News
Adeboye Speaks On Rape Scandal, Gives Advice To Pastors
Enoch Adeboye, the leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has admonished upcoming leaders of the pentecostal movement to exercise ethical discretion over their sexual proclivities, saying he declined hiring a female secretary as one of the precautions against potential rape allegations.
“When you find yourself facing youthful lust, flee,” Mr Adeboye said Friday.
“You may say I’m old fashioned, I agree. I’ll never have a private secretary who’s a woman.”
Mr Adeboye’s comments, delivered at a monthly programme of the church Friday night, marked his first public reaction to the latest rape scandal to consume a famous preacher and founder of one of Nigeria’s biggest churches.
Biodun Fatoyinbo was accused last month of violent sexual misconduct by Busola Dakolo, a former member of his Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA. Mrs Dakolo’s allegations, recounted in a video interview with YNaija, sparked wholesale condemnations and protests for the preacher’s resignation.
Mr Adeboye, 77, and popular across all segments of the Nigerian society, declined to directly mention Mr Fatoyinbo in his sermon, but said he was compelled to address the issues around the scandal, nonetheless.
He also acknowledged the authority of both the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria to directly address allegations of sexual violence and misconduct against pastors.
The Christian bodies have come under public pressure to demand better accountability from their member churches amidst growing allegations of misconduct against senior preachers, including Suleiman Johnson and Temitope Joshua. They all denied the allegations.
Both associations have made passing remarks about Mr Fatoyinbo’s scandal, but appeared incapable of exerting any disciplinary measures over the preacher, who resigned voluntarily on Monday despite denying the allegation.
But “I feel compelled to say some things to those that are young and up and coming ministers,” Mr Adeboye said, according to a transcript of the programme posted on Twitter. “There is nothing hid that shall not come to the open or made manifest. Mark 4:22.”
Mr Adeboye said young preachers should take extra safeguards around women — especially those out to ensnare them — because they would be less believed by the public should any claim of misconduct break out.
“When a woman accuses you of something, nobody will listen to you whether you’re right or wrong,” he said. “Be wise!”
Mr Adeboye said his advise may sound too outdated to the younger generation, but that it had worked for him since he was ordained in 1975.
“It is better to be old fashioned and live than modern and die,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has officially flagged off the 2024 main Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations of Christian pilgrimage, Celestine Toruka, and published on the Commission’s official X handle on Monday.
The president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, urged pilgrims to view their journey as an opportunity to strengthen their faith in God.
He noted that the theme of the 2024 pilgrimage, “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,” aligns with the vision and agenda of his administration.
The president called on the intending pilgrims to pray for the progress of Nigeria, Lagos State, and their families.
Tinubu warned the pilgrims against absconding while in the Holy Land, stressing that there is no better place than home.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has urged Nigerians to expect a reduction in the pump price of the product within the week.
It should be recalled that last week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and the Dangote Refinery reduced the ex-depot price of petrol to N899 per litre in Lagos.
PETROAN President, Billy Gilly-Harry, spoke on when the price change will take effect while appearing on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily.
“But I believe from today when members start loading from both NNPC and Dangote at this new price reduction, it will reflect in the market.
“But also I’ll give kudos to some of our members, some of the leaders in PETROAN, you know, that have done so well, especially in Abuja, for even reducing their prices to below N1,000 before even this announcement.
“So, we don’t encourage our members to try to sell products at a loss because our focus is to serve Nigerians. And the only way we can serve Nigerians is when we have the resources to be able to do that.
“The resources can only be there if we’re making marginal profit enough to pay for the cost of money and make sure that we continue to do business. So, never mind, you’ll see the translation of this reduction of prices in the retail outlets hopefully within the week,” he said.
According to him, the inability of members to sell in line with the new ex-depot price is due to some of them having old stocks that were bought at higher prices.
The PETROAN boss commended Dangote Refinery and NNPCL for the reduction in the price of the commodity.
Federal Government has declared Wednesday, December 25, 2024, Thursday December 26, 2024, and Wednesday January 1, 2025 as public holidays to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year respectively.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government extended warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.
In a statement, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to
foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.
The minister also called on Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity and progress of the nation for national development.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” Tunji-Ojo, said.
He assured citizens of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
While wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025, the minister expressed his confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration ushering in the new year, a better and prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world.
Tinubu unveils 2024 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan
Reduction in fuel pump price to reflect at filling stations within the week – PETROAN
Meet our demands in 14 days or face deadliest hospital shutdown’ — FCT doctors warn Wike
-
Entertainment1 week agoDavido reacts after breaking Wizkid’s Spotify record
-
Sports5 days agoFIFA Intercontinental Cup: Ancelotti becomes Real Madrid’s most successful manager
-
News1 week agoMan dies after setting himself, wife on fire in Ondo
-
Business7 days agoNB Plc appoints Juliet Anammah as substantive Board Chair
-
News4 days agoAtiku reacts to hacking of NBS website
-
Sports7 days agoFull list of CAF Awards 2024 winners
-
Business7 days ago
Port Harcourt Refinery’s restart crucial to Nigeria’s energy sufficiency – NNPC
-
Business7 days agoConnect Nigeria Unwraps Exclusive Business Deals This Christmas – The Gift That Keeps On Giving!