Obong Akpaekong
Emmah Isong, founder and presiding bishop of Christian Central Chapel International, a Pentecostal church based in Calabar, is a well-known voice in the prophetic landscape of Nigeria. On December 31, 2016, Isong rolled out a number of prophecies to reveal the picture of Nigeria and some other countries of the world in 2017. The prophecy hit some prominent Nigerians, like former military president Ibrahim Babangida and billionaire businessman Aliyu Dangote, for whom he called for prayers for God’s intervention.
Going by his prophecy, which touched on various aspects of national life, like business and economy; politics and governance; lifestyle and religion, life in 2017 will be a mix of the good and the bad. Isong said 2017 will be a year of recovery of all that were lost in the past for many Nigerians even as it will throw up a lot of shocking revelations.
In the business sector, Isong said banks will continue to go through crisis, suffer setbacks and lose the confidence of customers. Hear him: “I saw long queues and locking of the gates, but it shall not last for long. So put your faith in God not in your bank. And if you are working in the bank, why not work with wisdom?” He tipped that dry cleaning and fast food will give people money this year. “Another thing that will give you money is to learn other languages than English language. Knowledge of French, for example, will make you richer than your colleagues,” he said. For colour, he said purple and gold will bring people favour.
He said there shall be incessant deaths and burials of VIPs which will almost distract governance. Many VIPs shall escape death narrowly. The year will be a year of poisoning of the high calibre. Prominent Nigerians must be careful with social functions. Nigerians must uphold former military president Ibrahim Babangida in prayers, for him to survive 2017. They must also pray for Senate minority leader Godswill Akpabio, so that “the dogs that have been sent against him shall not attack him in public or bite him in secret.” Prayer must also be made for billionaire businessman Aliyu Dangote, as there shall be shocking revelations and attack on his business and company.
He said for the church, 2017 will be a year of great shakings and controversies. “Many churches, especially the ones incorporated, shall discover their rights, but shall be forced by law to carry out their obligations, but they will enjoy privileges… The Body of Christ shall be woken up from sleep and slumber as they will realise that an enemy has surrounded them, but they will defeat the enemy in less than 30 days,” he said of the Church. He asked for prayers for Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church and all the fathers of the Christian faith in Nigeria. But God will also bless his people.
“I saw a Jacob’s ladder, and the Lord said to me that 2017 is a year men and women who are faithful in their tithes and offerings and seeds will be promoted… For those of you that clean the church and sweep it, the Lord says, ‘It is a year I shall reward you.’ For all of you that are faithful to God, the Lord says, ‘You will become like a city on a hill that shall not be hid.’” He said the pope will turn his attention to Nigeria while “the reiteration and installation of the memories of Pope John Paul shall be emphasised for his legacy in 2017. During the year, attempts will be made again for the spread of the Sharia Law instead of being selected, discriminated state laws in the North. But it shall be resisted and it shall fail. Muslims and Christians will for the first time, join to fight terrorism.” Beyond Nigeria, Isong saw turmoil in South Africa. He saw anti-government riots and continuous restiveness rocking the rich African country and an emerging faceoff between the United States of America and Turkey. Yet there would be great reconciliation moves by old friends and enemies by the North and South and East and West.
Isong solicited prayers for Oyo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. He said Oyo State will go through some inexplicable crises while the entire Ejagham land and villages of Yakurr in Cross River State will be hit by communal crisis. He said politicians of Cross River State living in the state will clash with their Abuja-based counterpart. The development, which will be part of scheming for 2019, will result in a lot of decamping to other parties. The battle for Akwa Ibom State Government House in 2019 will assume a fierce dimension in 2017 but there will be divine victory, which will shock experts in political permutations.
He said 2017 will be a year of continuous probes and panels of inquiry and many will fall victim. Several heads of government agencies and departments shall be sacked over corruption. He said the president of Nigeria shall constantly invoke his prerogative of mercy, because of the mass casualties of the corruption fight; but justice and peace shall prevail. Isong also said two top players in the Buhari government shall have their evil deeds exposed in the beginning of the year and will be made to face the consequence while a certain political party shall almost lose grip of a certain region. He said the health and agricultural sectors of the economy shall fare well during the year. There will be free, continuous medical exploits in the area of eye surgeries and eye health. There shall be national revival in the sector with evaluation and rating of hospitals and clinics.
Some clinics will be closed down and some hospitals rated out of business. Top society women will suffer dangerous health attacks and surgeries. The prophet said those who said ‘Amen’ to the prophecy would not be affected. He told of some air-borne sickness that would result from an evil wind blowing from the Sahara. People will be advised to cover the nose to prevent it.
Isong has good tidings for Nigerian sports. He said the country will excel in sports and shall in particular promote tennis competitions. Popular sports competition in Calabar shall attract huge revenue like the yearly carnival. He foretold that the location of one of the sports events shall spark controversy. He said the federal government shall dedicate much time and resources to building the Nigerian Army with the support of foreign friends like Brazil and some countries of South America.
His prophesies included revival in socio-cultural structures in Nigeria with emphasis on integrity and set national values. He said federal health authorities will come out with stringent anti-smoking policies.
Government will pay much attention to Nigerians in the Diaspora; showing more concern about their reintegration and rehabilitation. Efforts to change or make addition to Nigeria’s national colour of Green-White-Green will spring forth but will be resisted. The year will be a special one for paramount rulers as they will be recognised in national polity. Isong gave a word of caution to Nigerian women. They should beware of immoral fashion as exposure of their bodies will result in initiation into mermaid cult.
Nigeria shall temporarily come out of the recession: “but you should give the glory to God, so that a worse thing will not happen to us.” Cocoa farmers in Cross River State will be blessed with a boom. There will be early rain to enhance growth of crop.
National association of engineers should watch against tribal sentiments. The association will be split because of such sentiments and dimensions of political infightings. Vanguard Newspapers will incur a legal battle with a certain publication. Isong called for prayers so that they don’t get submerged in that legal battle.
Isong did not forget to warn against false prophets and fake prophecies. Hear him: “In 2017, guard against false prophets and prophetesses who use familiar spirits to prophesy and put fear in you, dividing your family and hurting your friendship. God says ‘I have not sent them.’”
–– Akpaekong writes from Calabar.
