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Suffering, key to salvation – Fr Secundus Ogu …..God rewards a cheerful giver-Fr Chike Dim

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Parish Priest,Very Rev Fr.Thaddeus Chike Dim (middle) Rev Fr Cyril Udom,(3rd Left)Rev Fr JohnCross(2nd Left ) flanked by CKC Kurudu 2025 Harvest Committee members m

By Donald Ugwu and Ignatius Okorocha

Rev. Fr. Uche Secundus Ogu has advised Christians to embrace the virtue of suffering as a necessary condition for obtaining salvation.
Ogu, the Parish Priest of St Andrew Catholic Church, Orozo, FCT, gave the advice during his homily at the Harvest and Thanksgiving Mass of Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) Kurudu, on Sunday.

This is even as the host Parish Priest of Christ The King (CKC) Kurudu,Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Chike Dim has admonished Parishioners to give generously to God in thanksgiving for all they received from his through out the year, for God rewards a cheerful giver.

Continiuing Fr Ogu noted that the notion being spread by some preachers that Christians were not meant to suffer was both unscriptural and deceitful adding that Christ endured suffering and recommended same for the salvation of mankind.
“Jesus was the first to undergo torture and persecution for faith. He was scourged and crucified by soldiers for us but he accepted the condition in order to fulfill the will of God,” he said.
The cleric noted that virtually everyone passes through trials and other excruciating difficulties which often threaten their faith in God.
He, however, explained that such conditions did not mean that God has abandoned His children.
“Suffering prepares one for eternal life. When you fall, strive to rise again from the ashes of destruction, or despair because when Christ decrees “it is finished”, Christ has taken away your shame, sorrows and weaknesses.
“Christ went through both physical and spiritual torture through which He brought comfort to sinners.”
Reflecting on the theme of the Harvest and the luturgy the priest noted that very many persons destroy their relationships with God by the way they indulge in immoral conducts.
Ogu reminded Christians to always bear in mind that their bodies are temples of God and should strive not to defy God’s temple.
“Ask God for mercy when you defile your body and do not pretend that your pleasures will not deny you a place in the heavenly kingdom on the last day.”
According to him, couples who always fight, beat up their spouses or spit causes against their spouses and children desecrate God’s temple.
The priest enjoined Christians to give necessary attention to their souls as they attend to their bodies because “inside appearance of your soul is better than polishing the outside.
“If you polish your body, also polish your soul as practical Christianity is when you give your entire life to Christ.”
On the Harvest he said it was time to thank God for helping to build the church.
“If you are a Christian and you want to grow higher you have to give to God.
“When you give, blessings come and if you do not give, blessings cease.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and everything is added unto you.”
In a remark to appreciate the worshipping community and the visiting priest, Rev. Fr. Chike Dim (OCD), the CKC parish priest reminded all that God does not abandon anyone who sows seeds

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Save Nigerian pilgrims from missing 2026 Hajj, CSO urges Tinubu, govs By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), in the Hajj and Umrah Industry, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has once again appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 36 state governors to bail out Nigerian intending pilgrims from missing out on participating in the 2026 Hajj. The group, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad who is currently attending the 5th Hajj and Umrah conference taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said that any amount approved as a loan will be refunded to the state governments immediately after pilgrims pay their fares. It lamented that is the first time in 20 years that the Nigerian Hajj quota is being slashed from 95,000 to 66,000, warning that further reduction is looming. “The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has given the Nigerian Hajj authorities two weeks (14 days) to make all necessary payments for its allocated slots as was done by other countries. “The Ministry threatens to further reduce the Nigerian Hajj quota from the downgraded slots of 66,000 to 50,000 if the Nigerian Hajj Mission fails to comply with the requirements,” the IHR stated. It, therefore, urged President Tinubu to help rally state governors to immediately approve a loan that will cover the allocation to their states and to also make the funds available to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON to enable the commission to make the necessary payments within the specified period. “Failure to assist will demote Nigeria from one of the major Hajj participating countries, and the country will permanently be placed on 50,000 slots because other countries are currently applying for an increase in their quota,” the statement said. IHR recalled that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, had set December 21, 2025, as the deadline for payment for Mashaa’ir Camp fees on Nusuk Wallet while January 4, 2026 was scheduled for all Hajj participating countries to finalise payments for camps and services, noting that the process of making payments on the Nusuk app takes time. It explained that the situation becomes critical because its finding reveals that the number of intending pilgrims that have so far registered falls below 20,000 nationwide, putting NAHCON in a difficult position. The CSO noted that the “late and sluggish pre-Hajj preparations contributed to the decline in numbers of registered pilgrims, coupled with our penchant to always wait till the tail end of the month of Ramadan before pilgrims will be rushing to make payments.”

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Pastor Monday Iwat charges A’Ibom Youths to embrace Godly conducts in their daily living for business growth and expansion

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Pastor Monday Iwat(left) and Pastor Mike Denigan, (right)


‎By Emmanuel Ikpe


‎The need for youths in Akwa Ibom to embrace Godly conducts and principles in their daily living has been stressed.

‎Honourable Pastor Monday Iwat gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Uyo after one of his missionary engagement with Pastor Mike Denigan, himself among other men of God.

‎Emphasizing that God principles embodied blessings that if embrace, it will trigger the needed blessings one need to meet the desire goal and expectations in life.

