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Behold Iya Adura’s Magnificent Love of Christ Cathedral, Lagos!

Published

3 years ago

September 4, 2021

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Baring any last minute changes, the magnificent edifice designed to host worshippers of God, Love of Christ Generation Church, located in Lekki, Lagos, will be opened this Sunday, September 5, 2021.

Known across all boards as the Prayerful woman of God, Rev. Mother Abimbola Esther Ajayi, who is a compendium of many things in one, confirmed that much, and added that all is now set for the opening of the magnificent facility.

“If the creator of the universe sends you on a mission, the mission will be easy. We are very grateful to the Almighty that with His grace and enablement, we have finished stronger. Indeed, it has been a glorious and an amazing journey,” she said.

Earlier, Iya Adura, as she is fondly called, has held a world press conference, where he confirmed the opening as well as took journalists and guests on a tour of the mouthwatering facility. Speaking at a media parley in Lagos, the anointed woman of God who was flanked by her husband, Rev (Dr.) Ademuyiwa Ajayi and Special Assistant (Media), Ms Olawunmi Ajayi revealed that she was delighted that after four years, the facility built by the construction giant, Cappa D’Alberto Plc, was ready for use.

She revealed that the project which began in 2017 was built to the highest standard and no corners were cut as all the relevant regulatory agencies were involved every step of the way.

She said:

“I am pleased to announce to you that on Sunday, September 5, 2021, the doors of this Cathedral where the glory of God shines will be opened. And I invite everyone to come and celebrate the work of God.

“We want to showcase this great Cathedral to the whole world and show that God has been awesome. This place is open to everybody male, female, Pentecostal, protestant, catholic, everybody. It is a place to come and worship Jesus Christ. If you want to serve God in spirit and in truth this church is open for you”

THE FACILITY

Located on Water Corporation Drive in Victoria Island, the imposing and unmistakable worship centre and multi-faceted facility will be officially opened at a glorious ceremony. The Cathedral will have a 4,000-seater Main Church Hall, 3,000-seater gallery, printing press, tailoring section, swimming pool, gym and a 3000-capacity event centre.

The church is also embarking on an upgrade of the road leading to the facility.

PERSONALITIES EXPECTED AT THE EVENT

Considering the large influence Reverend Esther Ajayi has amassed over the years, it is expected that the best of society bigwigs will grace the opening with their presence. Most of these high profile guest have at one time or another, visited the facility on a tour. Some of the celebrated personalities from Nigeria and abroad who will be present are former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu, Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Chief Rasak Okoya, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, His Eminence Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao (Supreme Head C& S Unification Church Worldwide, Rev. Pastor Mobiyina Oshoffa (Spiritual head, Celestial Church of Christ, Dr Samuel Ayokunle (President, Christian Association of Nigeria), Ovation Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu and of course, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

SECURITY

Speaking on the all-round security expected to be available on the day and beyond, Reverend Esther Ajayi said:

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is an amazing person. He told us that the one thing he loved about this Cathedral was our car park, we did due diligence and went back many times to review drawings. We are happy at the outcome of that hard work and give God all the glory.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Odumosu had visited to also discuss with the Cathedral’s Chief Security Officer to ensure the security is water tight.

“We are not of this world but we live in this world so we have to make all arrangements. The DG LASEMA was here and when he saw our clinic, he offered to provide an extra ambulance for the day, the GM LASTMA was also here. We are planning to ensure we have a seamless, hitch-free ceremony.

Tailoring section

Beyond unifying the white garment churches, Reverend Ajayi said she is looking towards the oneness of Christians as a whole.

“We want the body of Christ to be one. We want to establish a cordial relationship in Christendom, we want to show that there is only one God even if we are different according to 1 Cor. 12.

She maintained that only love can get Nigeria out of the state it has found itself today, especially insecurity, noting that “I never say any bad thing about the Nigeria, because it is the only country we have. No nation is perfect, at some point I know, God will intervene and Nigeria will get there.

“We are talking to people to love each other. When you love your neighbour you will not kill the person or kidnap the person. Let us continue to pray for Nigeria and we will overcome.”

