Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, founder of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries has announced that his ministry will begin holding Sunday services in Abuja and, in line with God’s instruction, will not collect offerings.

Church Times on Tuesday reported that he made this known in an online message it monitored.

In the video, which was posted on Sunday, January 11, Oyedepo emphasised that the ministry’s primary focus is discipleship and equipping people to follow Jesus, rather than traditional financial practices.

Addressing the financial aspect of the ministry, Oyedepo clarified that “God gave him specific instructions not to collect offerings.”

While he maintained that there is nothing inherently wrong with the practice in other ministries, he “noted that for this specific assignment, his focus must remain solely on the spiritual development of the people.”

The announcement coincided with the launch of the ministry’s Sunday Services, which are scheduled to hold weekly in Abuja.

Focus on Discipleship

During the broadcast, Oyedepo explained that his approach is modeled after the early ministry of Jesus Christ.

“All Jesus did during his early ministry was to make disciples; the fire fell, and they were filled and refilled. Before He left, He commanded us to do the same,” he stated.

He further stressed that spiritual growth requires a “consistent journey” through the Word of God, questioning, “How healthy would our churches be if people were truly deep in the Scriptures?”

Born on February 26, 1985, the younger Oyedepo officially transitioned to his independent ministry on November 28, 2023. https://punchng.com/oyedepos-son-unveils-ministry-gets-fathers-blessings/

This move followed years of dedicated service at Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), the global ministry founded by his father, Bishop David Oyedepo.

A Bauchi-based veterinarian, Dr. Shehu Zailani, says the cold and dry conditions of the harmattan pose serious threats to livestock health.

He said the weather increases the incidence of respiratory diseases, cold stress, and mortality, particularly in poultry and young animals.

Zailani made this observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He explained that the drop in temperature, accompanied by dry, dusty winds, poses serious challenges to animal health, similar to how extreme weather affects humans with respiratory conditions.

The veterinarian said the current weather pattern significantly disrupts conventional livestock management practices, with poultry production among the most affected.

Zailani noted that newly hatched chicks require adequate warmth within their first two weeks of life through a process known as brooding—a critical stage for proper feeding, growth, and survival.

He added that fluctuating and extremely cold temperatures make effective temperature regulation difficult for poultry farmers and expose young birds to disease outbreaks and mortality.

“If chicks are not kept warm enough, they become vulnerable to respiratory infections, which may manifest through symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, and laboured breathing,” he said.

According to Zailani, the effects of severe cold weather extend beyond poultry, affecting small ruminants such as goats and sheep.

He said prolonged exposure to extreme cold can weaken animals’ immune systems, making them susceptible to infections, including respiratory diseases and Peste des Petits Ruminants.

“Infected animals often show signs such as sneezing, nasal discharge, weakness, and general poor health,” he added.

He attributed the rise in disease cases during the season to dry and dusty winds, which reduce body moisture in animals and create favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases.

The expert advised livestock owners and herders to provide warm and well-ventilated shelters to help animals maintain stable body temperatures and mitigate the risks.

“It is important to ensure adequate and clean drinking water. Proper hydration plays a crucial role in disease prevention. Many cold-related diseases are highly contagious and can result in serious economic losses if not addressed early,” he said.

While emphasising the need for routine livestock vaccination during periods of drastic weather changes, Zailani urged farmers to promptly seek veterinary attention for animals showing signs of illness.

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Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Funke Akindele, has further cemented her place in African cinema history as her latest release, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve the milestone.

The record-breaking performance was disclosed on Monday in a post on X by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, which confirmed that the title has now grossed ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales.

Announcing the feat, the distributor said the film had “officially broken and shattered records,” noting that it is the first Nollywood production in Africa to cross the ₦2 billion box office threshold. FilmOne added that the achievement places Behind The Scenes as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa, as well as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

According to the distributor, the success of the film also reinforces Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, describing her as the highest-grossing writer, director and producer in West Africa’s history.

FilmOne further highlighted that Akindele has now become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years, a feat it described as unprecedented in the region’s film industry.

Reacting to the support from cinema audiences, the distributor thanked viewers for “believing in the magic of storytelling,” describing the film’s run as more than a commercial win but a cultural movement driven by audience loyalty and strong word-of-mouth.

The ₦2 billion milestone represents a significant leap from the film’s earlier box office records. Behind The Scenes had previously crossed the ₦1 billion mark before climbing to ₦1.77 billion, already positioning it among the most successful Nollywood titles of all time. Its continued surge in earnings has now placed it firmly at the top of the industry’s all-time rankings.

The film stars Scarlet Gomez in the lead role and boasts an ensemble cast that includes Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, Adebowale ‘Mr Macaroni’, Ibrahim Chatta and Kamo State, alongside several other established and emerging actors.

At its core, Behind The Scenes explores the theme of black tax, examining the emotional, social and financial pressures faced by individuals who are expected to support extended family members.

The subject matter has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly young adults, contributing to the film’s sustained cinema attendance across Nigeria and the wider West African market.

Fans attribute the film’s exceptional performance to a mix of relatable storytelling, strong ensemble casting, aggressive marketing and Akindele’s enduring appeal as a filmmaker who consistently delivers commercially viable projects.

The success of Behind The Scenes adds to Akindele’s growing list of box office achievements. Her earlier releases, including Everybody Loves Jenifa, recorded rapid earnings growth and set multiple opening-week and cumulative revenue records, establishing her as Nollywood’s most bankable figure.

With its cinema run still ongoing and international markets contributing to its revenue, Behind The Scenes is widely seen as a defining moment for Nollywood’s commercial evolution, signalling the industry’s growing capacity to deliver billion-naira blockbusters with global reach.

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