God's Evangelical Generals In Nigeria

by Eromose Ileso

Nigeria have been blessed with several great apostles of faith. The fire of Pentecostalism was ignited in the late sixties to seventies. A revival that brought the early christian life of some of the country's generals in God's courtyard. 

This piece takes a look at these God's generals and the Elisha lieutenants that have emerged who are making giant strides in their various Jerusalem alongside their Elijahs. In no particular order;


1. ARCHBISHOP BENSON IDAHOSA (1938-1998)

He was the pioneer of so many things in the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. And several of his proteges have been doing great things just like he did during his time on earth. He established the Church of God Mission International. With key branches being the ones at Iyaro, later the Miracle Centre at Airport Road, And the imposing Faith Arena complex which is the church headquarters all in Benin City. 

Besides being a pioneering apostle of faith in church planting, his vision extended to education which saw the establishment of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU), The Word Of Faith Group of Schools which has a Nursery, Primary and Secondary arms. 

His legacies lives on. He was a lion at a time in Nigeria when there was military rule with tyrants as leaders. The city of Benin is enjoying the seed he sowed decades ago as he was the one that liberated it from the occult and worship of false gods openly.

Flagship programmes: CWFI, CGMiC.( Christian Women Fellowship International) (Church of God Mission International Convention

Key Messages: Speak The Way God Speaks, Win War Without Fighting, Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude.

Favourite quotes: Turn your scars to Stars, My God is not a poor God.

2. PASTOR ENOCH ADEBOYE

Daddy G.O. as he is fondling called is the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Several and all manner of miracles has been rout through him. The RCCG is headquartered at Ebutte Meta in Lagos having being founded by Pa Josiah Akindayomi. 

Through Pastor Adeboye the church has grown to be in over 190 countries on earth, being a fulfillment of the promise God gave to the founder that he would take the church round the world. Through Daddy GO, the Redemption Camp which is a city along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has emerged over the last three decades. It has an auditorium that measures 3km by 3km which is a bigger than the old auditorium which is 1km by 1km. The RCCG has waxed and continues to wax stronger under him.

Flagship programmes: Holy Ghost Service, holds first Friday of every month. And the Holy Ghost Congress that holds very December.

Media Arm: Dove TV, RTM TV, Liveradio.
Educational Arms: Redeemers University. Redeemers College

3. REV DR. FELIX OMOBUDE

Papa as he is fondly called. His one of the proteges of Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Papa gave his life to Christ through Benson Idahosa. He subsequently became a pastor under Benson Idahosa. It was from there he was led to establish the New Covenant Gospel Church in 1988. With His Glory as it headquarters in Benin City, Edo State. He is currently the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
Papa is one of Nigeria's most humble Christian leaders. A man full of wisdom.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye remarked about him in March, 2016 during a Sunday Service as part of his 70th birthday celebration that: "you know a person's true character when he has power. But since being the President, he has not changed one bit."

The Gospel Light International Ministries (GLIM) which is the umbrella vision of Papa's ministry has under it, The Lighthouse Polytechnic, Evbounosa, Edo State and the Covenant Christian Academy.

Flagship messages: My Friend, My Friend, The Story Behind The Glory, Seizing The Moment, Discipleship Cost, When Common Sense Is Not Common, Giants and Grasshoppers

Key quote: You cannot spend the night on Delilah's lap and expect to wake up on Abraham's bosom.

Key Programme: BABiC,(Bible Alives Believers Convention) holds every last week of October.

4.  PASTOR AYO ORISTEJAFOR

Papa Ayo is another protege of Archbishop Benson Idahosa. He gave his life to Christ through a crusade organised by Benson Idahosa. He was the pioneer pastor at Church of God Mission in Sapele. He counts as
one of his mentors and spiritual fathers Morris Cerullo. He is the founder of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State. He was until July 2016, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria. And he was a former president of the PFN.
He has a flagship programme Hour of Deliverance which has been aired for decades.

