THEY WILL TRULY BE MISSED

Have you ever enjoyed the company of someone and all of a sudden, there is a news (maybe as a result of circumstances or change) that you wouldn't be seeing them again maybe for sometime or even forever.

I can see some of you nodding your heads in affirmation. That is the situation we found ourselves, not long after the Nigeria Owerri Mission was announced. I remembered vividly well missionaries debating in the apartment what mission they are going to fall under.

But I for one was ready to go anywhere. Remember it is easy to say welcome but more difficult to say goodbye. This is what we will be facing in a couple of months I said to myself after the New Mission was announced some few months back. I remembered how it felt like when we received the mail from our Mission President (Anthony M. Kaku) on the 11th day of December, 2015.

Not long after the announcement the D Day came and it was time for handover from President and Sister Kaku to President and Sister Aliche. I said to myself having found myself in Nigeria Owerri Mission "I truly will miss Sister Kaku", I hope we get an understanding and a caring Mission President's wife like Sister Kaku, she is just but caring. She is a mother indeed.

From Left to Right Elder Iniunam, Elder Anamoah, President and Sister Kaku, Elder Otumabri and Elder Boateng

It was difficult to say goodbye, but we have to say goodbye. As we took our last photograph with them having I, my companion (Elder Boateng), the Owerri Zone Leaders who turned out to be the New (First) Assistants of the Mission (Elder Iniunam and Elder Anamoah) I had goose bumps. I knew time to say goodbye to President and Sister Kaku and time to say welcome to President and Sister Aliche.

A pleasant view from Nigeria Owerri Mission Home Balcony

They will truly be missed in this new chapter of my Mission experience and to remember the impact they have had in my life, i hope to fulfill the promise i made to President Kaku to finish the Book of Mormon thrice throughout my mission. I am not there yet, but i hope to get there soon. 

NEW MISSION, NEW CHAPTER OF EXISTING JOURNEY

First and foremost I think I need to apologize for not being able to blog for a long time.

I have indeed missed each and everyone of you that reads my blog. 

There are definitely things (laws) we must obey to receive the blessings attached to them. When our new Mission began (Nigeria Owerri Mission), being privilege to serve as the Mission Office Secretary, I requested we have a blog as a mission. Yes I did! But unfortunately, after much follow up by my Mission President (President Solomon Ijoma Aliche), he discovered that there are lot of process that a mission has to pass through to own a blog, I know you understand why. Many critics are out there, calling the church names and labeling the church devilish.

Nigeria Owerri Mission Home

Imagine all that, then if a mistake is made in a post by a mission, I believe the same people will assume those are the official stand (doctrine) of the Church.

Dinning inside the Mission Home

I wasn't happy initially, but I came to understand the reason why we couldn't have a blog when my President printed out a page of a letter he received from the Africa West Area Media Coordinator.

Anyways, I said then, since missionaries can have personal blog, I will blog but being in the Office does not mean my post are the official stand (doctrine) of the church. They are what i feel and have come to know or love.

Welcome back, I must say to all and sorry for the long break in transmission.

F.S.Y! (FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH) MY EXPERIENCE, MY STORY (1)

FSY (For the Strength of the Youth) has come and gone and it is over 5 months at my last count, but still I have this emotional, spiritual and even to a very large extent a lovely experience and story that I feel is sharable.  

I remembered the first day I heard of the word FSY I was skeptical, yes skeptical of the success because I thought it was a new program and the commitment from the volunteers might not be effective, but I was proven wrong after the program. My initial fears; 1.) was the first youth camping in Nigeria under the new youth program title F.S.Y going to be successful? 2.) are we prepared (those chosen as the counselors, building counselors and co-ordinators) to handle and take of this youth for the almost one(1) week camping period. But I took solace in the word of the Lord that says whom the Lord has chosen, he qualifies.

Then came the sudden change of heart, after attending about three meetings organized for us (counselors, building counselors and co-ordinators) which also serves as training I was then gradually beginning to believe the program/camping in totality, yes I did.

The last meeting/training sealed my believe (faith) for the program and then after seeing the dedication from all involved, seeing them call off their appointments for the next one week, seeing employees trying to get leave from work from the employers, even those who after taking permission for leave from work couldn’t get theirs were still hopeful they can one way or the other be a part of it.

And then came the day we were supposed to leave for the venue of the camp, to get accustomed to the environment about two (2) days before the camp proper. The warmth, the genuine preparation, the smiles, the love and most of all the understanding amongst us the (counselors, building counselors and co-ordinators) cannot be overemphasized. What joy and love I felt that faithful day, it was a renewal of my faith and assurance that it was indeed a program/camping that has its root and revelation coming directly from our Heavenly Father through his living prophet.

Knowing fully well I was going to be a part of the media team (the photographer) in camp, always brought about this fear in mind and further questions of how effective I am going to be. But in all, I was prepared for the task and know fully well what my job entails after making research of previous Youth camping’s under the name (E.F.Y) outside Nigeria.

Article by: Otumbari Mathew O.

Photographer: Otumbari Mathew O. (For M.O.O.N Photography & DAZA Images)

NIGERIA'S 2015 GENERAL ELECTION MY SHRINKING CONFIDENCE IN THE RULE OF LAW!

After carefully, taking a look at the Political Terrain in preparation for the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria that will make or mar the Country (Nigeria). I was forced to also look elsewhere, amidst the talks, the rallies, the stories, the controversies, the fights and the insults, i was forced to look at the Judiciary to see how they are prepared to help curb the excesses of these desperate politicians and those going to be used as thugs during this election.

