Author: The Nation

  • Ex-INEC REC urges CSOs to save democracy in Southeast

    Ex-INEC REC urges CSOs to save democracy in Southeast

    A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, has urged Civil Society Organizations in the Southeast geopolitical zone to help change the course of democracy in the region.

    Ononamadu gave the charge in Enugu at a roundtable organized by the Citizens Centre For Integrated Development And Social Rights (CCIDESOR) in partnership with the Southeast Social Accountability Network on the judiciary, INEC, and CSOs in deepening democracy in Southeast Nigeria.

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    He also urged the CSOs not to allow the political space to shrink like the civic space, saying if Nigerians are not allowed to freely and fairly elect those who will represent them, democracy would suffer a real setback.

    According to him, democracy in the Southeast has suffered the worst setback among all the zones in Nigeria and said there were lots of reasons CSOs in the region should pay closer attention to what the judiciary is doing with the mandate of the people via their votes.

  • Sallah: Kano govt faults police on durbar ban

    Sallah: Kano govt faults police on durbar ban

    The Kano State Government yesterday  deplored the decision of the State Police Command to   ban the traditional Durbar during this year’s  Eid-el Kabir in Kano.

    Attorney General of the state and Justice Commissioner on Saturday said the Durbar was an integral part of Eid-el Kabir celebrations in Kano, and claimed that  “some enemies of the state” were bent on causing a breakdown of law and order with a view to  destroying  the state.

    Dederi spoke at a press conference.

    In his  prepared speech  entitled “Who is Plotting to Cause Anarchy in Kano?”, the commissioner accused the state Police Command of undermining the constitutional authority of the governor.

    “Some people are dishing out instructions to security chiefs in the state so much that the state Commissioner of Police (CP), without any consultation with the State‘s Chief Officer, has issued an order banning Eid-el Kabir festivities in Kano State,” Dederi said.

    Governor Abba Yusuf, according to the commissioner, got to hear of the ban through the media.

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    “Who is pushing the police commissioner to usurp the authority of the governor?” he wondered.

    He accused  the same CP  of  “consistently disobeying the legitimate instructions of the governor as chief security officer of the state.”

    In his reaction however,Police  Commissioner Ussain Gumel, said he has never disrespected the governor.

    He described the Attorney General’s allegation of being disrespectful  to the governor  as  unfounded.

    “I mean well for Kano State and my actions speak louder than words,” he said.

    Gumel said he banned the Sallah Durbar to sustain the peace in Kano.

    “In this trying period, the police will enforce the existing court order and prevail on the two contending parties regarding the Kano emirate tussle.

    “We urge them (emirs) to remain apart and respect the court order,” he said.

    Gumel advised worshippers to conduct their normal Eid Prayers at the various designated praying grounds, as usually done.

  • Suspected kidnapper arrested, victim rescued in Cross River

    Suspected kidnapper arrested, victim rescued in Cross River

    The Cross River State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnap kingpin identified as “Tallest,” whose other names are yet unknown.

    The arrest was executed by a team of policemen from the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS) on 5th June 2024.

    Tallest was apprehended following the release of Prophetess Emmanuel Otu, a resident of Nyangassan, in Calabar Municipality, who was kidnapped on 25th May 2024 and released on 29th May 2024.

    Acting on credible intelligence, law enforcement officers trailed and arrested “Tallest” in the Calabar Urban Development (CUDA) environs.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Irene Ugbo, said in a statement that the suspect is currently in police custody, and an investigation has commenced to determine his involvement in various heinous crimes, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

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    In a related development, the ACKS team the same day, in the early hours, responded to a distress call that a group of hoodlums had abducted a young man from his home and taken to the creek in the Nyangassan axis.

    The police team swiftly mobilised to the crime scene. Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums fled into the creek, abandoning their victim, Kingsley Eyo Andem, an 18-year-old male, who was found with multiple injuries inflicted by his abductors.

    Investigation revealed that Kingsley Eyo Andem was attacked based on allegations of dating the girlfriend of the gang’s leader, identified as ‘Olismam,’ the mastermind behind this brutal act.

    The command has intensified efforts to apprehend the gang members and ensure they face justice in accordance with the extant laws of the land.

  • Ministry mulls calls for harnessing PTI’s potentials for oil industry

    Ministry mulls calls for harnessing PTI’s potentials for oil industry

    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR), Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella has said strengthening the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, in harnessing its potentials would save the nation its scarce resources of foreign training and retraining of industry personnel.

    Ella, while on a working visit to the Institute, weekend, lamented the huge loss of revenue incurred on foreign training.

    “We must consolidate on achieving the full potential in the Institute instead of creating another petroleum institute. I feel very proud that we have an Institute like this. I have said it earlier and I will reiterate that, we cannot have a Petroleum Training Institute of this magnitude in Nigeria and fail to utilise it.

    “Training is essential for all of us as individuals and as an organisation. We should be able to develop ourselves and our capacities as well as enhance our productivity. PTI has all it takes to train all oil workers in Nigeria and I don’t see why we cannot train locally in PTI and save our scarce resources,” the Permanent Secretary stated.

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    Asserting the need for colleagues in the oil and gas sector to patronise PTI, he stated, “At the Ministry level, we will push up the level of collaboration we desire. This is achievable if we unite and work as a team. We will speak with GMD of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other sister agencies in the Ministry.

    “PTI needs to move beyond where it is presently. This is the only Petroleum Training Institute we have in the country and we will not allow it to fail in discharging its responsibility.”

    Recall that there was a recent move by the current National Assembly to establish another Petroleum Training Institute in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.