Media Arm: ABN TV African Broadcasting Network. On cable satellite.
His ministry also has a micro finance bank, a University and a High School.

key programme: Jubilee Word Festival. holds every November.

5.  BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO

One of God's foremost Generals in Nigeria. He was ordained into full time ministry by Pastor Enoch Adeboye in 1983. The Living Faith Church, aka Winners' Chapel was founded in 1981.
An apostle of faith which has seen many uncommon miracles birthed through him. The church moved from Kaduna to Lagos through a divine direction. And has since grown from glory to glory. Canaan Land a city built by the church in Ota is the headquarters of the church where the 50,000 capacity Faith Tabernacle is.
Through him, God has raised great men of God and faith filled believers who are doing great work in their chosen endeavours. The church has several branches all over Nigeria and the world, and the vision has birth two high class universities in Covenant University Ota and Landmark University, Omu Aran. There is also the
Faith Academy and Kingdom Heritage Model Schools.

Key programmes: Shiloh. Holds every December.

6.  BISHOP FRANCIS-WALE OKE 

A foremost Evangelist who is gifted in the prophetic and has been doing the work of God from his days as a student at the University of Lagos. He is the founder of Sword of the Spirit Ministries in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Pastor Adeboye remarked about him in an Holy Ghost Service in which he was present thus: " you know a true prophet by the fulfillment of their prophesies. One of my sons (Wale Oke) gave me a prophecy in 1979, from it, there were twenty eight promises, twenty seven of which have been fulfilled.

His ministry recently commenced work on establishing a University.
For over three decades as a church founder, God has been using him to do great work in Ibadan and beyond.

7.  BISHOP MIKE OKONKWO    

He is the founder of The Redeemd Evangelical Ministries (TREM) based in Lagos. He was formerly a president of the PFN and a deputy chairman of CAN. One of the boldest Christian leaders in Nigeria He never shies away from speaking on national issues. He has through his ministry raised an army of Christians who assert their rights as children of God. He travels far and wide carrying the gospel of the kingdom to all
corners of the world.

Key quotes: No matter how many times you read through a portion of scripture, it takes another person opening that passage for you to understand it.

God has made me to understand that without members, the vision of a pastor dies.

8. BISHOP SIMEON OKAH

He is the founder of Flock of Christ Mission, in Warri, Delta State.And he has been doing great work through his calling by preaching the end time message about the second coming of Jesus Christ.
He is presently the deputy president South, South of the PFN.

9.  PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO         
        
Although, a Nigerian. His ministry, the Kingsway International Gospel Centre (KICC) is based in London. Still one of the country's great generals in God's courtyard. A personal friend to Bishop David Oyedepo and Bishop Francis Wale-Oke. He was formerly a pastor at the Foursquare Gospel Church before the KICC came on stream in 1992. His church is the largest Evangelical church in Western Europe. And at a time when Christianity is waxing cold in that part of the world, the KICC continues to break new grounds in an environment that is increasingly losing its Christian heritage. The KICC has it Nigeria headquarters in Maryland, Lagos. Though based in the United Kingdom, he travels to Nigeria on speaking engagement regularly.

Flagship programmes: IGOC, The International Gathering of Champions.

Media Arm: KICC TV, on cable satellite
Education Arm: Kings' University, Osun State.

10.  PASTOR W.F. KUMUYI 
     
He is the founder of the Deeper Christian Life Ministries. An apostle of upholding the tenets of holiness as part of salvation. He has continued to propagate the gospel of Christ for several decades. The ministry has its headquarters in Lagos. The church has several branches in Nigeria and the world. A foremost Evangelist who upholds the raw tenets of Christianity.
The church has an educational arm which includes a university and a High School.

11. PASTOR D.K. OLUKOYA

He is the founder of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries MFM. The church has grown in leaps and bounds propagating the gospel of personal deliverance from evil covenants and altars which has it foundations in the oppression of the enemy. The church has it headquarters in Lagos. The prayer City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway hosts all the church major programmes. It has branches in several countries outside Nigeria.

