2017 predictions: The hits, the misses

BAYO ALADE, TADE MAKINDE and RITA OKONOBOH write that as usual predictions for the year by clerics were varied, while some hit the bull eye, several others were way off the mark.

 

SOME clerics took the allusive route, others treaded the direct route, each revealing the prophetic, as had been divinely revealed concerning the year 2017. Sunday Tribune examines the hits and misses of divine predictions for the year just ended.

 

Those making life difficult for masses will be relocated –Pastor Adeboye

One of those who spoke concerning the year was the General Overseer (worldwide) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who revealed that “those deliberately making life difficult for the common man will be relocated.”

Whatever that meant, it might be a difficult to determine, considering the indirectness of the statement. “Those making life difficult for Nigerians,” could refer tostakeholders in varying sectors of the polity, and one may not be able to say if they had been “relocated.”

However there were more direct prophecies from the cleric. One of them was his prediction on the economy that “The downward plunge will slow down, stop and reversal will begin.”

Economic experts have said that Nigeria is “technically out of recession,” giving credence to the prediction, however, what that means for various classes of people in the society leaves much to be desired.

Pastor Adeboye also predicted that there would be “monster earthquakes, monster floods, hurricanes and typhoons, monster tornadoes and monster fire outbreaks.”

In several parts of the world, there were disasters in which many people died. For example, in Zimbabwe there was severe rain which killed 117 people and left many others homeless.

In China, severe flood killed 144 people between January and June. In early July, 56 people died. In Peru 150 people died early in the year in a disaster that affected 1 million people and reconstruction could cost more than $9 billion.

There was also Hurricane Maria in the Dominican Republic, earthquake in Mexico, monsoon flooding in Bangladesh, mudslide in Colombia, Hurricane Irma in the USA and the Caribbean. Nigeria was also not left out as there were reports of dangerous flooding in various parts of the country, which ravaged farmlands and homes, left many dead, thousands of people homeless, and threatened the country’s food security. One ready example is the Benue flood situation.

Prophet T.B. Joshua, according to a post on the church’s Facebook timeline, was said to have called for prayers for the world.

The post read: “We wish to remind our viewers of the prophetic warning Prophet T.B. Joshua earlier gave regarding the nation of North Korea, followed by an urgent call for prayer. We have to pray for the President of North Korea. Pray for North Korea. The reason I am saying this is, I am seeing an arrow from there and it will affect the world, if not a section of the world.

“So, let us live at peace because the war we are fighting already in Syria and others is still there. We cannot afford another. It would end the whole world. The whole world would be in confusion.”

There was also a reported video showing Prophet T.B. Joshua predicting impending military intervention in the government of a Southern African country. The undated video shows the controversial cleric speaking, about military plans to “get rid of a president in a region of Southern Africa.

Joshua said he knew the country in question but would not directly name it lest it led to undue “pandemonium.”

Many traditional rulers will die at the hands of kidnappers –Faleyimu

Founder of Mountain of Blessing and Miracle Church of Christ, Dr. Olagorioye Faleyimu, had reportedly prophesied that “Nigerian traditional rulers also need serious prayers because many of them will be kidnapped and they will die in kidnappers’ dens.”

True to form, although the tag ‘many’ may not really take in this regard, the clan head of Obong in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Tuesday Jumbo, abducted by gunmen from his palace.

A traditional ruler in Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness Owei Dele Ere, was reportedly kidnapped in Rumuji Community, Emohua Local Government, Rivers State, as he and his aides were driving towards Port Harcourt.

Traditional ruler of Iyani-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, the Oniyani of Iyani Akoko, Oba Joel Sunday Daodu, was also kidnapped by unknown gunmen along Ose Oba Akoko axis of Ikare-Owo road.

Interestingly, Faleyimu has predicted that, Prophet T.B. Joshua, would be bereaved, and may probably be nearing his grave, stating that “T.B Joshua should be prayerful so as not to lose a child before he goes because his time is near.”

In the course of the year, TB Joshua did not die, neither were there reports that he lost a child.

He (Faleyimu) had also said “Three former and present governors should pray against sudden death before the year ends. The Ooni of Ife should also pray so as not to lose his father in early 2017.”

Well, three present governors did not die. Only one governor, a former military governor of old Kaduna State, retired AVM Mukhtar Mohammed, died in a London hospital at the age of 73. Neither did the Ooni lose his father, though he did predict correctly that prices of food items would increase before the year came to an end.

 

Primate Ayodele, Donald Trump and Jerusalem

Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church had prophesied that US President Donald Trump would take a major action that would shake up the world.

