Nigerians should vote credible people, says His Eminence Udofia …Set to celebrate 60th birthday

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Udofia, the Primate of the African Church Worldwide will be 60 years on January 26, 2019. As part of preparation towards the birthday celebration, the respected man of God spoke to SUCCESS DAMIAN, on his life’s experiences, the church and national issues, especially the forthcoming 2019 General Elections. Excerpt:

Sir 60 years, first, I must say congratulations. 60 years is not a joke, so looking back, how has the journey been this past 60 years?

Thank you very much. Whatever I am going to say, I would base it on the scriptures because John 15 verse 5 Jesus said if you abide in me and I in you, you should bear much fruit for without me you can do nothing. So this 60 years of my existence, by the grace of God has been with more and more of thankfulness unto the lord, because I have seen his faithfulness in every area of my life. And again the bible has also told us that our delight should be in the lord and he will grant us the desires of our hearts, so because my desire is in Him, from time to time, day in day out, year in year out, the lord has been granting my heart desires, and again the bible said we should commit all our desires in Him, and trust in Him. All these 60 years, because by His grace I have been committing my ways unto Him, it has been the lord who is always faithful and who is always with us in helping us, sustaining us through this sixty years so everything has been the lord. I thank God for his faithfulness.

My lord, what can you say is your greatest source of joy over the years? There must have been an encounter that has exceedingly made you happy even from childhood.

My greatest joy in this world is my experience in the lord Jesus Christ. The bible has given us the word of God that the joy of the lord is our salvation, and that our joy comes from knowing the lord. So my salvation is an experience which only God made it to happen in my life; a gift which my parents, a gift which no human being on earth could give to me. The lord out of his benevolence gave me the grace to have a share in his salvation, in the redemptive work of our Saviour Jesus Christ, so that is the greatest source of my joy in this world, every other thing that gives me joy in this world is secondary.

Sir I know in life it is not all rosy, there is no rose without thorns, so there must have been one or two challenges along the way, tell us what they are sir.

I wouldn’t say there are no challenges, but challenges are part of our human existence, the bible says we should cast all our anxieties, all our challenges, all our cares in Him for He cares for us. So whatever has been the challenges, spiritually, physically, and otherwise, all these things have already been committed on to hm. He is the one who gives us the grace to overcome every challenge. You cannot roll away challenges because it is not every challenge is for destruction. There are some challenges that help to lift you up, to build you, some challenges make you say yes, there is nothing God cannot do. There are challenges which make you to call God more, move you closer to God. With that kind of situation you experience God the more, you experience the power of God and his glory. In fact coming out of such an experience would strengthen you the more. Some challenges make you to discover and recover what you might have lost over the years. You can come out of the storm of life without being spoiled, without being destroyed. Challenges help us rise higher and higher. So all my challenges have been so helpful to me, even the temptation that come to every believer is not to destroy us, it is to make us rise higher and higher as an eagle.

Now let us bring in the church in our discussion. Sir, how long have you been in the service of God and what inspired you to embrace God?  

By the grace of God, I am not talking about when I was a Sunday school teacher or organizing other programmes in the church, but from the time I was ordained. I was ordained in 1983, and since then I have been in the ministry of our lord Jesus Christ. So from 1983 till now, by the grace of God, this is 36 years in the ministry. So what inspired me to embrace God? As I said, it is never something that came by my own ability, or by the thing I said I could do by myself. No. I am just enjoying the grace and mercy of the lord drawing me close to himself. So how it happened, I didn’t know because He was the one. I won’t say, this is what attracted me to God, rather I would say it was God who attracted me to himself because I never merited all the lord has been doing for me. I want to believe that the day I was born so many other people were also born and again I want to say this that all that I have passed through in this life if not because of the mercy of God I would not be alive by now.

How are you able to combine church activities and still stay close to your family?

I thank God for what the lord has been doing, the lord has been so faithful, the family was instituted by God and the ministry was also instituted by God, so the two institutions were initiated by God, so if somebody is now is in God, through Christ Jesus, because with God, God’s mercy, God’s power, God’s grace and compassion, all things are possible. So combining the ministry and the family is nothing one could say is difficult. Again, family by the grace of God, myself, my lovely wife and children, since all of us are in the lord Jesus Christ also makes it possible for the ministry now to flourish, because the bible says where two or three are gathered in my name I am there in the midst of them, so you can now see the ministry did start with my family because we are more than three. From smaller ministry to the bigger ministry. So it has been so wonderful by the grace of God. By the grace of God my wife being a school teacher, my children, sometimes they will miss me for weeks, months, but having known why they have missed me, they are not regretting because by the grace of God everybody has an assignment and responsibility. We understand our responsibilities and areas of calling. God has been so faithful.

