ST. JOSEPH'S CHOSEN CHURCH OF GOD, LAGOS REGION AUGUST 2025 ALL-NIGHT

Friday, August 29, 2025 was a date to remember. The All-night meeting at Surulere branch of St. Joseph's Chosen Church of God was very impactful with the teachings of Apostle Dr. Ken Osanebi, the Regional Supervisor.

        Christians may engage in all-night prayer as a powerful spiritual practice to seek God's guidance, express deep devotion, and overcome spiritual opposition, drawing on biblical examples such as Jesus and Jacob. Such vigils, also called "all-night prayer meetings," can be a time of personal communion with God or a corporate spiritual experience for a community of believers, often involving intensive periods of prayer, scripture, and worship to strengthen faith and receive divine

wisdom. In Luke 6:12, Jesus went out to a mountainside and spent the night in prayer to God. In Genesis, Jacob's persistent all-night prayer brought him victory and blessing. In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas experienced supernatural deliverance after praying in the midnight hours. In St. Joseph's Chosen Church of God Worldwide, this practice is done regularly on the last friday of every month unless otherwise. A particular station or branch is selected for a Region where all other stations will converge for the all-night. Purpose and Importance among others are spiritual guidance: All-night prayer is seen as a powerful way to seek divine guidance, especially during difficult times or before major decisions. Deepening Connection: It offers a profound opportunity for believers to draw closer to God, experience His presence, and align their hearts with His will. Spiritual

Warfare: It is also a time to confront spiritual challenges, with prayers directed at scattering evil consultations, silencing negative influences, and breaking the power of spirits of death. Restoration and Renewal:

Believers can seek to be restored, renewed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit through these extended times of prayer. How to Engage in All-Night Prayer involves the following; Intentionality: Approach the practice with a heart of expectancy and a willingness to listen to God. Preparation: Prepare your heart through Scripture reading, meditation, and setting aside specific times and places for uninterrupted prayer. Corporate Prayer: Participate in organized "all-night prayer meetings" for community and shared spiritual growth. Personal Vigil: Engage in private prayer, focusing on thanksgiving, reflection, and surrendering burdens to God. Focus: Pray for guidance, protection, spiritual strength, and for specific needs or challenges. Persistence: If you don't make it all the way through at first, don't be discouraged; try again next time. 

COMPTROLLER BALOGUN SANITISIZES FEDERAL OPERATIONS UNIT, ZONE 'C' OF ILLICIT TRADE

By Okey Iroegbu 

Comptroller Birshi Abdullahi Balogun, the Customs Area Controller of Federal Operations Unit FOU Zone 'C', Owerri no doubt has returned sanity to the Southeastern, the operational base of zone 'C'. Since the assumption of office as the Customs Officer in charge of the zone,

there has never been a ddull moment. At a press briefing which took place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Government Warehouse Aduwawa Benin, Edo State, the Controller reiterated the need to get the public informed on some of the Customs activities as an "innovative tradition of the unit." "This press conference is aimed at informing you about the recent milestone successes we have achieved as a unit, team, and family, particularly in the areas of legitimate trade facilitation, increasing revenue

collections, collaborating with relevant Security Agencies and critical stakeholders, enforcing government fiscal policy, and suppressing anti-smuggling activities. "​In our effort to inform the general public on the productive activities of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Operations Units (FOU) Zone C, Owerri has continued to work

strategically as a team and goal-oriented unit in carrying out its constitutional mandate. "The unit under my watch and the able leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC BA Adeniyi MFR, shall continue to deploy an intelligence-led strategy in our day-to-day

operations, which has yielded tremendous successes in our interventions and anti-smuggling drive," he said. Comptroller Balogun was very happy with the performance of his officers which he considered to be at their highest form. "Our officers and men exhibited the highest level of professionalism and relentless efforts in the implementation of government fiscal policy by enforcing the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 as it relates to Import, Export, Revenue Generation, Security of lives and properties," he said. these operations which took place at various sector of the zone had the followingitems as

seizures: 1. Dry salted Donkey skin 3022 pieces packed in sacks; 2. Used Tyres; 3. Used Clothing in bales and bags; 4. Bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg and 25kg; 5. Foreign wine in cartons without NAFDAC number; 6. Foreign cosmetics, 58 cartons without NAFDAC number; 7. Foreign Geisha in cartons; 8. Bags of woven empty 50kg sacks loaded; 9. Two used trucks, Mercedes trucks, and a Scania truck; 10. One used Toyota Tundra SUV; 11. One used J5 Bus and others. The seizure was worth a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N505,520,886.00 (Five hundred and five million, five hundred and twenty thousand, eight hundred and eighty-six naira only). In

keeping with the existing synergy with other sister agencies and security operatives, these some of the seizures were handed over to the relevant agencies. "In our inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa shall be handed over to NDLEA, whereas the Medicament is to be handed over to NAFDAC, and the seized Dry Salted Donkey Skin will be handed over to NESREA and so on," he said. The role the Comptroller General is playing to earn these successes cannot be over emphasized. Comptroller Balogun saw the successes and achievements as a result of the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, a high level of professionalism, commitment, and teamwork. "We remain committed to sanitizing the zone of any form of illicit trade activities and facilitating legitimate trade. Let me use this medium to thank the amiable CGC and his entire management team for the dynamic leadership styles and qualities. "We call on our traders and stakeholders to be compliant, as our officers are professionally trained to checkmate the activities of non-compliant traders and

block likely areas of revenue leakages. The press friendly Customs Controller commended the media for their relentless efforts in making sure the Anti-smuggling activities, innovations and the giant strides of the unit and the service in general spreads across nation at large. 

MESSAGE OF HONOUR

Dear Comptroller General,

I extend heartfelt congratulations on the recent extension of your tenure by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This recognition underscores your exceptional leadership, dedication, and significant progress the Nigerian Customs Service has made under your guidance.

        Your continued tenure is a vote of confidence in your capabilities and presents an opportunity to further build on the outstanding reforms and innovations you've championed. Your commitment to integrity, efficiency, and national development is truly inspiring.

        I'm confident that the Customs Service will continue to thrive and achieve greater heights under your leadership. Congratulations once again, sir. I wish you continued success and wisdom as you lead the service forward.

        With deepest respect and admiration,

CEO, Only God is Wise.