L-R: Pastor Dennis Enujekor, Mrs Wahab, General Overseer of Canaanland Divine Ministry International, Pastor Jude Chuks Itabor, Prof Wahab Elias Olukorede and Mrs Buchi Itabor during the church service held in Alapere, Ketu area of Lagos State on 10th March, 2024.

By Reward Paul

The General Overseer of Canaanland Divine Ministry International, Pastor Jude Chuks Itabor has been described as a different kind of pastor who is exceptional and an unusual kind of human being.

The observation was made by a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) in charge of Academics at the Lagos State University, (LASU) Ojo, Prof. Wahab Elias Olukorede during a church service held at the church auditorium on Sunday 10th March, 2024.

Prof Wahab had attended the church with his family in order to thank God for using Pastor Itabor, one of his former students, to assist him during his challenging periods.

The university teacher while giving testimony of how God used Pastor Itabor to intercede for him when he was almost denied visa to travel to the United States of America for a programme organised by an American University this year said that the university had invited him as a highly rated scholar to come and deliver lecture in a particular area, indicating readiness to pay for all travelling expenses. Along the line, there was a twist as the American Embassy in Nigeria scheduled him for interview in February, 2025 for an event already planned to take place in February, 2024.

Through God’s intervention, he was given an expedited appointment for January, 2nd, 2024 and was later granted the visa. In addition, by way of a combined efforts through prayers with Pastor Itabor, the Prof’s ill health which has been a source of worry to him disappeared.

Advising the government of the day on what to do to stop exodus of Nigerians abroad, the Prof said “At the Embassy, I saw a lot of Nigerians. They enter the embassy every 15 minutes and they are hundreds of them in each particular stream. I see a lot of them denied visas. The lesson there is that the government should make Nigeria better so that Nigerians will not be looking for ways to move out of the country. When Nigeria is okay, you have no business of going out of the country”.

In his sermon titled “Dynamics of Grace” , Pastor Itabor described grace as the appearance of kindness and love of God towards man as recorded in the Book of Titus Chapter 2, verse 11.

According to the anointed Man of God, grace is something never deserved or merited but granted by God.

He however, noted that while many receive grace in parts, others receive it in full, adding that we need grace in all aspects of our life to excell, be it in marriage, academics, sports, leadership, business etc.

Explaining further, Itabor emphasised that grace is not just single entity but comes in different forms and shapes, some of which are grace to excel, grace to lead, grace to marry, grace to innovate, grace to give amongst others.

On that note, Pastor Itabor advised the congregation that, it is very important for everyone to ask God and find out which type of grace they are carrying, so that one can know the area to focus on.

He equally made it clear that without grace, people would continue to struggle with little or no results, which is not the portion for children of God.

“The ultimate essence of God’s given grace is for us to extend it to others. God’s expectation is that you use the grace given to you to help others. If you are given a particular grace and you fail to utilize it, there is likelihood that God will take it away from you. In fact grace can expire”, Pastor Itabor stated.

Also preaching during the service, Pastor Olufemi Peter of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) warned the audience to always take things of God seriously.

Pastor Olufemi Peters advised the congregation to focus on God always and never allow their personal problems to weigh them down, adding that God is aware of all problems no matter how difficult they might look to humans.

Emphasising on church attendance, Pastor Olufemi Peters said that whether one comes to church or not, God will always have His way, while His work would continue to endure forever.

He said “Even when you stop coming to church, that will not stop the work of God. But because you are in His presence today, you have obeyed him and your life will change in your favour; your business and marriage will change in your favour in Jesus name”.

Also in his message, Prophet Sholola Akeem Adewale, General Overseer, Word of Solution Ministries made series of prophetic declarations.

According to him, all the people who have come to the church must not go home remaining the same.

He said that, it is a good thing and acceptable to God when those who have received blessings return back to church to give God appreciation.

The Sunday church service attracted a good number of guests from other denominations and Pastor Itabor was full of appreciation for the overwhelming presence of both the members of the church and non members.