…AS MEN ADMONISHED TO HAVE TIME FOR FAMILY
By Okosun Dennis
The RCCG Redemption Pavilion at Jide Oki, Victoria Island, Lagos was filled to capacity on Saturday as men of the Redeemed Christain Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 6 gathered to mark the 10th Year Anniversary Conference of The Mandate 2023, just as the men were reminded of their invaluable roles in the family circle.
With several topics delivered by different professionals and Ministers of God, the theme of this year’s conference: “Over and Beyond Expectations,” achieved its purpose as some participants expressed satisfaction with various messages and the degree of participation.
In his welcome remarks, the Pastor in Charge of the Province, Bisi Olowoyo said that The Mandate over the years embarked on a remarkable voyage of collaboration, impact, and progress fostering an environment of inclusivity, shared values, and a common purpose.
“Together, we have achieved milestones that once seemed insurmountable, pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible. Our collective efforts have yielded groundbreaking testimonies in the lives of some of our men.”
Also, the President of Redeemers Men’s Fellowship (RMF) LP6, Pastor Lanre Akinyo noted with satisfaction that God has transformed the lives of the men and uplifted the province generally considering the sterling leadership and commitment of their leaders, would continue to be an inspiration to all the men.
In her lecture titled: “Modern Man and Family,” Pastor (Mrs) Bola Kpandei cautioned men to devote more time to their families despite their busy schedules. “It is essential you have enough time for the family,” adding that it was only proper for the man to take the lead in the home.
“As a man, you can’t be out of the house for 24 hours, but your mind has to be there. Modern man must create time for his father no matter how busy he is.”
Explaining that modern man is constantly faced with exponential issues, observed that the only garden that is constant is the family, and called on the participants not to relegate their homes.
As a result, she admonishes men to get closer to God as the enemy is fast penetrating the family circle, some men are often distracted by sundry things like watching football or busy on the phone rather than praying to God.
Mrs. Kpandei appealed that men should deal with their wives with understanding, adding that they must bring their children up in the ways of the Lord in order not be become misfits to society.
The guest lecturer, Pastor Ben Akabueze, the pastor in charge of Lagos Province 39, noted that love is the foundation of Christianity, averring that Christian’s work is the work of faith.
Expatiating further on the topic: “Over and Beyond Expectations”, he explained that God has expectations for us as his children. “If you meet the expectation of God, your own expectations will not only be met but would be surpassed against all expectations.”
Akabueze, who is also the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), charged participants to be dutiful in the church and in carrying out the work of God, adding that the expectation is that the narrative would be changed after the Mandate 2023.
“Your expectations must be within the confines of God, and it’s the breeding ground for miracles,” Pastor Akabueze reemphasized.
In his Health Talk on Hypertension, Dr. Patrick A. Ijewere, a Nutrition Consultant at the “The Nutrition Hospital and Wellness Center”, Ikoyi explained that blood pressure is not a disease but its occurrence is an indicator that what the patient is doing is not in alignment with his body.
He cautioned that people should be beware of a sedentary lifestyle and acidic foods, which oftentimes, are responsible for most illnesses that weaken body cells and eventually break down the immune system.
“Illness doesn’t come to us out of the blues, they are developed from small sins against nature. If you can address your life cove; you can address diseases because they are reversible.”
He advised participants to focus more on the five pillars of wellness adding that if they are not properly harnessed, they could lead to health challenges. These, according to him included: spirituality, mindset, nutrition, lifestyle, and environment, noting that the moment human beings are able to address these pillars adequately, diseases would be far from man.
Dr Ijewere, therefore, advised Nigerians to consume more alkaline food such as vegetables and legumes, and shun acidic foods (processed foods) stressing that illness comes when we strain away from natural food.
Just as he reiterated that people should refrain from sitting for too long, endeavour to stand, and take a walk to relax muscles and allow blood to circulate properly.
The worst disease affecting humanity is lifestyle-sitting disease.”
On her part, Mrs Tope Ande, who tutored the participants on “Start a Sustainable Business,” focussing on Agro Business, ask participants to crave knowledge; be flexible and don’t give up in the face of challenges, but share information and embrace technology.
“Believe in your heart that a journey is starting. Nothing that is as important as the beginning. Sustainability is a journey and we must start now,” Mrs Ande who is the President of the Amazon Ikeja Multipurpose Cooperative Society, a group of female entrepreneurs emphasized.
Mr Osah Obaro called on participants to look for a profitable business model that would help them expand their businesses exponentially while speaking on “Enlarging and Financing Existing Business,” the banker advises that as a way of investing in a business, they could either go through debt or equity as possible options.
Highpoint of the conference was the awards to Pastors Biyi Famoyegun (PBF); Segun Macaulay (PSM) and Deacon Ralph Nwoke (DRN) for their outstanding contributions to the Mandate since its inception.
The Mandate started in 2013 as a rendezvous for men in the province to discuss things of common interest while using it as an avenue to chart a new beginning and reach out to others in Christ.
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