Nigerian President Solicits Prayers from Christians

Dr Goodluck Jonathan Nigerian President

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerian religious leaders not to relent on praying for the peace of the country.


The President stated this during the Prayer Breakfast Meeting which was organized by the Aso Chapel in the State House, Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Saturday, July 31.

He acknowledged that the collective prayer offered by several men and women of God is what has been keeping the country, adding that more prayers are needed to make the country perform better.

Dr. Jonathan who noted that the I cannot succeed except with God’, he remarked. way out of the several challenges facing the country was through the trust in God, enjoined religious organizations to pray to God to guide Nigerian leaders to lead the nation properly.

Referring to the scriptures where the children of Israel experienced calamity as a result of their deviation from God, the President said it is a dangerous thing to turn away from God, pledging that he will continue to trust in God to direct him as he leads the country.

“No matter the wisdom, skills and ability I have, I cannot succeed except with God’, he remarked.

Speaking during the event, the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, in his exhortation entitled, ‘The Awesome Responsibility of Choosing our Future,’ said everyone has been given the opportunity to choose his future, stressing that Nigeria has come to a critical moment in its history.

He therefore called on all Nigerians to be involved in bringing about the change that will guarantee a glorious future of the country.

It needs to be noted that the Prayer Meeting was attended by eminent Church leaders across the country namely, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Ola Makinde, Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja, Most Revd. John Onaiyekan.

Others are the Aso Chapel Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, and his predecessors, Reverends Yusuf Obaje and William Okoye, and a host of other clergymen.

Nigerian Christian Journalists to Pray for Kidnapped Colleagues

Bro. Lekan Otufodurin National President, JFC

In an effort to fulfil their spiritual mandate of praying for one another, the Nigerian based, Journalist for Christ (JFC), an organization for Christian journalists and allied professionals is to hold a prayer session for its kidnapped colleagues.


In a recent release by it National President Bro. Lekan Otufodurin, who’s also the Sunday Editor, The Nation Newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria called on all well meaning Christian journalists to join hands in prayer for the urgent release of its colleagues who were recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Kidnap a Serious Source of Worry

The prayer session which is schedule on Saturday, July 17 at its usual meeting venue, the International Press Centre, Ogba, Lagos, between 11am - 1pm is coming at the wake of so many kidnappings in the country, which has become a serious source of worry for Nigerians, the Government and its security operatives.

This recent incident involving four Journalists which include, Mr. Wahab Oba, the Chairman, Lagos State, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Adolphus Okonkwo, Sylva Okereke, Shola Oyeyipo and their driver, Mr. Azeez Abdulraf has come as a torn in the flesh for Nigerians.

They were abducted by the gunmen on Sunday July 11 at Umuafoku, near Ukpakiri in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Southeast Nigeria while returning from their scheduled National Executive Council meeting of NUJ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Telephone Call form Gunmen

One of the local newspapers had reported during the week that the gunmen called on phone stating that they’ve reduced the ransom placed on the Journalists from N250million to N150million, leaving no room for further conversations.

In reacting to this recent kidnap, the Nigerian Federal Government through its Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, expressed its worry and unhappiness over the whole drama.

According to her the abduction of the four prominent and innocent journalists while on active duty is a challenge to security agencies to reinforce ongoing security operations in Abia State stressing that Government finds this ugly development quite disturbing, sad and clearly unacceptable.

Directive from Nigerian President

It would be noted that the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had earlier directed the police and all security agencies to go into action in eliminating kidnappers from the country, a situation he said is very embarrassing to the entire nation.

Jonathan also assured all Nigerians and the international community that his government will provide adequate and radical response in the search for sustainable solution to the new wave of crime in the country.

"I wish to reaffirm the confidence of the Federal Government on the ability of the police, and security agencies in the country to free the journalists from their captors within the shortest possible time,” Dr. Jonathan also stated.