In 2016, during one of the many campaigns embarked upon by Donald Trump to be elected as United States’ President, the real estate mogul made two promises that were immediately considered by his opponents as “no go areas.” In 2017, he delivered on cancelling the popular Obamacare and also announced the movement of the country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Despite outrage against both actions, the president has refused to back down nor recant on his promises to his supporters.

Ayodele also predicted that the APC would split into two this year, there would be a Constitution Amendment, and that there would be a reform of the NYSC. Unless these happen in the next 24 hours, the Primate missed this one.

Further still, he urged Nigerians to pray not to lose a former first lady and the incumbent first lady, and also that those who still value traditions should not stop praying for some traditional rulers in Lagos, Osun and Oyo states so that they would not be dethroned. Except for Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where some kingmakers threatened to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, it has been quiet in the three mentioned states.

The Primate, however, hit the bull’s-eye with his prediction that former president Jonathan and some others would make moves to bring the PDP back. This has come to pass with the recently held national convention of the party. He was also right when he predicted that Etisalat would have connection problem. In Nigeria, Etisalat has ceased to exist and is now known as 9mobile.

Again, Primate Ayodele predicted that the organised Labour would embark on major protest nationwide over backlog of salaries in states; that Nigeria would lift a cup in a sports competition, and that there would be a major plane crash that would shake the world. Aside protests in states like Osun over non-payment of salaries, NLC did not organise any major protest, albeit it threatened to so; Nigeria, however, won the women African Nation basketball trophy, a first while the men got to the final of the men competition. No plane crash was recorded.

 

We shall see the Nigeria of our dreams in 2017 —Bishop Okonkwo

Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), in his New Year message had called on Nigerians “not to lose hope in spite of the daunting socio-economic challenges.

Rather than lose hope, I urge every Nigerian to stand in prayers for this nation, because I am a firm believer that prayers can change situations and circumstances, no matter how complex they may look.

“I encourage everyone to remain steadfast in faith knowing that God’s will for this great nation can never be aborted. I am a firm believer that 2017 would be better for us all. Indeed, the earth shall yield her increase for us. We shall all see the Nigeria of our dreams.”

Bishop Okonkwo’s message is best based on optimism, as expected of the Christian faith.

 

No new mega party, dollar to exchange at N570 —Prophet Omale

Prophet (Dr) Emmanuel Omale of Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministries International who shared his 2017 prophecy had particularly said Nigerians should pray regarding January 27th.

He had also said: “Let us pray for the health of a former president to avert bereavement. I see fire outbreak in Lagos and Abuja markets. Pray against Boko Haram efforts to create mayhem in Abuja; residents of Gwagwalada should be vigilant. There will be no new mega party in 2017. Taraba should pray to avert a very severe ethno-religious crisis. Three ministers should pray to avoid the anti-corruption hammer. Fayose may face impeachment. The South-South strong man who rose out of the walls will join the ruling party.

“Dollar will move from last year’s prediction of N350 to N570. No oil in explorable quantity will be found in the North. NNPC should seek God to know where to find oil in the North. Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors will cross-carpet to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Senator Ahmed Tinubu should pray against food poisoning. Alhaji Abubakar Atiku will be forced out of APC. Pray against a plane crash in early 2017. I see peace in Niger-Delta, but Federal Government should make peace with former President Goodluck Jonathan and his family to sustain that peace. A very important Emir should pray against bereavement. Nigeria should pray to avert deadly inter-tribal clash in Lagos State. A former governor should pray against sudden death.

“I see massive oil spillage around Kogi that will lead to seven days of fire outbreak. Three banks will collapse. A service chief of one of the armed forces will be dropped. I foresee a massive typhoon in Thailand that may be worse than the last tsunami. The new Ghanaian President-elect should pray against liver and internal organ sickness after inauguration. Yahya Jammeh will hand over to President-elect Barrow. Robert Mugabe may not survive 2017. Jacob Zuma may still be in trouble. The English queen should pray against life-threatening health challenges. A famous Nigerian athlete should pray against injury that may end his career. A big tragedy will happen in China.”

Some of Prophet Omale’s prophecies such as that of Jammeh, Mugabe, non-discovery of oil in the North, among others, did indeed come to pass. He also missed on some.

However, prophecies, according to prophets are said to be warnings, and from time immemorial, may not all come to pass. Prophet Omale summarises this succinctly when he states that “some of these dangers can be averted if serious prayers are done. I encourage everyone to be fervent in prayers and to have strong faith in God because with God, all things are possible.”