Reigning in Life Conference: Bishop advocates quota system in sharing political positions

Many say he is flamboyant, while others see him as a philanthropist; whatever, Bishop (Dr) Tom Samson is like an elephant, you describe him depending on the side you are able to see. Nevertheless Samson is the General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Churches, a visitor, Royal College of Education, among others. He spoke to SUCCESS DAMIAN on Reigning in Life Conference titled ‘It’s War’, coming up on July 4, 2019, among other national issues. Excerpts:

A conference titled ‘it’s war’ is coming, What is the reason behind this conference?

Yes the question has come up over and over, why war? Everybody is looking for peace? 2004, I have been having a conference in Lagos titled Reigning in Life Conference, it started since 2001. 2004 God began to minister to me, He said my son, I want you to go out there, and launch attach against demonic attacks. That many of my children they have been crying to me and it is as if I am not answering them. And the lord told me the case of Daniel, He said when Daniel was crying to me, I sent my angel to give me his report, to give him his desire, but the Prince of Persia, the lord said there are many demonic powers, certain household wickedness, frustrating my mandate in people’s lives, again the lord told me, that I promised Moses 400 years to bring his children from captivity, but they never come out until 430 years, there are demonic powers that caused that 30 years delay.

The lord said there are certain persons that are supposed to be landlords but they are still tenants, not because they are not hard-working, you can buy land and somebody will take it from you. You can give money to a mason to build, he can run away with it, but there are certain misfortunes in life, that makes people look as if they don’t know what they are doing in life. The lord said launch attack against bad luck, promise and fail, household wickedness, demonic power.

Okay, lord how do I go about this? The lord said separate one section out of Reign in Life Conference, and let everybody have the consciousness of war, it is a spiritual warfare. Now, how do I start off? I need to make an impression with this. And while I was pondering, thinking on how to go about this, for God to give me this assignment, I need to take it seriously. I said okay, it has to look military, because many times what people see, they can easily relate with what they see. I am gonna put on camouflage so that you would know that, yes, this is war. And 2004 in Lagos for the first time, I put on camouflage, I made it very dramatic, I tumbled, I jumped, create fire brimstone, it got Lagos, that is what I wanted.

Everybody was concerned, what is this man of God doing? Who is he fighting? Even military, at Lagos Airport Hotel we are fierce looking military men, SS men, welcome to the auditorium, what is this man up to, it was a slogan all over Lagos, everywhere all over Lagos it is war, it caught the whole Lagos, what is this it is war? People came, then they discovered that it was a spiritual war, the lord honoured it, in that first meeting, the crowd was excessive, the anointing was amazing, there were massive deliverance, people were vomiting, things happened, everybody that saw it was afraid, you could see the power of God. 

Do you have any mentor, it is on record that what you are doing now, Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa did the same thing. Do you have any…

You see, I grew up in Benin City I was born In Ile Ife, and as a teenager, I was in Benin and if I must tell you, people ask me, are you among bishop boys? Are you papa son? You resemble bishop, people say I am a bold man, I am confrontational. I saw that in Arch Bishop. You can see a man afar of and swallow him, I swallowed Papa, there are threats in me you can’t doubt, boldness, going for great things, accomplishment, going for big project from nothing, believing I can dare anything, I never seen anything too big to accomplish, and yet from low background, you could see another spirit of Arch in me.

 Any other men of God in Nigeria today you are seeing as mentor

Oh Baba Oyedepo is another, any time I am with him we spend nothing less than three hours. Because God uses me a lot in area of education, as of today we have 15 schools, nursery primary, secondary, college of education, we are running a university programme, Monarch University, that we are now going through approval process, he moved to Canaan land, me too I built a city there, Royal City in Ota, I am building one university, he has built three, so those are the people that can give you encouragement. If you are looking for a mentor look for people who have excelled in the area of your dreams.

Any new thing you are bringing to the table in this year’s it’s war?

Yea, This years’ it’s war is gonna be more dynamic, because the lord is telling me it is going to be totally encompassing, that we have to really going to visit foundations, God is telling me that this period I should tell the people that the vision that they dropped, things that did not work, he will make it to rise again. The lord said to me that the people that are coming, they are tired, but let them know, I will tell God lord I have obeyed you, move in now, you will see the power of God moving in different dimension. I give you few days people gonna come back with their testimonies

The situation in the country; to some extent; people feel that government has a hand in certain things, especially on issue of Islamization and Fulanisation.  What is your take?