Sir, let us go a little further, what is your take on the current political happenings in Nigeria, are you satisfied and why?

As a servant of God I feel so sad because of the political tension in the political atmosphere in the country, because I listen to all the political campaigns, most of them are nothing to write home about, this is not the kind of campaigns we should be doing in the 21^st century. These campaigns are full of hate speeches, full of insults, they are full of abuses; they are full of character assassinations, full of all kinds of things, this is not what we had expected at a time like this, but it is unfortunate. I am not happy at all, going by what I have been reading on the pages of the dailies, television and radio. I believe, this is the time Nigeria should sit back, I know we should have political parties but we should know that political parties will come and go but Nigeria will still remain.

And again political parties no matter the party someone belongs, everybody should work towards building a great Nigeria which everybody should be proud of, but unfortunately with what is happening now, we are more divided than before. Without God’s intervention I don’t know where we are heading to, because of this political hatred.

This is certainly not the kind of Country we are praying for, but I know with the prayers of the saints, we love Nigeria, God will intervene and show mercy on this nation and take us out of the hand of those who do not mean well for this nation, in Jesus name, amen.

The 2019 General Election is around the corner and the nation wants to hear words of advice, encouragement and hope from respected men of God like you, your advice sir.

I want to advise Nigerians that whatever we are looking forward to doing especially in this kind of election, we should do it with the fear of God, when anything is done with the fear of God, number one it will mean giving God the glory, that will make us first to receive God’s blessings, and so on and so forth. We must also avoid this is my time syndrome, the security agents would say this is my opportunity, this is also time to enrich myself; some would now go and connive with the electoral officials, political parties. Electorates should not say this is my own time to get whatever I want, we should do what is right.

I want to advise INEC and those in position of authority we should avoid manipulation of electoral process to favour one candidate or the other, because we have seen now that at times, the electoral processes, they don’t do it right, all Nigerians should be treated the same, all political parties should be treated the same, INEC should be neutral in all ramifications. Everybody should know that whatever we do we shall give God account. Everybody should know that if you want to play a game, you will never play a game with God. The evil that men do live after them, it may not be today, God’s judgement may not be today, but it will surely come. They should not manipulate any electoral processes in favour of anybody.

I want to advise Nigerians against violence, violence does not pay anybody, it does not add anything to Nigeria rather it subtracts, you can imagine when this Boko Haram started many thought it is not what the country should worry about. Look at the herdsmen, when it started the government did not pay attention, then the two forces now grew and became what they are today, if you want to quantify the number of casualty or people that have died through Boko Haram and through herdsmen you will see that people will be discouraged in this nation and if not because of God you will hate anybody in Nigeria.

If Nigeria wants to quantify all the casualties, all the government institutions destroyed, churches destroyed, all the mosques destroyed, all the houses destroyed, you would see that trillions of Naira can never be enough to buy all these things, and that is why Nigerians are always behaving like beggars, Nigeria that should be supporting other nations, is always asking for help from every nation. Nigeria that God has so endowed, even those nations supporting Nigeria do not have what Nigeria has, but unfortunately, because of violence, corruption, Nigeria behaves as if nothing good is coming from Nigeria.

I also want to plead with Nigerians, Nigerians, this is our country, we should vote for credible, God fearing people, because, if Nigerians vote people that are not credible or people that are corrupt, that means Nigerian treasury cannot be safe.

My lord, I am sure with your success in the ministry, I am sure you have the capacity to have as many children as possible…

I have only six children by the grace of God.

I have seen your church, schools and others, do you have any form of empowerment for your congregation and community where you operate?

When I was in one of the dioceses in the south-south, I had a sewing institute, where young boys and girls were trained even some adults, at the end of every training each person that completed his or her training, during their freedom, by the grace of God, I would make sure I bought all machines, everything to equip them; they were trained free of charge and given machines free of charge.

So since I am not there, that does not mean I have not been playing my part in empowering so many financially and otherwise. Only God knows the number of appeals, letters, messages, asking for one help or the other. And again, there are some appeals of course you cannot turn down. If I tell you what God has used me to do in this place, if you want to quantify it you will be surprised, but you cannot blow your trumpet. According to the scriptures, whatever your left hand does, your right hand should not know about it and vice versa. If not because you ask me, I don’t tell anybody this is what I have done. I don’t want human praises, I am only an instrument in the hand of God because God could have used another person.

