ONYINYECHI song number 3

GIVING WITH ALL YOUR HEART

MIDWEEK SERVICE AT LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL.

The teaching today 2^nd Oct, 2019 at The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5^th Avenue, Beside Okiki Hall, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.

Theme: Giving thanks with all your heart.

Text is from 2 Corr 9:7

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” NLT

Thanksgiving is something we should do every time and day. In the good or in the bad, in the ups or in the downs, our natural response must be gratitude.

There are examples of people who uniquely gave thanks with all their hearts in the bible. I have five of them. The list is not however exhaustive.

1.  

Hannah – The story of Hannah is well known. She is one of two wives of Elkana. While she was barren, her mate Penninah had children. Hannah was always reviled, maligned and mocked by Penninah because of her barrenness. This prompted Hannah to go to God in prayers. Her prayer was so fervent that the priest Eli thought she was drunk too early in the morning. She asked God for a child (not Children) and made a promise to give God the child back. God answered her prayer and she fulfilled her promise. She gave with her whole heart!

2.  

David – David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. David is a man known for praise. Even in the darkest season of his life, he pointed to the goodness of God. He gave thanks to God always with his whole heart.

3.  

Mary the mother of Jesus – Finding out she was pregnant with the saviour of the world wasn’t the easiest news to swallow and the aftermath took some faith. But Mary the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus would exemplify great praise. While visiting Elizabeth who was also carrying John The Baptist same time, Mary had a moment to sing to the glory of God in Luke 1:46-55. That song is celebrated today as the canticles of virgin Mary otherwise known as Magnificat. Mary gave thanks wholeheartedly!

4.   

The healed leper – In Luke 17, when Jesus entered a village there were ten lepers that called out to Him for healing. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest and as they did, all ten were healed. However only one returned to Jesus to give thanks. The other nine vanished into the crowd, only one gave thanks where thanks were due, and his healing was made permanent. May we not behave like the nine lepers in Jesus name.

5. 

  Jesus – Jesus is God and by that he didn’t have to give thanks for anything, but he did. Jesus set a remarkable example for us in many ways but one was in thanksgiving. He was a man who gave thanks to His father in so many ways.

·        He gave thanks to God as He was surrounded by thousands of hungry people and five loaves of bread and two fishes were multiplied to feed 5000 people. John 6:11

·        He gave thanks to God for hearing His prayer for raising of Lazarus, before Lazarus was raised from the dead. John 11:41

·        He knew the cross was before Him and gave thanks to His father as He broke the bread and drank the wine with His disciples at the last supper.

To conclude – We have a perfect example of righteous living from our Lord Jesus and one thing He shows us is the position of praise and thanksgiving. In all the instances as highlighted were instances of tense. The pressure to feed 5000 people, raise a friend from the dead and face death on a cross will be intense for most of us.

Jesus’ response was not to panic or run to people but to turn to God. No matter what situation we find ourselves whether good or bad we should cultivate the natural response of thanksgiving.

May God help us and give the grace to always cultivate a natural response of quality praise and thanksgiving offering to Him all the time in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Sermon by Elder Jerome C. Njoku.

EIGHT YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL

THE LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL. Sunday 9^th June 2019.

Calvary greetings beloveth.

Today’s service was very memorable and unique. The reason is that on 8^th of June 2011, Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel was officially institutionalised as a spiritual church by God Himself. The chapel was hitherto operating as a prayer centre anchored by the woman of God seer Bright Ndibunwa. It is on that note that today’s service was dedicated to marking 8 years anniversary of the church.

 Below is the sermon today at The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5^th avenue Gowon Estate, Egbeda.

Theme: Abraham’s timely obedience to God’s call. (Bright Ndibunwa’s timely obedience to establish The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel).

Text: Genesis 12 from 1.

Abraham at 75 yrs of age and childless was commanded by God to leave his place of abode and go to a place yet unspecified. In spite of the fact the new place was not specified by God, Abraham religiously obeyed God’s command without an iota of reservation.

This scenario was replayed eight years ago when seer Bright was also commanded to metamorphose the prayer centre to a full blown church. Against her wish of being a business woman, she obeyed God and ever since she has remained resolute and focussed in her calling. Her obedience just like father Abraham was timely.

As children of God we should discover what God is asking us to do and obey without hesitation. We should obey on time too. Very important. When God asks us to move we should move. It is only when we move that we discover new things.

