ccc news 24
The expectation placed on mankind by God is to worship and adhere to His guidance in all aspects of life. It is worth noting that religion and moral teachings are distinct entities. Nigerian home videos, notably the Yoruba movies, play a significant role in imparting moral values and societal norms to individuals.
The continuous disregard for our sacred attire has been left unattended, enabling the movie industry, particularly Yoruba actors, to exploit our silence and show disrespect towards our fundamental principles for an extended period. This is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring pattern within the movie industry, underscoring the negligence of those in positions of authority within the celestial realm, irrespective of their affiliations.
In 2014, Kunle Afolayan unveiled a film named “October 1,” which delved into the impact of the Western world on the growth of the African continent. The movie depicted an instance where a reverend father mistreated a boy. Strikingly, within just 24 hours of the movie’s release, the Catholic authority organized a press briefing to address the matter at hand.
In contrast, celestial authorities, much like certain Nigerian politicians, tend to overlook issues influencing the church’s progress, instead focusing on personal gains and hierarchical status within the celestial church rather than tackling crucial concerns.
The CCC spokesperson, Senior Evangelist Ajala Kayode, responded to social media’s call by issuing a press statement about JUBA in 2019. This resulted in the creation of a three-member committee to investigate the issue, though the findings of the committee have not been disclosed. Recently, a new photo has emerged on social media showing Mr. Dele Odule wearing clergy attire within a celestial church.
It can be difficult for Celestians to accept that we might be at the root of the challenges facing our religious community. The authorities have opted to turn a blind eye to the truth, and denying this reality is baseless, ignorant, and disheartening.
We have members in the Celestial Church who are actors and actresses, like M/C Joke Muyiwa (Phd), M/C Toyin Adegbola, M/C Dupe Jayesilmi, Brother Tayo Amokade, and others. It would be beneficial for the church leadership to consider involving these individuals in a new committee to engage with the leaders of the THEATER ARTS AND MOTION PICTURES PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (TAMPAN) to clarify our church’s position.
Suggested Course of Action:
It is highly recommended that a new committee be promptly established, with members including M/C Joke Muyiwa, PhD, and M/C Toyin Adegbola, among others. This committee should focus on the following goals:
1) The pastor should initiate a reconciliation process with the official board of trustees according to the specific guidelines stipulated in the certificate issued by the Ministry of Trade & Commerce. This step will ensure that proper authorization is obtained before using church premises or any related assets, and legal recourse can be pursued if needed.
2) Conduct an inquiry into any music videos, films, or other media content that has depicted the church unfavorably and request appropriate revisions be made.
3) Provide guidance to shepherds and parishes on the significance of preserving the celestial reputation and enforce penalties against those who breach these principles.
4) Organize a meeting with the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and its regulatory body to enlighten them about the church’s core values and the importance of portraying the church respectfully in their creations.
5) The committee should document their discoveries and suggestions for the enlightenment of all church members.