Sir can you tell us the programmes lined up for your 60 years birthday celebration?

I planned to do it in a big way by the grace, but due to some circumstances I decided to mellow it down, I think the planning committee is doing a lot, part of the plans include visit to orphanage homes, Bible quiz for the younger ones, other things are within me which I don’t want to unravel now.

Sir your name sound Igbo, you are operating here in Lagos but a lot of things you have here, some other people would say, let me go and do it in my town, what is the driving force?

Yes, if you are a servant of God and decides to do whatever you want to do only in your home town alone, then that person is selfish, and such a person can never be said to be doing the lord’s will, because anywhere you are is your neighbor. According to bible interpretation, everybody is your neighbour, every woman is your mother, very girl is your sister, every man is your father, every young man I your brother.

It therefore means we have them everywhere, so if the person determines and say as I come from Akwa-Ibom now, I must do it in Akwa ibom, Niger Delta or South-south, that person can never do God’s will, and God cannot entrust more in his hand, because he who is faithful in little is faithful in much.

Succession, are you thinking along that line?

By the grace of God we are praying towards that, anything that concerns the church is not something that can be handled physically alone or constitution alone, it should be handled spiritually, biblically. God is the head, the next person there is only representing God.

Nwosu to take Imo State to next level, ensures employment

Success Damian:

Action Alliance (AA) Governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, has disclosed plans to ensure Imo people gets to the next level and to ensure employment to the teeming youths in the state.

Nwosu spoke on Sunday being the 4^th day of the international crusade, Mgbidi 2019, organized by The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries which took place at Mgbidi, Imo State.

In his words “If elected I have a lot of things for the people of Imo State. I am coming to put food on the table of the poor masses, provide job for the unemployed youths, take care of the masses and ensure that Imo gets to the next level to be one of the best states in Nigeria,” Nwosu said.

Thanking the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, Nwosu said “The General Overseer has the grace of God and once you have the grace of God, if you march upon scorpions and serpent, none shall hurt you. Anybody that cursed The Chosen shall be cursed and whoever blessed The Chosen shall be blessed.

“I am the candidate of AA, God bless all of us in Jesus name,” Nwosu stated.

Speaking on whether he was at the crusade due to his political ambition, he said “This is my third time here, so the first time I came I was not running for an election, the second time I was not running for an election. So it is not because I am running for an election. I am here because this is a place to be. I am a chosen one, and if you are a chosen you ought to be in the presence of God. So I am here to worship God,” Nwosu said.

Nwosu stated that the greatest challenge he envisaged in his aspiration in the upcoming election is having people to participate in the election. “The greatest challenge is having the people come out. We need to educate the people, this is not the time to say I am not a politician. Any vote will count in this election. I think the people will elect the best candidate and I think I am the best.”

He further spoke glowingly about the chosen ministries saying “I give it to the General Overseer, he is one man that I respect, In fact I remember this is the third time we are having a chosen as commissioner in Imo State. Even right now we have one of our chosen members as a commissioner for Labour and Productivity, we believe in him, he has made us proud as Imolites.

“With the multitude of people you see here today, economically, and otherwise, people from all parts of this world are here today so, it is something we have to thank God for. We thank God that I have been part of this ministry and I will always be part of this ministry.”

Giving advice to Imo State citizens, Nwosu said “Imo people should get ready, I believe that all the Imolites are here, what we need now is prayer for the general election so that God will give us the leader we desire and by the special grace of God you shall come to my swearing in,” Nwosu said.

I was at Chosen Crusade to pray for hitch-free 2019 Election, says Ihedioha

Success Damian:

Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate in Imo State, Hon Emeka Ihedioha has said that he visited the just concluded 4-day international crusade organized by the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries at Mgbidi in Imo State to thank God for his mercies last year and to pray God to grant Nigerians a successful and hitch-free 2019 general election. 

He also said he was at the programme to join the congregation to ask God to bring the dividends democracy to the people of in Imo. ‘We are also here to pray for the forgiveness of our numerous sins and to re-dedicate ourselves to the almighty God because we believe and know that without God, we shall labour in vain.’

Ihedioha explained that he has been the Deputy Speaker of the federation and left his footprint on the sands of time through visible achievements.