When God calls you, you are expected to remain focussed. Abraham like seer Bright were focussed after heeding God’s call. Hence they obeyed and on time too.

Abraham was not distracted by the fact that he was used to the mammoth crowd of people surrounding him in the neighbourhood. Same goes to seer Bright. She did not allow her ambition to be in business to override her calling. With the support of her amiable and supportive husband, she answered the call timely enough. And today the church has survived despite pockets of hatred, acrimony and rancour which are necessary evils.

God moved Abraham because He had a lot of goodies in store for him as a result Abraham blossomed even in dryness courtesy of God’s presence in his life.

The presence of God was with Abraham and 75 yrs was the beginning of a basket of blessing for him. In analogy, the presence of God is with LHMC AND 8 YRS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF MANY WONDERFUL AND MONUMENTAL EXPLOITS AHEAD. So shall it be in the east, west, north and south in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Sermon by seer Bright Ndibunwa.

BELOW IS MY POEM TO CELEBRATE THIS GREAT CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF HER 8 YRS ANNIVERSARY.

Come gather all, from great to least

Come celebrate this special feast

This is the day by God’s own choice

Our church was born, let us rejoice

May God be praised! May God be blest!

May He find here His place of rest

We honour those who built with care

His throne on earth, this house of prayer

May all who come, find truth and light

Receive new hope of future bright

God fill us with abundant grace

Many Angels guard this holy place

We thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done

Here in this place through your dear servant

Abide with us your spirit show

As rivers, may your blessings flow.

Amen

By elder Jerome C. Njoku.

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

 Effective Christian time management is encapsulated in Eph 5:15-16 which says “Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” In King James’ version of the bible it is said we should work circumspectly.

Walking circumspect signifies to look round and about on all hands. To be very watchful daily, and cautious in order to avoid danger, discern enemies before they come too close and secure your interest by every possible and lawful means.

This admonishment is for a reason – the days are evil. You should sojourn on this planet earth like a wise man and not like a fool. This will help you redeem the lost time because the days are evil. This means the present times are dangerous, they are full of trouble and temptations, and only the watchful and diligent have any reason to expect they shall keep their garments unspotted.

We should see ourselves as stewards of God in the body temple. Our time belong to God, every moment is His and we are under most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than our time.

Let us look at God’s time template recipe for success – time is the measurement of unit of life. Time renders relevance.

Ø

Planning – what and how

Ø Motivation – personal rewards

Ø Directing – implementation

Ø Monitoring – record keeping

Ø Controlling – eliminating unfavourable variances, reinforcing favourable variances

Ø Communication – coordination of information

More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent. The bad news is time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot.

PRINCIPLES OF TIME MANAGEMENT

Important and urgent:

o   Foremost is your relationship with God – Matt 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

o   Your relationship with family i.e. spouse and children. They will support or derail your relationship with God.

o   Your relationship with the ministry of God. What are you doing in the vineyard of God?

o   Your talent – how does your talent impact on God’s work. Do not copy the foolish servant that buried his talent under the earth. Do something for God by showcasing your talent in the house of God.

o   Health – meals, rest, exercises, pleasure.

o   Career – education and finance. Do not let your passion debar your quest for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Important but not urgent:

o   Friends especially friends that have negative influence on us.

o   Relationship that lead us to sin.

o   Peer reference – comparing yourself with others rather than comparing yourself with yourself.

o   Unhealthy competition in the church. We should not waste our time in such.

Urgent but not important:

o   Fashion

o   Latest gossip

o   Appearance

o   Movies especially the obscene ones

    

    Not important not urgent:

o   Idleness. Prov 20:4-5. In the middle east, the season for planting is winter, rainy season. A lazy man (sluggard) avoids the discomfort and work of ploughing a muddy field in the cold. At harvest time he looks for crop from his field but he has nothing. Lack of work leads to lack of benefits. A person’s plans are like deep waters only a wise man draws it out.

o   Loitering – no idea what to do with time.

o   Procrastination – delay is dangerous.

o   Misplaced priority – doing the right things at the wrong time

On every task, draw an action plan, meaning from objectives to success. The plan must be:

ü Specific – goals listed from 1 to 10 for example.

ü Measurable – what are the outcome of the goals or plan. It must be quantifiable.

ü Attainable – do not plan for the unachievable. Your plan must be achievable otherwise it is a waste of time.

