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Deeper Life Member Protests Demanding Explanation From Pastor Kumuyi Why External Musicians Where Invited to Church

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4 years ago

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Doctrinal discrepancies have been a long-existing issue amongst the Christian folks as there are types of Christianity such as Catholicism, Methodism, Protestantism, Pentecostal, etc.

Even amongst the Pentecostals, there exist the holiness groups and the “rock star” or “new generation group”. This division was recently highlighted in an open letter written by a member of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry to the General Overseer, Pastor Kumuyi, over the invitation of “external musicians” to the holiness church.

On Sunday, the 23rd of January, 2022, Dele Banjo wrote an open letter on his Facebook page questioning and addressing the infiltration of rock star musicians to Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

Excerpts from the letter read;

“Dear Sir, despite our protest we will like to commend you for your day in, day out preaching of modesty, righteousness and judgment… The only issue is these musicians that you are inviting.

“By preaching the true gospel on one hand and inviting these Christian rock stars on the other hand, the congregation may not know what is right from what is wrong. And the congregation may go on to copy the immodest acts that are being displayed by the band members of the musicians you have invited.”

He backed up his concerns and motioned to stop the invitation of external musicians by citing a story of an American musician who backslid from the faith to join the LGBTQ community. He feared that that might be the fate of some Deeper Life members if the mix of Christian rock star music and the ‘true’ gospel of holiness continues. He also questioned where the position of the man of God would be if Paul Baloche for example, came out as gay.

Moving on, he held that choristers ought to transmit signals of holiness as opposed to the choristers who surrounded Dunsin Oyekan during a ministration.

“Dear Sir, we were surprised at the nature of the musical performance of Dunsin Oyekan at Impact. Our main concern was the manner in which Dunsin Oyekan was flanked by two earring-wearing females whilst he was on stage.

“Our humble Deeper Life choir that is made up of those lovely teenagers transmit signals of holiness to the congregation whilst they are performing, don’t they? Yes, they do. And that is exactly how a holiness church like Deeper Life should be. The choir should be transmitting signals of holiness to the congregation and we don’t want a situation where it will appear as if the women that are doing the flanking are transmitting signals of lust. Holiness is the only thing we want to transmit in Deeper Life Bible Church.”

He further throws some rhetorical questions at the G.O, reminding him of how the law of Christ admonishes to reward the sheep with righteousness, not gold, attributing the church’s book of hymns and deeper life choir to righteousness and the rock stars to gold.

“If we may ask you some rhetorical questions sir, did the congregation request that you invite these musicians to Deeper Life?…

Did the districts request that you invite these musicians to Deeper Life?…

Did the groups request that you invite these musicians to Deeper Life? They did not, so why are you inviting them Sir?…

“Throughout the decades of not inviting these musicians to the church, Deeper Life camps, events and retreats have been jam-packed, so what’s the point in inviting these musicians…

“Sir, do you know what it means for thousands of people to jump on your bus like sheep and be transported to your church? It means they love you, Sir. The law of Christ demands that you should reward this love that the sheep has shown you with righteousness and not with worldly gold. Sir, reward the love that Deeper Lifers have shown you with the book of hymns and choir alone (righteousness) and not with international Christian rock stars (gold).”

He advances to discourage the G.O from lowering the standard of holiness to appease the young generation as there are enough “non-holiness” churches to cater to their needs.

“In addition, you need not lower your standards in order to accommodate the so-called young and liberal generation. You need not, because there are already a million and one non-holiness churches that can cater for.

“This young and liberal generation knows that Christian music should be gentle music, they just don’t want it. Instead, they want a little bit of funkiness and hip hop to be integrated with Christianity. Since this young and liberal generation knows the truth but they don’t want it, then you need not lower your standards in order to appease them.

Approaching the close of his letter, he challenged pastor Kumuyi’s analogy of chemistry subject and a chemistry teacher to defend his actions when interviewed by a fellow Deeper Lifer.