ABOUT ESTHER ABIMBOLA AJAYI: A WOMAN OF EXTRAORDINARY PARTS

Many people have tried albeit unsuccessfully to define this woman; some say she is a shinning star; some say she is an ebullient preacher and compassionate visioner; some say she has surpassed the gravity of philanthropism while others see her as God’s gift to every facet of humanity. However, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, the dutiful wife of Reverend (Dr.) Ademuyiwa Ajayi and Founder, Esther Ajayi Founation as well as the Minister in Charge, Love of Christ Generation Church (C and S) in Clapham, England, is just a simple mother, wife and strict adherer to the commission the Almighty God has placed in her hands; a commission she has not looked back in bringing to fruition. And to crown it all, she is a woman after so many hearts.

Iya Adura, as she is fondly called, is a woman who does not take the message of hope delivered from God, and for the betterment of mankind for granted.

Born many years ago of Awori Lagos parents, who are of blessed memory, Reverend Esther Ajayi reveals that her father is from Agboyi while her mum is from Ikotun.

Recalling how her road to pastoral calling came to fruition, she said during an interview:

“I recall when I was age 14 or 15, and my mother was ill. I was called to come and pray for her because she was lying down in the room and had sweats all over her. I prayed for her and the next day, everyone started thanking me that my mum was healed. I just looked and wondered what was happening.

“Then, I remember a particular woman was pregnant and was long overdue for delivery. I just told her to bring a bowl of water and I instructed her to walk over the water and also drink it. She did and started having contractions. She named the baby, Oluwasanmi.

Then, there was the time the prophetess (Rev Esther Oguntoyinbo) I went to in Abuja also asked that I prayed for her that God wanted to use me. I see it as unmerited favour from God.”

The woman of prayer grew up in Lagos, where she had her early education. It is on record that before dedicating her life to full time ministry, she excelled in entrepreneurship and rode high in the corporate world as a successful business woman.

Having developed her faith in the Cherubim and Seraphim sect, she worked tirelessly to become an accomplished Christian leader, and followed it up with philanthropism of the highest level in addition to gaining real passion for prayer and giving, making both the foundational pillars of her life.

It will be an understatement to say that Iya Adura has dedicated much of her life to supporting grassroots initiatives which has seen her touch thousands of lives and receive unnumbered awards in the course of her philanthropic acts. It will be remembered that during her cameo appearance during the 2017 Ovation Carol, where she was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame, she made a promise to affect one million lives in the coming year. It is on record that she fulfilled the promise even before the fifth month of the year. By the time the year came to an end, many has lost count of her deeds to better the lives of the needy and the general public. Mama, as many call her, is simply wonderful. She is believed to be a rare gift to the world at this time.

Mama is not just an avid theologian and scholar of the Bible, who holds a BA degree in Biblical Theology from Faith Bible College Sango-Ota along with other academic honours, she is a practicing Christian, whose oft-quoted lines are ‘giving is my character, gratitude is my attitude’. She has practically turned humanitarianism and philanthropism to simplicity, an effortless activity.

Apart from making significant contributions to the work of the church physically, financially and spiritually across denominations and many continents, Reverend Mother Ajayi has lifted not a few from poverty, seen to the restoration of health of thousands across races. As a result, she holds the title of Matron and financial supporter in more churches in Nigeria and other countries of the world than anyone can remember. Mama Ajayi is like a polygamist, who does not know all her numerous biological children, but effortlessly reaches out to each and everyone of them. This is considering the reach of her hand of fellowship and camaraderie to all and sundry, even to as many that she has not come in physical contact with.

Mama’s goodness is practically legendary!

In 2007, Iya Adura established her own church named Love of Christ Generation Church C&S in London, after what she believes rules the world. It took less than eight years for the church to witness a massive turnaround in both followership and wealth, culminating in the relocation in 2015, to a newly renovated Cathedral in Clapham, London, where she now pastors a congregation with hundreds of worshippers and thousands of social media followers everyday.

In her wisdom, she devised a better means of reaching out to the teaming needy, and so the birth of Esther Ajayi Foundation, which holistically cater for people seeking help, with special emphasis to the homeless, poor, handicapped and underprivileged.