‘I have been a Christian. I have professed Christianity and that has never disrupted my activities in the Christian faith. By the grace of God when I was the Deputy Speaker of the federation, I was the number six person in the federation, and that did not affect my Christian conduct in any way.’

Ihedioha who sounded so positive about his victory in the forth-coming elections promised that if he emerges as governor, he will execute his responsibilities with the fear of God.

‘So let us be positive and not be pessimistic. I believe that I won the highest number of votes in the last general election, but for our mistakes.  I feel we were careless about few things but I have corrected those mistakes. Now I am stronger, we are more resilient and vigilant this time. And, all the opinions and surveys in the state, indicate that I would win the election. And I know that God loves Imo people and is on my side. He would forgive our sins and liberate our people this time around.’ 

Ihedioha who described support on bad governance as a grave sin called on all to love their neigbours as themselves. ‘What matters to you is how to make the life of the populace better and governance is all about the welfare of the people and not when the reverse is the case. When I become the governor of Imo State, I will ensure that I make the people to appreciate the essence of governance, and I would also ensure that governance is a team and collective work.’

On why Imo State is not as developed as it was expected over the years, Ihedioha said, “Under my watchful eyes as Deputy Speaker and when I was Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, I attracted more federal presence to the state than any other person till date. So, the projects like the dualization of Owerri-Elele Road, Airport Road. I will carry on from where I stopped.”

He therefore called on the people of Imo State to go out en mass during the election to elect God-fearing people like him who would bring about noticeable change in the state.

Ihedioha who was also present at the crusade, while addressing the congregation, said, “I welcome you all who have gathered from all over the world, 

Others Governorship candidates who were at the crusade were Okechukwu Eze of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dr. Linus Okorie of Young Progressives Party (YPP). 

Obi calls for judicious use of public fund …Asks Christians to pray for Nigeria

Success Damian:

Former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential candidate of People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has advocated that leaders should utilise public funds for public good.

He also called on Christians to pray for Nigeria, especially as the 2019 general elections is around the corner.

Obi spoke on Saturday at the ongoing 4-day international crusade organised by the Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries at Mgbidi, Imo State.

He said "Let me start by thanking our dear father in faith and General Overseer of the Lord's Chosen, my own pastor for the wonderful work he is doing in helping to build a better society. We ask the Almighty God to guide and continue to bless the Chosen family.” 

Obi, who was speaking at the program with the theme "What God Has Determined Shall Be Done," also said there was need to pray for the nation's leaders, pointing out that the leaders should utilise public funds for public good.

He said: "I didn't come here for any other reason than to be part of this prayer. All I ask you is to pray for our country, Nigeria and for a Nigeria that cares."

Obi further urged Nigerians to remember the leaders in their prayers so that God can touch their hearts to use public funds for public good. 

He noted that power is the grace of God, adding "We must always not abuse it by doing the right thing."

The PDP Vice Presidential candidate promised to ensure good governance if elected, adding that what he did as Anambra State Governor is a clear testimony of his good leadership qualities.

"I assure Nigerians that I want to help in building a viable and peacefully country. l want to see youth, young men and women who are in their productive age yet doing nothing that we will use the facility and power that God has given to us to do something better. And reducing poverty in the country is one of the major things we want to do. We hope to change and build a better country," Obi added.

He further advised Christians in the country to remain together and see themselves and members of other religious group as brothers and sisters.

Commenting on the impacts of Muoka' ministry Obi said: "I have been coming to Pastor Muoka's events and I have seen the impacts they are making in the society."

He also spoke on the canvassed political restructuring of Nigeria saying: "I am not here to make political statements but there is need to care for the society."

In his words of appreciation, the General Overseer of the Lord's Chosen, Pastor Lazarus Muoka said that Obi has always honoured almost every of the church's programs in the South-East.

He therefore, asked the congregation to pray for Obi and to allow God's will to be fulfilled in his life.

Righteousness will end corruption, killings, says Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Success Damian:

General Overseer of The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, has called on Nigerians to embrace righteousness in order to find peace, joy and enhance development of the country.

He said that righteousness will end corruption, killings and all kinds of evil in Nigeria even as he maintained that Nigerians should be grateful to God because no nation is blessed above Nigeria.

Speaking at the church’s four-day international crusade popularly called Mgbidi 2019 holding at Mgbidi, Oru West in Imo State, Muoka disclosed that Nigerians should understand that without righteousness, there will be no development.

