religion
CCC Ijako Invites all parishes to their 60th anniversary, preaches unity among members worldwide
CCC Ijako Invites all parishes to their 60th anniversary, preaches unity among members worldwide
Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo, Abeokuta City
Sahara Weekly Reports That The parent of all Celestial Church of Christ, CCC in Abeokuta, situated in Ijako area has called on other celestial churches in Ogun state to celebrate their 60th anniversary together with them being the origin of all the Celestial churches in Ogun state.
The Shepherd in charge, Sup. Israel Fadairo invited all believer of Christ, Celestial family worldwide to attend the 60th anniversary of founding the church which will be held on Sunday 5th of November, 2023 at the church premises in Ijako, Abeokuta city.
The church also called on the staunch believers of Celestial worldwide to contribute to the building of Cathedral Church beside the main church in Ijako—Ijemo area of Abeokuta.
Diving into the pool of history, The Celestial Church of Christ in Abeokuta, Ogun State, started in 1963, at Sodeke; the residence of late Chief Odewole, whose daughter was battling with a life-threatening illness. Upon hearing about PAPA OSHOFFA’s visitation, he ensured he visited him severally at both MAKOKO, Lagos, and PORT NOVO, Republic of Benin for a spiritual solution to his child’s ailment. It is worthy of note that God of CELESTIAL, through Papa OSCHOFFA, healed the girl of her infirmities.
PAPA, however, suggested that a branch of the church be brought to Abeokuta; citing the omnipresent nature of God. The idea was well received by the late chief Oguntoyinbo, hence his residence at Sodeke was used as a temporary place of worship. Earlier on, Papa had held neighborhood crusades (IKEDE) in the town which made the church gained new members.
Rev. Pastor S.B.J OSHOFFA was left with no option than to send some members from Makoko Lagos, led by Leader Robert Abayomi COLE, to oversee the new church, the new converts received the Lagos team. Notable among them were late Asst.Evang. I.M Oguntoyinbo, late Most Snr.Evang. M.O Adekambi, late Pa Opucha, late Snr.Evang. Sotonade, late Snr. Evang. A.A Adepegba, Sup.Evang. Sokanlu, late Sup. Evang.C.K kogbodoku, Sup. Evang. Macauley and their families.
The already growing church moved to a new location at Sodeke – Somoye’s compound seeking for a larger space for the first harvest of the church which was held in 1964.Having spent two years at yet another location (Lawyer Adefolu’s house at Ake), there was quest to search for a more spacious location for worship after the congregation kept increasing in numbers, Then IJAKO land was leased.
The Ijako church was the first location where permanent structures was erected through the spirited efforts of the elders, and financial support of notable individuals when it was 13 days to the 1966 harvest, the church building was erected even as the late Pastor Founder was on ground for physical and spiritual supervision of the church building to ensure the 1966 harvest was successful.
As the church grew in leaps and bounds through the neighborhood outreaches (IKEDE), there was a huge turnout of fresh converts and before long, new parishes within Abeokuta and beyond were founded; among these are: CCC Iyetedo Parish established in 1966, through Most Snr.Evang. Moses Obasa Adekanmbi, who was a cape Prophet as at that time.
Other parishes established includes CCC Ilaro… Established in 1971, CCC Ijebu Ode…. formerly at Obalende garage, CCC Ibara, Abeokuta, CCC Totoro Parish Abeokuta, CCC Eruwa through Ldr. Odebunmi among others.
Meanwhile, it is imperative to note that the Pastor Founder had put the leadership of the growing church in the hands of Leader ISAIAH MOBOLORUNDURO OGUNTOYINBO as the first indigenous shepherd in Abeokuta after the late Leader R.A COLE returned to Lagos. Leader Oguntoyinbo owned this to his passion for God’s works, steadfastness and the good sense of judgement he exhibited.
The Asst. Evang. I.M OGUNTOYINBO AND Most Snr. Evang. M.O ADEKANMBI’s RELATIONSHIP.
These two men of God were related by birth, OGUNTOYINBO was their grandfather and one of the girl children got married to Adekanmbi who later became our M.O Adekanmbi. Though I.M Oguntoyinbo was elderly, both of them were very close and were dedicated to the activities of God.
It was the combined efforts of the duo and other vibrant elders that brought about significant advancement to the church recorded in the shortest space of time as evident in the daily conquest, healings and deliverance was accomplished.
Most notable among the several testimonies was the victory over the death The Most High gave a member, known as MAMA SOBANDE, an Educationist and Proprietor of Trinity Nursery and Primary School situated in Ijaiye area of Abeokuta, Who usually record death of her pupils at three months intervals. This ugly trend made parents to withdraw their wards from the school, thus making the future of the school appear bleak and running into jeopardy.