ü Resource oriented – there must be tools to bring the plan to fruition. There must be infrastructure for the plan to blossom.

ü Must be time sensitive or time bound – allot time frame to the plan and monitor it. Identify time available for the plan and work towards achieving it.

Seek God’s guidance on time as in Ps 90:12. “Teach me to number my time/days so that I apply my heart to wisdom”. Identify time wasting activities and weed them off. Know when you are most productive and make the most of it. Is it in the wee hours of the morning, or late morning, or in the afternoon, or in the evening or in the night?

JESUS EXAMPLE WITH TIME

1.   Time with God – Matt 3:16. After His baptism the heavens opened and the holy spirit poured on Him and He communed with God

2.   Time with the disciples – Matt 9: 10 – end. He had time to teach His disciples and interpret parables to them.

3.   Time to attend wedding – John 2:1-11. He turned water to wine in Galilee.

4.   Time to work in the synagogue – Matt 13:54. He began teaching people in the synagogue from tender age.

5.   Time for ministry – preaching, teaching, healing, meeting the needs of the dying souls. Matt 5:22-29

6.   Time to meet Lazarus – John 11:1-45. He mapped out time to go and raise Lazarus so that people around would know that it was God that actually sent Him.

Put God first in the day. Martin Luther King said “I have so much to do today, I couldn’t possibly do it all without three hours of prayers.” Ps 90:17 says “The lord favour rest upon, establish the work of our hands.”

Brethren, think the work of the ministry of Christ. Plan on the conduct of your God given duties. Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”.

God given activity is always regimented with the appropriate timing as in the case of Passover feast. Num 9:3. “In the 14^th day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in His appointed season: according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it”

Lastly – Time lost can never be regained. Time is lost in smaller quantities. Make good use of time in between major activities. Procrastination is a thief of time. A wise man does at once what a fool does at last. A year from now you would wish you had started.

Warren Buffet used to be the richest man in the world. He started investing at the age of nine but later regretted not starting at the age of five. Whatever you have resolved to do, do it quickly, defer not till evening what the morning can accomplish.

The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time to plant it is now. It is never too late to start. Do not waste others’ time because time is wealth. How do you feel when you miss your flight by five minutes? Remember we will all account for the use of every moment of our time.

Thank you.

Jerome C. Njoku 08035316842, 08099384111.

EASTER SUNDAY 2019 SERMON

 LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL. Sunday 21^st April 2019. Easter Sunday Service.

Calvary greetings beloveth.

 Below is the sermon today at Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5^th avenue Gowon Estate, Egbeda.

Theme: Jesus walked and worked at the right time. Text: Matthew 27:45-end, 28.

Our Lord Jesus came at the appointed time and performed His tasks at the appointed time. He started His scheduled duties from childhood. In other words He started on time and that’s why He finished on time. Methinks those that finish their assignment on time die young largely because they completed their jobs on time, hence time to go!

Whenever and wherever you see Jah children, in your own interest please leave them alone. It is dangerous to mess up a person that has God by his side. This was what happened to Judas Ischariot. He was messed up big time because he had the unfortunate and inglorious destiny to betray Jesus. He was carried away and made himself a scape goat.

We as children of God should not allow our carnality and inordinate ambition and frivolous desires to rule and ruin our sense of reasoning. Most of such frivolous plans and targets result in ephemeral outcomes which are often time exercises in futility.

Jesus time on planet earth was spiritually regimented and all His activities were carried out without any dull moment. We should plan our time well while we live because any activity not carried out on due time and season cannot be rewound.

Let us buy the appropriate time in our lives to the glory and honour of God almighty. Judas bought the time to betray Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea bought the time to donate his expensive tomb for Jesus burial, while Mary Magdalene bought the time to have the rare privilege of being the first to learn of Jesus resurrection.

What time are we as children of God buying in this season of resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ? Let us inculcate the habit of buying the right time to execute the right activity in the vineyard of God, all to His glory and honour, remembering that God sacrificed His only begotten son for our sake. This is what we as children of God owe Him in return.

As we do that may we reap the benefits of Christ crucifixion, death and resurrection in Jesus mighty name. Amen.  

Sermon by seer Bright Ndibunwa.

SERMON ON THE MOUNTAIN - THE BEATITUDES PLUS EXPLANATORY NOTES

 LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL. Sunday 7^th April 2019.

Calvary greetings beloveth.

 Below is the sermon today at Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5^th avenue Gowon Estate, Egbeda.

