18082019 -Anxiety over " Next Level" Ministers

By Sam Eyoboka
16-year-old Master Esigbone Omag
A bemi Ferdinard of Roshallom International
Secondary School, Egbeda, Lagos who
came third in the Mike Okonkwo National
Essay Competition for Secondary School students
in Nigeria last year, has emerged the
overall winner in the 2019 edition of the competition
having scored a total average of 68
per cent.
A statement signed by the Group Manager,
Operations of The Redeemed Evangelical
Mission, TREM., Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh
said the second position went to Oluwaseun
Esther Aremu of Shepherd International College,
Ado-Ekiti with an average score of 61
per cent, while Adeola Ademuwa Ifeola from
Chrisfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu came
third with 60 per cent.
The fourth position was a tie, with West Tamunonye
also of Christfield College, Itamaga,
Ikorodu, and Anazia Rita from Roshallom
International School with a total average
score of 56 per cent.
Announcing the 2019 results, the Chief Examiner,
Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo disclosed that a
total of 612 entries were received, representing
a drop of about 28 per cent compared to
848 that were received and assessed last year.
According to the chief examiner, “the drop
arises in part from new management strategies
introduced by the organisers to ensure
that only credible entries are sent in for assessment.
Based on the positive feedback and
to further the institutionalization of the Bishop
Mike Okonkwo Lecture Series, we urge
the organisers to put the winning entries in a
book form, as had been done to the adult ver-
The Voice of the Lord
Contact Address:
The Sword of the Spirit Ministries,
The Garden of Victory,Old Ife Road,P.M.B 60,
Agodi-Ibadan,Oyo State
Telephones:
0813 128 4001, 08186991467
Email: ootpbsotsm@gmail.com
& info@sotsm.org
Website:www.sotsm.org
facebook.com/franciswaleoke
Twitter:@franciswaleoke
Instagram:@franciswaleoke
Discipline for destiny fulfillment
But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: lest that
by any means, when I have
preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
An individual that shall fulfill destiny
must be purpose-driven. You must have
a clear picture of the plan of God for your
life, and drive for its accomplishment with
strong passion and singular focus. This
was the way Apostle Paul lived.
But we see from the scriptures that Paul
could fulfill destiny, not just because he
was purpose-driven but because he undergirded
himself with holiness and strict
discipline.
He lived a holy life, and would not mess
with sin at all. He knew that sin is a
destiny destroyer. He therefore presented
his body “as a living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable to the Lord ” (Rom. 12:1).
sam.eyoboka@gmail.com
08023145567 (sms
Don advocates introduction of internet
usage in secondary schools
....as winners of Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition emerge
(L-R) Miss Aremu Esther Oluwaseun, Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinard, Miss
Anazia Rita, Master Olaitan Olajuwon, Dr. Patric Oloko, Master West Tamunoye, Master
Adeola Ademuwa Ifeoluwa and Miss Ajayi Ibukun.
BISHOP WALE OKE
sion of lectures, in order to make the materials
more portable and accessible to teachers
and students.
“Such a compilation will build capacity and
prepare students for a more viable participation
in future competitions. More importantly,
it will be a unique addition to curriculum
materials. We assure you that our winning essays
are original materials from gifted students
that can function adequately as teaching
materials,” she maintained, postulating
that the teaching of responsible internet usage
in secondary school curriculum has become
very paramount and of necessity.
“The fact that almost any material is available
and accessible via a click makes a compelling
case for us to introduce the teaching
of responsible Internet usage in the secondary
school curriculum. We recommend a review
and expansion of the syllabus of a subject like
civic education to include teaching students
to understand that plagiarism violates Intellectual
Property (IP) rights, and that referencing
the literatures they consult as they make
their points is a key aspect of their academic
development.”