This situation caused her to run to the church for spiritual consultation through the neighborhood crusade (IKEDE). God intervened and put a final stop to the incessant death through His servants: Leader I.M Oguntoyinbo and the prophet, M.O Adekanmbi.This story is verifiable. Many others looking up to God for the fruit of the womb, and solutions to their various challenges were also blessed with their heart desires.
Similarly, testimonies of healed epileptic and mentally – challenged individuals abound. All these to the glory of God.
However, as the church started to grow in christ, there was need to get a bigger space for worship. After much attempts to secure a place, L.S.P Sobande gave part of her landed property to the church as a token of appreciation for the Great Grace she received from God, the new land was cleared with bulldozer to commence service.
It is also of note that as at that time, the only recognized and existing Matron of the CCC Abeokuta, and Ogun State in general was LSES Oguntoyinbo (Mama Michael).
However, some frivolous allegations came up signaling the shepherd, Oguntoyinbo being a dual shepherd i.e he’s a shepherd in Ijaye at the same time still overseeing the Ijako church which had since come alive as congregants living around Ijemo-Ijako found it much closer. He was alleged to be collecting OWO-IGBA – the usual general service collections in both places.
He was also alleged to be engaging in civil works as against the clergy ethics. (Let it be told that he was a granite merchant with vast knowledge in building and surveying. This was where he got “daily bread’ to feed his large family). He was summoned by the church elders to a meeting on a Sunday, where he was literarily asked to choose between the Ijako and ijaye church.
Apparently, they felt he should be excused from the parish even after leading the church to Ijaye and shepharding it for years. He rose from the meeting and led his family members and others that were willing to go with him back to Ijako, to a site that was being used as a praying mountain abinitio, and church service continued in Ijako till date … a pictoral description shows PAPA OSHOFFA praying on the mountain during his visit to the church.
Baba Oguntoyinbo was so much loved by the Pastor Founder for his astute loyalty and selfless dispositions to the things of God. As proof for the above assertion, his piece of land at Ketu, Lagos with that of his wife, Mama Sarah Oguntoyinbo (Solanke), were donated to Celestial Church of Christ; International Headquarters.
Both of them (he and his wife) had gotten plans on how to develop their properties but they freely gave the two plots of land to the CCC. The land documents are verifiable at the CCC Admin office, ketu, Lagos.
As early said, he was a granite merchant and a building expert; so he could afford to buy property in Lagos as at then. Here in Abeokuta, he later had access to his father’s assets from which he gave to some CCC members to build houses. He also had a candle factory.
Upon his return to Ijako in 1978, he began to face-lift the new site – Ori-Oke. Giving his building skills, he re-routed the access road to the hilly church by constructing 126 steps to the crest, inscribing on the built steps…”CCC ABEOKUTA 1”. The inscription is still there.
THE PASTORAL VISITATION
After the inauguration of Rev. A.A Bada as the Pastor of the CCC World-Wide made a pastoral visit to Abeokuta, as the headquarters of Ogun State, his first port of call was CCC ABEOKUTA 1, IJAKO. He worshipped and prayed for the congregants. This event was covered by the Concord Newspaper on August 22, 1986. The pictures tell more of the stories.
SHEPHERDS IN THE VINEYARD.
Since the passing unto glory of the pioneer shepherd, Asst. Evang. I.M Oguntoyinbo, the church had passed through phases as a number of notable shepherds had traversed the worship centre.
In retrospect, we cannot forget the services of the shepherds who had worked tirelessly for the advancement of the His work. Among who are:
Evang. S.E Odebunmi, Evang. Sunday Etutu, Snr. Evang. Francis Olapejo, Snr. Evang. Benson Ikusedun, Snr. Evang. O Fagbesan, Snr. Evang. Awosika, Snr. Evang. Elegberun, Most Snr. Evang. T.T Ojo, Ven. Sup Evang. Ebenezar Ogundipe, Ven. Sup. Israel Fadairo …. present shepherd.
CLARION CALL TOWARDS THE NEW CHURCH BUILDING
This is a major and divine call to all SONS and DAUGHTERS of the C.C.C globally who had pass through this land to let us join hands to build the foundation the first shepherd had laid. With your support, we can rest assured that “Ise awon baba wa koni parun” (the labor/efforts of our founding fathers would not be worthless). We are counting on your generous donations towards the edification of His work.
Thank you all and God bless.
LONG LIVE CCC IJAKO, OKE ANU….HAPPY, HAPPY CELEBRATION!!!
LONG LIVE CCC WORLDWIDE.
Manipulation: Ignorance Is a License to Bondage — Dr. Chris Okafor
“Nothing honours until a spirit interferes.”
