FAITH
Archbishop Okeke Explains Why He Floated AVOSCO For Students
By Chuks Eke
His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province has said he established Archbishop Valerian Okeke Science Competition, AVOSCO among junior and senior secondary school students in the Archdiocese to give them the opportunity to develop and expand their talents.
He opined that once the students develop their talents and imbibe learning culture at their youthful age, the sky would be their limit in terms of attaining greatness in life, thus becoming useful to themselves and to society.
Archbishop Okeke who spoke yesterday at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra state shortly after a march past by the students marking the last stage of the competition, said as an educationist himself, he loves to see students develop their talents in science, arts, and technology.
He noted that why he specifically instituted a science-oriented competition of this nature because everything good about life revolves around science, adding, “the computers we use to browse, the radio we use to listen to the news, the electricity, the vehicles, the airplanes, the telephones and others used for necessities of life are products of science”.
He however commended the students who took the first, second and third positions at the end of the competition and urged others to work harder to brace up for future competitions.
He also commended parents, teachers, principals and managers of various schools in the Archdiocese for their efforts in ensuring that the students’ talents are developed at this early stage.
In their various speeches, the Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Fr. Paschal Onwugbenu who organized the competition, and the Proprietor of Divine Rays British School, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (a.k.a. Fr. Ebube Muonso) whose school, Divine Rays British School, Obosi won the first position in the senior secondary schools’ category, described Archbishop Okeke as an encyclopedia who loves children
Highlights of the event featured the distribution of cash and prizes to winners and runners-up of junior and senior secondary schools categories.
In the senior category, Ofomata Ifeanyichukwu Ernest, from Fr. Ebube Muonso’s Divine Rays British School scored 78 percent to assume the first position, while Obiano Dennis Okwuchukwu from St. Joseph’s Seminary School, Awka-Etiti and Okpala Henrietta Chidera from St. Kizito Girls secondary school, Umudioka scored 72 percent and 65 percent each to emerge second and third positions respectively.
In the junior category, Ugochukwu Desmond Chimdindu of the Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha scored the first position with 90 percent, while Ezeoke Chioma Lucy of the Queen of the Rosary College, QRC, Onitsha and Mmoka Francis Chukwubuikem of the All Hallows Seminary School, Onitsha scored 88 percent and 87 percent each to assume second and third positions respectively.
By Chuks Eke
Patients from all the hospitals visited by His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese and Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, as part of activities marking his 70th birthday anniversary, filled the air with wide jubilations in honour of the celebrant. He visited Iyienu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, which is owned by the Anglican Church, St. Charles Borromeo Hospital in Onitsha, which is held by the Onitsha in Ghana Catholic Archdiocese, and General Hospital in Onitsha, which is controlled by the Anambra State government. Their joy was multiplied when the Archbishop, joined by the Archdiocese’s Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh, and other Catholic Priests, prayed for the patients and distributed cash to settle their hospital costs.
The first pot of call by Archbishop Okeke and his entourage who took off from the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, was Iyienu Mission Hospital where after moving around the wards and praying for all the patients, he paid the hospital bills for four of them who had been discharged and their bills ran into hundreds of thousands of naira which they could not pay since after their discharge.
Receiving the Archbishop and his entourage, the Iyienu Mission Hospital Administrator, Rev’d Canon Tochukwu Okwuchukwu who thanked him for such an ecumenical initiative, said he was excited that a Catholic of his high-level status visited an Anglican, church establishment, pointing out that sickness does not distinguish between Catholics and Anglican faithful
From Iyienu Hospital, the Archbishop and his entourage moved straight to St. Charles Borromeo Hospital where he also moved around the wards and prayed for the patients, after which he handed over cash worth hundreds of thousands of naira to the hospital manager, Dr. Okonkwo as settlement of medical bills for about four patients.
His last port of call was the Onitsha General Hospital where he also prayed for them in their various wards and paid the bills of another five patients.
The Kingdom Life World Conference (KLWC), which has traditionally drawn anointed clerics from throughout the world, was founded in 1990 by The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). It is attended not only by church members, but also by notable and proven men and women of God from many ministries in Nigeria and other African nations, as well as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Philippines, and Germany. According to the organisers, this year’s iteration will be no different. ROLAND OGBONNAYA writes
Christians from all over the world will gather on the grounds of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) in Gbagada, Lagos, for the 2023 Kingdom Life World Conference, which will take place between November 19 and 26. According to the organisers, it will be a period of renewal and effect on the body of Christ.