Theme: Sermon on the mountain – The beatitudes. Text: Matthew 5 from verse 1.

Our Lord Jesus taught His disciples on a mountain hence the topic – sermon on the mountain. Below is the teaching and the explanation thereon:

1.BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Who are the poor in spirit? The poor in spirit are not necessarily the poor in material things. The poor in spirit are people that are humble, responsible, not taking mundane matters as important. People that are down to earth, meek and have the spirit of tolerance.

2.  BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.

Those who mourn are not necessarily the bereaved. Those who mourn are those that their rights are denied them. Those that are in dire need of help. Those working tirelessly without result to show for their effort. The down trodden.

3.  BLESSED ARE THE MEEK FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.

A classic example of a person that was meek was Moses. He was the meekest person that ever lived. In spite of his travails in the hands of the Egyptians, when God called him to lead His people, God still sent him back to Egypt, he did not complain. He obeyed. The meek are not most of the inhabitants of the world of today who exhibit arrogance flagrantly. The meek are not those that feel they have arrived and know it all.

4.  BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOSNESS FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.

This group of people are those that desire to know God more. Those that know that God is a God of justice. Those that live the life of not wanting to offend anybody. Those that seek the peace.

5.  BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL SEE MERCY. These are people that know that when they show mercy they receive mercy. Those that sow the seed of mercy, compassion, comfort, love, peace to people around them. Those that do not exhibit the spirit of self-centredness.

6.  BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.

These group of people are those that forgive easily. Those that leave vengeance to God knowing that vengeance is for God. Those that know how and when to let go. Those that forgive and forget.

7.  BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

These are the mediators. We should learn how to make peace in our homes, at our work place and in the church. We should avoid sowing seed of discord amongst children of God. Sowing seed of discord is an abominable act in the sight of God. Prov 6:19.

8.  BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Those that do all things in the name of God not minding the consequences. Those that are reviled, maligned, mocked and falsely accused for propagating the word of God.

As we go out this week may we imbibe the tenets and rudiments of the beatitudes and attract God’s blessing in our work according to His will in Jesus name. Amen.  

Sermon by seer Bright Ndibunwa.

ONYINYECHI MUSIC

ONYINYECHI INTERVIEW 2

ONYINYECHI INTERVIEW 1

LENT AND THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS CHRIST

The teaching today 13th March, 2019 at The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5th Avenue, Beside Okiki Hall, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.

Theme: Lent and The temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Text is from Luke 4:1-13.

Devil tempted Jesus in three ways:
1. With Food
2. Power and Glory
3. Material Things i.e. wealth and money

1. FOOD - Jesus was famished after a long spell of fasting. Satan capitalised on that situation to ask Him to turn stones to bread. “Man shall not leave by bread alone” was the apt response from the master. The food for both the belly and the spirit is every word that comes from our father in heaven i.e. the bible.

2. POWER AND GLORY – Jesus was taken atop to see the power and glory of the world which was a beauty to behold. The devil claimed that all that razzmatazz was at his beck and call and would belong to Jesus if He would bow and worship the devil. But our Lord Jesus exhibited His true being and rebuked and renounced the devil.

3. MATERIAL THINGS i.e. WEALTH AND MONEY – Throw yourself down and you will be saved by the angels in line with the scriptures, the devil told Jesus. For the third time Christ debunked the devil and told him categorically that only God should be worshipped.

Brethren, this is the whole essence of lent. So in this Lenten season how are we faring in the spiritual warfare with the devil? Are we, by our greed and insatiable wants creating potential entrance for Satan to come into our lives? We should all strive to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ in His victory over the evil machinations of the enemy, as shown in the three types of temptations above.

Jesus left some examples as the tenets and rudiments of Lent namely:
1. Jesus received the Holy Spirit and went to accomplish His mission.
2. Jesus prayed, fasted and sacrificed His resources in the desert in order to prepare His mission.
3. He made His final decision to save humanity through His death.
4. He was in the desert for 40 days and thereafter gathered the required strength and power for His ministry.
5. He defeated and conquered the devil with all his tricks.

As children of God we should not be in a hurry to establish a church just because we claim to have been “called”. We should be ready to develop and follow the process as enunciated by our Lord Jesus Christ above. And more importantly we should participate in the Lenten season and reap the benefits it tends to offer.

As we do this may we by the power of the Holy Ghost be filled by the word of God which is life everlasting. Amen.