Banjo questioned the implicatures of Pastor Kumuyi’s reply, consolidated upon a scriptural reference that holiness should be given priority, and warned that the next time the G.O would want to bring in motivational speakers to the Deeper Life Ministry, he could, first of all, enquire if there are any successful Deeper Life speakers- of which he was certain there are.

“Some Deeper Lifers have asked why you invited non Deeper Lifers as guest speakers and you have been questioned in an interview that is available on YouTube.

In the interview, you used the chemistry subject and chemistry teachers as examples to defend the invitation of non Deeper Lifers as guest speakers. You stated that for example, if you want to hire a teacher to teach a child chemistry, you will hire that chemistry teacher based only on the teacher’s ability to teach chemistry. You, therefore, implied that it is okay to invite any motivational speaker to Deeper Life irrespective of whether or not such motivational speakers practice modesty and holiness as long as they are highly skilled in their professional fields.

Dear Sir, are you now implying that chemistry (entrepreneurial or motivational advice) is superior to holiness? Are you implying that we should prioritize entrepreneurial or motivational advice over holiness?

The message of Christ which is holiness is the one that should be given priority, therefore the next time you want to bring in motivational speakers to Deeper Life; you can first all enquire if there are any successful motivational speakers or entrepreneurs from within Deeper Life. I am very sure that you will find successful motivational speakers from within Deeper Life that can lecture the youths.”

He concluded with a prayer heading tagged ‘LET US PRAY” and a commendation to Pastor Kumuyi whom he had just made an attempt to admonish using the sandwich feedback technique.

The open letter brought a lot of backlash on the addresser while some commentators affirmed that he(Banjo) deserves an explanation from the G.O since his indoctrinator has now made some sort of digression.

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Africa

U.S. Signals More Strikes in Nigeria as Abuja Confirms Joint Military Campaign

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2 weeks ago

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December 27, 2025

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The United States has warned that further airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria are imminent, as Nigerian officials confirmed that recent attacks were part of coordinated operations between both countries.

The warning came hours after U.S. forces struck militant camps in Sokoto State, an operation President Donald Trump publicly framed as a response to what he described as the killing of Christians in Nigeria. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were only the beginning.

“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The Pentagon is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out as part of “joint ongoing operations,” pushing back against earlier tensions sparked by Trump’s public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity.

The airstrikes followed a brief diplomatic rift after Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians from militant violence. Nigerian officials responded by reiterating that extremist groups in the country target both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by insurgency and criminality rather than religious persecution.

Speaking to Channels Television, Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence support for the strikes in Sokoto and described close coordination with Washington. He said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly 20 minutes before briefing President Bola Tinubu and receiving approval to proceed, followed by another call with Rubio to finalize arrangements.

“We have been working closely with the Americans,” Tuggar said. “This is what we’ve always been hoping for—to work together to combat terrorism and stop the deaths of innocent Nigerians. It’s a collaborative effort.”

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. An earlier statement, later removed, had suggested the operation was carried out at Nigeria’s request.

Trump, speaking in an interview with Politico, said the operation had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed at his instruction. “They were going to do it earlier,” he said. “And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”

Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed casualty figures or confirmed whether militants were killed. Tuggar, when asked whether additional strikes were planned, said only: “You can call it a new phase of an old conflict. For us, this is ongoing.”

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a population split roughly between Muslims and Christians. While violence against Christian communities has drawn increasing attention from religious conservatives in the United States, Nigeria’s government maintains that extremist groups operate without regard to faith, attacking civilians across religious lines.

Trump’s public rhetoric contrasts with his 2024 campaign messaging, in which he cast himself as a “candidate of peace” who would pull the United States out of what he called endless foreign wars. Yet his second term has already seen expanded U.S. military action abroad, including strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, as well as a significant military buildup in the Caribbean directed at Venezuela.

On the ground in Sokoto State, residents of Jabo village—near one of the strike sites—reported panic and confusion as missiles hit nearby areas. Local residents said no casualties had been recorded, but security forces quickly sealed off the area.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani told the Associated Press. “The government should take appropriate measures to protect us. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, farmer Sanusi Madabo, said the night sky glowed red for hours. “It was almost like daytime,” he said. “We only learned later that it was a U.S. airstrike.”

