At crusade Ugwuanyi urges Christians to pray for Enugu, Southeast and Nigeria

The Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (WCCRM) recently organised a four-day crusade at Okpara Square Enugu from April 12 to 15, 2018. Themed: “Bringing Enugu State to the Hilltop Proper (BESOTH Proper),” the event drew worshippers from within and outside the state. Among the personalities that graced the crusade was governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, who on the first day sent his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs, Rev. Chinedu Nwoye to deliver his message.

The Guardian gathered that for over 16 years, nobody was allowed to use the Square for church programmes, and only Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi did that.

Nwoye said: “The reason is that he is a man that loves God. He is a man that honours God and men. For the first time in 100 years, he appointed a Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs because he loves God. Whenever the governor says Enugu State is in God’s Hands, it is not a political statement, but a spiritual reality. Enugu in Igbo means on top of the hill.”

The governor, who visited the crusade ground on the last day, described the programme as awesome.

In his speech, the elated governor, shortly after unveiling of Enugu map placed on a makeshift hill at Okpara Square, said, “Enugu State is in the hand of God.”

Congratulating the General Superintendent of WCCRM, Pastor Aloysius Chukwuemeka Ohanebo for a job well done, the governor said: “I want to acknowledge what the man of God is doing. Enugu used to be the capital of Southern Province of Nigeria, when coal was the foreign exchange earnings, the capital of the old Eastern Region, capital of the old Anambra State, capital of the old Enugu State, when Abakaliki was part of us and the capital of the present Enugu State. What has happened here today can be described as awesome and God alone takes all the glory, honour and adoration. We must continue to pray for Enugu, South East and Nigeria.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman Central Working Committee BESOTH Proper 2018, Pastor Chris Ebo Duruegbusoaku noted that ‘BESOTH Proper was communicated to the man of God, the General Superintendent of WCCRM, Pastor Aloysius Chukwuemeka Ohanebo about 20 years ago. On hearing the announcement, stiff opposition was mounted against its realisation, which God allowed. The eventual takeoff of this crusade is another confirmation of God’s superiority over all. It further confirms the statement of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matt. 16:18 that the gates of hell will not and cannot prevail against the church. Twenty years after the prophetic utterance, God has eventually brought it to pass.

“We wish to specifically appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State Rt. Hon Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, who has shown an uncommon love and respect to God, by not only welcoming us to into the state, but also approving the use of the facilities at Okpara Square, and physically coming to grace the occasion.”

Speaking on the uniqueness of the crusade, the chairman said: “BESOTH Proper is unique in a number of ways. The first unique aspect is the origin of the crusade. The prophetic utterance of placing Enugu on the Hilltop of God’s blessings came from the mouth of the man of God, Pastor A.C Ohanebo, who has consistently been proven to hear from God, as it was the case with Moses, who led the children of Israel in the first exodus.

“The second aspect of the uniqueness stems from the level of stiff opposition the crusade has experienced. One wonders if any other crusade or gathering has been so attacked or resisted for so long. We are all aware that the devil attacks and opposes whatsoever that is true, pure, holy, honest, sincere and of a sound foundation. The level of fierce opposition mounted by Satan against Christ right from His birth, which culminated in his cruxification is what has made the name of Jesus so exalted that every knee must bow to Him today, as the only vehicle of salvation.”

In his message, Pastor Ohanebo spoke about the First and Second Adam. Quoting from Genesis, he said the first Adam brought sin, ruin, disobedience, murder and darkness, among others. Jesus, Whom he described as the second Adam came to remedy the ruin, which the first Adam caused.

“When you know the truth about Jesus, He shall set you free,” said. He explained that there is life after death, which he illustrated with the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

“You are going to live again,’ he said. “But the devil will make you believe this is not true and that the Bible is not real.”

The cleric, while explaining the powerful nature of Jesus, urged worshippers to be friends of Jesus, because He cares and loves.

“Worldly friendship is usually fake or counterfeit, which may lead to quarrel that might terminate such relationship. But friendship with Jesus is real, guarantees healing and forgiving of sins,” he said.

On his love for Enugu, the General Superintendent said: “My love for Enugu dated back to when I was in the Technical College in the 60s. Though I am not from Enugu but from Anambra State. In 1998, the Lord gave me a prophetic word that He wants to put Enugu on Hilltop proper and that was how the Enugu crusade was conceived.”

All through the programme, the church did not collect any offering from the mammoth crowd, despite millions of naira spent to organise the event.