another unforgettable speaker at the conference was Dr Jasmin Sculark. She created an electrifying ambience with her ministration that many called her an an unstoppable powerhouse. Gracing the podium on the second day, her teaching on the painful sacrifices for a greater good stirred a lot of deep resolve in the heart of the congregation. If Sculark was unstoppable, Bishop Tudor Bismark proved to be unapologetic in his sermon where he established God’s desire for His children
Paul Adefarasin
to have not just good gifts, but perfect gifts. He reminded the Christians of how gifted they truly were, and how well these gifts can make room for them before mighty kings. He listed out these gifts to include gifts of salvation, the Holy Spirit, ministry, health and wealth and the gift of leadership and power. Any form of confoundment was easily unclouded by his amazing and skillful delivery of God’s word and the Holy Spirit that the congregation readily grasped his teachings. The host, Pastor Paul Adefarasin rounded off the conference on Sunday with a thunderous sermon straight from the oracle of heaven. His sermon, titled ‘Living in Glory’, was beautifully tailored for such a time as this. He shared great insights on how blessed we are though our circumstances may say otherwise. He further encouraged the congregation not to lose heart but to make declarations of goodness and blessings as kings that they truly are. For they have been given dominion over everything in the earth and should represent the glory of God in this present time. Saving the best for last, the church choir, Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir gave a superb rendition of gospel songs with their heavenly voices, raising the volume of worship in the gathering. Not a few left the church without a commendable note on their performance.
Nathaniel Bassey
Abel Damina
Budding Entrepreneur Programme Kicks Off Twenty young entrepreneurs from different parts of Nigeria are presently in Lagos for the second edition of the Budding Entrepreneur Program of the Young Business Leaders of Nigeria. The participants were chosen from a pool of 30,000 applicants through a rigorous selection process. In the next six weeks, they will be groomed in management, leadership and entrepreneurial skills to improve their businesses. They will also pay site visits and interact with CEOs of top companies. The aim is to give them an insight into the business world as well provide a robust network for their businesses. At the end of the
programme, the selected applicants will be granted the opportunity to make a pitch to a panel of investors who are likely to fund their businesses. Similarly, another 20 participants are enrolled in the Employability MasterClass which is aimed at bridging the gap between education and the working world. This is strictly for fresh graduates who have at least volunteered for a community work. They are trained in work skills and ethics that make them employable. The project coordinator, Oye Jolaoso threw more light on the program. “We try to instill community service in them
because all of this is a waste if they are not able to positively impact the community around them. Our yardstick to measure their progress is basically finding out where they are now from when they joined us. And after the programme, we still communicate with them. Two of our participants from last year were chosen for the Mandela/Washington this year.” BEP is an initiative of Temitayo Etomi, an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Since its inception last year, the program has been able to bridge the gap between the unemployed and employed. The programme is supported by the US Consulate.
assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe