After nearly three years, Jehovah’s Witnesses will resume their larger gatherings from January 7, 2023.
These assemblies have been held virtually since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although they resumed meeting at their Kingdom Halls in April 2022, their larger assembly facilities remained under lock.
The national spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria, Olusegun Eroyemi, said arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the recommended safety protocols are implemented in all 23 Assembly Halls across the country.
He said: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are extremely happy with the opportunity to once again meet at their larger facilities.
“The virtual assemblies were very helpful while they lasted, providing much-needed Bible instruction during the pandemic.
Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, who was killed on Christmas Day by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was expecting twins, her husband Gbenga said on Tuesday.
Bolanle was shot in the chest by the trigger-happy cop at Ajiwe, Ajah while returning home from service with her family.
Her husband relived the ordeal during the visit of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to their Ajah residence.
The Nation learnt that Bolanle, who was four months pregnant, conceived after several failed attempts in six years.
Secretary of the Ikeja NBA, Issa Adedokun, who reported on their visit, said Mr. Raheem confirmed his wife was four months pregnant with twins.
Adedokun said the NBA Ikeja delegation was led by Vice Chairman, Mrs. Amadigwe-Dike, who heads the Human Rights Committee.
“During the visit, Mr. Gbenga Raheem, husband of the deceased narrated how his darling wife was shot by a police officer from Ajiwe police station, Ajah on their way back from a family Christmas outing.
“The most unpleasant part of the story is that our late colleague was four months pregnant with a set of twins.
“The committee also paid a visit to the Ajiwe police station on a fact-finding mission and confirmed that the police officer in question has since been arrested and detained for further investigation.
“Our able Chairman also led the delegation of some members of NBA to the Commissioner of Police on the directive of the President of the Bar.
“While with the Commissioner of Police, he assured that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and any officer(s) found culpable in this dastard act will be brought to justice.
“We plead with our members to remain calm over this matter, be rest assured that the case will not be swept under the carpet, as our branch is already collaborating with other branches in Lagos State to ensure that our late colleague gets justice in this case.
“Be further assured that we will keep you updated as prompt as possible on further development over the matter.”
The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council has named a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Akin Osuntokun, as THE Director-General.
Osuntokun replaces Doyin Okupe, who stepped down on December 20 after he was convicted for breaching the Money Laundering Act by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Until his appointment, Osuntokun was the Zonal Coordinator (South) of the LP PCC.
A statement by the Head of Media, Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed Campaign Organisation, Diran Onifade, said: “Osuntokun is a Nigerian political scientist, strategist, researcher, administrator, journalist and writer, with experience in media advocacy, policy research and implementation and political analysis.
“A former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Osuntokun served as Political Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and as Director of the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2011.
“He brings to his new position vast political and media experience.”
An Anglican priest in Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna, has announced his decision to return to the church after resigning three months ago.
The cleric had on September 10 resigned from the Communion, claiming to have received a divine mandate to encourage polygamy.
He claimed he received a vision to reduce the rate of sexual sins.
The lawyer was recalled on December 24 following an apology.
In a letter titled “To all beloved in Christ and all it may concern: Rescinding from my pro-polygamy movement,” Lotanna pledged full attention to all God had called him to do.
He urged the over 200 persons that indicated an interest in joining his proposed new church, to disregard his previous comments on the movement.
He promised not to speak or work against the godly doctrines of his Church.
The letter reads: “I wish to inform the general body of Christ and the general public that I have submitted a letter of apology to my Lord Bishop for resigning from being a member of the body of Clergy Association of Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion).
“What led to my action was my misinterpretation of the revelations I received on a divine movement for sexual purity.
“I have since pledged to give full and undivided attention to all that God has called me to do as a priest in obedience to the instituted authority of the church.
“I have understood that for any program(s) to achieve sexual purity, it must of necessity be that which should build the Church of Christ and should be accepted by her. And I can not be numbered among those fighting the church.
“Hence, I, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Makuo Lotanna (Esq), hereby withdraw my humble self from the propagation of the polygamy movement.
“I plead with everyone (especially the over 200 persons that indicated interest for us to kick-start a church, which I personally, never did) to jettison all I have said so far on this movement.
“I have backed off. I am fully back to my church and I have promised not to speak or work against the sound and godly doctrines of my Church.
“I have also withdrawn and deleted all the videos and messages I have preached or posted on the subject from all my social media handles and have closed all the channels.
“There are other programs for sexual purity the church will appreciate and be at home with, which will also help to build the society at large. I will henceforth be preoccupied with such programs to showcase my genuine intentions.
“I thank those who have handled my case with love, prayers and maturity, and apologise to those who may have been disappointed in me, deceived or offended by my action.
“I remain your brother and it is my desire that we all continue in the path of holiness and remain ‘rapturable’ in Christ.”
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday said it was shocked by the “savage” killing of Lagos lawyer and expectant mother, Mrs Bolanle Raheem.
She was killed by a policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah on Christmas Day.
The commission, in a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ikechukwu Ani, said: “PSC has received with shock the news of the unprovoked killing of a harmless Nigerian, a lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem, who was alleged to have been shot and killed by a policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station Ajah, in Lagos State on Sunday, December 25th, 2022.
“The Commission condemns this irresponsible and savage act.
“It directs that the police leadership should hasten investigation into the matter and forward its report to the Commission for consideration and further disciplinary action.
“The Commission also calls on the Police to put in place a formidable programme for further training of its men in weapon handling as the case of unprovoked shooting and killing of innocent Nigerians has become worrisome.
“The Commission notes that the police by its creation and constitutional mandate are expected to protect and save lives and not the other way round.