After taking a careful perusal at the Judiciary in the country, i discovered that we are not ready. Why? it may surprise you to know that they are on strike at the critical moment. Strike? yes, they are on strike!

Then we will be forced to look at the Law Enforcement Agencies, but they are not meant to prosecute defaulters, their job is to make sure law and order is maintained. Hmnnn. I hope this strike trend is reverse if we are ready to make sure we want to do the right thing. I set out to discuss with one of my former boss, the man i worked along with with for three (3) years as a Publicity Secretary in a Law Firm (Oforma Ikenna & Associates) a passionate Attorney and a learned and vision filled lawyer.

Hear him, "Nigeria shouldn't be witnessing a Judiciary Strike at this stage" even is what they are asking for is a tall order for a country like Nigeria, i think they deserve it. (Judicial Independence).

Truth be told, i know and have this filling that things will go well and Nigeria will be peaceful once more and so will our faith, even as Latter-day Saints wait to see the outcome of this election, we hope for a better treatment of the Nigerian Judiciary and the consideration of the rule of law.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA!

NIGERIA AND THE ST. VALENTINES DAY ELECTION. THE STORY, THE RUMORS!

As the General Election in Nigeria draws nearer and closer, our minds are in doubts as to the credibility and the efficiency of the candidates. But, even as we wait for that day being St. Valentines day, we are always fed with rumors of Wars and Divisions from different quarters and that alone has got me thinking and even praying, am i scared, no i can't be, a priesthood holder scared?

Speaking with Latter-day Saints, my word to them has always been, "do the right thing, and let your vote count", i can never force people to vote for a candidate neither is it my duty to campaign for one. But i can try hard to convince you of the prospect one can bring and the gains we stand to enjoy. 

Truth be told, Nigeria has been lagging behind for years, and to me it seems we are 50 years behind time. Hmnnnn! but i still have this feeling it is never too late and can never be, but even at that i feel it is time we start having leaders that will take the welfare of the citizenry into consideration and reduce the joblessness menace. 

To a large extent, the actions, the decisions and the work of any incoming President/Leader will go a long way in translating how mostly latter-day Saints in Nigeria re-adjust and and how effective they will be in keeping some of the commandments. Lets' hope, as some would always give the excuse of i do not have job, i and my family lives in abject poverty and we can't cope. 

But as we wait for that day, we should all know that the change we seek and desire in Nigeria as country lies in our hands, your tool for that change is your voter's card. Do not sell your right and do not disenfranchise yourself and remember we are of the Law and must respect it. Whoever wins must be given the respect and support to take this country to a greater height!

GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

YOUNG SINGLE ADULT IN LAGOS, NIGERIA CELEBRATES VALENTINES DAY WITH AN UNFEIGNED LOVE

The Young Single Adult of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint in Lagos, Nigeria celebrated this valentine with an unfeigned love on Saturday the 15^th of February 2014.

The event (cocktail party) which was a multi-stake activity and took place at Festac, Lagos Nigeria South Stake Center, drew young single adults from all the 29 wards and branches in Lagos and members of other faiths to come celebrate love in a different way that they understood, and it was quite astonishing.

Before the event (cocktail party)started the anchors Sister Ijeoma from Lagos Nigeria South Stake and Bro. Aduwa Lagos Nigeria Stake said they sense this event bringing back unity among single adults in Lagos generally and also encouraging improved and early marriages among Young Single Adults and most especially the returned missionaries amongst them.

Bro. Otumbari Mathew from Satellite ward of Lagos Nigeria south stake who was among the planning committee and the official photographer of the event said is aims are seeing the less-active coming back and strengthening their testimonies after the event and members of other faith understanding that they the LDS members are true Christians contrary to what they have been hearing.

Bro. Oguntade from Okoko Ward of Lagos Nigeria South Stake said he was actually happy with the turn-outs and the amount of registration for institute programmes during the event (cocktail party)in the sheet displayed on a stand by one corner and said he hope the missionaries follow up on the non-members and the less active who also registered to ensure consistency.  

Sis. Adesuwa the Young Single Adult President in Lagos Nigeria South Stake said having conceived the idea with members of her stake and inviting both members of YSA in other stakes and their leaders gave her some measure of joy that irrespective of their differences and challenges they can also grow a better Nigeria with love.

It was actually a day of fun, music, dance, comedy and most people present said they will be willing and happy to see this kind of event being brought soon.

Story by: Otumbari Mathew O. (Satellite Ward, Lagos Nigeria South Stake)
Photos by: Otumbari Mathew O.(Satellite Ward, Lagos Nigeria South Stake)

LDS YOUNG SINGLE ADULT IN LAGOS TO HOST A COCKTAIL PARTY THIS VALENTINE

The Young Single Adult of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint has planned to host a cocktail party this valentine.

The party is one involving all the 29 units (wards and branches), (Lagos Nigeria South Stake, Lagos Stake and Lagos West Stake) of the Church in Lagos, and is to hold on Saturday the 15th day of February, 2014.

The Venue of the programme is Festac, Lagos Nigeria South Stake Center.

The Red carpet Starts by 11:00am and the programme itself kicks off by 12:00 noon.

The General Public is invited and one of the aim of the programme is to boost institute attendance with the programme titled "love unfeigned", the programme is also going to feature some inspiration church movies, with some classic and sou music up for performance by some outstanding young members that day.