Business

My child’s illness made me go to Redeemed Church + I had uncountable Girlfriends – General Overseer RCCG, Pst E.A Adeboye reveals

Published

9 years ago

February 7, 2016

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye has a lot of stories to say about his past which a lot of people don’t know.
In this interview with Sunday Alabi, Adetunji Adeyombo, Tunde Opalana, Tolu Olamiriki and Taiwo Olanrewaju , he explained how he met his wife, his first encounter in RCCG, and how he used to have a lot of girlfriends.
Talking about what made him choose the work of the ministry over his teaching career, he said,
”Well, I have shared the testimony that I had a problem that all my mathematics couldn’t solve.
The problem had to do with one of my children who had a sickness that the doctors couldn’t handle and somebody referred me to the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I got there, they prayed for the child and the child was made whole. Well, they were alright, I must confess I didn’t like their mode of worship, their worship was too noisy for me. But the first
thing that attracted me to the Redeemed Christian Church of God was their sincerity and their fervour. Whatever they were doing, they were doing it with their whole heart, they were not pretending. I also saw in the faces of the leaders, they were always contented, they looked as if they had no problem in the world at all, they had peace more than anything else.
Fortunately for me, they didn’t solve the problem of my child immediately, they kept on saying I must surrender my life to Jesus Christ, I must confess my sins to Him, which irritated me to start with because I felt that I didn’t know about sin. What they were calling sin then by my own interpretation was just a way of life. We were doing everything everybody was doing. You have a wife in the house, one or two girlfriends by the side. That was what everybody was doing. But after about one month, suddenly the message penetrated and I suddenly realised that they were not asking me to surrender to any man, they were asking me to surrender to my God, my maker. I grew up in a home where you can’t call it holiness but at least where they taught us to fear God. After I grew up, particularly around the time I was about to enter the university, all these pranks became the order of the day. I remembered those days when early piety became the order of the day and I thought it was a good time really.Then I felt if what these people are saying is that I should return to those days, then why not.
I went forward, gave my life to Jesus Christ and everything changed. Everything changed since then till now.’

Talking about the first miracle God performed through him, He said,
Oh! you are talking about the first healingmiracle. The first one I can say is spectacular, because there are several others, the first was the healing of a dumb child. The mother brought the child, the child was babbling a lot, the child was eleven or twelve years old and has never spoken all her life and the mother brought her, she said this my child is dumb. I
was going to pray like any other pastor and believe that over the next weeks or months, the child will begin to talk or something. As I lay my hand on that child and I said, “In The Name of Jesus”, the child said “Amen”. This frightened me that I nearly jumped out of the window because I was not expecting the child to speak even after I have prayed and I have not prayed.
All I have said was, “In The Name of Jesus” and the child said “Amen”. Of course, the mother was on the floor rolling and there was no need to pray any more. I believe God did it that way so that I won’t take any credit for it. Not just because I prayed, but because God just wanted to perform the miracle.
When exactly was that sir?
It was a long time ago. I am sorry I cannot remember.

Furthermore, he was asked about his past relationship with girls and how he met his wife, He said,

”That is quite an interesting story, so I will tell you. I said when I was growing up, I grew up where piety was the order of the day. I can still say very proudly today that all my elder sisters, when they got married, they were virgins. That was how rigid my parents were. I was raised up like that. Then as I grow, I became a sports man, my hobby happens to be photography.
That is a dangerous combination for a young man because it opens the door to having as many girlfriends as possible. Ladies love a sportsman particularly if he is winning medals and if you are a photographer and always take pictures of women. So, I ended up having so many girlfriends to the extent that at a point in time, I didn’t even know their numbers And I have fun of giving them various days of the year as my birthday. To one girlfriend, my birthday will be January something, to another, it may be September something. The reason of course is that when I’m celebrating, only one girlfriend would show up. So, the birthday is for you as a particular person. And I expect of course on my birthday, that the girlfriend should bring a gift. When it was the turn of the lady I married, she sent me a gift. I was at
Nsukka when she was in Ibadan. She posted the gift to arrive on my birthday and it was a small parcel. As soon as I collected the parcel at the Post Office, I said ah, this one has lost. She wants to marry me an undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and she is sending me this kind of a gift. Then I opened the gift and it was a New Testament Bible and two snow-white handkerchiefs. I said she has lost double now. Can you imagine sending a Bible to me on my birthday? But before that day was over, I have written off the other girls. It was as if the Bible was charmed (I’m using the word charmed the way a sinner will use it). I just found that from the Post Office to my hostel, something came over me and all of a sudden I began to remember my days when I used to be a holy boy and said this girl is calling me back to my former days, the handkerchiefs were so white and of course I knew this is the girl I would marry. I didn’t sleep that night until I have written the others to tell them sorry, no quarrel but let us go our various ways. That is how that one happened.”