An avid traveller, Mama Ajayi has practically criss-crossed the length and breadth of the universe, dishing out the undiluted gospel of Jesus Christ with signs and wonders following. Not only that, she follows up every of her ministration with mind bugging contributions to both individuals and institutions. It must be known that she never makes any lip service pronouncement. Every pronouncement she makes is followed up immediately, and the fruits visible within days for small projects, and weeks for mega projects

A woman, who has sworn never to be involved in politics, Mama’s work has remained instrumental to her ever growing fame across nations. There’s hardly a place she is not known. She has, out of a dint of hard work, carved a God given niche for herself and generations unborn as her philanthropic gestures are felt across the world including United Kingdom, Israel, United States of America, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, Nigeria and many other parts of Africa.

Reverend Ajayi’s Celebrate The Comforter crusade has become a jamboree of some sort, uniting all the white garment churches in existence including the Celestial Church of Christ and all the other branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church worldwide. Beginning from 2017 when the first crusade was held in Clapham, London to United Palace in New York in 2018 and to Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, Nigeria in 2019, the retreat has been highly soul lifting. In July 2020, Mama will be opening her about 4000 seater ultra modern church in Victoria Island. The celebration promises to be turbo-charged.

Iya Adura is a great bridge builder, connecting the down trodden with the elites and movers and shakers of the society across the continents. Her influence in secular, political and traditional platforms has brought a positive change in governance, and how people relate with one another. She has succeeded in demystifying the myth surrounding the white garment churches, setting a new standard for the sect, tailored along respect and self discipline.

Space will not permit to mention one after another all the charity works and sponsorship projects Esther Ajayi has done within the past years, but somehow, this woman has reached so many people.

Reverend Esther is blessed with a wonderful husband, Rev Ajayi, four glorious children including Ola, Michael, Lisa and a host of other dependents.

A woman after many hearts, words are not enough to celebrate the invincibility of Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi and so, we can’t but celebrate you ma, as an amazon of goodness, an exceptional giver and God’s mouthpiece!

The world stands in awe to salute this woman of honour as she supervise the unveiling and dedication to God Almighty the gigantic edifice of worship.

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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Prioritize Existing Unfinished Projects, Peter Obi Tells FG

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Eric

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has advised the federal government to prioritize existing unfinished projects spread across the country instead of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Obi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stated that the project was a misplaced priority given the numerous unfinished roads throughout the country.

The former governor of Anambra State mentioned that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Works is insufficient for significant progress on the country’s various unfinished roads, much less their completion.

Obi therefore, advised that the government prioritize the existing infrastructural projects in the country before embarking on any new and colossal projects like the Lagos-Calabar super highway project.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.

So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?

“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects. We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi said.

Back in March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier described the project as a fraud.

“Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku said.

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2027 Presidential Race: Opposition Parties Under Attack

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

While it is still a whole three years before the next general election in 2027, The Boss has learnt that opposition parties in the countries are being muffled to pave the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to, and retain power.

From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Labour Party (LP), and down to the New Nigerian Peoples Paty (NNPP), crises have engulfed the rank and files, in what a source told this paper was the attempt and making of the ruling party, APC, to decimate, destabilize and make redundant the machineries of the opposition parties.

It is believed that by 2027, the apparatuses holding together the various opposition parties would have weakened irredeemably to the extent the country would seemingly nosedive into the inglorious one party state that every civil right advocate and democrats abhor.

It is alleged that all the crises in all the opposition parties are being engineered by the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling APC, with the hope of getting the fibres of their system weakened, thereby luring the members of the crisis-ridden parties into the APC.

Slightly one year after the last presidential election, the two major opposition platforms, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have separately been embroiled in a crisis of confidence which has diminished their capacity to provide viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crises in both opposition parties got to a head. The Labour Party led by its national chairman Julius Abure held its much-opposed national convention which was boycotted by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; its only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State; federal and state lawmakers elected on its platform, and the organised Labour.

In the Labour Labour, members have been embroiled in endless battle of supremacy with a faction led by Mr. Apapa steadily contesting the leadership of Julius Abure.

Consequently, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, reverence as a leader in the fold, noting that whatever the party faces presently, that Nigeria’s problems are far bigger than the crises in his party.

The LP has been embroiled in crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, and leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman.

TheCable reported that “On March 27, the LP conducted a national convention in Anambra state where Julius Abure was re-elected as its national chairman.

Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling over ditching the LP for another platform.

Speaking during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo over the weekend, Obi said he is confident that the crises rocking the LP will soon be resolved amicably.

“Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country,” Obi said.

“So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let us worry about the country.

