The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • MFM investigates pastor over illegal deliverance centre

    MFM investigates pastor over illegal deliverance centre

    The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has condemned the activities of one of its pastors in Anambra State who allegedly use his private property to detain, chain, and hold people hostage against their will in the guise of conducting deliverance and order the church be shut down.

    In a statement issued by The Director of Administration, MFM, Akin Olawale, it came to the attention of the leadership of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) on Tuesday, 23rd August, that a place in Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was allegedly being used to detain, chain and hold people hostage against their will in the guise of conducting deliverance.

    “We (MFM) got the information with a rude shock as that is completely alien to our practice all over the world. Although the alleged pastor is one of our pastors, the said facility is a private property of the pastor and his activities of conducting such kind of deliverance are neither with the knowledge nor approval of the church leadership.

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    “In his response to our preliminary investigation, the pastor claimed the respective candidates who were being brought to him for prayer against mental ailment and drug addiction usually have their guardians to sign an undertaking for them.”

    Olawale added: “we have immediately directed the said pastor to shut down the illegal facility being used in the name of the ministry and to report to the HQ for further actions. We are currently in touch with the relevant law enforcement agencies and the family members to ensure that issues are properly addressed and justice served accordingly.”

  • Atiku, Tambuwal, PDP fault suit by Wike, Ekamon against primary

    Atiku, Tambuwal, PDP fault suit by Wike, Ekamon against primary

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the party have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to either strike out or dismiss a suit filed by Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike and a chieftain of the party, Michael Ekamon.

    Wike and Ekamon are, by the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, praying the court to among others, void Atiku’s nomination and to substitute him with the Rivers governors, who came second at the last presidential primary of the PDP.

    In their joint notice of preliminary objection, Atiku, Tambuwal and the PDP are contending that the suit is incompetent and out to be rejected by the court.
    They stated that “the instant suit as filed is unknown to law and/or not cognizable under a pre-election matter.

    “The first applicant (Ekamon), having not participated in the primary election conducted by the National Executive Committee of the first respondent (PDP) lacks the requisite locus standi to institute this suit.

    “The instant suit, as brought by the applicants, does not fall within the purview of Section 84 of the electoral Act, as such does not qualify as a pre-election dispute.

    “The instant suit was not initiated by due process of the law,” they said.

    On Wednesday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted the motion by Atiku, Tambuwal and the PDP for extension of time within which to file all relevant processes in response to the suit and to deem all that have been filed as properly filed.

    The motion was moved by their lawyer, Priscilla Ejeh, without objection from plaintiffs’ lawyer, Winifred Okoi.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed as the second defendant was not represented and was said not to have filed any process yet.

    Justice Mohammed has adjourned till September 14 for hearing.

    The plaintiffs, in their originating summons, raised eight questions for the court’s determination, among which includes whether the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku by the PDP was illegal and void.

    The plaintiffs also want the court to determine if Tambuwal lost his claim to votes the moment he stepped down for Atiku.

    They are praying the court for, among others, a declaration that the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku be declared null and void.

    The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the PDP acted negligently and in bad faith by assigning the Sokoto governor’s votes to Atiku at the primary.

    Read Also:Court to hear Wike’s suit against PDP, Atiku Sept. 14

    They prayed the court to “cancel the transfer of votes and a corresponding order restraining the 3rd respondent (Tambuwal’s) withdrawal in the primary was done after voting had commenced.”

    The applicants also prayed the court to declare that the PDP and Atiku took undue advantage of Tambuwal’s withdrawal when they allowed the Sokoto governor to persuade delegates to vote for the former Vice President in the primary.

    They asked the court to order INEC to reject or remove Atiku from “its list of candidates in the 2023 presidential election.”

    They are also seeking an order commanding the PDP to recount the votes of the primary that was held on May 28 and May 29.

    The plaintiffs want an order of the court “directing the 1st respondent (PDP) to declare the 2nd applicant (Wike), a presidential aspirant in the May 28 and May 29 primary as the winner of the aforesaid primary with a corresponding order directing the 1st respondent (PDP) to forward his name as the candidate to contest the presidential election in 2023.”

    Ekamon, in a supporting affidavit, stated that he was a member of the PDP and attested to the fact that Wike won the presidential election.

    He maintained that Tambuwal withdrew from the contest after voting had commenced and directed that his votes be assigned to Atiku.