In a monitored telephone conversion by one of the Nigerian media houses from their unknown hideout, one of the kidnapped Journalists, Wahab Oba said: “We are okay in the hideout. They have treated us well so far. There has not been any form of harm done to us; but nothing is as good as having your freedom. Please pray for us!”

Responding to this clarion call for prayers therefore, JFCN is calling out its members for the intercessory prayers for their colleagues in need and with its avowed believe that the prayers of the righteous avails much, the kidnapped colleagues will receive a divine intervention.

What JFCN stands For

JFCN was established in April 1998 in Nigeria to promote the gospel among journalists and other media practitioners. The organization seeks to encourage those who are already Christians to remain steadfast in the faith and reach out to those who are yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Its vision is principally to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ among Journalists and other allied media practitioners, with the aim of engaging and identifying with programs that can engender the growth and development of Christianity and the media at both local and international levels.

For more information on JFCN, log on to their website: http://www.journalistsforchrist.org and for related stories visit Impact Magazine’s website: http://impactmagazineonline.blogspot.com

Nigeria Tasks African Countries on Food Production

The African Farmer using
the traditional farming method

Considering the acute shortage of food and the wide spread poverty that’s rocking the African continent the Nigerian President Dr. Jonathan Goodluck has called on African leaders to act urgently in boosting agricultural production.


Dr. Goodluck made this observation while receiving the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Dr. Jacques Diouf in the State House Abuja, the nation’s capital on Wednesday July 14 adding that focusing on food production will enable the continent avoid a worsening food crisis already being experienced in some countries.

President Jonathan said that African governments clearly need to evolve and implement more measures to address the problems hindering increased food production such as water scarcity and an aging farming population.

“Africa really needs to do more. We must encourage commercial farming. The problem of young people not wanting to farm is compounded by an aging farming population and must also be addressed. We must start now to plan and take action to confront these and other challenges in the area of food production,” the President said.

He assured Dr. Diouf that the Federal Government will continue to support and cooperate with the FAO in its efforts to ensure food security in Africa and other parts of the world, stating that the organization’s efforts under Dr. Diouf’s leadership are already having a beneficial impact on Africa.

In his own contribution, Dr. Diouf said that Nigeria is making good progress in the area of food production, but could still do more not only to ensure its own food security, but also contribute to other less endowed African countries.

He expressed hope that under President Jonathan’s leadership, Nigeria will commit more funds to boosting agricultural production and move much more rapidly towards doubling its current levels of food production.

Nigeria Govt. Set to Battle Power Supply

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerian President

The Federal Government of Nigeria more than ever before is now ready to solve the power supply issue which has been a torn in the flesh to the government for a very long time.


The Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Tuesday July 13 at the State House, Abuja, the nation’s capital while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria-German Energy Partnership, led by Dr. Peter Ammon, State Secretary, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs

President assured that his administration has the political will to provide power supply to the nation. “The political will to do what is right to provide power to Nigerians is there. We meet weekly to tackle any obstacles that may be on the way.”

According to him the poor power situation in the country has militated against the growth of small and medium enterprises, which he described as the engine of growth of any nation’s development adding that one of the consequences of insufficient power supply was high unemployment, especially among young Nigerians.

Dr. Jonathan welcomed the proposal in the Nigeria-Germany Energy Partnership Action Plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in Gombe, adding that this would enable diversification in the national power mix.

He commended the Partnership for holding its fifth meeting after just two years of establishment, describing this as a strong indication of the seriousness and focus of the Partnership.

Ammon in presenting the Action Plan of the 5th Meeting of the Partnership to President Jonathan, assured him that agreements have been reached on the steps to take in order to enable Nigeria benefit from German technology, while Germany willinvest in Nigeria ’s vast natural resources.

He said that 35 companies from Germany attended the meeting and that emphases was placed on how to fast-track power generation and supply in Nigeria.

