Benson Idahosa (part 4)

Miracle Centre to Go Down

By early 1986, the Church of God Mission had completed another large building, named Miracle Centre, where hundreds of people came to Christ and were healed. Millions were reached through television programs recorded during church services.

On April 6th, 1976, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced that the church building was too close to the airport and would be pulled down. Saints were shocked, while sinners celebrated. The church carefully considered the matter. Noise could not be a valid complaint, and possible airport expansion could be redirected, as had been done for nearby military barracks. The building’s height was insignificant compared to air force telecommunication masts nearby. The church concluded that enemies of the gospel possibly did not want a Christian banner visible near the airport.

On the Sunday following the announcement, Archbishop Idahosa stood on the pulpit and declared, “The Miracle Centre will not go down. Instead, those who desire its fall will go down.” He repeated this statement on radio and television. When asked how he would achieve it, he confidently replied, “I pray to God.” The Miracle Centre remains standing today.

The Man Does Not Deserve to Be Buried

Idahosa’s grandmother, a member of the Ogboni fraternity, warned him that his prayers were disturbing their meetings and could provoke danger. He responded confidently, “Ah, for saying that, the head of the fraternity is already dead.” Shortly afterward, the leader indeed died.

During the funeral, Benson boldly declared, “Anybody who attempts to bury him will die. The man does not deserve to be buried.” When the secretary intervened during the burial, he fell into the grave and died.

Another remarkable event occurred when a boy fell from a three-story building and suffered a fatal skull injury. Archbishop Idahosa prayed in tongues over the boy, and miraculously, his skull was restored without medical intervention.

Margaret Comes Back to Life

One morning, Benson’s wife, Margaret, suddenly collapsed and appeared dead. He knelt beside her and prayed, relying on Scripture and refusing to take no for an answer. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he breathed into her mouth, and she came back to life. Their children rejoiced, and Benson glorified God.

Confronting the Ogboni Cult

Before his ministry, Idahosa confronted the Ogboni cult, which dominated government and society. He publicly condemned the cult on TV and in newspapers. Despite threats and assassination attempts, many prominent members renounced the cult.

When cult leaders visited him and proposed he stop speaking against them in exchange for airtime support, he prayed and rebuked them. The leaders left confused, promising him a hard time.