    “The third respondent (Tambuwal), speaking twice before stepping down from the contest, persuaded all his delegates who were going to vote for him to vote for the 4th respondent (Atiku).

    “The 1st (PDP) and 4th (Atiku) respondents who also wanted the votes desperately agreed with the 3rd (Tambuwal) and assigned 3rd (Tambuwal) respondent’s votes to the 4th (Atiku) respondent and increased his votes to win the 2nd applicant (Wike).

    “The 2nd applicant (Wike) won the primary if the votes of the 3rd respondent (Tambuwal) had not been transferred or assigned to the 4th respondent (Atiku).”

  • Being playful shouldn’t warrant disrespect – Aycomedian

    Being playful shouldn’t warrant disrespect – Aycomedian

    Stand-up comedian-cum- actor, Ayomide Makun aka Aycomedian has lamented the disrespect from junior colleagues for being lenient and playful

    The father of two stated why it’s important to draw lines with elders or senior colleagues no matter how one feels relaxed around them

    He argued that people tend to thread cautiously whenever around arrogant leaders but disrespect humble and magnanimous boss.

    He advised lenient leaders to detach themselves from disrespectful people as it might affect them emotionally and physically.

    He wrote “I have come to realise that while it is not palatable in the sight of God to be raising your shoulders up or portraying that bossy attitude, it is most times what you need to earn the respect you deserve from some human beings. When you are humble, there is every possibility that human beings will take you for granted.

    Read Also:Fani-Kayode: Jonathan received Tinubu, Shettima with joy, respect

    “I personally prefer the simple leadership style of relating with everyone equally and freely. I love to mingle and relate with everyone irrespective of position or class.. But it has always resulted to outright disrespect. The minute I make some people very comfortable around me, they quickly feel too relaxed and forget to draw the lines when necessary. Most people fail to understand that no matter how playful your friend, senior colleague or boss can be to you, there are some stunts or pranks you can’t just make towards him/her.

    “That he has humbled himself to get along with you as a friend shouldn’t diminish the respect he deserves as your boss. I have also seen how extremely bossy and arrogant people are respected by the same people who take you for granted. They thread cautiously around the bossy ones, and do everything possible to avoid their troubles.

    “Rather than hanging around disrespectful people who might end up ruining you emotionally and physically, find a way to avoid them completely. Notwithstanding I still believe being humble is a virtue. Let those who are taking you for granted continue, but the truth is those who appreciate you for being who you are will still hold you in high esteem.”
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  • Chelsea complete £70m transfer of Leicester’s Wesley Fofana

    Chelsea complete £70m transfer of Leicester’s Wesley Fofana

    Fofana has agreed a six-year deal with the west London outfit with Thomas Tuchel finally landing his defensive target.

    The centre-back’s future had been a source of contention for weeks after the Blues interest became clear in the former Leicester City star.

    The 21-year-old’s switch to Stamford Bridge has taken some time to negotiate, with Leicester rejecting multiple offers in recent weeks.

    However, the Foxes finally accepted a fee in the region of £70m on Friday with the deal completed on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window, which shuts on Thursday.

    He could make his debut at the weekend when Chelsea host bitter rivals West Ham in the Premier League.

    With his arrival, the France Under 21-international becomes Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s sixth summer signing after Gabriel Slonina, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Marc Cucurella.

    Read Also: Tuchel after Chelsea defeat: it’s too easy to beat us

    Fofana flew to New York on Sunday to undergo a thorough medical with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wanting further peace of mind after the Frenchman missed seven months of last season with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

    He returned to Leicester’s starting XI in the final weeks of the campaign, and had shown no ill-effects of his injury, but it appears that Boehly wanted to take a detailed look at his current condition before making Fofana one of the most expensive defenders in Premier League history.

    Fofana started Leicester’s opening two games of this season, but was then left out of the team’s home clash with Southampton earlier this month as Brendan Rodgers claimed he was not in the right frame of mind to play.

    He was once again omitted from the squad when Leicester played Chelsea on Saturday, having been made to train with the Under 23s in the build-up to that match.

  • Adesope warns Pan Yoruba groups ahead 2023

    Adesope warns Pan Yoruba groups ahead 2023

    The President of Oodua People’s Congress Reformed (OPCR) Chief Dare Adesope has warned Yoruba elder stateman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and all relevant groups to shield their swords and put their house so the presidential flag bearer of the ruling party (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will contest the next election with a formidable team from home for his victory.