Topic of this year’s essay was: “Justice as an
Instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation building”,
while the second round topic was ”Entrenching
Tolerance as Solution to Nigeria’s
Ethnic and Religious Crises.“
For coming top in this year’s competition,
Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinard will
get a cheque of N100,000, a personal Laptop,
a trophy, a plaque, while his school gets three
sets of Computer and a printer. Miss Oluwaseun
Esther Aremu who came second will go
home with N75,000, a plaque and the school
will get two sets of computers and a printer.
This made the enemy to have nothing to use
to destroy him in his pursuit of the purpose
of God for his life. Yes, he was distressed,
cast down, but was never defeated nor destroyed
because he kept sin out of his life.
He also lived a disciplined life. He brought
his body under subjection. He was not going
to allow his body to dictate to him what
to do, or to hijack him in any way. He lived
a life of strict discipline and proper order and
he reached his God-given goal.
Do you want to fulfill your glorious destiny?
Then be like Paul. Live a life of purpose,
walk in holiness and be disciplined.
Purpose. Holiness. Discipline. They are the
keys to destiny fulfillment.
The Lord will help you in your journey to
prominence. You will reach your goal.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord:
(Hebrews 12:14)
SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 18, 2019, PAGE 37
For emerging the third position, Master Adeola
Ademuwa Ifeola will go home with N50,000,
a plaque and the school gets a Computer set.
The other winners will get a consolation price
of N20,000.
The prizes will be presented at this year’s
Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, at the Shell
Is your life on the wrong trajectory? (1)
•Ighodalo
And when he was full forty years old,
it came into his heart to visit his
brethren the children of Israel. And
seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended
him, and avenged him that was oppressed,
and smote the Egyptian: For he
supposed his brethren would have understood
how that God by his hand would deliver
them: but they understood not. Acts 7: 23-
25 KJV
I was speaking at a wedding yesterday and
I spoke on “your life is not your idea”. Basically,
the life you live is an idea of the one who
created you; the one who created the life you
live. Your life is not a mistake; before you were
born he already knew you. He created you
and decided into which womb you would
grow.
Number one is that our life is not our idea;
number two, our life has a purpose. God has a
program for our life. Moses never thought,
neither did he imagine it, that he would still
be keeping a small flock at the age of 80 years.
At the age of 40 years Moses knew he was
born to do great thing; he was born to be the
one to deliver his people from slavery. However,
the program of his life went wrong the
day he decided that he would take law into his
own hands and do things his own way. He
Hall Muson Center, Lagos, on September 5,
2019. The theme for this year’s lecture is “Justice
as an Instrument of Enduring Peace in
Nation Building”. The occasion will be chaired
by Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) while the lecture
will be delivered by Barrister Femi Falana
(SAN).
Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition
was initiated in the year 2004, as part of
activities to celebrate the birthday of the Presiding
Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo
(MFR) and more importantly to contribute
to the development of the Educational Sector.
Dr. Okonkwo has continued in this gesture
for 16 years, using his God-given talent,
strength and resources to be a blessing to the
younger generation in the pursuit of academic
excellence by encouraging them to cultivate
the habit of reading and writing effectively.
This man of God, who believes in absolute
development of mankind in all facet of
life, has used the institutionalization of Mike
Okonkwo National Essay Competition to
achieve this dream and desire. He is confident
that Nigerian youths can compete favourably
with their counterparts in developed nations.
Yoruba Church to Buhari: Engage Nigerian youths if....
By Sam Eyoboka
HE first Yoruba-speaking church in La
Tgos, the Ereko Methodist Cathedral has
called on President Muhammadu Buhari and
all Chief Executive Officers of the 36 states of
Nigeria to urgently fashion economic programmers
that will adequately accommodate
Nigerian youths in productive ventures or risk
imminent revolution.
Addressing newsmen at the Archbishop Soremekun
Hall on Broad Street, Lagos, on activities
to mark its 150th anniversary which has
been flagged off on June 30 and will run till
November 24, 2019, the Chairman of the anniversary
committee, Prof. Tola Atinmo
averred that Ereko Methodist Cathedral is
highly concerned about the development and
future of the youths of the country.