Well, government has denied that several times, let us take them by their word, even our VP, a Christian, has said there is nothing like that, let us take them by their word, but certain events have unfolded, position, ranking, the way positions are shared, how Christians are removed from a place and replaced by Fulanis. There is quota system in this country, where you have to share things equally, you have to appreciate there are Igbos, Yoruba, Huasas, Fulanis, there has to be fair deals. The President has explained he is putting people in trust, My appeal to government, let there be fair share, we don’t need this suspicion, there has been much outcry, and we need government that can listen to the cries of the people. The Igbo people should be remembered, civil war has been fought so many years back, let there be fair share, let everybody has part in the nation, the sharing of positions is lopsided, people feel they are not well represented, you say they have legislators but the executive commands the power. Major decisions are taken at executive level. So my appeal is that government should ensure fair share so that everybody would have a sense of belonging in this country.

More than a month after inauguration, no ministers, do have something to say? 

Well it is better he takes his time than to rush, let me tell you one thing, there are a lot of politicians everybody is fighting for this, if he doesn’t take his time, like he said the people he is going to bring this time around, are people that gonna function very well. It is better late than never, we need help in this country, we need people that can move us to the next level, just as the slogan of the government, next level.

Your advice concerning other pastors, bishops, towards humanity

Talking about helping humanity, you have to look at their strength, there are many of my colleagues that are struggling even to keep up with the daily budgets of their ministries, you see many people I attended to, but many came for help. There is somebody I have told pastor to go and see where they are living; they said there is no bed.

You see people have a misgiving, you attend service today if you look at it some have been given out, because they don’t know their legislators, they don’t know their senators, even the school we have, many are on scholarship, there are even some pastors who cannot pay their own rent, this thing has reverberating effect, the economy is affecting people in the church.

 There is reasoning that the standard of education is falling, what do you do to ensure standard in all your schools?

You see that is why I built college of education, knowing that I am into education, and when we applied for permission to build college of education, they appealed to me to make sure that as a man of God, we bring morals, and I gave them my word.

People say things are expensive teachers also want big money, they go to the same market doctors go to, the same market politicians go to, the days of giving teachers poor salaries are over. In my school I make sure you follow the syllable, whatever that is there; we have people that go round like inspectors, to make sure that standards are followed. 

What do you think government can do at both federal and state levels?

They need to invest more, money is the key. Sometime to build laboratory alone I spent 7m, 10m. In education you need to upgrade, do you know there is money government supposed to pay to us, we that are private owners, we are fighting for that, because education is expensive. If I tell you what I pay every month, I have over 600 staff, if not that I genuinely, I cannot fold up, because education is part of my services to community. Government need to increase their budget on education. They should extend the largess to private practitioners as well.

Ihedioha is expected at inaugural meeting of Imo State Presidents-General, says Anoruo

Success Damian:

Pastor Okechukwu Anoruo, President, Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL) who doubles as the Diaspora President of Association of Imo Communities Presidents-General of Nigeria has disclosed that the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha would be among the crème de la crème expected at the inaugural meeting of Imo Communities Presidents-General of Nigeria.

Anoruo stated that the meeting would take place on the 20^th of July, 2019 at Imo State Liaison Office, Bishop Oluwale Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said that the search for peace, not just for Imo State, but also for the well-being of her citizens in the Diaspora, has been on the front burner of discussions, hence the need for a grass-root association that would speak for the common Imolites outside their homeland.

“His Excellency, the amiable Governor of Imo State Hon. (Chief) Emeka Ihedioha is expected to grace the event, all our Imo president brothers, from Abuja to Zamfara, wherever they are outside Imo State are converging on 20th July, 2019, so we are also expecting all our well wishers in Lagos to come and join us to receive our August visitor. Also expected is the National President of Igbo Nationalities Emeka Diwe and all the presidents from the south east,” Anoruo disclosed.

Explaining reasons for the formation of the association, Pastor Anoruo who spoke in his office at Tejuosho Lagos said “What is happening in Nigeria today is crying for proper attention and expecting the state town unions to react as a grassroots association. 

“We are not saying Ohanaeze has failed us, but we want also to support and work hand in hand in lifting the voice of the common Igbo man mostly Imo people. You know Imo is always a pacesetter, where they always rise to the occasion, such that the other associations can join suit to come together. So coming together is not just easy, it is not politically motivated but coming up as how our sons and daughters are being treated in their various states, the Imos in Zafara, Abuja, Adamawa, when you hear that so so and so people are being killed, who are those people that are being killed. It is non-indigenes that are being killed. But because non prominent names, we don’t want to attach it a sentiment that will trigger national this thing, we decided to see how we can talk to ourselves and call for caution,” the president said.

