NewStats: 3,262,364 , 8,176,937 topics. Date: Monday, 02 June 2025 at 01:03 AM 1x3g17

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the FRC, Jim Obazee, at the weekend said that though only 89 out of the 23, 216 ed churches in the country have complied till date with regulations, the council would be unrelenting till the right thing is done.

“In keeping other peoples’ money, you have to prepare . That is why churches fought me so badly, took me to court as a person and then my office too. Mosques and orthodox churches freely complied, but those Pentecostal churches called me to ask questions. They said: ‘This church is church of God and we are able to God.’ And I told them: ‘Very good, so you must take this church to heaven, you can’t operate it here’. When public funds are involved, government needs to ensure proper ability.”

The CEO explained: “Religious organisations are ordinarily set up as ‘not-for-profit’ and they remain institutions of public character. The challenge, however, is a trend where churches and mosques start dabbling into non-charity ventures like schools, hospitals and so on.
“When you set up a church, your motive is to ensure that people are well focused to go to heaven. Then the money in the church should be targeted at ensuring that people are helped to do that. If you want to set up a school, then it should be free for all your ’ children. If you charge any money, then you are in the same league with other schools outside that are paying taxes to the government.

“If you set up schools, hospitals and the likes under a church, there is a high likelihood that you will be engaging in non-charitable activities within charity. If you are doing that, then what stops Dangote from setting up a mosque and having all his cements, rice and sugar under it? That is actually what some churches and mosques are doing.

one kind yeye pastor nd ppl will hate dis....coz de see religious organizations as family business....imagine wife b pastor husband sef go de claim pastor....na on top bed God call both if una??

rerhji:
one kind yeye pastor nd ppl will hate dis....coz de see religious organizations as family business....imagine wife b pastor husband sef go de claim pastor....na on top bed God call both if una??

Don't mind them jare

Some people won't like this...
This won't be a problem for orthodox churches, but the Pentecostal, hmmm only time will tell.

I the forced divestment of private schools and other commercial businesses from churches.

([s]That's better than forcing tenure limits on church leaders. It is better to tackle the problem directly instead of using indirect methods that will lead to unintended consequences. The government has the right to insist that churches should sell off their commercial businesses, but not to dictate spiritual matters like leadership. A government that fights religion will be fought by religion. The result will be a more divided country. We can't afford that.[/s]) not sure if this is relevant due to lack of information.

Are the people paying the money to the church complaining? They(FRC) treat tithes & offering like deposits that are suppose to be kept . . .
If tithes & offering are deposits then let NDIC insure the church too. What about secret groups who collect dues?

Seun:
I the forced divestment of private schools and other commercial businesses from churches. That's better than forcing tenure limits on church leaders. It is better to tackle the problem directly instead of using indirect methods that will lead to unintended consequences. The government has the right to insist that churches should sell off their commercial businesses, but not to dictate spiritual matters like leadership. A government that fights religion will be fought by religion. The result will be a more divided country. We can't afford that.

A confused govt that can't deliver quality education is trying to re-regulate private(church-owned) higher institutions. I don't that. Is the govt saying NUC hasn't been doing a good job all these years?

Mc4larin:

“When you set up a church, your motive is to ensure that people are well focused to go to heaven. Then the money in the church should be targeted at ensuring that people are helped to do that. If you want to set up a school, then it should be free for all your ’ children. If you charge any money, then you are in the same league with other schools outside that are paying taxes to the government.

“If you set up schools, hospitals and the likes under a church, there is a high likelihood that you will be engaging in non-charitable activities within charity. If you are doing that, then what stops Dangote from setting up a mosque and having all his cements, rice and sugar under it? That is actually what some churches and mosques are doing.

These silly people who can't question religious backed killings, child marriage, or terrorism are trying to interpret God's will for Christians to Christians. The main question here should be is the Church owned school making profits or not?

As for the arguement of children of attending the school for free since they pay tithes, offering and other seeds, it is a flawed arguement too. It may be a popular arguement among ignorant Christians.