Sermon by Priest Evarist Ndibunwa.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PDP

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PDP

The Sunday School Teaching today 10th March, 2019 at The Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel for the youths.

Theme PDP – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

What is PDP? The answer is derived above…… personal development plan! Let us look at the key words:
Personal - means concerning or affecting a particular person or his/her private life and personality.
Development – means act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining.
Plan – means an arrangement scheme, a design, a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished.

Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat ,lazy or stupid. Those things are what happen when you do not have a plan…….Larry Winget.

Why do you need a personal development plan? It is pertinent to note that before you embark on a journey whatsoever, you have to put pen to paper and highlight the things you expect and things you want to do. For the new undergraduates this year, what crossed your mind the moment you got wind of your admission to the university? What plan did you in place thereafter?

A personal development plan consists of defining:
1. What is important to you
2. What you want to achieve
3. What strengths you already have that will help you achieve your goals
4. What you need to improve and develop with time

The following are personal development plan template to help you structure your thinking and create a strategic plan for achieving your goals:

Step 1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS

This is the first step. What are those things you want in life. For example, new skills, achievements that will make you happier, learn a new language etc. write them down e.g 1 to 10 or more in number and review it them from time to time.

Step 2. PRIORITISE YOUR GOALS
No doubt some goals are more important than others or better still some goals precede others. Therefore such goals should get your priority attention.

Step 3. SET A DEADLINE
If you have a goal but do not know when you want to achieve it, chances are that it will never happen. Also if you are planning to achieve a big project in a very short time, chances are that it might not happen. Example is Dangote Refinery. Be realistic, specific and make good assumptions time wise.

Step 4. UNDERSTAND YOUR STRENGHTS
Everyone in the world is good at something and has above average skills/ strengths in some specific areas. Ask yourself – what are your key strengths? If you are not sure of the answer, ask your friends or family. Your key strengths are those things that make you unique and special. No one can ever take it away from you. Knowing yourself is a confidence booster.
Even our Lord Jesus asked His disciples this question in Matt 16:13-20. Not that He didn’t know but He wanted a confirmation of who He really is. Once you understand what your strengths are, write them down.

Step 5. RECOGNISE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
Your current character or attitude can make or mar your quest to achieve your goals. Write down at least 5 things you need to stop doing or indulging in. on the other hand write down five things that can help you achieve your goals.

Step 6. DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
A PDP is a plan for how to go from the place you are now to the place you want to be. A PDP will help you go from a position of weakness to a position of strength in the period under reference. If you want to get something you need to give something in return. If you to start a new trade you need to learn the trade and master it. Example is ibo boys and serving their master for 5 to 10 years before they are settled. So which skills or knowledge will help you to achieve your goals.

Step 7. TAKE ACTION
What is your PDP for the year 2019. Your PDP must be a detailed, well- structured and written plan that will demand your loyalty and commitment. He fails to plan, might be planning to fail. Part of the action to take include:
a. Build spiritual capacity – move from just relationship with God to quality fellowship with God. Let God command your attention in everything you do.
b. Read inspirational and motivational books. Number one of such books is your bible. Another one is seven habits of most successful people by Franklin Covey.
c. Attend seminars, conferences and workshops. Sometimes they free.
d. Identify your mentors and coaches and relate with them from time to time.
e. Cut off negative relationships and friendships. These drain your personal energy.
f. Undertake wise and intelligent investments.
g. Cultivate positive habits and behavours. Obey your parents. This is the only commandment of God with a promise.

Step 8. GET SUPPORT
Who can help you achieve your goals faster. For example if you want to change your career you can talk to a career adviser, if you want to lose weight you can talk to a fitness coach, and if you want to improve in your finances you can talk to a financial adviser like yours truly.

Step 9. MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS
The best motivator to stay persistent in achieving your goals is your own progress no matter how little. It is important to recognise that you are moving forward and to write down things that you are doing well. Identify your accomplishments and areas that require improvements and write them down.

In this lecture, you have learnt that you must do a lot of writing things down and review them from time to time. That is the only way to achieve your PDP for the year 2019 and beyond.

As you do that may God in His infinite mercy grant us wisdom, knowledge and understanding in our everyday endeavours in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

By Jerome C. Njoku – Elder.

JOB SOWED GOODNESS AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

LORD OF HOSTS MIRACLE CHAPEL. Sunday 3rd March 2019.