“Let us worry about how the average Nigerian would be able to have a means of livelihood to be able to eat, that should be our worry.”

Obi said he has no interest in being the party’s leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

“I don’t see what I do in politics as being the leader of any place or not. My position is that just like I always say, I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria, I am desperate to see Nigeria work because I know it can work,” he added.

“We have a more desperate situation. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections. What is important is that being a leader of a party does not reduce the price of food.

In the PDP, the shenanigans of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has practically kept the party in constant crisis with many observers concluding that the now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is working for the APC, and is just a mole in the PDP. Wike has denied the allegation, however,

But news filtered in last week as that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NEC meeting on Thursday was not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

While political stakeholders concluded that the outcome of the Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan; every page of what finally transpired at the meeting pointed to the fact.

The much touted removal of the party chairman, who is believed to be a crony of the Abuja minister, Damagum, retained his seat, with his executives.

“It is very clear to everyone that a lot of money politics is being played to cajole many loyal members of the party, forcing them into frustration, and eventually it of the party. The option afterwards, will be the APC. This, will for all intent and purpose actualize the intended one party state as an APC agenda.

The Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP is not faring better either. The only governor under their ticket, Abba Kabir Yusuf, just had the confidence of their party on him withdrawn. He was fighting for his political life until suddenly it was announced the the APC in Kano has collapsed its structure into the NNPP.

“This is just another APC strategy to actualize their hidden intentions. Time will reveal the very sinister agenda they harboring,” an analyst said.

Much as 2027 is still three years away, but intrigues are in play to render Nigeria a one party state, and perpetuate the APC in power. The three other opposition parties are basically under attack to bring to pass this unpopular agenda.

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Akwa Ibom Government, Governor Umo Eno Receive Top Honors at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2024

Admin

The Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Pastor Umo Eno were recognized with Travellers Awards at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos for their sustained enhancement of infrastructure, support for local talent, and dedication to investment in the tourism sector. The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.

While Akwa Ibom won the Most Active Tourism State of the Year, Governor Eno was adjudged the most Tourism-Friendly Governor of the Year at the event that had Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in attendance.

According to Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder/Publisher of ATQ Magazine, the organizers of the event which is in its tenth edition, Akwa Ibom State won the top prize “in recognition of its valiant and resourceful efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism by promoting the industry.

‘In 2023, Akwa Ibom was one of the states that hosted World Tourism Day (WTD ) events. The state also organized the famous Christmas Unplugged, which featured music, food, and cultures from all 31 LGAs as well as ensured friendly policies.”

While hoping that the Travellers Awards would spur Akwa Ibom to do more to dominate the domestic tourism industry, the organizers hoped that the state would gradually evolve into one of Nigeria’s top international tourism destinations.

That was not all, the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in the travel and tourism industry, while other Akwa Ibom indigenes and entity were also celebrated: Mrs. Ime Udo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor( Tourism) won Tourism Promoter of the Year, Favour Udo won Tourism Photographer of the Year, Loretta Effiong and Prince Uduak Sunday (Qua Tours) were listed among the Tourism Personalities of the Year and Ibom Air won Airline of the Year International.

In his remarks, Sir Charles Udoh, who represented the Governor at the event, thanked the organizers for the awards and noted that Akwa Ibom is certainly enjoying the golden era when it comes to tourism development. He stated that Governor Umo Eno is very keen on making Akwa Ibom a leading tourism destination with his programmes and policies.

He revealed that with the new Victor Attah International Airport nearing completion, the purchase of a ferry for the Oron-Calabar route, new developments along its coastline and the restoration work that will be done at all its major tourism sites, Akwa Ibom is well on the way to becoming the number one destination for all domestic and foreign tourists.

In her speech, Tourism Minister, Mrs. Ade John hailed the organizers for hosting the Expo, where practitioners were lectured by top experts while also rewarding those who have excelled in the past year.

She affirmed that her ministry is open to partnership with public and private sector operators, adding that tourism development can only be successful through collaborative efforts.

The event, which attracted leading and budding tourism professionals, also featured interactive and entertainment sessions.

Apart from Sir Charles Udoh and Mrs. Ime Udo, the Akwa Ibom State delegation, also included: Mr. Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor, Mrs. Eme Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison) and Akparawa John Offiong, Deputy Director ( Culture) Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More photos below: