The Unknown God Ministry Benin City

The Unknown God Ministry (Church), Benin City, Edo State

 The Southern part of Nigeria is known for their high religious practice, particularly the Christian faith, which has seen the influx of religious practitioners hiring and buying up available spaces for their religious activities. It is a common sight in the South, particularly Benin City in Edo State, to see churches and ministries set up in the name of God, outdoing one another, in a state that can best be describe as 'pure human competition'. In one house (building), you can count as much as three (3) churches, not to talk of the countless churches with different believe and doctrines adorning various streets lanes.

It is a common knowledge in the South also that, as a result of the lucrativeness of church businesses, the hitherto native/witch doctors have transformed into overnight presidents and founders of most of these new generation churches. The Southerners being too miracle seeker can go to any length to seek for solutions to their perceived problems, thereby visiting these pastors and GOs, who were neither called nor anointed into church ministry. A lot of people have on the process compounds their problems, while allowing these mogs attended to them, who in turn transfers their wicked powers into these solution seekers. Be careful therefore of where you visit as a church.

Now, as a result of the wide discrepancies and discrimination among the Christian faith which I fortunately belong, it has therefore created hatred and disunity among fellow Christian practitioners, which today is the major setback in uniting the nation Nigeria. If the church that preaches Christ love can be so divided, how can the different ethnic and religious nationals unite under one umbrella of peace and tranquility, which is highly needed for Nigeria's development today? Until and unless the church is united, there will never be a united Nigeria.

On this note, I welcome you all to the ‘Unknown God Ministry (Church)’, situated along Okabere Road, after Power Line, Off Upper Sakponba Road, By Oka Market, Oka Quarters, Ikpoba - Okha LGA, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

At first, it was like a puzzle to me but, I was facing reality in broad day light in this 21^st Century. What quickly ran through my mind at that moment was the experience of Apostle Paul in Athens. It is therefore amazing to note that, in this age of sophisticated technology, a lot of people (Christians) are still being deceived. In Philippines 3:10, Paul said, 'That I may know him'. How then on earth will a church today choose the name 'The Unknown God Ministry'?

In the City of Athens, Paul called the people who had the inscription 'TO THE UNKNOWN GOD' ignorant worshipers Acts 17:23. I can as well confidently declare that, the pastor and members of this 'The Unknown God Ministry' are very much more ignorant of their professed Christian faith.

While Jesus was admonishing his disciples, he declared in John 6:45 'And they shall be all taught of God'. Can a God that is not known teach?

Again, the Almighty God warned us through David in Psalms 81:9 'There shall no strange god (Unknown God) be in thee; neither shall thou worship any strange god (Unknown God)'. I therefore call on the entire members of this affected church, to as a matter of urgency make a u-turn to seek and serve the KNOWN GOD through Jesus Christ.

Our forefathers who were idols worshipers in their time, never served any 'Unknown god (idol)', why will a church who is suppose to be the light of the world declared that, they are serving an 'Unknown God'?

Will you therefore worship in a church where their God is unknown or you will worship in church where their God is known? The choice is certainly yours.

However, I give God all the glory today because, I know him. He is my all in all.

All rights reserved March 2013.

lugardosas@gmail.com

SEEKING FOR HELP: CHRISTIAN/MUSLIM APPROACH IN RENDERING HANDS OF ASSISTANCE

SEEKING FOR HELP: CHRISTIAN/MUSLIM APPROACH IN RENDERING HANDS OF ASSISTANCE

Help, according to the WordWeb dictionary means:-

1.      1.  Give assistance; be of service

"Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house"

2.       2. Improve the condition of

"These pills will help the patient"

3.       3. Be of use

"This will help to prevent accidents"

4.      4.  Abstain from doing; always used with a negative

"I can't help myself--I have to smoke"; "She could not help watching the sad spectacle"

5.       5. Give a portion of food or drink

"I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"

6.       6. Contribute to the furtherance of

"This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries"

7.      7.  Take or use

"She helped herself to some of the office supplies"

8.       8. Improve; change for the better

"New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture"

According to an adage in my language, there’s only one thing that have and will never require help before it can do whatever it feels to do, and that one thing is the SKY.