“The sea of able-bodied young men and
women roaming about aimlessly on our streets
is a time bomb waiting to explode,” the anniversary
committee chairman lamented, contending
that unless urgent steps were taken to
alleviate the sufferings of the nation’s youth
there would be a serious crisis very soon.
According to him, such interventions
“should be handled with total responsibility,
commitment and the fear of God in order to
function efficiently and effectively. I implore
all of us of the Christian faith to do more in
terms of youth employment and empowerment
in order to safeguard the future of our
faith and that of our dear nation, Nigeria.”
Apart from evangelism among market
women in the predominantly market environment
in the mother tongue, he argued that
the Ereko Church was established essentially
to promote the speaking of the language
among the families, stressing that a very important
tool that was employed and that assured
was the use of their mother tongue.
“It has been affirmed that a core marker of
our ide tith is our language. Our most intimate
thoughts, our heartfelt feelings, our most
touching and life-changing experiences, our
deeply-felt expressions of appreciation and
praise are culture and language based.
Environment, not a limiting factor for youths
By Elizabeth Uwandu
ATHER than wallow in regrets, depres
Rsion and the urge to leave the county,
Nigerian youths have been called upon to seek
avenues to improve their worth through the
acquisition of creative skills.
This was the consensus of speakers at a weeklong
impact-training recently organized by Assemblies
of God Church, speakers in Lagos
for teenagers, tagged, “Beyond limits of the
youths.”
Explaining reasons for the programme, one
organizers, Elder Samson Akunna, said the
event was designed to encourage, mentor and
create platforms for youths from less developed
communities who see their environment
as limiting factors to their success.
According to him, the event looked beyond
such limitations and assisted the youths to develop
skills and expertise that would make
them useful and relevant in the society.
Stating further, Akunna said: “Many youths
from areas such as Orile, Ajegunle and such
suburban areas do not believe that they can
be great. It was on this note, we brought young
people that included Eze George, Hadji
Kwame, Samuel Mensah, Chinelo Ujubuonu,
Shola Animashaun, Mide Tijani, Idris Olalekan,
who are making impact locally to inspire
the youths.
“The youths had motivational sessions, vocational/artisan
sessions, one-on-one counseling
sessions, internship opportunities, and
empowerment packages.
“We believe that if youths from less developed
communities are positively engaged,
they will see beyond their environment. This
will, in turn, reduce the spate of social vices,
depression and the urge to leave the country
through fraudulent means for greener pasture,”
he said.
thought that the Israelis would know that he
was their deliverer but when he tried to intervene
in a fight between his brothers he got the
shock of his life. What he had done a couple
of days prior was not hidden, but the Israelis
made him realize that what he thought he
had done was known.
Moses who was brought up as an Egyptian
became the enemy of both the Egyptians and
the Israelis. He had nowhere to stand and so
he had to flee and run into the desert. Like
Moses a lot of us make that one mistake that
changes the course of our life. We are like
Moses finding ourselves in the desert and not
being able to find our way out of the downhill
slide our life is moving towards.
At the age of 80 years it had not ended for
Moses. Therefore, it has not ended for you.
Acts 7:22-36. God’s promise to Abraham was
that Israel will be in Egypt 400 years but just
at the time that the promise was to be fulfilled
Moses made a mistake and the time
was delayed another 30 years.
Although Moses saw himself and understood
the times, the children of Israel his
brethren did not. Therefore, they who Moses
was supposed to lead out of captivity turned
against him.
David did the same when he committed
adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah
the Hitite. That one small challenge brought
a problem into his family that didn’t depart
from it even after his death. Therefore, some
of us grow us to inherit the result of the mistakes
our parents made.
To be continued next week
*Ituah Ighodalo is the Senior Pastor,
Trinity House, Trinity Avenue, Off Ligali
Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
+234-808-895-6162
info@trinityhouseng.org