By Maria Famakinwa
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It has become an annual ritual for many Nigerian prophets of various denominations to release predictions for the new year. This might not be unconnected with the fact that they are highly revered as oracles of God who can see beyond the ordinary.

The noticeable trend in the prophecy galore at the beginning of each year explain the naiveness of Nigerians towards divine revelation which often propel men of God to dish out new year predictions either good or bad.

Though, not every prediction by them before in the past to pass, yet, people often look up to them and key into whatever they say, claiming that obedience is better than sacrifice. The Hope x-rayed some of this year’s prophesies made by some notable men of God and people’s reactions to them.

The General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye did not give straight forward prophesies for 2019, for it not to be twisted by anybody, instead, quoted Bible verses, indicating that the prophesies for 2019 were embedded in them. As for what the year hold in stock for Nigeria, Pastor Adeboye quoted Lamentation 3:22-23 from the King James version of the Bible, stating that it is through the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness.

 In his new year predictions, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr Daniel Olukoya, described 2019 as a year of many strange happenings which need strange prayers to overcome. He added that it is a year that many women who have been written off will conceive and many people trying to get rich through satanic means would be destroyed as sexual perverts would receive a death blow from sanitising agents.

Olukoya, who further revealed that 2019 is a year God will raise up young rugged prophets and evangelists.”It is a year of reaping benefits, a year of living a sacrificial lifestyle and to survive the year, there is need for strange prayers which many around might not be comfortable with.”

He told the congregation to key into sacrificial giving for their success in 2019. “Any teaching telling you not to give to God is from the pit of hell, because the apostle gave and God blessed them abundantly.”

In the new year predictions of Winners Chapel General Overseer, Bishop David Oyedepo, he said God told him that we should be prudent in spending to avoid eating remnants from others and that the winner of the coming election should be very wary because its emerging factor will be that of an emergency. He further said, “Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) will call off strike without Federal Government meeting their primary demands but condescending and conniving with a snitching and powerful few in the ASUU periphery.”

Bishop Oyedepo, while speaking on sport, predicted that Manchester United will make top four and be recognized again as a club not to toy with as he warned Liverpool against over confidence in order to sustain their current feat.

In his predictions for 2019, Prophet Daniel Oluwadare Owolabi, Founder of Christ Liberty Evangelical Ministry (Agbala-Irorun), Alagbaka Akure, Ondo State, said that the secret of fake ministers of God will be exposed as he urged people to pray against problem in the coming elections.

He warned youths to be careful not to be used as political thugs, to avert what may lead to untimely death. “Two stars will fall from the sky. There is promotion for kings and true worshippers of God in spirit. Those selling building materials will record much sales as many people will build houses. Many civil servants will be promoted and journalists who truly discharge their duties will progress. Those impersonating uniformed men will be exposed. Scarcity of beans will lead to increase in price. Garri and palm-oil price will also increase as cocoa sellers will be blessed.”

Some residents of Akure who spoke with The Hope reacted differently to the predictions.

A public servant, Mr Olawale Akinkuowo, in his submission said, “I am totally against all these new year prophesies because if we have responsible governments in the country that creates jobs, improve the economy and manage socio-political aspect of the nation, people will not be relying on prophesies. What does the western world got to do with yearly predictions? Citizens there are not even concerned because their governments are doing the needful. Some Nigerian prophets capitalise on people’s gullibility to exploit the masses and politicians who daily throng them for possible solutions. In fact, most of these predictions don’t come to pass, why then are we making God out of them? Prophesies last as long as we believe it. Even the Bible says that prophesies will fail, it is only the word of God that will last forever.”

A trader, Mrs Anike Odunayo in her opinion said she only claim positive prophesies and reject the negative ones because it is what you believe that will work for you.

Mr Segun Olawole, a civil servant, maintained that most men of God who prophesy, do so to be known in order to swindle people. “I have seen many situations that people in the process of looking for solution to evil predictions lost their lives and properties. Though, prophesies are good for guardians, but one should be careful not to turn oneself to servant of fake men of God who hide under this guise to make money, otherwise, the person’s situation will be worse for it.  Why is it that it is only at the beginning of the year that most of them make predictions? How many of those predictions have come to pass?  one should just be very careful,” he added.