The Kingdom Life World Conference, which lasts eight days, is the Ministry’s annual conference that brings together people from all over the world to worship and celebrate God’s goodness. The conference, which began in 1990, has attracted anointed servants of God from all over the world. It is attended not only by church members, but also by prominent and proven men and women of God from various ministries in Nigeria and other African nations, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Philippines, and Germany.
Yearly, delegates from around the world who are not Ministry members but come to receive from God and testimony from them.
Among the notable Nigerian speakers who have blessed the conference are the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Church of God Mission, Pastor Enoch. A Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of Word of Life Bible Church, Dr. Felix Omobude of New Covenant Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke of Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Bishop Simeon Okah, Flock of Christ, and others.
Bishop Charles Agyin Asare of Ghana, Rev. Tudor Bismark of Zimbabwe, Pastor Tim Storrey, and Dr. Mensa Otabil of Ghana are also present. Dr. Richard Ford, Dr. Greg, and Cyndi Romine, and Dr. Jerry Wolcson are all Americans. The conference has continued to grow year after year, with attendance ranging from 12,000 to 40,000 in each service.
Walking in Dominion (1990), Let His Glory Fall (1991), Fully Committed (1992), His Holy Habitation (1993), Pure Fire (1994), Power In The Word (1995), and Manifestation of the Sons (1996-1998) have been the Conference’s themes from its inception. The Glory Is Here (1999), Signs, Wonders, and Miracles (2000), Releasing The Captives (2001), In His Presence (2002), Our God Reigns (2003), It Is Well (2004), and Behold His Wonder (2005) are the titles of the conference. God Said… (2007 & 2008), Unshakable Kingdom (2009 & 2010), and Grace (2011, 2012).
The hosts Bishop and Bishop (Mrs.) Mike Okonkwo will be on the ground to receive guests and other participants at the 2023 edition of the conference with the theme JESUS.
Speaking with Saturday INDEPENDENT on the activities of this year’s conference, Reverend Chinedu Nkere, the resident Pastor of TREM City of Joy, Apapa, who also doubles as the Zonal Pastor of TREM Lagos Zone 7 Churches, and currently Chairman, of Kingdom Life World Conference Planning Committee 2023 appreciated Bishop Mike and Bishop Peace Okonkwo, for the opportunities given to him to serve in different capacities over the years organising the annual conference.
Pastor Nkere who describes the KLWC as the “Mother of All Conferences,” explained that the word “Mother” generally describes one that gives birth to, produces, or raises another. So when the church says the Mother of All Conferences, it simply means that Kingdom Life World Conference has come of age and has produced or given birth to several other conferences, locally and globally, not only in TREM but in other ministries.
Nkere stated that various other Pastors, Church Heads, and Ministries report to The Presiding Bishop so that “when we come for Kingdom Life, we have opportunities to learn; and when we go back to our locations, we reproduce what we have learned.” Another reason for that description, in my opinion, is that the Kingdom Life World Conference is a premier global and life-changing conference that has been around for 33 years and counting, and it just continues becoming larger, better, and stronger by the grace of God.
“Let me also mention that the phrase, “Mother of All Conferences”, did not originate from me. If I am not mistaken, I think I heard it first from the Presiding Bishop many years ago, even before I became the Planning Committee Chairman and it just got stuck with me since then. However, we have another Conference in TREM, which I named the Father of All Conferences but that is a story for another day.”
Pastor Nkere is enthusiastic about the KLWC 2023 for a variety of reasons. The first concern is with the theme: JESUS. “I haven’t seen any other program with a similar theme.” Yes, we talk about Jesus at most conferences, but as the topic, I haven’t seen that before. So we have the most influential name in history as the theme of this year’s conference. That is extremely powerful, and it’s also the 33rd anniversary of KLWC, and the topic is the man who lived for 33 years and whose impact is still felt.”
