'Area Boys' robbed this 9 Guinness world records holder

By NBF News

She had come, burning with love, compassion and goodwill for the land and its 140 million population of souls. ' Nigeria ', she had told this reporter in an encounter in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on the eve of an open crusade she held in the city 'is a nation highly favoured by God'.

But, when Grace Galindez-Gupana, multi-millionaire Fillipino Evangelist, designer of the world largest Jerusalem flag and holder of nine Guinness book  of world records departed the country late December, last year, she carried both physical and psychological bruises to mark her visit.

The Vice President of ABS Herbs International Corporation had left her life of luxury in the Philipines, Israel and United States where she has  opulent homes, in alleged obedience to a divine commission to bring the award-wining banner (with the artistic design of the Lion of Judah) which, she described as the harbinger of blessings, to Nigeria first, before taking it to her own country upon completing it in Israel.

Galindez-Gupana, who is the founder/president of YHVH's Ambassador of Goodwill for Israel to the world, said God specifically instructed her to take the banner, measuring 4.5 hectares and weighing 9.8 tons to Ibadan, West Africa and unfold it there as He was poised to unleashing immense spiritual blessings, glory and economic prosperity on the city and Nigeria as the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of nationhood.

But, the woman, who achieved a feat, rising from a common street food vendor to becoming a successful nutritionist and herbal formula inventor of international repute, got what she did not bargain for. Shortly after she landed, she was mugged by a gang of street urchins on her way from Lagos to Ibadan . Her attackers demanded N10,000 and hit her with objects to force her part with her belongings.

As if this was not enough, the Customs impounded the container bearing the celebrated flag which cost $120,000 to make, on the ground that as textile, it fell under the contrabands.

It took a waiver approved by President Goodluck Jonathan for the Evangelist to clear the goods duty-free from Tin Can Island Ports, following the intervention of top Christian leaders.

However, the odds were yet far from being over. At Ibadan , destination of the banner, Mrs. Galindez -Gupana encountered series of difficulties securing a venue to showcase the artistic feat.

The authorities demanded N400,000 for her to use the Liberty Stadium, (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium) while she was denied use of other possible venues including the Recreation Club and Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.

Eventually, she got official consent to hold the exhibition, which was accompanied with praying, praise-worship and free distribution of her herbal products Jerusalem oil to participants at the Olubadan Stadium, Iyaganku.

As it were only the portion of the Lion of Judah logo on the banner could be unveiled at the exhibition, as it was said that it would take four stadia of the size of Liberty Stadium for it to be fully spread.

For a woman with 10-chauffer- driven cars, an international chain of pharmaceutical company and laboratories as well as posh offices and residences in America , Phillipines and Israel , you wonder why Galindez-Gupana left her comfort zones for Africa .

'Apparently, nothing to gain', she says 'but, one thing I can tell you is that I feel the presence of God here. Yes, I have house in America , Jerusalem and Phillipines, but the Word of God is here in Nigeria . The Lord said go to my people in Ibadan city, West Africa . What is the biggest reward than obeying God's directive?'

The fifth in a family of seven children born to A Fillipino church priest, Grace is a S.ecretarial Administration graduate, who has a medical doctor, pharmacist, geologist and Naval Officer as siblings. A highly religious person, she was trading in food, when one day, she said, God revealed to her to go into production of bitter herbs. 'The Lord told me. His bitter herbs will heal His people. I heeded His words…it so happened all I produced in a day I sold in two hours, in millions!'

She said God later commissioned her for an evangelical mission to raise people after His heart in all nations.

Married to Paul, who heads her herbal manufacturing company as President, Galindez-Gupana has to her credit, in addition to being the designer of the largest Jerusalem flag, the following Guinness Book of Record awards: Designer of the largest Tablets of the 10 Commandments with the height of a three-storey building; largest 777 Yahweh's banner; largest Israel flag; largest drawing of idols burnt to ashes, measuring 5.7 km; largest diabetes screening; largest blood pressure check; largest blood identification and largest cholesterol check.

Despite her unpleasant experiences in the country, the mother of five (one boy, four girls including a set of twins), is not bitter. She believes Nigeria still occupied God's heart, in spite of rife corruption and crime.

She is particularly impressed that there are still strong men of God dishing out 'undiluted Word of God', saying with their efforts the Light will gain the grounds for darkness to retreat.