 He spoke further “As a union we can call on the attention of the Governor, if necessary we can involve the local vigilante in our various communities, because most of us are in the Diaspora, the home land now is free, our wives are now overnight being made as widows, while the young ones are being made as orphans. So we don’t want such again,” he said.

Anoruo stressed that the nation cannot afford to be thrown into another civil war “Now they said there is RUGA. In every atom of nonsense there is always sense in it.  We don’t want tomorrow they baptize it with another name which can take all communities unaware. 

“We don’t want what happen in Nigerian civil war to repeat itself, all we are trying to say is we can bring ourselves together so as to call our youths to order to know the best approach anywhere we are to be careful and mindful of the kind of words to use in addressing all these issues, because all the issues are national issues, which if not properly checkmated or call our people to have a little symposium people can be speaking in different direction which can trigger a civil war. We don’t want a civil war in Nigeria.”

Anoruo who is also the Baba'loja of Tejuosho added that the town unions cannot fold hands and watch their people killed like slaves in their homeland ”So as a pacesetter state, we want to start by calling our own to order, it is a wakeup call, we cannot just be folding hands and watch our people being killed as slaves in our own homeland.”

He reiterated that the association is not displacing Ohanaeze “We are not supplanting Ohanaeze, but you know Town Unions are formed from kindred, towns to states. So we are well-rooted, when you say Ohanaeze, you will not see ohanaeze in your kindred, you can only see it in national or states, but from the kindreds our message will disseminate to the states. Where the RUGA wants to take place is it not in the villages, in the communities? Look at Igbo leaders who converged in London to speak in respect of what is happening in Nigeria, we don’t want to converge in London, we want to converge in Nigeria where the problem exists. 

Chairman of the Event Planning Committee, Chief Christ Ekeocha, Executive Member (ISTDAL) speaking on the extent of preparation for the occasion disclosed that the committee have made adequate preparation, “We have made arrangements, from picking our guests from the airport and making it smooth ride for them, and we are also looking at the accommodation part of it, so far we are working very hard to make sure that the day remains a huge success since it is an inaugural meeting.

“That day we are going to showcase many of our cultural dances, Igba Eze, those things are coming that day, there will be lectures, the president general will explain to the people why we are gathering, so we feel at the end of the day all of us will be united,” Okeocha said.

Other members of the committee include Hon. Tony Duru (Assistant Secretary General, ISTDAL), Mrs Flora Mbata (Assistant Welfare, ISTDAL), Mazi Kingsley Iwuanyanwu (Executive member ISTDAL).

  

Okoh decries insecurity in Nigeria, calls for solution as Olumakaiye turns 50

Success Damian:

L-R: Dean Emeritus, Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) Most Rev. E. A. Ademowo, governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Primate Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the celebrant, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Humphrey B. Olumakaiye, his wife, Prof. Motunrayo Funke Olumakaiye and Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, executive governor of Ondo State at the 10th consecration anniversary and 50th birthday celebration of Bishop H. B. Olumakaiye

Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Prelate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has called on the Federal Government to beef up security in Nigeria as he decried the state of insecurity in the country.

Okoh gave the charge at the 10th Consecration Anniversary and 50th Birthday Celebration of  Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos.

 “The alarming rate in which people delve into criminal activities in this country is very worrisome and this is as a result of security challenges in Nigeria. Nigerians are too desperate in indulging in criminal activities. Nigerians have become so desperate in doing things that are evil.

“Government at all levels should do the needful by beefing security across the country as it would enhance development in the nation”, he said.

He decried the rate of insecurity experienced on roads in the country, as well as in the farms and communities as he said these have become proverbial.

The event was attended by a host of clergy men and dignitaries including the Dean Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim A. Ademowo, the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State and Senior Special Asst. to the president on sustainable development goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

The primate also urged citizens in the various states in the country to pray for their governors to guide the people that elected them into office aright.

Okoh who described the celebrant as a true man of God said Olumakaiye made remarkable achievement in Illesha Diocese within the years he served there.

“He transformed the parish in Ilesha, he settled a long time dispute between two communities.

“It is very difficult for the children of clerics to become clerics, your parents trained you well, the positive testimony of your parents robbed off on you,” he said.

According to Okoh, the call to the office of the bishop is a call within the call of God, adding that the first call is the call to priesthood which is the ordained ministry or the call of God.