Top Christian leaders to Gather in South America for Regional Congress

Mark Anderson
President Global Pastors Network

It’s expected that thousands of top Christian leaders from across the Latin world and the rest of the world will meet in Bogota, Columbia from November 9-12, 2010 for the Call2All Regional Congress taking place there.


This indication was made by President Global Pastors Network (GPN) and Call2All, Mark Anderson in a release stating that included in this group will be top business leaders, educators, strategists, and key pastors from churches across the region.

He said: “You are invited to be part of this special event! We are inviting thousands of top Christian leaders from the nations of the North Cone in South America, and other Spanish speaking countries to be part of this.”

Anderson noted hat the Congress which will be held at the church Manantial de Vida Eterna, in Bogotá, Colombia is designed to bring together Christian leaders from the region and other countries of the world to accomplish the following objectives, network that will form a cohesive global network to work in synergy to complete the Great Commission

He further said that Congress will be used to meet needs like helping to train the body of Christ around Latin America to cross-pollinate and share best methods and practices with each other and also to use a common global map to identify the greatest needs and win the least reached.

Why People Need to Attend the Congress

On the reason why people need to attend the Congress Anderson said that it will be a time to engage with Christian leaders from other organizations, denominations and agencies, together with key businesses, civic and educational leaders in round-table settings to strategize on how to complete the Great Commission together.

“Every Christian leader needs time to step aside for a few days and evaluate what contribution his organization, church or denomination is making in the task of world evangelism. At the Call2All Congress you will find out which areas of the world and which spheres of the world we are still not touching very effectively with the Gospel - like government, education, entertainments and sports, media and business,” he added.

Anderson continued: “We all need more workers in our own ministries and want to be more effective, yet when we hear of people who have no chance to hear the Gospel at all and no one trying to reach them, the Lord breaks our hearts to see how we might contribute in some way. At Call2All Congresses you find out where the need is and what you can do about it.”

Participants to See Latest Research

He said that participants will have the opportunity to see the latest research in world missions adding that Call2All Congresses give participants access to the latest information on the state of the Church and the geographical spread of the church throughout the world. “Be spiritually refreshed and challenged and make commitments to see the great commission fulfilled,” he added.

He posited that Call2All is about all nations, all spheres of society and every unreached person everywhere in the world adding that it is a strategy-centered and action-oriented movement focusing on where the Church is not, rather than where it is. Its purpose is not to replace existing ministry but to network, train and focus the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.

What Global Pastors Network Stand for

The Global Pastors Network is a movement that builds a worldwide community of successful pastors and a network of leadership. It provides free video training and resources from world-class teachers and pastors.

Together with the Call2All movement, it convenes congresses around the world to network, train and focus the body of Christ toward the fulfillment of the Great

Top Christian Leaders to Gather in South America for Regional Congress

Top Christian Leaders to Gather in South America for Regional Congress

Nigeria Commends Summit of Eight Developing Nations

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Nigerian President

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has praised the forthcoming Summit of Eight Developing Nations (D-8) scheduled to open on Wednesday 7 July, 2010 in Abuja, the nation’s capital stating that it will give further impetus to the strengthening of economic relations among members of the group.


He made this remark at a pre-summit meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, adding that the summit will also provide D-8 Heads of State and Government with a welcome opportunity to share ideas and evolve fresh options for addressing common challenges such as poverty and unemployment.

The President formally welcomed Prime Minister Hasina to Nigeria, saying that her personal attendance at the Summit will add great value to the 7th meeting of D-8 leaders, and also help to boost bilateral relations between Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Dr. Jonathan promised that the Federal Government will give due consideration to her request for the reopening of Nigeria’s High Commission in Bangladesh, adding that Nigeria would like to have a diplomatic presence in the capitals of all D-8 nations.

He said that the pooling of resources for common good by the Developing Eight (D-8) countries, offers a unique approach to development which is consistent with the imperatives of a globalize world.

“To this end, Nigeria will use the opportunity of its leadership of the D-8 in the next two years to intensify development cooperation, and promote the efficient allocation of resources among member-states on the basis of the principle of comparative advantage,” he noted.