Recently, I was in a dire need of financial help and assistance, in view of a-must-solve situation that beckons on me. I approached every possible avenue to seek for help but, the more I seek, the farther it appears to be from being given. This help actually is not about looking for financial assistance from spirited individuals but, a means to borrow from whoever may be capable at the material time, to be repaid later. All avenue visited proved abortive. What a desperate situation!

I am a Christian by the grace of God and my encounter with the Church I belong (RCCG) prompted this write-up. Actually, I never solicited any form of financial assistance from our Zone/Area and I never think or even imagined that, any type or form of help will ever be rendered to me. Now, ordinarily, even without requesting for any form of help, a member in need ought to be assisted, whether he is frequent or seldom attends church, at least, to show the love of Christ to such a fellow.

Presently, our Zonal/Area Pastor is out of town. So, the rest officials told me that they will do something for me next Sunday (last Sunday) after they might have discussed with the Pastor. So, after the close of service last Sunday, the officials told me that, the Pastor said they should withhold any help/assistance they planned for me until his returns. This I am sure includes their individual help/assistance they might have summed up to render, outside the church’s help and assistance if there was. Within me in that instant, I was just laughing but seriously, I was injured. Don’t forget that I never expected anything to be done for me but, for the Pastor to insist that all help/assistance should be put on hold until his returns begins to pile up series questions in me. What will the help of the Church be at a time it is no longer important? What will the presence of the Pastor do when the time help and assistance was required has elapse? What consolation will I be granted after solving the problem I needed to solve at the time the Pastor was absent? What help will be of value to a dead man who was denied help while alive? Does it mean that, a Church cannot render help unless the Pastor is at the forefront? These and many more were the questions that ran on my mind instantly.

In this desperate situation I found myself, I approached a Muslim colleague of mine to ask for help, and once I asked, he opened his bowels of help to a Christian friend and colleague in dire need of help and assistance, without any question or rejection. This then makes me to wonder, why is our Christian community always condemning the Muslim community under every circumstance? If a Muslim friend can do what a Christian Pastor said until he is around before he will do, which actually will never be done, in view of the volume involved, why can’t the Nigerian Christian and Muslim community live in PEACE for God sake?

There’s no body in life that does not require help at one time or the other. Therefore, the one you see on the ground today will be on the top tomorrow. Always think of the ways to positively affect the lives of the people around you without binging religious sentiment to divide and tears us apart. With sincere love, we can live together in peace irrespective of the religion we practice.

May God bless Nigeria

Copyright: lugardosas@gmail.com

What I Saw About The Year 2013

What I Saw About The Year 2013

Good after Nigerians, Happy New Year 2013 in advance.

Though I’m not a PROPHET in the word of it but, I am a child of God. So, I will tell you how and what the upcoming year 2013 will/may look like.

Now, according to the book of Isaiah 60:1-2. It says;

1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

 2. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Nigerians, I will not be surprised to see headlines on Tuesday 1^st, January, 2013, with messages of Prosperity, Favours, Abundance in the land, Peace everywhere, Promotions, Year of answered Prayers, etc from our Pastors and general overseers in their New Year declarations. Not contesting any of their (prophetic) utterances that will be uttered shortly but, let me quickly point to Nigerians that, the year 2013 is going to be a very turbulent year.

The turbulent nature of the Year 2013 is going to be in three (3) dimensions:-

a.     First degree

b.     Second degree and

c.      Third degree

Remember, as a result of the year being turbulent, it means that the rate at which evil will be perpetrated in the land will be of higher magnitude but, God will cause Nigeria to overcome. Although these three dimensions of degrees of turbulence have no time frame, but there is just one thing to do as a Nation so as not to partake of the evils.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Bible declares; “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. I therefore call on all Nigerians, irrespective of your religious belief to please, pray, that Nigeria will overcome all the challenges that may engulf this land.

Remember, to be forewarn is to be forearm. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria as I wish all Nigerians, a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS 2013. God bless.