12. APOSTLE EMMANUEL KURE

He is founder of Throne Room Trust Ministry in Kafanchan, Kaduna State. He is the National Secretary of PFN. He has been described by many as a lion in a hostile environment for Christians.

A prophet in his on right. He started ministry when he was still a lecturer. He was to be arrested for preaching without being a pastor. A condition for preaching in the North at the time before he was miraculously ordained by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and the arrest failed.

 13.  PASTOR PAUL ENECHE                              
A protege and spiritual son of Bishop David Oyedepo. He is the founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre which has it headquarters in Abuja. Since its inception in 1997. The church has grown to have several branches all over the country. A medical doctor by profession, he has become a tool in God's hands by which unusual miracles in its weekly Healing and Deliverance Service on Wednesdays.

The grown of the church necessitated the building of a large auditorium as the one at Area 1, Garki could no longer accommodate its crowds with several overflows domicile alongside the main auditorium.
The new auditorium, The Lord's Garden, along Airport Road, Abuja a 75,000 sitter building is almost completed. With a Night Vigil recently held there during the Kingdom Fire Conference in November.

Media Arm: Dunamis TV on cable satellite.

14. PASTOR DAVID IBIYEOMIE

Another protege and spiritual son of Bishop David Oyedepo. He is a product of the Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI) in Lagos, before he founded the Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, River State in 1997. The church has grown in size since its inception that its currently building a new auditorium along Airport Road in Port Harcourt, called The Cathedral. He is doing a great work in the garden city, and he is continually raising a people unto God with his firebrand sermons.

Media Arm: Salvation TV, on cable satellite.

15. PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME              

He is the founder of Christ Embassy. A spiritual son of Archbishop Benson Idahosa. His alma mata, the Ambrose Alli University counts him as one of its great alumnus. He is widely traveled. And his healing school and Night of Bliss are programmes through which lives have been changed. The church has an army of christian gospel artist that has grown from it music arm. Many of whom are well known all over Africa and the world.

Media Arms: Loveworld Plus, Loveworld Sat. On cable satellite.

16. APOSTLE JOHNSON SULEMAN                     

The founder of Omega Fire Ministries. A protege of Archbishop Benson Idahosa. OFM is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Since its founding in 2004, the church has grown to have several branches in Nigeria and all over the world from its headquarters in Auchi, Edo State. Through his various ministration there have been demonstration of raw power in his meetings. Vastly gifted in the prophetic.

Media Arms: Celebration TV, on cable satellite.
Flagship programmes: Fire Night every last Friday of every month, and International Amazing Grace, hold every December.

17.  REV DR. UMA UKPAI

One of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. He is a fiery preacher, prophet and evangelist. He is within the Assembles of God framework as a member,, but he is the founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association with headquarters in Uyo. the body responsible for organising most of his outreaches and crusades all over Nigeria and the world. He has done and still doing a great work in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. And it is the city that host the annual Uyo Miracle Convention that holds every December.

18.   DR. PAUL NWACHUKWU

He is another of Nigeria's apostles who has through the power of Jesus Christ overcame and still overcoming the forces of darkness and the occult in Anambra State with various physical encounters akin to two boxers facing each other in the ring. He is the founder of Grace of God Mission with headquarters in Onistha. He once made a key statement in a sermon a few years ago. He said people are waiting for the anti Christ. But the manifestation of the anti Christ spirit is at work in the world. With homosexuality, proliferation of pornographic images taking hold of most the world. He made a reference of the CEO of Apple, coming out to say he was gay as an example of how the world now accepts what was repudiated before. 

19. PASTOR SAM ADEYEMI  

He is the founder of Daystar Christian Centre in Lagos. His ministry is geared towards raising leaders of excellence and equipping the saints in their various sectors towards living a life of excellence in their area of dominion. He holds meetings on excellence in leadership according to bible standards in the United States and in Lagos annually. His materials on building your spiritual life while also developing your mind has liberated many from the spirit of mediocrity.