He continued: “In a world that has become truly global, in which our fate as peoples and nations have become interconnected, the D8 development model of pooling resources for the common good, offers a unique approach to development.”

The President said Nigeria values its membership of the D8 dearly, both as a vehicle for development cooperation and as a manifestation of the strong bond of friendship and shared interests among member-states which, he said, transcends geography and religion.

Dr Goodluck commended the D8 Secretariat and its Council of Ministers for working hard to prepare the grounds for the Heads of Government meeting that would adopt the Abuja Declaration.

Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister Hasina told President Jonathan that she had participated in the maiden D-8 Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey in 1997 and believed that its founders’ vision of greater economic cooperation within the group will yield positive dividends for all member nations.

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Nigerian President Calls for Funding of Millennium Development Goals

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has called on the developed nations of the world to improve on their commitment to mutual financial obligations towards fast tracking the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) particularly in Africa's health sector.

The President who stated this at the just last G-8 Summit in Muskoka, Canada said that the primary health sector in Africa is still plagued with major challenges that could be redressed if development partners particularly members of the G-8 countries would meet mutual financial commitment contained in the 2005 Gleneagles Agreements.

He noted that less than half of the funds promised by development partners by the end of this year have been delivered. “The weakness of primary health care system and limited referral institutions remain crucial challenges facing the health sector in Africa.”

Using Nigeria as a case study, President Jonathan said the challenges of reducing infant mortality by two-thirds and maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015 still remain daunting, despite Government’s increased efforts at boosting health infrastructure in the country.

He listed the intervention of the Federal Government in the primary health care system to include new incentives to attract medical personnel such as qualified midwives to rural areas as well as increased sensitization campaigns against unfavorable religious and cultural beliefs.

He however identified that poor funding and management of government resources as well as poor health seeking behaviors that bother on religious and cultural beliefs still impede the attainment of health goals.

President Jonathan then urged the G-8 to consider 100 % cancellation of debts for African countries and the establishment of joint funds for MDG 4 and 5 as priority actions to help coordinate and improve the MDG programs at sub-regional levels in Africa.

Singapore Based Haggai Institute Now Attracts Academicians

The women academicians at the
Haggai Institute training in Maui


Maui, Singapore: The Singapore based Haggai Institute (HI) is now attracting the cream of academicians in the society with the recent participation of thirteen women leaders with Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs) who’re attending the Special Session in Maui.


The HI Vice President of International Training, Prof. Arthur Dhanraj, who made this known in their monthly newsletter, gave the reason for the concentrated presence of the academicians at the same session: "Due to their academic excellence and inclination, they have carefully scrutinized all our pre session documents; they do not take anything for granted. They are highly focused on evangelism."

Participants Acclaimed Academicians

He continued: “As I facilitated the course on Writing Skills, the realization that 13 of the participants from different corners of the world were acclaimed academicians at first made me nervous. Until on interaction with each individually, I realized why they were attending and the impact the HI session is having on them.”

Prof. Dhanraj observed that they came from different professions adding that Dr. Charina Casingal-Sazon (Philippines) is a Municipal Trial Court Judge, Dr. Magdalyne Dura is a Deputy Dean of Law in Nigeria while Dr. Ivette Lebron is a lawyer in Puerto Rico and Dr. Pratibha Gaikwad is a Lecturer in India. “But they are in Maui for one common purpose, “The mandate of Jesus Christ.”

Haggai Institute Training an Eye-opener

According to one of the participants from the Philippines, Dr. Jacinta Torres Pueyo, who got her PhD in Literature at the age of 40 and now works as an Assistant Professor in the University: “This training has been an eye-opener for me. It has made me realize that (despite all my qualifications) I have not been faithful to my role as an evangelizer.”

In her own testimony another participant from India Dr. Grace Ida Rajan, confessed that it is her husband who was a constant driving force that led her to acquire the degree and thereafter to attend Haggai Institute.