All rights reserved                                                                               lugardosas@gmail.com

Nigerians, Please Pray!

Nigerians, Please Pray!

I am not a Prophet but, I am a Child of God. Therefore, what I am about to share with you and I believe, should you really decides to pray, the consequences will be averted. Thank you in advance as I hope you will truly pray as a Nigerian.

I remembered in time past that, I told Nigerians on Monday, April 2, 2012, that, there was something cooking between President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria. See the link here https://www.facebook.com/lugardek/posts/3166649283369. Though, not really sure about what the issues was with them at the time but, it was an argument of the conduct of elections between Iwu and Jega. A day after I made that observation, on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, it was reported in the media that, Obasanjo has resigned his position as the PDP BOT chairman. Visit here now to read that news http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/21112/2012/04/03/obasanjo_resigns_pdp_bot_chairman.html. After this news was published by the media, I reminded Nigerians on Wednesday April 4, 2012, of my earlier post. See here https://www.facebook.com/lugardek/posts/3177886524293. Was this an issue? Yes, as a result of the fact that, the president of Nigeria, who is a PDP member do have a working relationship between himself and the BOT chairman of his party. For when there are soar relationship between the duo, the citizens of the nation are the ones that usually suffers, as there will be a near absence of governance in the land. Nigerians should never again be used as the sacrificial lambs whenever there are disputes among the political helmsmen in our nation. We all be involve and the time is now.

From the foregoing, we must all remember the challenges the current insecurity situation have created, especially in the northern states of Nigeria. The Boko Haram menace is a challenge we all must endeavour to see its ending very soon. The number of souls that have been wasted in this terrorist situation should call for concern among the citizens of this great nation. We all must see ourselves as partners in steering the progressive Ship of Nigeria. We must as a matter of urgency put behind us our political, ethnic, religious and tribal divide behind us, for the betterment of Nigeria and for the safe future of our unborn generations.

Now, the essence of my calling for prayers from Nigerians, is the fact that, I foresee a situation that will shake Nigeria to her foundations, if will ‘FAIL’ to pray. A gang of terrorists will emerge in Ogun State, and their primary assignment will be to eliminate major traditional rulers in that state. Nigerians, should you allow this to happen by not praying, nobody should ever complain if Nigeria finally breaks into pieces.

During the same period, another gang of terrorists will emerge from the South – South, particularly Rivers State. Their terrorists operations will be directed towards the oil industry, as they will embark on adopting, kidnapping and killing of oil workers, both national and foreign figures.

Ha! These are grave situations with grave consequences should we Nigerians neglect this humble appeal, to secure the Sovereign state of Nigeria, through consecrated effort in prayers to God, who alone have the power to stop the plot of the wicked against the land. As I end this note, please remember  that in 2nd Chronicles 7:14, the Bible says:- ‘If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land’. (RSV)

May the Almighty God hear our prayers for Nigeria as we collectively pour out heart in prayers to Him to ensuring that of land is delivered from the hands of wicked men. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you all!

Money For Job: Taming The Monster Amongst Us!

Money for job: Taming the monster amongst us!

Nigerians, it is no longer news that, when you as an applicant are seeking for a job, especially in the government circles, you are always traumatized as a result of the fact that, the few available jobs are reserved for the highest bidder.

These wicked practices by government officials have been going on in Nigeria for ages pasts yet, the agencies that are mandated to effect a corrupt free Nigeria are feigning ignorant of these silly practices. It is no surprise that, in Nigeria, the more graduates are graduates are produced each year, the more non available jobs are seen.

Now, in a normal situation, as graduates are being produced, so we have retirees being produced with equal proportion, bridging the vacuum created by the retiring government officials but, in Nigeria, we only get to see and hear of new sets of graduates each year, without any available jobs for them. Where is our retiring government officials’ year in year out?

In getting this monster arrested, we as concern citizens of Nigeria must ensure that, we are ready to expose whoever is involved and being used as fronts for the thieving elites. Be ready to make a difference in every singular situation you find yourself. I do agree that, as a result of the non availability of ready jobs, individual job seekers will be tempted to do anything to secure a job, especially those that appears to be very lucrative. Should every one of us continue to feign ignorance, how then will corruption, especially government official corruption ends in Nigeria? We all must be ready to make a difference.