His messages are aired on Dove TV and KICC TV on cable satellite.

NOTE: This list is not in anyway exhaustive. There are other God's generals not listed here. The list was drawn from research and being in meetings where these men have preached over time.

The Impact of Migration of Edo Youths By Land To Europe

by Eromose Ileso

Inside the massive migration of Syrians and nationals from the Middle East to Europe from their war torn countries, something that has been given huge media coverage in the western world, there is another wave of migration that has gone on for decades, long before the Arab spring and its domino effects developed into the monstrosity it is today. 

It is the migration of Edo youths to Europe using land borders before they cross the Mediterranean sea off the Libyan coast. You could essentially replace Edo youths with Gambians, Senegalese, Eritreans, Somalis and several other African countries. But this piece is centred on Edo youths.
 
This string of movement has been going on for years. Though many have used it to better their lives and that of their families, some have not been too lucky or favoured in this risk adventure. While some genuinely left what could best be described as a hopeless situation back home, others have left 'good' and comfortable conditions by making the hazardous journey by land to Europe. The two sides would be further examined with real life scenarios.
 
The hazardous journey North is one of the most dangerous in the world. Few live to relate the tale of their journey as some of them end up in the wrong hand of smugglers and others perish in the unforgiving waters of the Mediterranean sea. Yet despite the risk, the volume of people making the trip to Europe has increased every year as more than 360,000 people reached Europe by crossing the Mediterranean in 2016.
 
When that number is broken down according to countries, there would be a huge number of them from Nigeria, particularly from Edo State with specific reference to Benin City. That number is expected to go up in 2017 as those that have gone before hand have the potential of paving the way for others to make the journey.
 
Now using specific scenarios, it is easily noticeable that in some neighbourhood in Benin City, several familiar faces have left the scene. Not that they migrated to other parts of the country, rather, they have made the trip across the Mediterranean Sea that many have done.
 
There are exactly about six persons I am familiar with that made the trip either in 2016 or the year before.

I will start with a secondary school mate. I saw him again after over 20 years at New Benin area of Benin City. Incidentally, he said he had been seeing me pass that same place for years, but he wasn't sure whether it was actually me until he called me that day in February, 2015. 

After that we spoke and exchanged numbers which enabled us to chat on Whats app. We chatted and renewed old acquaintances. We subsequently became friends on Facebook. After that he seem to suddenly disappear off the radar. The next thing I saw were pictures on his Facebook page indicating that he was in a camp in Europe. Not long after that, he was in a house, and he was receiving a certificate of basic Italian having learnt it within months of his arrival. He has since settled into life in Italy. Before he left he was selling goods at New Benin market, but he had no store, he was an itinerant seller more or less.

This video reveals a snippet of what these immigrants go through to get to Europe through land and sea. Incidentally one of the persons highlighted in this piece happens to be in the video. Courtesy: CNN

Then there are two others, one was a driver for one of the political parties during the last general elections  and the other had no job or formal education. He traveled with trucks to offload goods from Northern Nigeria. For the former, he made the trip in late 2015, for the latter, I last saw him in April 2016, when I asked after him on January 4 when I visited the neighbourhood he resides in New Benin, I was told he had made the trip, and he was now in Rome.

The fourth person happens to be a brother to a friend. He was a nuisance to his family. He was an eccentric person that seldom settled down to do anything. He learnt sewing, abandoned it and gave away his sewing machine. He went to school, left half way and never bothered finishing anything he started. He was always drunk and was a bother to his family. When I visited on a certain day, I was told he had traveled. He spent months on the road, because he left in February, 2016, but was in Italy by July 2016. "Bros, I greet you" I saw in my inbox on a certain day in July from his new Facebook page having dished the first one. He regularly posts pictures of his activities with his location conspicuously stated as Italy.
 