For now, both Washington and Abuja are projecting unity. Whether the strikes mark a sustained shift in strategy—or another brief escalation in a long war—remains unclear.

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Africa

Nigeria–Burkina Faso Rift: Military Power, Mistrust, and a Region Out of Balance

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4 weeks ago

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December 14, 2025

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The brief detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso may have ended quietly, but it exposed a deeper rift shaped by mistrust, insecurity, and uneven military power in West Africa. What was officially a technical emergency landing quickly became a diplomatic and security flashpoint, reflecting not hostility between equals, but anxiety between unequally matched states navigating very different political realities.

On December 8, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while en route to Portugal. Nigerian authorities described the stop as a precautionary response to a technical fault—standard procedure under international aviation and military safety protocols. Burkina Faso acknowledged the emergency landing but emphasized that the aircraft had violated its airspace, prompting the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian personnel while investigations and repairs were conducted. Within days, the crew and aircraft were released, underscoring a professional, if tense, resolution.

Yet the symbolism mattered. In a Sahel region gripped by coups, insurgencies, and fragile legitimacy, airspace is not merely technical—it is political. Burkina Faso’s reaction reflected a state on edge, hyper-vigilant about sovereignty amid persistent internal threats. Nigeria’s response, measured and restrained, reflected confidence rooted in capacity.

The military imbalance between the two countries is stark. Nigeria fields one of Africa’s most formidable armed forces, with a tri-service structure that includes a large, well-equipped air force, a dominant regional navy, and a sizable army capable of sustained operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates fighter jets such as the JF-17 and F-7Ni, as well as A-29 Super Tucanos for counterinsurgency operations, heavy transport aircraft like the C-130, and an extensive helicopter fleet. This force is designed not only for internal security but for regional power projection and multinational operations.

Burkina Faso’s military, by contrast, is compact and narrowly focused. Its air arm relies on a limited number of light attack aircraft, including Super Tucanos, and a small helicopter fleet primarily dedicated to internal counterinsurgency. There is no navy, no strategic airlift capacity comparable to Nigeria’s, and limited logistical depth. The Burkinabè military is stretched thin, fighting multiple insurgent groups while also managing the political consequences of repeated military takeovers.

This imbalance shapes behavior. Nigeria’s military posture is institutional, outward-looking, and anchored in regional frameworks such as ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s posture is defensive, reactive, and inward-facing. Where Nigeria seeks stability through deterrence and cooperation, Burkina Faso seeks survival amid constant internal pressure. That difference explains why a technical landing could be perceived as a “serious security breach” rather than a routine aviation incident.

The incident also illuminates why Burkina Faso continues to struggle to regain political balance. Repeated coups have eroded civilian institutions, fractured command structures, and blurred the line between governance and militarization. The armed forces are not just security actors; they are political stakeholders. This creates a cycle where insecurity justifies military rule, and military rule deepens insecurity by weakening democratic legitimacy and regional trust.

Nigeria, despite its own security challenges, has managed to avoid this spiral. Civilian control of the military remains intact, democratic transitions—however imperfect—continue, and its armed forces operate within a clearer constitutional framework. This stability enhances Nigeria’s regional credibility and amplifies its military superiority beyond hardware alone.

The C-130 episode did not escalate into confrontation precisely because of this asymmetry. Burkina Faso could assert sovereignty, but not sustain defiance. Nigeria could have asserted its capability, but chose restraint. In the end, professionalism prevailed.

Still, the rift lingers. It is not about one aircraft or one landing, but about two countries moving in different strategic directions. Nigeria stands as a regional anchor with superior military power and institutional depth. Burkina Faso remains a state searching for equilibrium—politically fragile, militarily constrained, and acutely sensitive to every perceived threat from the skies above.

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Lifestyle

Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

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2 months ago

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November 14, 2025

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Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

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