Calvary greetings beloveth.

Below is the sermon today at Lord of Hosts Miracle Chapel, plot 116, 5th avenue Gowon Estate, Egbeda.

Theme: Job sowed goodness and obedience to God. Text: Job 1: from verse 1.

Job was very wealthy during his time. His wealth did not prevent him from living righteous before God. God himself called him blameless.

Job was blessed with 7 sons and 3 beautiful daughters. His children and wealth did not prevent him from serving God in truth and in spirit.

Are we living like Job? What does God see as He watches our behaviour? Are we getting it right? Are we sowing the right seeds in our marriage, for example. Are we sowing love, humility and kindness in our marriage?

Job conducted his business the right way to please God. He guided and guarded his children, putting them in spiritual check all the time. Job would call in his children and sanctify them after they have had their parties.

God bragged about Job. Can God brag about us. Better still can we brag about our spouses and vice versa?

Let us embrace Job’s sterling qualities as children of God and as we do may God bless us all. Amen.

Sermon by seer Bright Ndibunwa.

BUSINESS MODEL IN AN FMCG INDUSTRY (FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS)

MASTERS ENERGYFEEDBACK FORM
NAME OF HOD:
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY/BUSINESS UNIT: Masters Energy Commodities Trading Ltd
BUSINESS ADDRESS: 31A Remi Fani Kayode Street, Ikeja GRA
PHONE NO:

Below is a business model that can help business owners and entrepreneurs especially in FMCG industry. (FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS)

Kindly answer all questions as comprehensively as possible.
1. Describe your business unit, its functions, products (if any) and its objectives?

Masters Energy Commodities Trading Limited is a business entity with vested interests in Fast Moving Consumers Goods (FMCG).
With the re-basing of Nigerian economy in second quarter of 2014, while the petroleum oil & gas accounts for about 14.4%, the real sector
(including agriculture, manufacturing and industry) account for about 54% of $510billion (total GDP). This is where the Commodities unit
of Masters Energy operates.
Masters Energy Commodities’ interest covers but not limited to the followings:
Trading
Manufacturing and
Export

PRODUCTS:
A. TRADING PRODUCTS
• Rice (Trading)
• Wines (Trading)
• Oils and fats (Olive oil, Vegetable oil) (Masters Olive Oil)
MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS
• Packaged Water (Masters Water®)
• Carbonated Drinks (Masters Cola®…)
• Instant noodles (Masters Instant Noodles®)
• Biscuits and snacks (Cheese balls) (Masters Biscuits®/Masters Cheeseballs®)
• Processed fruit and vegetables



2. Explain how the functions of your unit tie in with the overall vision and objectives of the Masters Energy Group.

With over 130% drop in global price of petroleum crude in the last 4years, this development has dealt a big blow in the oil sectors and
all the players both in the upstream and downstream.
Masters Energy Commodities Trading Limited provided a good and alternative diversification base for the parent company, Masters Energy
Group.

3. What are the critical success factors for your business unit? Pls explain in detail.

a. Market research: To use scientific methods to identify viable products
b. Effective product development team
c. Customer Service Relation
d. Cost management and reduction: To ensure competitiveness in the industry.
e. Engagement of professionals and competent hands to oversee strategic positions.
f. Financial discipline
g. Robust working capital

4. What are the major challenges you currently experience as a business unit?

1. Inadequate working capital
2. Lack of clear and functional business structure and organizational chart
3. Non availability of profitable and fast moving products
4. Staff training almost non-existent. No commodity staff has gone on training since the establishment of the unit
5. No business distributorship model
6. Strict compliance of cash and carry based sales model sometimes sabotaged by some staff and out station marketing staff

5. Which regulatory agencies govern the operations of businesses in your industry?

1. Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
2. National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

6. Is your business in compliance with all the relevant regulatory authorities in your industry?
Yes

7. If not, why?
Not applicable

8. How many staff do you currently have in employment?
There are 12 staff pan Nigeria as follows:

 Enugu 2 Marketing
 Onitsha 1 Marketing
 Abuja 1 Marketing
 Lagos 5 Finance 3, Marketing 2
 Lagos 1 Finance, seconded from Dupson***
 Business Devt. 2 Work for all spectrum of commodities units
**** Strong case is hereby made for upgrade to full finance staff

9. Do you have the right human resource mix required to meet your set targets?
• Yes

• Labour/Factory Act related issue to meet set target in the manufacturing sector