Manipulation, broadly defined, is the act of influencing or controlling a person or situation through subtle or overt tactics for personal advantage. In many cases, such influence is perfected through spiritual interference, because the spiritual realm ultimately governs the physical.
This profound subject formed the focus of the midweek non-denominational Prophetic Healing, Deliverance and Solutions (PHDS) Service ministered by the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Worldwide, Dr. Chris Okafor, at the international headquarters of the ministry in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
Speaking on the topic “Manipulation”, with the subtitle “The Spiritual Aspect,” Dr. Okafor explained that manipulation exists in two dimensions: demonic manipulation and divine manipulation.
Demonic Manipulation
According to the Generational Prophet, demonic manipulation represents the negative expression of spiritual control, where individuals are influenced by the spirit of darkness to act contrary to their true intentions and divine purpose.
He noted that under demonic manipulation, people often say or do things their inner conscience did not authorize, acting solely under satanic influence. This, he explained, accounts for the increasing hostility, false accusations, and defamatory statements directed at genuine servants of God in contemporary times.
“Many people speak evil against true men of God, maligning those sent by God to help them. Often, it is not entirely their fault—it is the work of demonic manipulation,” he stated.
Dr. Okafor, however, offered reassurance, emphasizing that a prayerful life and proper spiritual alignment provide immunity against such attacks. He stressed that when a believer is connected to a spiritual father and guided correctly, no level of manipulation can stop destiny or destroy God-ordained blessings.
He warned that unchecked manipulation can damage destiny and limit access to divine blessings.
Divine Manipulation
The Prophet further taught that just as there is demonic manipulation aimed at destruction, there is also divine manipulation—the intervention of God to protect, guide, and align His people with His eternal purpose.
“If there is a demon manipulating destinies wrongly, there is also a God in heaven who divinely interferes to preserve glory,” he declared.
Dr. Okafor explained that believers who understand the principles of serving God in truth and in spirit operate under divine manipulation, where God orchestrates events in their favour. Under such covering, no demonic manipulation can prevail.
He added that consistent prayer, commitment to kingdom service, partnership with God’s work, and active soul-winning neutralize every form of demonic interference.
Solutions to Manipulation
According to Dr. Okafor, the ultimate safeguard against manipulation is a disciplined prayer life and total commitment to the things of God. Such spiritual alignment ensures that no demonic influence can infiltrate a believer’s path.
The PHDS midweek service witnessed a mighty move of the Holy Spirit, marked by deliverance, healings, miracles, restoration, and divine solutions to numerous cases presented before Elohim, the God of Grace Nation.
religion
Prophet Israel Oladele’s Genesis Global 2025 Harvest of New Dimension seeks to empower 5,000 widows and widowers in Lagos
Prophet Israel Oladele’s Genesis Global 2025 Harvest of New Dimension seeks to empower 5,000 widows and widowers in Lagos
…Hallel Night of Praise comes with high expectations.
The Genesis Global Harvest of New Dimension has arrived. There remains something exceptional and distinctive about the life of this esteemed man of God, Genesis, whose generosity and concern for welfare have set him apart and made him stand out among his peers.
Some may suggest that this is no longer news, as they might perceive it as an annual routine; however, it’s breaking news at our disposal because this year’s harvest of new Dimension is already causing some individuals to think in suspense due to the massive preparation becoming mind-blowing and creating a climax atmosphere.
It is undeniable that Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, fondly referred to as Genesis, hosts an annual Adults Harvest that has become a prominent event, characterized by numerous funfairs and jamborees from the Friday Hallel Night of Praise to the Sunday Harvest of New Dimension Thanksgiving.
Evidently, no harvest has ever been planned in this manner in the history of the CCC Lagos chapter, as Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe has redefined and transformed the doctrine of harvest of CCC through his divine wisdom with his Genesis Global family.
As of the time of filing this report, Prophet Genesis’ media aide, Oluwaseun Fabiyi, has confirmed that all hotels within the Dalemo, Alakuko, Abule Egba to Sango Otta axis have been fully booked due to the arrival of dignitaries from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ondo, Ekiti, Kano, and Kaduna, who have come to celebrate with the prophet of God, resulting in potential difficulties for Lagosians seeking hotel accommodations.
A glimpse from the 2024 Hallel Night of Praise, which suddenly became the talk of the town when Prophet Genesis rode a decorated horse from backstage to the edifice altar, changing the atmosphere and shocking many attendees with this experience reminiscent of Lord Jesus Christ’s ride on a donkey, demonstrating Prophet Genesis’ divine wisdom in incorporating innovative elements into Genesis Global programs.