Then another is one who runs a typing centre in the University of Benin. Though with his personal laptop, in a store shared with several people. I usually saw him most mornings going there for his job. It was the last quarter of 2016, I was told that he was amongst a few that have left from my neighbourhood to Europe. I took notice, because I knew him. All of them described here, all went to Italy.
 
However, others have not been to lucky as they have either found themselves stuck in other African countries. This is particularly true of a technician. He was an aluminum artisan. He could roof a house and fix aluminum windows. He had his apartment. He left abruptly after selling his properties. His journey hasn't gone smoothly. At a time he was stuck in Libya, before coming back to Togo. At the last count, he was planning on returning back to Nigeria.


These are just a few of the scenarios of youths who were in Benin City at least two years ago, but have all made the trip by land to Europe. And there are hundreds of them that make the trip yearly. 

The very essence that many don't see a future for themselves in Nigeria, as a result, those that make the trip every year would certainly increase. Nigeria already have a large contingent of his citizens in Italy and most Edolites found it easy to settle down to life there because they are likely to find a person or two there from their state who has made the journey earlier..
 
The impact of this wave of migration is in two fold. There is the negative and positive impact. For the latter, these ones are expected to join the rate of the diaspora who would be sending remittances home to their loved ones in the near future, and they would serve to improve their lives and that of their families. Although, as one of those that made the journey last year and currently resides in Rome told his neighbour in third cemetery, New Benin, "there is little to do here, as there are few jobs, but it is still better than Nigeria" So, it is not all rosy for new arrivals.
 
The adjustment these youths have to make is another thing. The issue of language barrier, the unfriendly winter weather and the likelihood of deportation. These are things they have to put up with. But they wouldn't care a hoot as many continue to make the journey in droves.

Many of these youths were a source of concern to their families and the society, but some have succeeded in channeling the energy they hitherto used to constitute a nuisance by making an hazardous trip. Most if not all, change for the better because of the humbling situation they had to go through to get to Europe.
 
The negative impact are numerous. Although, a large number of the youths that make this trip had little or nothing going for them while in Nigeria, their departure stands as a economic loss to the country in the short term as youth that would have added productivity to a state's economy if the right atmosphere was in place continue to depart to other countries. 

This is for those that are lucky to arrive in Europe safely. A large number of these youths, never get to make it to Europe, they either succumb to the elements of nature in the Sahara desert or they are arrested and thrown into inhumane cells in Libya, others are adopted by smugglers and fall victim to militants patrolling the Sahel and Sahara belt of those routes. For those that lost their lives during the trip, their families would not hear from them again. A situation that is both distressing and depressing for any family. There are others that perish in the Mediterranean Sea.
 
The bottom line is that this wave of migration would continue. When Libya was a stable country during the reign of Myanmar Ghadafi, a lot of Nigerians and Edo youths ended up settling there to irk out a living if they couldn't make the journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. But with Libya in chaos, and several groups catching in on the situation to make money, the number of people making the journey is expected to increase.
 
I wouldn't be any bit surprised if a youth I know or familiar with suddenly disappears from radar and appears in Europe this year. It is currently one of the most popular wave of migration in the world today and it might just be here to stay if the situation of things in Nigeria continue to take a downturn.

Key Nigeria Christian Television Channels

by Eromose Ileso

This piece provides a list of some key Nigeria Christian television channels available on cable satellite that has the capacity to transform your christian life and help you grow spiritually.

1. DOVE TV

This is the official television channel of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. (RCCG). It is available on Dstv, MyTV, Startimes, Roku device and Consat.They air live programmes of the church including the Holy Ghost Service that holds every first Friday of every month. The Holy Ghost Congress every December and the various RCCG Conventions and Festival of Life that holds in other parts of the world.
Everyday at 9pm there is Redemption Way featuring Daddy Enoch Adeboye, except when there is a live programme.

 There are other educative programmes like The Fathers that airs every 10pm on Monday. Several fathers of the Christian faith are interviewed during the programme. Also, the sermons of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Bishop Francis Wale Oke and Pastor John Hagee are aired on this channel. You also get to watch Christian movies and talk shows via this channel.