Sibrah:
A confused govt that can't deliver quality education is trying to re-regulate private(church-owned) higher institutions. I don't that. Is the govt saying NUC hasn't been doing a good job all these years?

Yea. I actually the establishment of universities by churches. Those universities provide good education to rich students, thus freeing up more space for poor students in public universities. Also, they reduce the need for rich parents to send their kids abroad, thus saving forex.

However, I also agree with Mr Obazee's concerns. It's not right for a commercial entity to be allowed to escape ability by simply hiding under the umbrella of a non-profit organization. The solution is for the churches to incorporate the schools as independent companies.

([s]Pastor Adeboye and others should be allowed to be GOs for life if they believe that this is God's will; but they should not be running for-profit businesses.[/s]) not sure if this is relevant due to lack of information

Seun:

Yea. I actually the establishment of universities by churches. Those universities provide good education to rich students, thus freeing up more space for poor students in public universities. Also, it reduces the need for rich parents to send their kids abroad, thus saving forex.

However, I also agree with Mr Obazee's concerns. It's not right for a commercial entity to be allowed to escape ability by simply hiding under the umbrella of a non-profit organization. The solution is for the schools to incorporate the schools as independent companies.

([s]Pastor Adeboye and others should be allowed to be GOs for life if he believes that this is God's will; but he should not be running for-profit businesses.[/s]) not sure if this is relevant due to lack of information

From my inside knowlegde of Covenant Uni for example, it isn't a profit run school neither is the Church itself a profit run church or organisation. People speculate trash according to their weak conscience and empty stomach alot.
I can say for a fact that Covenant Uni isn't funded by tithes and offering. When building new structures, they have people termed as 'partners' who do that voluntarily. Tell me how's that different from a LAUTECH or OAU that's govt owned but leaves room for people willing to donate building or labs?
My fear is for those copycat churches who try to replicate what's happening in some other churches they hardly understand.

Mc4larin:
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the FRC, Jim Obazee, at the weekend said that though only 89 out of the 23, 216 ed churches in the country have complied till date with regulations, the council would be unrelenting till the right thing is done.

“In keeping other peoples’ money, you have to prepare . That is why churches fought me so badly, took me to court as a person and then my office too. Mosques and orthodox churches freely complied, but those Pentecostal churches called me to ask questions. They said: ‘This church is church of God and we are able to God.’ And I told them: ‘Very good, so you must take this church to heaven, you can’t operate it here’. When public funds are involved, government needs to ensure proper ability.”

The CEO explained: “Religious organisations are ordinarily set up as ‘not-for-profit’ and they remain institutions of public character. The challenge, however, is a trend where churches and mosques start dabbling into non-charity ventures like schools, hospitals and so on.
“When you set up a church, your motive is to ensure that people are well focused to go to heaven. Then the money in the church should be targeted at ensuring that people are helped to do that. If you want to set up a school, then it should be free for all your ’ children. If you charge any money, then you are in the same league with other schools outside that are paying taxes to the government.

“If you set up schools, hospitals and the likes under a church, there is a high likelihood that you will be engaging in non-charitable activities within charity. If you are doing that, then what stops Dangote from setting up a mosque and having all his cements, rice and sugar under it? That is actually what some churches and mosques are doing.

Too many great points here

They said: ‘This church is church of God and we are able to God.’ And I told them: ‘Very good, so you must take this church to heaven, you can’t operate it here’. When public funds are involved, government needs to ensure proper ability.”

Hahaha! What is the location of heaven biko? In the imagination of the gullible and in the bank s of the rich pastors

Shior

hahn:


Too many great points here

They said: ‘This church is church of God and we are able to God.’ And I told them: ‘Very good, so you must take this church to heaven, you can’t operate it here’. When public funds are involved, government needs to ensure proper ability.”

Hahaha! What is the location of heaven biko? In the imagination of the gullible and in the bank s of the rich pastors

Shior

In islam when child marriage leads to VVF the victims are taken care off by govt owned and subsidized hospitals. I say this from experience. If god commanded child marriage and it is now leading to VVF, they might as well take the VVF victims to their god and prophet for further treatment. These people are clearly envious of the progresses the church is recording.