10. How many staff do you require to operate optimally?

Staff as presently constituted is adequate for now. However, depending on level of business activity increase, more staff may be required
in the long run



11. Does your business compete favorably with competitors in your industry? If not, why?
Under normal condition, that is given the right product mix, the unit enjoys good patronage, profitability and liquidity. However, due to
the limiting factors highlighted above (i e lack of FMCG in stock at present), competition is anything but intense


12. What are the current limitations to the success of your business unit?

1. Non availability of fast moving and profitable products e.g olive oil, rice, vegetable oil, milk etc
2. Non availability of robust and prudent working capital management. Bank accounts are managed to the exclusion of Commodities management
team
3. Foreign exchange risk – Fluctuation in foreign exchange rate affects pricing on replacement costing model. For example if a product is
imported at say 250NGN/DOLLAR in December 2016 and the product has to be imported at 305/dollar in March 2017, the selling price based on
replacement cost will not be competitive.



13. Can some of your business processes be outsourced to save costs? If yes, name them.

• Yes
1. Transportation and distribution of finished products
2. Marketing-Product branding activities

14. What recommendations would you suggest for the improvement of your internal business processes?

• Cost saving measures
• Responsive Supply Chain Management
• Lean Manufacturing (for manufacturing sector)
• Sound and responsive working capital management
• Product awareness among staff

15. What tailor-made recommendations do you propose to bridge funding challenges in the long term?

1. Disallow treasury dept the sole management of commodities bank accounts
2. Constant stocking and restocking of FMCG
3. Cash and carry based sales for staff and relatives and friends of staff
4. At least 50% of generated profits to be ploughed back to trading

16. Would it be more efficient for your business to operate as a department/sub unit under the company than as a separate corporate entity?
State reasons.

It will not make good business sense to establish a subsidiary and come back to down grade it to a department for the following reasons:
1. Modern businesses are being unbundled in this century and that seems the way forward
2. There is synergy experience
3. Low overheads
4. Room for diversification
5. Risk reduction and management – When a business diversifies the risks are spread
6. Capital preservation – You protect the capital you have because funds are allocated to the subsidiary
7. Ability to hedge – enable the group to grow both when market booms and returns crumble in one sector.

17. Drawing comparisons within your industry, comprehensively describe your five year business projections and plans for business expansion.

1. Excellent customer efficient service delivery
2. Avoidance of wastages
3. Marketing by all staff
4. Pursue continuous product improvement on all product lines
5. Re-engineer west coast storage and sales of products
6. Institutionalize customer feed-back for efficiency and effectiveness
7. Offer ancillary services like pos, paypal, online trading

18. Kindly present the cost benefit analysis for your business expansion projections.

1. Increased customer demand and booming sales, taking into consideration a variety of factors like increased customer base, robust product
awareness, aggressive and bullish marketing
2. No. 1 above goes with the relevant costs. The cost incurred in achieving increased customer demand and booming sales may appear huge and
horrendous but in per unit terms is less than selling price per unit, which in turn results in profit.
3. Other inherent costs include expansion cost, operating cost, cost of granting credit etc
4. After aggregating the foregoing, we can then test the efficacy or otherwise of the expansion programme by calculating pay back period and
return on investment
5. The expansion programme is a success if 4 above turns positive.



19. What are the cost implications/requirements of your projections with the proposed timelines?

1. Staff costs – more staff will be required
2. More funding – adequate working capital
3. Increased credit lines
4. Stock holding costs



20. State how you intend to compete in your industry with your expansion plan.

1. Know the competition – Find out who the competitors are, what they are offering and what their unique selling point is.
2. Know your customers (kyc) – find out what matters to the customers
3. Differentiate – give customers good reasons to always come back
4. Step up marketing strategy – tell customers who we are, what we sell and why they should buy from us
5. Update our image – add aesthetics to our environment and instill good dress code in our marketing force and front desk personnel
6. Look after the existing customers – they are our competitors target
7. Target new markets – this will increase market base
8. Employ skilled, motivated staff – people are often more impressed by a good working atmosphere and benefits such as flexible working and
structured career development than paying a competitive wage
9. Expand our offer – deploy pos, paypal, online payment etc
10. Look to the future – keep up with developments in the sector, follow consumer trends, invest in new technology and have a clear idea of
where to be in the next three to five years.

Thank you.