In his words “There is no nation that is blessed above Nigeria, but today, small nations where there is nothing are enjoying everything, so let the nation return to righteousness,” Muoka said.

Dwelling further on righteousness he said “If anyone is building outside righteousness, he is building on sinking sand, because the bible says righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to anybody.

“As long as the nation dwells in sin of various kinds, and ruling in unrighteousness, the nation will continue to suffer. So righteousness is the key. Righteousness will end corruption, killings, fraud, rigging and all wickedness in our nation.”

The internationally renowned pastor called on the nation to return to God as panacea for peace and development.

“So let everybody repent and come to God, let us go back to the creator, He will build our nation, when we do that, we will not struggle to build our nation. If everybody will return to righteousness and do their work with the fear of God, I am assuring you that Nigeria will be established. It will be a nation full of peace, where everybody will not only enjoy the presence of God, they will enjoy the blessings that God bestowed on Nigeria,” Muoka stated.

Mgbidi 2019 kicks off with miracles, testimonies

Success Damian:

It was a harvest of miracles and testimonies on Thursday, January 3, when The Lords Chosen Revival Ministries International Crusade popularly known as Mgbidi 2019 kicked off in grand style.

Speaking at the four days crusade Themed “What God has Determined Shall be Done Part 1”, which witnessed hundreds of thousands of faithful coming from across the globe as anointing broke every yoke, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, the General Overseer of the church, stated that every word he spoke at the crusade should be considered done. “Whatever God has determined shall be done and nothing can revoke it,” Muoka said. 

Relying on Matthew 18 which makes reference to the power which a Christian possesses saying “whatever bind on earth is bound in heaven and what you loose on earth is loosed in heaven,” Muoka added that heaven and earth may pass away but the word of God shall not pass away.

Muoka said “Every word that shall proceed from my mouth in this crusade concerning you shall be done, every word of prophecy, every word of knowledge that I speak at this crusade must be considered done because it constitutes what God has determined and it shall be done.

“If I said that you are blessed or you are delivered or that your ailment is cancelled, believe it because it must come to pass, the reason being that it is a heavenly report and it is irrevocable. It constitutes an armour of warfare and a word of encouragement,” Muoka said.

The world renowned pastor stated further “I am ministering the salvation which God brought to us through his Son Jesus Christ. As far as I am concerned, I am a messenger of God and whatever I say must surely come to pass.” He added that the people should go home and apply whatever he has taught them in their daily lives in order to reap testimonies.

He prophesied that every barrier to their Canan land was cancelled.

Muoka commanded those that came to the crusade ground in the wheelchairs to rise up and walk, and as many that were touched by his prophetic command received healings and came out to testify. He prayed for power of recreation to recreate damage organs, veins and arteries.

Testimonies that followed indicated that dead organs were recreated. Forty years deaf and dump spirit was cancelled, broken waist, paralysis, stroke were rolled away at the instance of the pastor.

Ijeoma, Ifeanyi showcase love with traditional marriage rites

Success Damian:

It was glamour, fanfare and celebration of culture recently at the family compound of Damian Nnaji of Eluama, Osina in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State as Mr. Aloysius Nnaji (Imported) gave out the hand of his daughter Ijeoma, in marriage.

Coming all the way from Okuku, Owerri West in the same Imo State, Ifeanyi Ukaegbu and his kinsmen made it to Osina on the December 29, 2018 to fulfill all the traditional marriage requirements demanded from the people of Osina before the beautiful damsel, Ijeoma could be released to her husband.

At a ceremony that attracted traditional rulers such as the Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu) of Osina, Chief Innocent Oguaghamba, Chief Chimeremeze 1 of Ezinbieri of Mbitolu Local Government of Imo State, Mrs Cordelia Ukaegbu, Mother of the bridegroom, captains of industry and business moguls, the new couple kept the occasion alive with masterful dance steps that ensured both the hosts and guests were excited till the event came to an end.

Mr Aloysius Nnaji, father of the bride, speaking to Newworld newsng said “Ijeoma is my first daughter and my prayer for her is love, peace and happiness in marriage. God will protect the young man also; they will not lack any good thing and God will beautify their marriage with the fruit of the womb.”

Father of the suitor Chief (Sir) Dr Samuel Ukaegbu (alias Man Pass Man) told newsmen that it was a thing of joy to have a beautiful young lady like Ijeoma as wife of his son and also pledged that Ijeoma will find happiness in his family and enjoy the benefits of marriage.