How come the orthodox churches and muslims agreed but Pentecostals did not agree.. There's something fishy about the Pentecostal church..... because thts d question I asked n previous comments, how come it's only the Pentecostal church Tht this law affects, aren't catholics, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist Christains too..... What about muslims y aren't they complaining??..... I have gotten my answer here

Seun:

The solution is for the churches to incorporate the schools as independent companies.

Listen, there are no schools or businesses of the church that aren't taxed. Do your research.

donnie:


Listen, there are no schools or businesses of the church that aren't taxed. Do your research.

I am hearing that for the 1st time. Will pay more attention and observe it.

donnie:
Listen, there are no schools or businesses of the church that aren't taxed. Do your research.

Any evidence for this? It would surprise me if the FRC chairman was truly lying against the churches in a public interview, as you're implying.

Jim Obazee is an area pastor in RCCG.

Sibrah:
In islam when child marriage leads to VVF the victims are taken care off by govt owned and subsidized hospitals. I say this from experience. If god commanded child marriage and it is now leading to VVF, they might as well take the VVF victims to their god and prophet for further treatment. These people are clearly envious of the progresses the church is recording.

Well, the bible doesn't say anything against child marriage. In fact Mary, the mother of Jesus, was underage herself and it was common practice by the ancient Jews to marry women at the age of 13-14

Sibrah:
From my inside knowlegde of Covenant Uni for example, it isn't a profit run school neither is the Church itself a profit run church or organisation. People speculate trash according to their weak conscience and empty stomach alot.
[b]I can say for a fact that Covenant Uni isn't funded by tithes and offering[/b]When building new structures, they have people termed as 'partners' who do that voluntarily. Tell me how's that different from a LAUTECH or OAU that's govt owned but leaves room for people willing to donate building or labs?
My fear is for those copycat churches who try to replicate what's happening in some other churches they hardly understand.

you expect me to believe this? really?

Seun:

Any evidence for this? It would surprise me if the FRC chairman was truly lying against the churches in a public interview, as you're implying.

He lied. Some of these people just follow piblic gossip from sites like this your Nairaland.

The tax authorities are all over the place.

They even ensure that church staff pay tax, talkless of church owned companies. Some CE churches even received court summons but that has since been taken care of.

So even church staff of CE pay tax. Funny enough I know of a CE church that argued that thier staff are working for God as volounteers but these tax guys wouldnt back down, especially after seeing the correct staff-owned cars parked in the parking lot.

kcnwaigbo:


you expect me to believe this? really?

I don't expect ur type tn believe it. You are one of those speculate and reason with your circumstances.

Sibrah:
These silly people who can't question religious backed killings, child marriage, or terrorism are trying to interpret God's will for Christians to Christians. The main question here should be is the Church owned school making profits or not?

As for the arguement of children of attending the school for free since they pay tithes, offering and other seeds, it is a flawed arguement too. It may be a popular arguement among ignorant Christians.

Why should church pay school fees to a school built with their tithe and offering money?

Let me know why the argument is flawed.

hahn:


Well, the bible doesn't say anything against child marriage. In fact Mary, the mother of Jesus, was underage herself and it was common practice by the ancient Jews to marry women at the age of 13-14

Prove it or explain the absense of VVF within Jews then.

Seun:

Any evidence for this? It would surprise me if the FRC chairman was truly lying against the churches in a public interview, as you're implying.

Seun:
I the forced divestment of private schools and other commercial businesses from churches.

([s]That's better than forcing tenure limits on church leaders. It is better to tackle the problem directly instead of using indirect methods that will lead to unintended consequences. The government has the right to insist that churches should sell off their commercial businesses, but not to dictate spiritual matters like leadership. A government that fights religion will be fought by religion. The result will be a more divided country. We can't afford that.[/s]) not sure if this is relevant due to lack of information.

Very apt.

