The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Why I don’t take Holy Communion in other churches – Adeboye

    General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has declared it is an aberration to take Holy Communion during the day, which explains why he doesn’t take Holy Communion in other churches.

    Adeboye spoke at the Holy Communion service at the just- concluded 67th convention of the church at the new auditorium at the Redemption Camp.

    1, 850 pastors were ordained and 109 children born- 56 boys and 53 girls at the convention, which ended with so much excitement.

    Adeboye, who preached on the importance of the Holy Communion in line with the theme of the convention which is And God Said, noted it is an aberration for any church to take the Holy Communion in the day.

    He pointed out that it is the Lord’s Supper which by implication should be taken at night adding “the first time the Passover was taken in the Bible, it was taken in the night on the eve of the Israelites freedom from Egypt. Jesus also took it in the night with his disciples.”

    Read Also: Nigeria’ll come out great, march forward, overcomes its challenges- Adeboye

    He said that whenever he is invited to some churches and they are serving Holy Communion in the day, he would decline taking simply stating: “I am fasting”.

    Adeboye posited that taking of the Holy Communion at night is symbolic.

    He said: “Tears may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. The night period is symbolic. It means the end of sorrow.

    “It means the end of suffering. It means the end of stagnation. The supper is taken in the night and not in the day.”

    He explained further the Holy Communion is a serious matter and should not be taken unworthily.

    “Many are eating it unworthily that is why they are experiencing so many things they should not experience.

    “You can’t come to the Lord’s Table and bear grudges and harbor hatred in your heart against your brother or sister. You will be doing yourself a great harm,” he said.

    In his sermon to the newly ordained Pastor of the church, the Assistant General Overseer of the church in charge of Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola challenged them never to despair as they go about in task of evangelising the world for Christ.

    He said that preaching the gospel message is task that must be carried out as Christians await the second coming of the Lord.

  • Police nab Mbaka impostor over N3m fraud

    A middle-aged man has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the Catholic priest of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka in Fegge, Onitsha South local government area of Anambra State.

    The fraudster reportedly duped business man in the commercial city of the state of N3million.

    Divisional Police Officer Rabiu Garba disclosed this on Sunday in Fegge while briefing newsmen on the efforts of his division to sanitise the area.

    He said over N2million have so far been recovered from the suspect while efforts were on to recover the remaining amount.

    He said the suspect was assisting the police in their investigations.

    Read Also: Police nab two women for alleged theft

    The DPO also raised the alarm over a new method developed by the fraudsters in defrauding their victims at ATM Bank point through exchange of ATM cards while pretending to assist the customer.

    He said others send fake bank alert to their victims after deceiving them.

    He added, “Detectives from my division have also arrested a syndicate who duped a building material dealer of N1.2million worth of goods relocated to Ukpor, Nnewi South LGA of the state.”

    He regretted that cyber crime in and around the commercial city has assumed an endemic dimension.

    While revealing that the division has embarked on a search on all flash point and Betnaija offices, Rabiu warned that under aged children caught patronising such outfit would be arrested.

    He appealed to parents and guardians to always keep watch on their children and wards.

  • Nigerian youths urged to support activities, programmes that promote peace

    The Acting Executive Director, Projects (EDP) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Adjogbe, has urged the youths in all parts of Nigeria to support activities and programmes that promote peace.

    He spoke when members of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), led by its President, Dr. Isah Abubakar, visited him at NDDC’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Eivers State and honoured him as an icon of human transformation, with the title: “Garkuwan Matasan Nigeria” (Protector of the Youths).

    Adjogbe stated that the NDDC was planning to mount a programme where ex-agitators would come out to declare that Niger Delta region had surrendered to peace, stating that it was an important message that should be spread throughout the country.

    He described peace as a veritable instrument for nation building, stressing that NDDC was making conscious efforts to ensure lasting peace.

    The NDDC chief said: “We must continue to work to promote peace and security for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, in particular, and Nigeria, in general.

    Read Also: How Nigerian youths can exploit AfCFTA gains, by Osinbajo

    “If we do not surrender to peace, then we cannot drive the development process. Hence, we must deploy all efforts to ensure that there is peace and security in our country.

    Adjogbe further stressed the need to inculcate the right attitude and values in the youths, stating that it was necessary to recalibrate our value system and get people to begin to differentiate between good and bad, adding that it would once again make the Niger Delta friendly to investors.

    He said: “It is important for us to begin to woo investors back to the Niger Delta, to drive sustainable development, which will ultimately improve the quality of life of our people.”

    The acting EDP also stated that much as the next level agenda of the Federal Government was promising, it would not achieve the desired goals in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that as one of the national patrons of the Buhari Support Group, he joined in the effort to preach peace in all parts of the country.

    He said: “I have been an ardent follower of President Muhammadu Buhari right from when he was the military Head of State in the 1980s. I still remember the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), which ingrained the queuing culture into the consciousness of Nigerians.