Business

ATMs empty as banks ration withdrawals

Published

16 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

ATMs empty as banks ration withdrawals

The Automated Teller Machines of Deposit Money Banks have consistently remained empty in recent months as banks grapple with a sustained low cash supply.

It was also gathered on Wednesday that some DMBs, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, have begun another round of cash rationing, restricting maximum over-the-counter withdrawals to a daily limit between N5,000 and N20,000.

While banks struggle to get cash, Point-of-Sales operators have been fulfilling the cash needs of customers.

Speaking at the Facts Behind the Rights Issue Presentation of FBN Holdings at the Nigerian Exchange Limited recently, the Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer of First Bank, Patrick Iyamabo, said that the matter was an industry-wide one and not peculiar to a specific bank.

He said, “It is an industry problem. Most customers after exhausting the options available in other banks, tend to settle at FirstBank to address their cash needs. The challenge differs by location but we know it is a challenge that the regulator is looking into to address. But as we speak of physical cash, we must appreciate that the direction of the industry is to go digital.

“A lot of our customers do most of their transactions digitally, and you heard the GMD speak to this, very often people don’t want to transact in cash. In terms of this new order, your bank, FirstBank is very well positioned so if you look at the statistics and I’m speaking to independent statistics, just pick up your NIBSS report, the bank with the most stable platform meaning availability to always transact digitally is FirstBank. So, all our customers have the benefits of having their cash in First Bank and having access to this cash anytime anywhere and as necessary. It’s a huge advantage.”

Speaking anonymously with The PUNCH, a banker at a tier-1 bank put the blame on the Central Bank of Nigeria.

As a result, many people have turned to Point-of-Sale operators, who have become the primary channel for cash withdrawals, albeit often at higher transaction fees.

Major commercial banks visited by one of our correspondents on Wednesday claimed not to have sufficient cash allocation hence the ration withdrawals to serve more customers.

The banks visited include Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank along Airport Road, and EcoBank at Jabi in Abuja.

A bank customer at EcoBank, who spoke without mentioning her name, said she was only allowed to withdraw N5,000 from N20,000 previously allowed.

“I was just informed that I can only withdraw N5,000 from my account. Can you imagine? The amount will can’t even take me home.”

Our correspondent received the same answer when he attempted to obtain cash.

At GTBank and Zenith Bank along the airport road, customers were permitted a maximum withdrawal of N20,000 from N100,000 previously disbursed as a daily limit.

A customer, Mr Faith, who visited the bank expressed shock about the new limit. He said the banks didn’t give any cogent reason for reducing the withdrawal limit.

“I just visited these banks, and I was informed that I can only withdraw N20,000 from N100,000, which was the previous limit. They didn’t even give any reason for reducing, now I have to start looking for cash elsewhere. This country is just so annoying,” He vented.

Cash scarcity became a recurring and widespread issue across Nigeria after the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced a controversial policy in January 2023, which significantly reduced the daily and weekly cash withdrawal limits to N100,000 daily, N500,000 weekly for individuals, and N5m for business entities.

This decision, aimed at encouraging a cashless economy, led to long queues at ATMs, increased difficulty in accessing physical cash, and a general disruption of daily financial transactions for millions of Nigerians.

The policy’s impact was felt particularly by those in rural areas and lower-income groups, who rely heavily on cash for their day-to-day needs, exacerbating economic hardships across the country.

Last week, data from the CBN showed that currency in circulation climbed 56.1 per cent year-on-year to reach N4.31tn, up from N2.76tn in September 2023, reflecting an increase of N1.55tn.

This is just as currency outside banks surged by 66.2 per cent in September 2024, reaching N4.02tn compared to N2.42tn in September 2023, a notable rise of N1.60tn in just one year.