    Adesope, who pointed out that this is a golden opportunity for the Yoruba race to produce the next President, said the ambition of few individuals and selfish tendencies cannot be allowed to scuttle the larger interests of the Yoruba race and the country at large.

    According to him, the election is going to be in favour of Tinubu going by his achievements in Lagos State, adding with the number of resourceful people he has produced, the political parties he founded and sustained are testimonies of his political sagacity which the country can benefit immensely from if he becomes the pyresident.

    Read Also:Igboho’s house raid: Appeal Court reverses N20b damages against DSS

    The OPC boss, described the recent comment by Pa Ayo Adebanjo that Afenifere is in support of the Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, as blatant lie and figment of his own imagination, recalling a Yoruba proverb that one’s child cannot be qualified for a position and you give such a position to a stranger.

    He said: “Tinubu has the pedigree and all what it takes to rule this country and make the Yoruba race proud because he has done it in the past with Lagos experiment by turning the economy fortune of the state to enviable height. That’s why all hands must be on deck to assist him to assist him to get to Aso Rock next year.”

    He called on all self-determined groups in the Southwest to come together and speak with one voice for the 2023 poll.

  • Kwara pays another batch of pre-2019 SUBEB, LGAs 11bn arrears

    Kwara pays another batch of pre-2019 SUBEB, LGAs 11bn arrears

    Kwara State Government has paid another 15% of one month of the huge salary arrears of SUBEB teachers, pensioners and local government workers it inherited in 2019 from the past administration.

    The decision to gradually offset the N11,112,333,818.20 was agreed to by local government authorities at the request of union leaders at the allocation committee meeting of Monday August 29, 2022.

    The payment of the 15% of the arrears came after the allocation committee approved funding for 100% August salary, while the balance goes into offsetting the loans earlier obtained from the state government to pay 100% salary for all categories of workers in the previous months of 2022 when federal allocation/revenue dropped drastically.

    The current administration paid 15% (N308m) of the arrears in January 2020 and another 20% (N359m) in December 2021 when allocation improved.

    Read Also:Kwara begins disbursement of N160.5m CARES RA3 grant to SMEs

    Depending on the size of the allocation, monthly salary payment and other statutory obligations at the local government level (including SUBEB) continue to gulp between 85 and 100% of revenues of the councils, especially after the minimum wage was implemented.

    The government assured the concerned workers and the unions of its commitment to pay them this deserving entitlement.

    However, the only alternative to phased payment of these humongous arrears is a new borrowing which would further plunge the state into more debt.

    The government commended the workers and their unions for their exemplary patriotism, patience and understanding.

  • FG tasks Governors to recruit more health workers

    FG tasks Governors to recruit more health workers

    The Federal Government has tasked Governors to increase the numbers of health workers in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for adequate primary healthcare services.

    They noted that some PHCs lacked human resources and infrastructure which have affected operations of healthcare services in the country.

    Speaking in Ibadan during his inspection visit to some PHCs in Oyo State, the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib maintained that adequate human resources become necessary to have well trained and respectful personnel to attend to people at various health centers, adding that government is working with governors, commissioners and traditional rulers to ensure affordable and adequate healthcare services for Nigerians.

    He noted that Federal Government has renovated over 4,000 PHCs in the last four years of President Buhari’s administration, adding that the government have also make sure they revitalise them, and making sure that the health workers embarked on periodic training so as to have capacity to delivered quality healthcare services to Nigerians.”

    “Healthcare of Nigerians is our priority, that is why we are working with stakeholders at the national level in making sure that Nigerians are well treated with dignity and compassion whenever they access these facilities, they are well respected, and make sure they are giving medication and management that will make them recover from their illness.”

    “Our ambition is to have at least one functional PHC per political ward across the country, no matter how big the money we spend into the health sector, it is not enough to spend money into building large tertiary hospitals, but also to revitalize PHCs by recruiting well trained health workers, making sure the workers are well paid, ensuring security across the PHCs and putting in place infrastructure.”

                    Read Also:Health sector neglect

    He commended Oyo State Government, particularly the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Development Board and directors in Ministry of Health for giving immunization to adults and children in the state.

    According to him, looking at the data, Oyo State is one of the best performing States when it come to the stage 3.0 roll out of the integrated COVID-19 campaign which was launched in Abuja three weeks ago.

    “We are very proud of the work that is going on here, and as part of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency mantra around accountability, we shouldn’t only look at what is not working, we should also look at what is working well.”