The second argument he would tell you is merely a continuation of the first. He noticed that TREMites all across the world are more thrilled than ever about the conference and the theme. This, he claims, can be observed in their conduct, interest in the clothes, and social media posts.
“Thirdly, we are engaging people at the grassroots, beginning with TREMites. The massive buy during the first pre-KLWC Sunday we had across our churches in September 2023, is mind-blowing. We have seen all kinds of creativity with the advert materials and outfits from our people. Another point is that we shall be having the greatest onsite attendance since the COVID-19 experience.
“From statistics, our attendance and participation have been on the increase in the last two years recovering from Covid-19. However, this year, we have noticed more interest in onsite attendance than in the last two years. I am aware that some zones are making serious transportation arrangements to have their delegates onsite. One major point is that the Speakers for this year’s Conference are unique and anointed. As the names of the speakers keep unfolding, the excitement keeps increasing.
In addition, the Organising Committee Chairman revealed that some of the music ministers, particularly for the Zamar Concert, will be making their first appearance. The names, he added, will be revealed later. I also strongly believe that this year’s KLWC will be mind-blowing in terms of the quality of the Word, signs, and wonders. You cannot call or be associated with the Name, JESUS and not be transformed. I want to encourage everyone to come believing. Jesus said, “All things are possible, to them that believe.”
The organisers promised the merits of the conference would be too numerous to mention, ranging from the time of fellowship and refreshing, to impartation, miracles, signs and wonders, and quality music. They said the Presiding Bishop will always say that listening to someone in the shower cannot be the same as being in the shower. “Personally, I am looking forward to this year’s KLWC with great excitement and expectations.”
“Truth is that KLWC 2023 has something to offer everyone; young and old, fair or dark, educated or otherwise. In fact, business people have great opportunities to expose their businesses during the conference. For the first time ever, we shall be having a “Trade Fair” on the Saturday of the conference. This is apart from the Commercial Centre that will run throughout the conference. The idea is for companies and business owners to showcase their products and services so that further engagements can continue, even after the Conference. That is awesome,” Pastor Nkere emphasised.
He said the Planning Committee is working hard to ensure that every participant in this conference has an unforgettable experience, adding that the least one can do is to be part of the conference, in any and every way one can.
A section of the clerics
Bayelsa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed the second term bid of Governor Douye Diri in the November 11 governorship election in the state.
CAN made its stand known at a one-day interactive session with the governor at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Swali, Yenagoa, on Monday.
The state CAN chairman, Very Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, said the body was impressed by the governor’s performance in infrastructure development in the last three and a half years and wants him to continue.
The Christian organisation said the state needed a God-fearing leader to pilot its affairs, and that Diri fits its choice.
It also noted that the governor has given the state a ray of hope through his commitment to prayers, support for the church, and developmental initiatives.
Other areas include his commitment to prompt payment of salaries, pension and gratuities as well as the construction of the three senatorial roads among others.
CAN however noted that all the contenders in the election were brothers and sisters and enjoined political actors to shun violence in the electoral process and allow the electorate to choose who to lead them.
Opelema said: “We stand with you (Diri) on our choice for continuity and consolidation. You are our choice.
“We are impressed by your commitment to prayers and support for the church and CAN as well as sponsorship of pilgrimage to the holy land.
“We thank you for the construction of the three senatorial roads, Glory Drive phase two, and commencement of the Glory Drive phase three.”
In his response, Governor Diri appreciated the CAN leadership for endorsing his second-term bid.
He attributed his administration’s success to God and the support from the church.
Diri stated that the gesture was a motivation to do more and enjoined members to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election to enable him to consolidate his first tenure achievements.
Diri said: “I appreciate the leadership of CAN and PFN (Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria) for your support for this government. You have been so committed.
“You did not wait for me to ask but you endorsed me without our asking. On behalf of a grateful government and party, I say a very big thank you to the church. We will not take it for granted.
“When you endorse, you are saying we should do more. So for us, it is a motivation to do more in our second tenure.
“You are the ones counting what we have done. To me, that is the essence of democracy. It is for people to review you. After reviewing you, they either say you have passed or failed. Today, you have reviewed us and given us a pass mark.”
The governor, who condemned politics of violence, said his campaign will be issue-based.
The Christian community presented a Bible to Governor Diri at the event.
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