    “I am happy that Nigerians have given President Buhari another opportunity to instill discipline in our country in a democratic milieu.”

    President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Dr Isah Abubakar, noted that Adjogbe was one of the few Federal Government appointees that distinguished themselves in service, pointing out that the group recognised his exceptional performance and commitment to the next level agenda of the Buhari administration.

    He said the NYCN was impressed by the fact that the NDDC’s acting EDP had mentored many youths and prepared them for leadership positions.

    Abubakar said: “We, therefore, recognize you as an icon of human transformation who has shown exemplary leadership in the area of agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment and encouraging youths to participate in leadership.”

    The NYCN President also urged NDDC to help nurture the newly-established North East Development Commission, noting that the Niger Delta interventionist agency had come a long way and its experiences over the years could help other new bodies to take their own bearing.

  • Peterside urges Muslims to pray for progress of Nigeria

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has urged Muslim faithful to reflect on the significance Eid el-Kabir and pray for the progress of Nigeria.

    In an online message on Sunday, Peterside noted that the prayers of Muslims across Nigeria, alongside those of Christians, had profound effects on the relative stability being enjoyed in the country.

    He stated that as partners in the progress and development of Nigeria, Muslims had not just contributed their quota, but also made sacrifices towards the corporate existence of the nation.

    The NIMASA chief stressed that Islam places emphasis on brotherliness and help for the less privileged, hence the need for all adherents to imbibe such virtues.

    Read Also: Eid el-Kabir: Secondus urges Nigerians to take case to Allah

    He called on Muslims to be tolerant and continue to work for peace and unity of the country.

    Peterside said: “Islam is a religion that preaches peace, philanthropy, love and forgiveness. Our Muslim brothers and sisters must emulate these ideals, for the good of Nigeria and humanity.

    “We must work together for the overall good of all Nigerians and Allah, who has brought us together as one entity for a reason.”

    The 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state also called on all Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who he insisted was genuinely interested in the greater good of all.

    He said: “President Buhari’s commitment to a better Nigeria is not in doubt. He is genuinely ready to make the commonwealth of this country available to all.

    “We may not be where we want to be, but there is no questioning of his direction, vision and readiness to take us to where we should be. The days of hard work are beginning to manifest, things are shaping up.

    “As his lieutenants, we are daily working hard to bring his vision into fruition. We are daily energised by his determination to take Nigeria to the next level and we are committed to it.”

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Commuters lament shortage of commercial vehicles in FCT

    As Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were left stranded at some bus-stops as shortage of intra city vehicles hit Abuja metropolis.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that many commuters were stranded at various bus stops within the territory as there were few commercial vehicles operating.

    Some of the bus-stops include: Apo Roundabout, Berger junction, Jabi Motor Park, Dutse Junction.

    At Apo-Roundabout, Mr Friday Mungu said that he had waited at the junction for over an hour waiting to board a vehicle to Mararaba area of Nasarawa State.

    “ I think there is scarcity of commercial vehicles because most of the commercial drivers at this axis are Muslims.

    “They probably travelled home to celebrate sallah,” he said.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Make sacrifice for development, Tinubu urges Nigerians

    According to another stranded commuter, Kolawole Olaoluwalonje, the major reason for the scarcity was due to rain and sallah celebration.

    ”It is like commercial drivers had decided not to operate,” he said.

    Mrs Halima Hussaini expressed disatisfaction because of the hardship created by the absence of commercial vehicles on the road.

    She said that she had waited at Dutse junction for close to 30 minutes just to board a vehicle to visit her Muslim friends at Gwarimpa estate.

    She had wondered if all the Commercial drivers were Muslims.

    “ I thought we had a combination of Muslims and Christians as Taxi drivers but because today is sallah, there is scarcity of vehicles coupled with the fact that Christians go to church,” she said.

    Mr Prosper Kelani, a member of National Union of Road Traffic Workers (NURTW), said that it was expected for commuters to experience shortage of commercial vehicles because sallah was an opportunity for most to rest.

    Kelani advised commuters to exercise patience with drivers as the scarcity was only for a short period and would be over once the celebration was over.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: ManU beat Chelsea 4-0 in the first game of the season

    Manchester united on Sunday defeated Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford.

    It was a breathtaking match that ended with the red devils defeating the blue.

    Although Chelsea FC started well during the first half, but conceded more in the second half.

    Daniel James’s goal made it 4-0.
    Details later…

  • Kogi not safe, PDP chairman cries out over abduction of Okene party boss

    The Kogi State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Sam Ohuotu, has raised the alarm over the reported abduction of Musa Adelabu, the party chairman in Okene local government.

    He said that the invasion and abduction of the PDP member by men dressed in military uniform is worrisome, one too many and declared Kogi state is not safe to live in.

    He said that gunmen dressed in military uniform invaded the house of the local government party chairman and whisked him away today, around 1.00am.

    He lamented that members of the PDP in the state, in the last week, have been consistently harassed by men dressed in security uniforms.

    He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who he said are scared of the popularity of the PDP, for the clampdown.