2. DUNAMIS TV

This is the official television channel of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja. One of the most intriguing and wonderful christian channels there is. It airs live Sunday Services where Pastor Paul Eneche preaches. You can also watch the Healing and Deliverance Service on Tuesdays from 10am, and the Wednesday communion service at 4.30 and 6.30pm respectively. You can watch spirit transforming and uplifting worship and praise from various Dunamis services from songs written by Pastor Paul Eneche.

Other programmes include Deep Realm where you get to watch over an hour of church worship. And also Programmes like Timeless Classic involving sermons from Billy Graham, Kenneth Hagin and several of God's Generals. At 9pm, there is the Believers' Voice of Victory featuring Kenneth Copeland and Gloria Copeland.
The channel is available on MyTV and other cable services

3. African Broadcasting Network (ABN)

Its the television channel of the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri.
You can watch sermons of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. They have request programmes, sports news, there is a talk show hosted by Pastor Helen Oritsejafor. They also show Christian movies. Its available on MyTV and other cable services.

4. Celebration TV

This is the official television channel of the Omega Fire Ministries of Apostle Johnson Suleman.
The channel airs live services of OFM including Sunday services from headquarters in Auchi. Fire Night every last Friday of every month and every programme that holds at OFM and the various outreaches in
cities all over Nigeria and other countries. 

The channel shows sermons of Archbishop Benson Idahosa.The programmes aired on the channel are exclusively that of Apostle Suleman, but you can also watch sermons by Dr Mrs. Lizzy Suleman, and other Omega Fire Ministries pastors of other branches of the church. There are also edifying christian movies available on the channel's list of programmes. And you can get to know the itinerary of Apostle Johnson Suleman throughout the year as it is shown on the channel ahead of time. The channel is available on MyTV and other cable services.

5. Salvation TV

This is the television channel of the Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt of Pastor David Ibiyeomie. They show sermons of Pastor Ibiyeomie. They do not air live services of the church. But they show long hours of his sermons that come in series. There is also abundance of christian songs from different christian artist available on their stable as well as Christian movies. Its available on MyTV cable and other cable services.

6. Loveworld Plus

This is the television channel of the Christ Embassy of Pastor Chris Oyakhirome. It shows the Night of Bliss and Atmosphere of Miracles meetings of Pastor Chris. They also have news reports from their studios in Lagos. It has other edifying programming one of which includes christian songs.

7. MFM TV ENGLISH & YORUBA

This is the official television channel of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries of Pastor D.K. Olukoya. They air sermons of the general overseer. They have separate channels for English and yoruba speakers. Its available on MyTV cable and other cable services.

8. CHOSEN TV
  
 This is the television channel of the Lord's Chosen of Pastor Lazarus Mouka. They air exclusive programmes of the general overseer and its available on MyTv cable and other cable services.

 9. Other Christian channels linked to Nigerian churches, but domicile outside the country are;

* RTM TV ( Redeemers Television Ministries)

It is the other television channel of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), but it is based in South Africa. They show sermons of Daddy Enoch Adeboye and other men of God. They also have news updates from their studios. Christian movies are available on their stable. Its available on MyTv cable

* Loveworld Sat

This is another television channel of Christ Embassy. Though based in South Africa. They air programmes of Pastor Chris. They broadcast news update from their South Africa studios.They also air the Believers Voice of Victory of Kenneth Copeland and other preachers from South Africa. It available on MyTV cable.

* KICC TV

Its the official television channel of the Kingsway International Christian Centre of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo based in London. They air Winning Ways by Pastor Matthew. Other preachers you can watch on this channel are Pastor Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Cerflo Dollar, Bill Winston, Sam Adeyemi, David Ibiyeomie, Paul Eneche and other Men of God. Its available on MyTv.

NOTE: These television channels have specific frequency coordinates that allow viewers to search and watch them from most parts of the world.