This indicates that the volume of currency retained outside the banking sector outpaced the total released for circulation within the past year.

Compared to August 2024, currency in circulation rose by 4.0 per cent month-on-month, adding N166.2bn from the previous figure of N4.14tn.

The CIC is the amount of cash–in the form of paper notes or coins–within a country that is physically used to conduct transactions between consumers and businesses. It represents the money that has been issued by the country’s monetary authority, minus cash that has been removed from the system.

Earlier in September, the CBN announced plans to sanction banks that fail to dispense cash through their automated teller machines, as part of efforts to improve cash availability in circulation.

The CBN also revealed plans to release an additional N1.4tn into circulation over the next three months to ease cash flow within the banking system.

This strategy aims to ensure that ATMs and bank branches have sufficient cash, addressing ongoing challenges faced by customers over cash shortages.

Efforts to get a reaction from the apex bank on the new situation proved abortive as the acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama, did not respond to enquiries sent to her phone number.

Business

NNPCL Makes New Leadership Appointments

Published

17 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

NNPCL Makes New Leadership Appointments

The Board of Directors of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has just made fresh leadership appointments.

A communication by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the nation’s oil company, announcing the development reads…

The Board of Directors of NNPC Limited is pleased to announce a series of strategic leadership appointments. These changes
reflect our continued dedication to enhancing corporate governance, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring long-term success in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The following key appointments have been made:
1. Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr. Segun previously served as the Executive Vice President, Downstream, where he made significant contributions to the company’s downstream operations.
2. Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been named Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.
3. Mr. Udobong Ntia has been appointed Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream.

These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organization’s strategic objectives.

The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.

NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritizing the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry.

Olufemi Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Limited
November 13, 2024S

Business

Oil Cabals crippled Govt Refineries, now working against Dangote Refinery – Pastor Adeboye

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

How Prophet Kingsley Predicted The Rumble In Pastor Adeboye Led RCCG

Oil Cabals crippled Govt Refineries, now working against Dangote Refinery – Pastor Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention in the face of efforts by unscrupulous oil marketers to thwart the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, following the previous sabotage of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.

The respected clergyman made the call for nationwide prayers during the November 2024 Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service themed ‘Total Restoration’, which held in the capital city. While Adeboye did not explicitly name the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, his remarks echoed the ongoing attempts by oil marketers to prevent the refinery from functioning as it was designed to.

The Dangote Refinery based in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos is the only facility currently refining petrol in Nigeria, and Adeboye’s comments reflected the dispute between the refinery and oil marketers, who seek to continue importing fuel for personal gain.

Pastor Adeboye reminded the congregation that it was God who raised Aliko Dangote to establish a refinery after years of failed attempts to revive Nigeria’s four public refineries, which had consumed billions of Naira with little result. He questioned the persistence of fuel imports despite Nigeria’s status as a major crude oil producer.

“Are we under a curse?” he asked. “We have four refineries, we poured all kinds of money into them, none of them is working. But God raised someone to build a refinery that works. He is not my relative, he is not from my village. He is not even a Christian, but he is a Nigerian who says, ‘Why should my people suffer when I have the means to build a refinery that can work?’ Now he is refining petrol, and some people want to stop him from selling it, so they can keep importing.”

Adeboye also pointed out the damage caused by the fuel subsidy, describing it as a significant drain on Nigeria’s resources, contributing to the country’s mounting debts and corruption. He stressed that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the end of the subsidy in 2023, Nigerians largely welcomed the decision, but oil marketers, who benefitted from the subsidy regime, were furious.

These marketers, the renowned pastor claimed, have formed alliances with some International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other powerful interests to obstruct the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This includes restricting access to crude oil, forcing Dangote to import crude from countries like the United States, among others.

He called for prayer for the total restoration of the country, noting that the Nigerian people are suffering the consequences, as the prices of essential goods have soared, pushing many items beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. “The masses are the ones suffering because these marketers, who are bent on keeping imports alive, already have more money than they can ever spend,” he said.

Despite the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s entire demand for petroleum products – and even to export surplus fuel – oil marketers continue to pressurise the government to allow ongoing petrol imports. This has placed additional strain on the Naira, which has continued to depreciate.

Recently, the Crude Oil Refineries Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) urged the government to protect local refineries from unfair competition posed by importers and international petroleum traders, in line with provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).