By Charles Kumolu, Bose Adelaja, Olayinka Latona, Bartholomew Madukwe, Providence Obuh & Onuzure Dania
PRESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor ,has declared that Nigerians must seek God to free the country from the evils holding the nation down.

He also said that 2012 will be a great year for Nigeria.

The clergy commended the Senate for outlawing same sex marriage, saying that sexual sin is among the evils separating Nigerians from God’s blessings.

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria preaching during the Vanguard End of Year Christian Fellowship Prayer, Themed' There Shall be Showers of Blessing, organised by Vanguard Newspaper on Friday 9-12-2011 Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

Oritsejafor, who preached yesterday in Lagos at the Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship end of the year thanksgiving/praise service, called on Nigerians to shun acts that will bring the nation into disrepute.

Those at the well attended event included Publisher of Vanguard, Uncle Sam Amuka, General Manager and Editor In Chief Vanguard Media Ltd., Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Vanguard Editor, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Vanguard Administration Manager, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, AGM Brands, Mr. Fred Udueme, Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship Co-ordinator, Elder Emmanuel Obuh, Media Publicity Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos branch, Apostle Israel Oku, among others.

See photos here and here

In a soul lifting sermon entitled: “There Shall be Showers of Blessings” the CAN president commended the management of Vanguard for having a functional Christian Fellowship, noting that it is an indication that showers of blessing would continue to be upon the Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of Vanguard newspapers.

He said that Vanguard is a first choice newspaper, not necessarily because of its content but because he has found out that it is one of the most factual newspapers in the country.

“I tell some of my friends, that you read Vanguard because it contains the kind of news you want to read, but I read Vanguard because it has factual and the most authentic news. I must tell you that while I was at the airport waiting for my flight, I occupied my self reading today’s edition of the newspaper. In fact, it is my first choice. It is so exciting to be here today and be part of what God is doing here,” he told the publisher and the senior management team that welcomed him to the premises.

Responding, the publisher/executive chairman of the company, Mr. Sam Amuka, thanked the CAN president for taking time off his busy schedule to honour an invitation from a small fellowship, adding that he was highly honoured to host him.

“It’s quite a pleasure to see you amidst us. I have reasons not to be here today, but I said no. If you have agreed to honour our invitation then I must be here to personally welcome you to the company. So, you are welcome to Vanguard Media Limited,” Mr. Amuka stated.

Oritsejafor, who arrived the company’s Corporate Headquarters at 1:05 p.m., called on everyone who believed in everything good to remain steadfast as it remains the final front against evil.

According to him, despite the problems in our Senate, the members were bold enough to say no to same sex marriage. “It is an aberration and an abomination and it is evil like this that is shutting the heavens on us as a nation because really something is wrong with this nation; something is not right with us as a nation.

“I was surprised to still meet people here praising God. I appreciate the management of this organization and everyone of you that is working in this organization. May God bless you. The publicity of your Christian programme is wonderful to the extent that my friends abroad have been calling me, saying to me that there are people who believe in Jesus like this? And I said yes they do. So, I congratulate you for this wonderful Fellowship you have here in Vanguard. May God bless you to grow from strength to strength. The number one paper I enjoy reading is Vanguard and I read it this morning.”

Power that opens the heaven

While ministering on the theme of the Fellowship, he said, “When you talk of showers and blessing, you are talking of something that comes from above. There is spiritual heaven over every nation and individual and when God is against one, it means your heavens are closed.

“There are many nations and individuals living under closed heaven. When you look at this nation today you wonder why is it that things are happening the way it is now? Why is it that the heavens are still closed. But as a mouth piece of Christians in Nigeria I prayed that God will open heaven on this nation. I don’t who you are. I don’t know when you have been praying but I prayed that your heavens are opened.”

In addition, Oritsejafor said, “There is a spiritual heaven over every nation, over every individual and every one of us is guilty. Now, when God is against you, the gates of heaven are closed. In Leviticus 20:19 God says, ‘I will make your heaven like an iron…’. We are talking about showers of blessings. It has to come from somewhere. When God is with you, it means your heavens are opened. In Deuteronomy 28 vs 12, God says, ‘’I will open to you the treasures of heaven…It is important for us to understand that heavens must open for showers to come down. When you read Luke 3:21….

“Under normal circumstance, when you pray, your heavens should open. There are many nations and individuals that are operating under cursed heavens. When you look at Nigeria, we have been praying, such that you wonder if the heavens are really open. However, there are things we do that make our heavens to be closed. I don’t know who you are, I don’t know how long you have been praying, do you know that there could be showers in Apapa and it will not get to other places? You can live in the same house with somebody who is seriously blessed but nothing happens in your life. I don’t know you but God sent me to you, as the mouth piece of the church in Nigeria today, God must help us to open the heavens over this nation.”

Importance of sacrifice

The CAN president, in a brilliant pink lace shirt and brown trousers, spoke in his charismatic manner, as he admonished Nigerians to embrace the act of giving, noting that sacrifice is needed to open the gates of heaven.

“Sacrifice in the new testament means doing something that is not convenient for one to do.

The first one is sacrifice of righteousness and this can be found in the book of Psalms Chapter 4 verse 5. “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

Some people are responsible for their closed heavens and don’t put the blame on God and this is because of sin towards self and idolatry. It is a pity that idolatry brings black man to where it is today. Idolatry has put people in problem and it is leading the country into closed heavens.”

‘In those days, sacrifices can be ritual animals. in the new testament, we don’t need to kill any animal. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Bibles speaks of spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable unto Him. Sacrifice in the New Testament means doing something that is not convenient. based on that revelation, I want to look at three types of sacrifice; the sacrifice of righteousness. when you read Psalm 4:5, it says, ‘’Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, which means, put your trust in God. When you look at Mark 21:1, In Galatians 4:19 25, the Bible numbers the works of the flesh as things that pertain to your body. Remember the Bible says we should present our body as a living sacrifice, even many churches are presenting a dead sacrifice.”

Prophecy for Nigeria in 2012

Continuing, Oritsejafor noted that, “Your attitude to the poor will affect what you have. Greatness is not what you have but what you did with what you have. What is your attitude towards the poor and the less privilege? We should not wait for government to do everything. We must find way to reach out to people, touch their lives and I believe that Nigeria will be a better place for all of us if we remember the poor and reach out to the less privileged among us. Giving in form of sacrifice has the power to open your heaven. If you want your heaven to open, help someone to open his heaven. I prayed that in 2012, your heaven will never closed, from January to December your heaven will never closed, may it become true rain in Jesus name.

“2012 will be a great year for Nigeria. Look at the problem we are facing. Our prayer is that the government of heaven will interfere and will interrupt and force new things to happen in the nation.”

Also speaking at the event, the Adefaye, who welcomed the CAN President on behalf of the staff and management of Vanguard, noted that “Vanguard is rejoicing and in the process of reforming. Therefore, we are about to sing a new song. Vanguard is moving ahead. What we are about to do now is to sing a new song. I wish you all happy celebration.”