“God called some servants to attain some special needs. The call of God is never a selfish one, it is not for the sake of the one called, because he is a messenger, therefore he has to be obedient.

“God does not called anyone to be rich; wealth is a bi-product. it is against this background that we say Olumakaiye is fulfilling his commitment to God,” he said.

Okoh also urged those who have been charged with the management of things to bear good fruits in their assigned roles.

“You are not only to serve, you are to go the extra-mile. It is important to be good. Struggle to excel by praying, fasting and being concerned about the people you are in charge of.

“50 years is remarkable, it means you are not a boy or an old man, but in between,

“We give thanks to God for notable achievements recorded, 50 years to you is a longtime. There are people who have no jobs at 50.

The primate charged the celebrant to be humble at all times, adding that God has enabled him to stand on a high pedestal at his golden age.

“50 is golden with golden responsibilities. Some people will tell you to take it easy, but I say no to that because you are still young and should work harder.

“At 50 there is need for restoration. 50 is a jubilee year, there are many things that should be restored. Move ahead and review yourself as you go on and move according to the pace of God,’’ he said.

While thanking God, as well as appreciating all who came to celebrate him, Olumakaiye prayed that God grants him the grace of good health and long life to do more in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“My birth was miraculous. I see myself as a man who God has blessed. I was ordained at the age of 23, became arch deacon and became a bishop and by the grace of God, I am now a in the premier diocese of Lagos.

“I will do everything possible to put my totality in God work to make sure we reach all the nooks and crannies of the diocese so we can all benefit in the kingdom”, he said.

He said the diocese of Lagos believes in the efficacy of prayer and that God has given the flock and himself mandates which they will fulfill together.

“We believe so much in the efficacy of prayer. God has given us the mandates together and we shall get there to fulfil the five-fold ministries of Priestly, Pastoral, Prophetic, Prayer and Praise to jointly glorify God, edify believers and multiply disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.

People-oriented programmes key for curbing population explosion, says Devcoms

Success Damian:

 

The Nigeria Child, what future do they have?
As Nigeria celebrates the World Population Day 2019, the Nation needs to strategically implement effective people-oriented programmes that can stem the tide of the negative impact of unbridled population explosion on the countries resources and stability.

Development Communications (DevComs) Network, call on everyone to celebrate this year’s World Population Day with the theme: “25 Years of ICPD: Accelerating the Promise” and make the ICPD promises a reality for the betterment of all Nigerians. 

Nigeria’s rising population remains a threat to the country’s economic and social development, 25 years after the historic International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The little resources apportioned for a certain number of people is being stretched to more people because of the large population thereby stagnating future development and advancement of the country. 

The ICPD was the inaugural meeting in Cairo in the year 1994 where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary Programme of Action and called for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts.

Nigeria amongst the countries that adopted it, had her population as 105.4million people in 1994 and twenty-five years after (2019) the country’s population has more than doubled with over 200 million people, equivalent to 2.6% of the total world population. 

Nigeria remains a leading cause of population explosion ranking as the seventh most populous in the world and first in Africa.

Akin Jimoh, DevComs Programme Director, asserts that, “there is a need to support the National Population Commission (NPoPC) to reflect, on the best ways to solve the issue of population explosion in the country, 25 years after the ICPD.

The government needs to place population management at the front burner of their policy making and allocation of resources, especially investment in programmes like family planning services.” 

Family planning is an essential tool to be prioritized and invested in as it will help the government save money that can be invested in other development programmes like education, health, job creation and so on. 

The Program Officer (Communications), DevComs and a ONE Champion Fausiat Balogun says “government needs to fulfill the youth declaration drafted by young people themselves. It demands that government take action to create 3 million jobs each year for young people, tackle corruption, healthcare, education, gender discrimination, and agriculture; with investments and policies that unlock the potential of young Nigerians. This will help significantly to harness the demographic dividend and also help avoid a population disaster, especially as young people are currently more than half of the population. 

“If these actions are taken, the issue of mental health instability, drug abuse and other social vices among young people will also be curbed if not totally eradicated. 

“Accelerating the International Conference on Population and Development promise on some issues is paramount as these issues remains unresolved till now! This will mean a renewed promise of ‘Leaving no one behind’ by harnessing demographic dividend and building inclusive and just societies. 

“Maternal Mortality Ratio remains unacceptably high. Modern Contraceptive rate remains unacceptably low, sexual violence is on the increase. We have a long way to go but we need to start by managing our population strategically and critically NOW, says Balogun.