The 2025 Hallel Night of Praise, slated for Friday, 19 December 2025, at Genesis Global City, Dalemo Alakuko, off Duro Ishola Street, Lagos, is highly anticipated by many.Hallel Night of Praise is a specially designed evening of worship, created to complement the adult harvest, providing an opportunity for thanksgiving and heartfelt praise to God Almighty, who values and responds to fervent and sincere prayers – a fundamental principle that has fostered prayer answers, church growth, and expansion within the Genesis Global community.
Get ready for a night of unbridled praise and worship as Hallel Night of Praise brings together a stellar lineup of gospel artists, featuring the host, Genesis Global Choir, Elijah Daniels, Oyinkansola, Tobi Akuraku, CCioma, Erniola Olusoga, Minister Olalekan, Dare Oxygen, Titilayo Euba, and other anointed ministers of God, all set to create a night of open heavens and intense praise, kicking off at 8pm and going through until dawn.
Prior to this event and as part of this special 2025 harvest of a new dimension, Saturday, the 20th has been designated for Genesis Global Foundation empowerment, where thousands of widows, widowers, elderly men, and women will be empowered by the prophet of God through the Genesis Global Foundation.
The grand finale, taking place on Sunday, 21 December 2025, will be a special Sunday of new dimension harvest of thanksgiving, beginning at 9am promptly with various spiritual activities and prophetic declarations.
A statement from Prophet Israel Genesis’ media aide, Oluwaseun Fabiyi, confirmed that the harvest committee has made comprehensive arrangements to cater to the needs of all international dignitaries and attendees, with the welfare of individuals being paramount, alongside provisions for maximum security within Genesis Global City and its surroundings. In addition, this power pack program will feature an awards and recognition segment, where the elderly and widows, and widowers will receive cash grants and food items, and others will receive food items to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
The statement cited Prophet Genesis, who articulated that the motivation behind this initiative is to empower a multitude of vulnerable individuals without the means to participate in the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, while also ensuring their basic needs are met.
According to Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe, also known as Genesis, in a statement to his media aide, Oluwaseun Fabiyi, the Genesis Global Church Annual Harvest is a time for people to express gratitude to God for a fruitful year at Genesis Global City, and also a time for people to experience God’s power, as testified by previous celebrations.
He further encourages individuals to experience the transformative power of God, as past events have demonstrated that it is an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to witness breakthroughs, divine encounters, and new opportunities. Save the date for the Hallel Night of Praise, from Friday, 19th to Sunday, 21st December 2025.
Why I took a break from music— Denny Zee
Upwardly mobile afrobeats sensation, Denny Zee has explained the reason behind his short break from the music scene. For almost two years, the Epe, Lagos born singer, songwriter and producer had been off the scene, but he’s currently back with a new cut titled ‘Werk’.
Denny Zee described ‘Werk’ as a piece of art that will surpass the records of his previous hits -‘Joh’, ‘Bana,’ and ‘Tender’.
Formerly signed to Nuul Gang, a Sweden-based record label owned by an international DJ, Denny Zee’s career took on a global outlook through collaborations and international releases that expanded his artistic reach.
”I took the short break to strategize, and now I’m stepping into a new era of rebranding, redefining my identity and sound. My upcoming projects — including new singles and a highly anticipated EP — promises a richer, bolder expression of my message: joy, hustle, struggle, resilience, and the unapologetic pursuit of dreams, wrapped in the allure of a confident, charismatic artist who isn’t afraid to show both his strength and sensuality,” Denny Zee said.
He added that “I’m presently standing at the intersection of soul and sound — a singer, songwriter, and producer shaping the next wave of Afro music with authenticity, creativity, and unshakable drive. Open to collaboration and new sonic adventures. I’m not just chasing success, I’m building a legacy, one record at a time.”
Raised in the heart of Lagos, Denny Zee’s journey began as a young dreamer determined to channel the storm inside him. With the support of his musically inclined brothers, he found direction and discipline, transforming raw passion into a craft. What started in local studios has since grown into an artistic identity that bridges continents and generations.
Denny Zee’s sound is an intoxicating blend of Afrobeat, Afrofusion, Afroswing, and Reggaeton, laced with R&B and Soul. It’s music that grooves and moves, but also speaks — balancing rhythm with reflection. His influences — Fela Kuti, Shabba Ranks, Sean Paul, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, and Wizkid — helped shape his sound, but his individuality gives it a modern heartbeat uniquely his.
As both a songwriter and producer, Denny Zee’s artistry goes beyond his own discography. He has written and produced numerous songs, collaborating with major artists including Rude Boy of the legendary P-Square duo and the Afrobeat duo Bracket, among others. His creative fingerprint runs deep across the industry — blending storytelling, melody, and emotion with precision and authenticity.
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