Therefore, as a job seeker, show these demons that you are ready to play balls in meeting every of their single demand as it relates to you paying them some certain amount before you are even given the opportunity to apply for the jobs but, make it a duty to show them that, you want every deal with official commitments, which will includes you asking for their real names, positions, photograph etc. You are only doing this to expose the perpetrators of this evil in the public sector.

This issue of money for jobs is an age long practices in the public sector in Nigeria. Therefore, should any government official feign ignorant of this ignoble phenomenon, he/she is only deceiving him/her self. Due to the fact that, everybody sees these evils as normal, the clique have equally taken over pension offices, making new pensioners to go through hell, before their files will ever get to the appropriate quarters for signing.

In a recent parley with the youths in Abuja for the Nigeria 52nd Independence celebrations, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Matters, Mr. Jude Imagwe, appeared shocked when told about the ordeals Nigerian youths were undergoing in the hands of fraudsters in seeking for job. Although he promised to report it directly to President Goodluck Jonathan, but, I am sure he was just buying time. I am too sure that, the matter was buried immediately he left the venue of the parley. This act according to the youths leaders who attended the parley were particular about the paramilitary agencies that are involved in the mess. They usually collects huge sum of money from job seekers which ranges between N200,000 to N1,000,000.

It was highlighted during the parley that, Immigration Service usually collect bribe of N500,000 from those who want to be enlisted in the service. The Nigerian Customs Service goes for N500,000, the Nigerian Prisons Service goes for N300,000 while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps goes for  N300, 000. These are beside other corrupt practice which do take place in the medical arena, as job seekers are made to pay between N200,000 and N700,000 to get a nursing job. Surprised that corruption has become official in Nigeria today? Mr. Jude Imagwe, have you really reported this case president Goodluck Jonathan, as you promised? See the whole news at http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/48540-money-for-jobs-in-federal-agencies-youths-petition-presidency-presidents-aide-expresses-shock

It was equally reported in an online media some few weeks ago, how one Mr. Akeem Tiamiyu, an officer of the rank of ASC 1, head of NSCDC anti-corruption unit, who equally doubles as an adviser to the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, was caught at a hotel in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja, “sharing” letters of employment to prospective new employees, who were expected to pay the sum of N300,000 each to collect their letters. The incident, according to Newsdiaryonline.com, happened on the 27th of September 2012, at about 2.00Pm, at Atlas Hotel in Gwagwalada, where the head of the anti corruption unit of the corps was busy “trading” with 2000 appointment letters in his possession. Insiders said the arrest of the head of the supposed anti-graft chief has raised eye brows within the corps because the letters were actually signed by the commandant General Dr. Abolurin. The question now, was the CG’s signature forged? Insiders claimed the signatures were real .But how did it happen? Check http://newsdiaryonline.com/n300000-for-a-job-for-2000-recruits-scam-ad-abolurins-aide-head-of-civil-defence-corps-anti-corruption-unit-caught-red-handed/ for the full report.

Now, if a supposed anti-graft officer in the NSCDC can go this far, in monetizing employment with corrupt tendencies, who then can fight this monster called corruption? We all must make it a point of duty to expose every corrupt practice around us, in order to tame this monster. It must be noted that, even the private sector is not left out of the corruption mess. Some members of staff in private organization do make preference for people who are ready to play ball (bribe), in order to award one form of contract or the other for them.

It is no longer news that, our government celebrates criminality, whereby a thief is given a presidential welcome from prisons. As a result of the closeness of the Oil Subsidy thieves to the corridors of power, no one, I mean no one has ever been prosecuted neither will they ever do so. This is why fighting corruption in Nigeria appear difficult. The ICPC and EFCC are just there doing their own thing while the essence of their formation is suffering. The list of those that have fall victims to these criminal acts goes on and on. Where will justice come from? Nigeria, which way from here?