Church urged to vet funders as part of graft fight

 From Kenya-

The church has been challenged to rethink its strategy while mobilising for resources to ensure illegally acquired resources don’t get their way to the pulpit.
 
The Head of Anglican Church in Kenya, Jackson ole Sapit says to fight corruption, the church must desist from hyping those giving the money and instead encourage people including politicians to do it silently.

He said the matter has so far attracted “mixed reactions as some church leaders say they can’t identify clean and dirty money. Let us learn as a church to worship God with our resources quietly. Let us not hide behind this thing called harambees and guest of honours.”

There have been concerns that some politicians have been spending millions of questionable cash in places of worship while using it to woo supporters.

He was speaking during a multi-sectoral initiative against corruption press briefing Tuesday where he challenged Kenyans to support the renewed war on graft.

“The pulpit should only be for the worship leaders,” he said.

More here-

https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2019/04/church-urged-to-vet-funders-as-part-of-graft-fight/

N1.6bn fraud: I’m innocent, Jonathan’s ex-aide, Dudafa, says

From Nigeria-

He told the court that contrary to the allegation by the EFCC, the N1.6bn traced to him was not part of proceeds of a criminal act and he did not conspire with anyone to conceal the funds.

“The source of the money is known; the money was not mine; the money belongs to the Anglican Communion of Otuoke Community in Bayelsa State. It was realised from the fundraiser organised by the church and the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is a member and grand patron of the Anglican Church,” Dudafa said.

According to him, at the fundraiser, a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, who was the chief donor, pledged $10m, and Jonathan instructed him (Dudafa) to follow up with Eze to redeem his pledge.

Dudafa said Eze redeemed the pledge in installments, adding that the money was kept in the bank account of one Somprei Someibi, a friend of the Jonathan’s family.

More here-

https://punchng.com/n1-6bn-fraud-im-innocent-jonathans-ex-aide-dudafa-says/ 

also here-

http://thenationonlineng.net/alleged-n1-6b-fraud-carried-jonathans-instructions-says-dudafa/

Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, a former aide to the ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan, has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the N1.6 billion traced to him by the EFCC belongs to the Anglican Communion of Otuoke community in Bayelsa state. Dudafa who spoke through his lawyer, Adegboyega Oyewole (SAN), said he was innocent of all the corruption charges brought against him and urged the court to discharge and acquit him, The New Telegraph reports. "The source of the money is known. The money was not mine, it belongs to the Anglican Communion of Otuoke Community in Bayelsa state," he said. “It was realised from the fundraiser organised by the church and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is a member and grand patron of the Anglican Church. Dudafa explained that the money was gotten at a fundraiser where a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, who was the chief donor, pledged $10 million. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1217309-n16bn-traced-belongs-anglican-church-waripamo-owei-dudafa.html

Dissociate yourself from dishonesty, Anglican Bishop tells christians

From Nigeria-

Bishop of the Diocese of Ife, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has enjoined Christians to detach themselves from acts of dishonesty that is widespread among Nigerians and even in the church of God. 

Giving the admonition, during the 1st Session of 10th Synod of the Diocese tagged: “Biblical Principles for the marketplace” held at the Cathedral Church of St. Philips, Ife, Osun State, Akinlade explained that the choice of the theme was hinged on the attitude of Nigerians today, which suggests ‘anything goes’ without recourse to conscience and integrity. 

He said: “There are certain principles, which are supposed to be guiding us in doing business, but we seem to have jettisoned all these things. 

Dishonesty, coupled with unfaithfulness, has been enthroned in the area of buying and selling. 

More here-

https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/ibru-ecumenical-centre/dissociate-yourself-from-dishonesty-anglican-bishop-tells-christians/

Vote buying, non-payment of salaries, others worry Anglican Church

From Nigeria-

The Diocese of Ekiti West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), on Sunday advised politicians against making unrealistic promises to the electorate as the 2019 general elections approaches.

It also admonished Nigerians against the practice of vote buying, which it noted, had also been gaining ground in the country, saying that the practice aimed at stifling people from making free choice of their candidates.

These were some of the resolutions reached at the 1st Session of the 7th Synod of the diocese which ended on Sunday.

It was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rufus Adepoju.

NAN reports that the four-day synod which held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon Alaaye, in Efon Local Government Area of the state, had as its theme: “Be Ye Steadfast”.

More here-

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/284012-vote-buying-non-payment-of-salaries-others-worry-anglican-church.html

Why Amaechi, Fashola won’t allow Buhari fight corruption – Archbishop Chukwuma

From Nigeria-

Archbishop of the Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, has said that former governors of Rivers and Lagos States used their states’ monies to sponsor President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

According to him, that was why they were rewarded with important ministerial roles, with some of them heading three ministries in one.

Making the allegation in an interview with Punch, the cleric said Nigerians should not be surprised if former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole is given a ministerial position tomorrow.
He said the government would find it difficult fighting corruption because some state governors assisted Buhari to get there using state funds.

According to him, “In this government, some people were given three ministries; we want to know why they were given three ministries.

“Look at the two former governors that were given three ministries each, let’s be frank and sincere, Lagos and Rivers must have spent so much money (on Buhari’s election).

More here-

http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/17/amaechi-fashola-wont-allow-buhari-fight-corruption-archbishop-chukwuma/

The Coconut On The Head Of Nigerian Christianity By Pius Adesanmi

From Nigeria-

Ambode versus Chaplain...

The media is reporting that Ogbeni Ambode fired a Chaplain for not anointing his wife first or something to that effect. I haven't seen Ambode's denial or clarification. I haven't heard his own side of the story. We also haven't heard from Mrs. Ambode.

If the available and, as yet, uncontested version of this story is true, it is a case of Gambari pa Fulani. I don't see why ordinary Nigerians should be unduly exercised, expending valuable energy on a family affair between Nigerian Christendom and power. Go and spend your energy on coping with recession and stop trying to take sides between Ambode and a Pastor.

What exactly does Nigerian Christendom expect from a Frankenstein she has created and nursed since the 80s? I've been criticized for writing that Christianity died in Nigeria somewhere before the mid-80s.

The beginning of polygamy for Nigerian Christendom. Unable to divorce from the Bible, Nigerian Christianity took a second wife: the politician, the man of power.

More here-

http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/27/coconut-head-nigerian-christianity-pius-adesanmi