    Read Also: Challenges facing INEC ahead of Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    As at the time of going press, he said that the whereabouts of Adelabu remain unknown, adding that the PDP chairman is still held incommunicado.

    He said that for a personality of the local government party chairman, having served as a former LG vice chairman, an invitation would have been most appropriate, if there was the need, rather than the “invasion in a commando style at an unholy hour of the day”.

    He said that it is unfortunate that the state is no longer safe for living, “if people are daily abducted; kidnapped by men dressed in uniforms.

    He called for the unconditional release of Adelabu.

  • Randy soldier dismissed, in police custody for prosecution

    Authorities of the Nigeria Army have handed over Soldiers suspected to have allegedly raped a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) to the Ondo State Police Command for prosecution.

    The victim, a 300-level student of the Department of Religious and African Studies of the university, was allegedly gang-raped by the soldiers attached to the 32 Artillery Brigade of the army, inside a shed at the checkpoint, while the student was returning from the school.

    It was initially reported that the student was gang-raped.

    However, it was learnt through the investigation by the army that only one of the soldiers committed the offence.

    Before handing over the case to the police, it was learnt that the suspect, who was identified as Lance Corporal Sunday Adelola, has been dismissed from the service by the army.

    Read Also: Mob kills policeman for ‘shooting’ pregnant woman dead in Lagos

    The Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, Brig. Gen. Zakari Abubakar, has earlier promised to transfer the case to the police, after the alleged randy soldier must have been sacked and the investigation concluded.

    Abubakar, while speaking with reporters  said justice would be done on the matter, saying the army would try the suspect internally and if found guilty, the suspect’s uniform would be removed after which he would be transferred to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

    A source confirmed that he (Lance Corporal Adelola) had been tried at the Artillery brigade and sacked before the suspect was handed over to the police.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the development and said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

  • Prosecute Obasanjo, others now over $16b Power Projects, S/West group insists

    The federal government has been urged to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and or other relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the $16 billion and other funds spent on the power sector under successive administrations since the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999.

    The South West Peoples Assembly (SWEPA) said in Lagos that a probe is imperative otherwise Nigerians might lose faith in the current democratic experiment.

    Chairman of SWEPA, Oseni Owolabi Ajimomuya, and the Secretary, Ismael Oguntoyinbo told reporters that despite promises by successive administrations to reposition Nigeria’s troubled power sector and the alleged scandals in past administrations, including the ones headed by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, little or nothing has actually been investigated or the culprits prosecuted and duly punished.

    The group hailed the House of Representatives and the Young Nigerian Professionals on their resolve to get to the bottom of the issue, and demanded “specific interrogation of key individuals in the whole power mismanagement saga.”

    Read Also: EFCC begins probe of Obasanjo govt’s $16bn power project

    They added: “It’s our belief that there are known actors that were responsible for overseeing the sleaze that took place in the power sector spending since 1999.

    “The most prominent, as every Nigerian possibly knows, is Obasanjo – who is reported to have spent about $16 billion on power, with nothing worthy or credible to show for it.

    “This is one major reason behind our decision to commend the House of Representatives for its decision to again re-investigate the power sector spending and join other well-meaning Nigerians in demanding for nothing short of a thorough inquest.

    “It is our belief that what the House is set to do represents justice for the people of Nigeria who have had to bear the burden and pain associated with the poor power situation in the country. Until this investigation and other related efforts that ensure transparency and openness are undertaken, Nigeria cannot really move forward or record any significant progress. The unearthing of the sleaze that took place in the power sector is key if we want to start a new footing that ensures proper accountability going forward,” they said.

  • JUST IN: Robbers attack UI New Hall hostel

    Robbers struck again in the early hours of Sunday at New Hall hostel of the University of Ibadan.

    This attack is exactly a month after a similar operation on Awo Hall, a female hostel of the premier institution.

    A post graduate student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated unmasked young men charged into New hall at about 2:10am.

    According to her, they had to axe down the door leading to the hostel containing four blocks, two of which accommodate males and the other two, females.

    “They had a struggle entering into the hostel because the security in New Hall is actually tight.

    “The bang we heard when the door was axed down already told us that something was coming for us.

    “But we didnt know what it was and we were wondering where the securities and potters were at this time,” She informed.

    Read Also: Gunmen raid UniUyo female hostel

    Our source revealed that only two of the 15 rooms on the ground floor were not affected.

    “On the ground floor where I stay only two rooms were not affected, the rest were.

    ‘I don’t know what happened on the first floor, but so far, I’ve heard that three rooms were affected.”

    The robbers were said to have demanded for phones, laptops and money.

    According to our source, one guy whose iPhone was collected put up a struggle with the robbers and sustained a machete wound.

    “He was rushed to the health centre,” she stated.

    Our source revealed that the robbers took to their heels at the approaching sound of sirens.

    It wasn’t until after the operation that students found where the security officials and hostel workers were tied up and gagged, our source revealed.