    “We are here today to encouraged them and commend them to the outstanding good work they have been doing, and telling them that Nigerians in general appreciate them.”

    Oyo Commissioner for Health Dr Bode Ladipo described the visitation as an attestation to efforts of the state government towards affordable healthcare delivery which was one of the priority of the state government.

    He noted that the state government is currently working on renovation of over 351 PHCs across the state, adding that all the PHCs shall become fully operational by the end of the present administration

    He however said people in the state now have access to affordable healthcare service which is now at their door steps.

  • Tuchel after Chelsea defeat: it’s too easy to beat us

    Tuchel after Chelsea defeat: it’s too easy to beat us

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is concerned that his Chelsea side are becoming too easy to beat after their 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday evening.

    Raheem Sterling had given the Blues the lead at St Mary’s, but goals from Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong saw the home side take all three points.

    The defeat condemned Chelsea to their second defeat of the season and the German boss believes his side are struggling for focus and to find consistency.

    ‘We started well in all the games almost but obviously we are struggling with our focus and consistency in matches.’ Tuchel told BT Sport after the game.

    ‘We struggled to find answers and find the way back if things don’t go in our direction. Things did go in our direction today but then we struggled after the equaliser.

    ‘I don’t know if concern is the right word. I absolutely dislike to lose, it is the second time this season and I don’t think it takes a lot to beat us and this I don’t like.

    ‘We try to win matches and the way we do this is something we need to understand as fast as possible. I also don’t understand why we are in this situation with injuries to all midfield.

    ‘I think in the first 20 minutes we created half chances but struggled to score. That is also not brand new for us and that doesn’t necessarily have the consequence you can lose matches, you can win 1-0.’

    ‘I don’t think it takes a lot to beat us’

    Tuchel also lambasted his team’s defending and accused the side of being too soft. Demanding to know why his team had no answers in the second half.

    Read Also:EPL: Five Chelsea players who underperformed in Southampton defeat

    Telling BBC Sport. ‘Soft, soft, soft defending. There is no need to give shots away. Just toughen up as a team and show a different mentality.’

    ‘It is not enough to win away matches, it is not enough to play 20-25 minutes on the level we want. It is too easy to put us off balance, to beat us, to confuse us. It is too easy. It happened against Leeds. We need to understand why and find solutions.

    ‘We lose concentration, we lose our plan and lose consistency, it is too easy to beat us.

    ‘A lot of key players are injured, it is something I don’t really understand. You can always lose football matches and I am humble enough to admit this but in a match where you are in the lead there is no need to give away half chances. To have no answers in the second half was disappointing.

    ‘We need to have answers, we need to step up and play a level higher if needed. We struggled to do this.’

    Chelsea have now suffered back-to-back away defeats having lost to Leeds United earlier this month. They now face West Ham on at Stamford Bridge Saturday, before a Champions League trip to Dimano Zagreb and then a West London derby with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

  • Basketmouth hits entertainers for not showing up after payment

    Basketmouth hits entertainers for not showing up after payment

    Stand-up comedian and actor, Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth, has described as unprofessional, musicians and comedians who get paid for shows but does not turn up.

    According to him, he feels disgusted whenever he hears about such entertainers because they are painting people like him and others in the industry in bad light.

    Basketmouth stated this during an interview with The Punch Newspaper.

    He also talked about his battle with a real estate company that refused to give him the house he paid N31 million for after 14 years and why he does not trust the judicial system of the country.

    Read Also:I don’t trust our judicial system – Basketmouth

    The comic act said: “When I hear stories like that, I feel disgusted because comedy is not a regular job. One has time to craft one’s content, and even if another event comes up, one can attend both if one plans one’s time well. When a client books one and one does not show up, one has not only disappointed them, one has also being unprofessional.”

  • Actress Osas Ighodaro appreciates Davido

    Actress Osas Ighodaro appreciates Davido

    Actress Osas Ighodaro has expressed her gratitude to music star Davido for his kind gesture towards her.

    The talented screen goddess also won the best dressed female act at the 2022 AMVCA award

    Sharing a photo of her and the Afrobeat star, she appreciated him for his sweet gestures towards her.

    Osas noted how she couldn’t thank him enough for everything he had done for her.

    Read Also:Davido’s baby mama slams troll over parenting skills

    “OBO!!! CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH BROS!!! XOXOXO”.

    The actress recently celebrated ten years in the entertainment industry.

    The 31-year-old revealed that she was meant to spend just six months in Nigeria but have eventually spent ten years.