News
Again, Oyedepo Talks Tough On Killings
President of the Living Faith Church International, also known as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has again condemned the “uncontrollable and persistent killings of fellow citizens across the country”.
He spoke yesterday while declaring a seven-day prayer and fasting, from July 23-29, 2018, “to rescue the terrorised soul of Nigeria”.
The declaration was contained in a memo he sent to all church mission stations.
Oyedepo urged the congregation to partake in what he tagged as “operation rescue” in order not to be victims of attacks.
“All of us, who have eyes can see Nigeria requires divine intervention urgently to avert the looming catastrophe hanging over this nation.”
The Bishop said, “a flood of evil is determined to work against the nation by the powers of darkness, but God forbids that Christians would be found sleeping.
“Remember, in the days of Noah while people went about eating and drinking, getting married, building houses, planting vineyards and so forth, they did not know when suddenly the flood came and flushed them all away.
“May the days of Noah not repeat itself in our days,” he prayed.
He said the scriptures had stated that anytime that people are besieged by the forces of evil and mapped out for destruction, they are required to turn to the Lord in prayer and fasting to secure the desired victory.
According to him, there is a place for congregational prayer and fasting in winning the war against the nation.
“For example, Judah in the days of Jehoshaphat was besieged by the armies of Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir, each of which was stronger than Judah.
“But King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and God took over their battle, while the armies of the three nations that stood against Judah helped to destroy one another to the point that not one of them escaped,” he explained.
Oyedepo recalled that the Disciples of Christ once asked Him why they could not cast out a particular demon and Jesus answered: “This kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.
“We must expect answers to all our prayers all through these seven days of prayer and fasting because we serve a prayer answering God,” he said.
He said that the programme would include a two-hour daily intercessory prayer in the morning and one hour in the evening.
The cleric urged his congregations and all Nigerians that desire the peace of the nation to engage in the prayer and fasting to rescue the nation.
“We should all expect our open rewards in return for our faithful engagement all through the course of this prayer and fasting season, both as individuals and as congregations,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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