Sibrah:
Prove it or explain the absense of VVF within Jews then.

http://www.jewfaq.org/marriage.htm

Sibrah:
From my inside knowlegde of Covenant Uni for example, it isn't a profit run school neither is the Church itself a profit run church or organisation. People speculate trash according to their weak conscience and empty stomach alot.
I can say for a fact that Covenant Uni isn't funded by tithes and offering. When building new structures, they have people termed as 'partners' who do that voluntarily. Tell me how's that different from a LAUTECH or OAU that's govt owned but leaves room for people willing to donate building or labs?
My fear is for those copycat churches who try to replicate what's happening in some other churches they hardly understand.

When projects are to be financed in Winner's Chapel, special offerings are raised which are project specific e.g Shiloh offering, CU offering, Faith Theatre offering, etc. Of course, people who give are termed 'partners' but that cannot change the fact that these are offerings/sacrifices given with the hope of getting more blessings from God. You cannot place Federal Universities in this category because they will not ask people to bring special offerings, rather people give for different reasons; philantropy, to be recognized by the institution, BOT, alumni contributions etc
I also give to the church including winners but we need to be clear on this issue.....and yes, the church should pay tax on its commercial ventures. Jesus Christ wasn't into any profit making venture yet he payed tax.

musicwriter:


Why should church pay school fees to a school built with their tithe and offering money?

Let me know why the argument is flawed.

You don't know what you are saying. Give example of schools built with church ' tithe & offering too . . .

fatdick:
When projects are to be financed in Winner's Chapel, special offerings are raised which are project specific

I never heard that. What I know is the 'partner' arrangement. It was used for the enginering department buildings like EIE, civil and Mech.
Even if what you wrote was true, there is still the recurrent angle to it, do they also take special offerings for deisel, gen set, staff salary, equipments and other recurrent expenses? People use their mental limitation and circumstance to guess what they don't most times.

Sibrah:
You don't know what you are saying. Give example of schools built with church ' tithe & offering too . . .

The fact you're being evasive means you have no defense whatsoever.

Deeper life university.
Covenant university.
Redeemers university.
Chosen university.
e.t.c, e.t.c

Sibrah:
I never heard that. What I know is the 'partner' arrangement. It was used for the enginering department buildings like EIE, civil and Mech.
Even if what you wrote was true, there is still the recurrent angle to it, do they also take special offerings for deisel, gen set, staff salary, equipments and other recurrent expenses? People use their mental limitation and circumstance to guess what they don't most times.

Next time, please be honest enough to add "I was told" before your statements. You appear to be just a CU student/graduate than a regular LFC member. Let me take you down memory lane, long before you got itted to CU, church gave special offering to finance the project, some even volunteered in areas of manual labour (carrying blocks, concretes and assisting on the site). Who are these partners you're talking about gan? What do they get in return for their partnership? Please dont you dare say 'nothing'.....else you sound naive.

Talking about recurrent expenditure, is that enough reason not to pay tax? Abi other profit making companies that pay tax no get recurrent expenditure ni? Are you confused?

And all the weekly tithes and offerings (which runs into huge millions) are used for what exactly if not recurrent expenses.....or does God come to pick them up personally, maybe He has an . People who are mentally limited are not hard to notice.

fatdick:
Next time, please be honest enough to add "I was told" before your statements. You appear to be just a CU student/graduate than a regular LFC member. Let me take you down memory lane, long before you got itted to CU, church gave special offering to finance the project, some even volunteered in areas of manual labour (carrying blocks, concretes and assisting on the site). Who are these partners you're talking about gan? What do they get in return for their partnership? Please dont you dare say 'nothing'.....else you sound naive.

Talking about recurrent expenditure, is that enough reason not to pay tax? Abi other profit making companies that pay tax no get recurrent expenditure ni? Are you confused?

And all the weekly tithes and offerings (which runs into huge millions) are used for what exactly if not recurrent expenses.....or does God come to pick them up personally, maybe He has an . People who are mentally limited are not hard to notice.

But the story changed along the line. Stop dangling irrelevant history. What I described is the current model. Please when last did they take offering for uni(landmark or covenant) projects?