Rajan stated: “I got my degree in Missiology. My dissertation topic was: 'Theological Education for Urban Ministry in India.' I brought out the fact that theological education for urban ministry has not been considered an on-par priority compared to the human needs of urban society.”

Theological Educators Negligent in Developing Curricula

She continued: “While the needs grow as tall as the high-rises in the city, theological educators have been negligent in developing appropriate curricula. I gave proposals for theological education that could lead urbanites from their perils to safe pastures. ‘Pastures’ was the term I used to describe the strategic urban churches of today.”

Another participant from Brazil, Dr. Keila Franco said she discerned at an early age that God’s purpose for her life was connected with a study in Science stressing that while many Christian leaders insisted that Science was vanity and anti-God, she stayed with her focus and did her PhD in Chemical Engineering, specializing in reactors for industrial wastewater treatment.

She stated: “The conventional processes for industrial wastewater treatment are expensive and time and space consuming. Through my doctorate, I developed an alternative that breaks some paradigms. The treatment is made in reactors and the cost, time and space is around 20% of that required by the conventional process.”

Concern for Great Commission Intense

Dr. Lilian Jasper, also a Lecturer in India said “Degree or no degree, my concern about the Great Commission is just as intense as it is for any participant here. My PhD is just a bonus from God.”

While Dr. Pratibha also from India stated: “I never knew the importance of asking for a verdict until I came to Haggai Institute. I did not know the commonalities between the other Majority and Christianity. I have been encouraged to write for healing. The guidance on self discipline, punctuality, cooperation – honestly, I may have come here as an academician but I go back as a more worthy tool for the Kingdom of God.”

For further information on Haggai Institute, log on to their website: http://www.haggai-institute.com/

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Nigerian Government Approves Abuja-Boulevard Land Revocations

Prof. Dora Akunyili

The Nigerian Government has approved the revocation of plots of land in the Central Business District of Abuja earmarked for the Boulevard project and promoted by the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Aliyu Modibo’s.


The Government also approved the proposal that the plots of land taken away from foreign missions in the country by the former FCT Minister Mallam Nasir el- Rufai, for failure to develop within specified time be returned to them.

The Minister of Information Professor Dora Akunyili made the disclosure while briefing the media after the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the State House Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Minister who was accompanied by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said that the council was briefed by the FCT minister on the outcome of the report of the ministerial committee on the repositioning of land administration in the FCT.

She noted that the FCT Minister also sought approval for the reinstatement of revoked diplomatic plots as well as the revocation of land acquired for the Boulevard project and all irregular allocations of plots in the FCT.

According to Akunyili, the FCT minister informed the Council that on assumption of duty, he inaugurated a 17-man committee on the 27th April 2010 to assess the problems of land administration in FCT with a view to recommending ways to reposition it. “This he said was sequel to the unprecedented volume of petitions and wide spread public complaints against the recent land allocations in the territory.”

She observed that the FCT minister gave the committee’s terms of reference as to conduct a verification exercise on all land allocations made from 2007 to date and mass housing allocations from 2004 to date.

“The FCT Minister recommended ways of investigating and reappraising the land revenue collection, investigating and reappraising the land revenue collection mechanisms. He also recommended ways of establishing an efficient Deed Registry in lands department and any other issue related to the terms of reference,” she added.

Akunyili said that the FEC after its deliberations considered and approved the award of the contracts for the processing and audit re-validation of the 2007 and 2008 Export Expansion Grant (EPG) claims in the sum of N240million.

“The council deliberated on the memo from the minister of health seeking for urgent procurement of HIV test kits to avoid running out of stock and consequently, council approved contracts for the supply of 545,000 Determine Test kits in the sum of N299 million, with a delivery period of two weeks, 545,000 Double check Gold Test kits, in the sum of N299million with a delivery period of two weeks and 545,000 Stat pack Test kits in the sum of N299million with a delivery period of two weeks also,” she added.

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