“The acting Chairman of the Commission, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC, rtd, CFR, on behalf of the management and staff commiserate with the family of the deceased, especially her husband who was driving her home when they were accosted by the trigger happy policeman.”
Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) will lead the prosecution team in the trial of the killer of Mrs Bolanle Raheem.
Mrs Raheem, a lawyer and expectant mother, was killed by a policeman on Christmas Day in Lagos while returning from church with her family.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sent a delegation to the family at their Ajah home on Tuesday.
Onigbanjo said: “We have the permission of Mr Governor to tell you that justice will be done in this matter.
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has said he would sing his praises like the “canary” because of his various achievements across the state in the over seven years of his administration.
He spoke when he received traditional rulers who came to felicitate with him in his Takum country home over the Christmas.
The governor boasted of his achievements, which he said include the dual carriageway in Jalingo and the Jalingo water project, among others.
He challenged “doubting Thomases” to go and see the projects for themselves.
“Yes, I will sing like a canary. When a canary sings, it is sweet because he has a message to tell you. I do have a message. So I will sing my song.
“They say you shouldn’t praise yourself, but the politicians taught me otherwise.
“They said, carry your bugle and praise yourself before you even lay one gutter. But me I said, I will praise myself after I have done the road.
“So if you are doubting that I have done the dual carriageway, go to Jalingo.
“If you are doubting, I have done water all around the state, go to Jalingo,” Ishaku said.
The governor said the 5.3 million litre Jalingo water works constructed by his administration will supply Jalingo city beyond 2045.
Ishaku announced that the 35-kilometer Pantinapu-Jalingo airport dual carriageway has been completed.
“What is remaining is the lighting system.”
He directed law enforcement agencies to enforce the relocation of trailers to two new parks situated at the two ends of the highway.
“We have two trailer parks in Pantinapu, left and right. No trailer would be allowed to park anywhere between Pantinapu and after the airport.
“Already, you notice, most of the trailers parked around the stadium up to the flyover and backwards to the junction of Pantinapu.
“So those of you who are in charge, particularly the road safety and civil defence, I hand it directly to you.
“Make sure nobody parks there. They should move to the trailer park where they would pay fees to drive in.
“Where there would be a washroom, police station, service point, mechanics etc. So we are doing a wholistic work on the dual carriageway,” he stated.
Ishaku expressed confidence that, with the level of achievements done by his administration, the PDP on whose platform he became governor, would retain power in the state in 2023.
The 2019 Deputy Governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Saheed Alaran on Tuesday organised special prayers for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kayode Ariwoola at Iseyin.
The prayer session, which attracted Chief Imam of Iseyin local government, Alhaji Akeem Olajori, members of Iseyin League of Imam and Alfas, was for God’s guidance and protection over the CJN in his national duties.
Prayer points were also centered on prominent sons and daughters of Iseyin community including Barr. Raji Ahmed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who Alaran described as a strong pillar for the development of Oyo State, Oke-Ogun and Iseyin community.
Others that were prayed for at the occasion are the Nigerian envoy to Ukraine, Ambassador Shina Alege, Barrister Jelili Owonikoko (SAN) and Barr. Bimbo Atilola among others.
Alaran, the former Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, said the prayer was important as the CJN has a calling to rebuild judicial system to make justice available to all without segregation.
He added that the distraction that followed his elevation was from elements that forgot that Nigeria remained a country that could only survive its current challenges by working on the unity of its tribal sections.
“The prayer is important because our brother who has assumed a national position upon which our country’s judicial system is anchored for survival and rebirth, he has gotten all that is needed to achieve the height and he has gotten there, what remains is for God Almighty to guide, protect and support him in all his doings.
“Also, we are here to pray for our brother who is the face of Oke-Ogun and Iseyin, a respected legal practitioner and philanthropist per excellence, Alhaji Ahmed Raji SAN, Oke-Ogun and Iseyin need him more now that development has started coming our way, may he never misstep, may all God continue to replenish him with wisdom and capabilities to do more for the people.
“So did we pray for others like Ambassador Shina Alege, Barrister Jelili Owonikoko and other sons and daughters of this community at home and abroad that are making us proud in their different endeavors.”
The Chief Imam of Iseyin, Alhaji Akeem Olajori while praying, cautioned those he said were out to play politics with the future of Nigeria by attacking the CJN to desist or attract the wrath of Allah.
Olajori said the news of some people, sponsoring opposition against the CJN came to him as a shock in a nation that proclaimed unity as the bedrock of its existence.
“God is not a God of tribe, he created all equal and assigned everyone with his or her own time, why would they raise eyebrow when it is legitimately the turn of our own son? Although we appreciate the President of Nigeria for not allowing tribal sentiment get in his way and pray that the time of Justice Ariwoola will be favorable to our nation at large.”
The Ikolaba of Iseyinland, High Chief Ismahil Tikalosoro said the focus of the prayer was not only on the CJN, Barr. Ahmed Raji and other sons and daughters of Iseyin that have made national marks, but also for a prosperous Iseyin going forward.
He prayed that God Almighty will take control of the selection process of the new Aseyin of Iseyin, which he said has gotten to a considerable level.
Present at the prayer gathering were other traditional Chiefs and community leaders like retired Colonel John Ayegbonyin Fagbire and Alhaji Olanrewaju Azeez of the Iseyin Elders’ Council among many others.
Umar Mantu, a lawyer and son of former Deputy Senate President, the late Senator Ibrahim Mantu, has joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He defected along with over 20,000 other PDP members.
APC state publicity secretary, Sylvanus Namang, confirmed the development in a statement.