‎While wishing numerous Akwa Ibom youths a blessed new month of August 2026, the Uyo born Clergy, Politician and Architect prayed God to bring open doors to believers.
‎”May August bring you peace   open doors, divine  protection, and  testimonies. God’s favor will speak for you this month, Welcome to your month of blessings. Happy new month family and friends”, he added.


‎Pastor Monday disclosed that embracing God in everyday life is liken to drinking water or watering plants that is need of growth and enable the man and plants to bear abundance fruits and therefore causes expansion.
‎”This growth and expansion will not only be seen in your life but it will also be seen in your businesses, spiritually, financially and materially and this can be achieved when we put God first in our daily living and try to practice the principle of Godly living “, he stated.

‎Pastor Monday Iwat has learned the ropes and have dedicated himself to work of God in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and have tested the gospel and have proven that that God can do all things and make life meaningful with blessings that knows no bounds and therefore encouraged others to follow suit especially in this perilous times.

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Again, Governor Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Thanksgiving To Sustain God’s Glory.

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Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe (middle)

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again emphasized the need for people of state to make thanking God a way of life to continually attract and sustain divine glory in their lives and the state in general.

Governor Diri laid the emphasis on Sunday while speaking at the Mid-Year Thanksgiving Service of the Refined People’s Assembly at Opolo in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive urged the people to thank God for His unseen mercies as well as answered and unanswered prayers, stressing that Almighty Creator alone knows the best for everyone in all situations.

Governor Diri expressed optimism that as Bayelsans continue to imbibe and practise thanksgiving, God’s glory upon the state will not only expand but also continue to rub off on Nigeria.

Dr Akpe, who performed the dual role of representing the governor as well as speaking as the guest preacher at the service, identified incredible multiplication, divine provisions and punishment for enemies as some of the benefits of thanksgiving.

Quoting copiously from the scriptures including Genesis Chapter 32:10 and Psalm 100:4 and making reference to the biblical Jacob, David, the ten lepers and Jesus Christ, the Deputy Governor enjoined Christians to always reflect on how the grace of God has led them in their life journey.

According to him, appreciating God by faith despite one’s current circumstances can serve as a divine access to sound health and promotion as well as an enabler to do exploits in one’s chosen career.

Governor Diri used the opportunity to appreciate the Christian community in the state, particularly the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly for their prayers, and urged them to sustain their works of faith.

His words: “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, I want to thank God, your pastor and all of you for this privilege and for what you are doing for our state in terms of prayers.

“From the scriptures we have shared, I believe that the glory of God will not depart from you and our state. As you thank God, destinies will change for good. You will not be demoted to the realm of shame.

“Rather, you will move from one realm of glory to another. And as you are affected, so Bayelsa will be affected. And as Bayelsa is affected, so Nigeria will also be affected.

“As a child of God, I encourage you to thank God for His unseen mercies so that He will not withdraw it from you. Thank God for even unanswered prayers. And when you thank God, what happens?

“There is divine restoration, incredible multiplication and divine provisions. Secondly, there will be punishment for your enemies because God will arise and take over your battles as we can find in Jeremiah Chapter 30:19-20.”

Highpoint of the service was special thanksgiving by the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly led by its Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr Daddy-Ken Bitere.

The Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, among other government officials attended the mid-year thanksgiving service.

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Niger state Christian Stakeholders demand Equal representation in the formation of APC 2027 general election

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Comrade Jude Johnson flanked other stakeholders

By Uthman Baba–Naseer,Minna

Coalition of Concern Christian Stakeholders in Niger State has requested for fair and equal representation of christians in the formation of 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC in the state.

The group Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson stated this at a newsbriefing held in Minna, and Niger state capital, insisted on their demand for Christian deputy governor for the next general elections or opt for an alternative where their interest will be protected
The Coalition under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Stakeholders has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and all major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to facilitate the emergence of a Christian Deputy Governor for the 2027 Gubernatorial elections.
He revealed that they vehemently rejected the continuous Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket considering their contributions, dedication and population in the state.
“ We want to use this medium to notify his excellency that we have capable hands in Niger East (zoneB), Senatorial District,who have the prerequisite requirements and are dedicated members of APC.
“ Information at our disposal indicate that we have more of Christians in Zone B of the state,then why not give the body a fair treatment by picking a Deputy from amongst Christians” the Secretary asked.
According to him, Christians are over forty five percent (45%) in terms of population in Niger state, the ruling government has undermined and relegated Christians; in the just concluded Primaries of the APC, qualified and popular Christian politicians who Aspired to contest and be voted into various elective positions were compelled to drop their ambitions because of their religion.
Comrade Jude Johnson emphasized that having a Christian Deputy Governor in Niger state is not just about religion but it is important because of inclusive representation; justice, equity and fairness; strengthened Democracy and unity of purpose.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa insisted in an equal representation of christian in governance, adding that the group is on the same page with the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Niger state in the agitation of Christian deputy governor.
Vatsa stated that allowing such marginalisation and deliberate segregation during the previous administration during the 2023 elections, they will not tolerate it this second term. Saying that same faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket is insensitive to the state’s religious diversity.
He said, as a coalition, we declare that it is not politically, economically, educationally, or socially wise for us to accept another four years of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. This is a legitimate concern for equity, and no one can query our right to demand a seat at the table.

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