    The MPR Permanent Secretary however posited: “We should rather channel the resources to PTI Effurun and turn it around, so that it can perform better.

    “We don’t need to establish any other institution of this nature in Nigeria. We should work harder to enhance what we have here by improving the capacity of the personnel.

    “If people find it difficult to come down to Effurun for the training, we can actually conduct the training at the Public Service Institute in Abuja under the umbrella of PTI. PTI Certification is recognised globally, so why would I go and train my personnel in a lesser institution outside the country when we have a better and well-equipped organisation that can handle such training locally with just a little resource. Let’s work together to give maximum cooperation to the Management of PTI.”

    He further enjoined the Acting Principal Chief Executive, Engr. Dr. Samuel Onoji and the entire members of staff on professionalism, as well as encouraged the Management to create room for other programmes of studies, adding, “we want you to push harder to develop other competencies.”

  • ‘How N/Delta communities can combat impact of climate change’

    ‘How N/Delta communities can combat impact of climate change’

    Providing sustainable initiatives on how communities can develop a blue and green economy would reduce hardship among the people of the Niger Delta, who currently suffer the devastating impact of climate change.

    A non-governmental organisation, Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), made this known at a programme organised in Warri, Delta state.

    The programme tagged, “Advancing Community Capacity to Mitigate Climate Change Impact and Develop Blue and Green Economy in the Niger Delta,” was done in collaboration with the Government of Denmark.

    It also saw the commissioning of a 23-member committee tasked with the responsibility of finding solutions that would address the challenges faced by Niger Delta communities as a result of climate change.

    According to the Programmes Manager, AAPW, Menidin Isu, on finding such solutions, the locals would be coached on methods to enable them live better.

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    Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines, Isu said: “The weather has changed. Because of climate change we get flooding, it rains when it’s not supposed to and it’s sunny when it should not be. Our crops – cassava, plantain, cocoyam, don’t grow well anymore; our fishes don’t reproduce well too. This has caused hardship among our people and we thought to do something about it to make life better.

    “A committee numbering 23 persons was inaugurated and saddled with the responsibility of finding solutions to the issue of climate change. For instance, those who are into farming would be offered better methods to ensure that their produce is not adversely affected by climate change. The network would meet monthly and come up with an action plan.”

    He attributed the global climate change crisis to about 12 decades of human action, such as industrialisation and oil and gas exploration,

    On her part, Senior Communications Officer, AAPW, Success Nwanedo, noted that while the issue of climate change is of global concern, the NGO deemed it fit to bring it home to the people of the Niger Delta.

    According to her, “the issue of climate change is one that is quite devastating in the Niger Delta. We see that with the high coastal level and of course, the heat waves. One thing we intend to achieve with this project is to help the people of the Niger Delta live better lives.

    “The effect of climate change has led to loss of livelihoods and homes. We intend to use this project to beam sustainable initiative on how they can lead better lives, develop a blue and green economy to mitigate or lessen the impact of climate change.”

  • Foundation greets Nigerians at Sallah

    Foundation greets Nigerians at Sallah

    The Chairman of Olusegun Okanlawon Foundation (OOF) and House of Representatives candidate in Ibarapa Central and North Federal Constituency at the 2023 general election, Engr. (Dr) David Olusegun Okanlawon has felicitated with the Muslims on the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir.

    Okanlawon who spoke through his media aide, Adedokun Sunday Harshasha admonished Nigerians to be sacrificial and optimistic towards the actualisation of the nation’s growth.

    In a twin congratulatory message, the OOF initiator who waxed philosophical said, “In moving the train of our nation forward, I appeal to you all to remain optimistic and be more sacrificial. It’s our collective efforts that can move Nigeria forward.”

    Okanlawon urged Nigerians to trust in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he would deliver the best of his ability to raise the standard of the nation and place it exactly where it should be.

    Read Also: Sallah: Ansar-Ud-Deen urges Tinubu to work on food sufficiency

    He added that President Tinubu is committed to tackling the challenges that have stigmatized the nation, praying that the Lord guide and protect him as he sails through the affairs of the nation.

    “Today, we stand at the threshold of our nation’s fulfillment and prosperity. No doubt that we are paying the price, let’s consider it essential as the sacrifices we make today will give birth to the future of our country.

    “Our democracy day is now celebrated every June 12, in honor of our hero and to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice.

  • How Nigerians, foreigners celebrated TB Joshua

    How Nigerians, foreigners celebrated TB Joshua

    The late leader of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Temitope Joshua, touched many lives while he was alive.

    Aside from his generosity, the late cleric was known for his knack for prayer, perseverance, self-discipline, and dedication to the things of God. It is almost an understatement to say that he drew people to God.

    Loved by many, and even in death, they still talk about him in the present. Little wonder, during the third anniversary of his glorious departure from the earth on June 5, 2021, all-night praise and worship were held in his honour at the SCOAN headquarters, Lagos. The event attracted people from all over the world.

    Speaking during the event to honour the late televangelist, his daughter Promise, said, “I’m his favorite daughter, but he loved all of us equally. Yes, indeed. At the very core, Prophet TB Joshua’s life is marked by a virtuous commitment to raising soldiers of Christ, not just locally, but also globally.”

    Joshua, who would have been 61 on June 5, attracted many foreigners to the headquarters of the church in Ikotun-Egbe, a Lagos suburb.

    The SCOAN host community will continue to remember the late cleric for putting the community on a world map.

    Promise disclosed that her father, Joshua, superintendent of a church of all seasons, “A ministry where satanic cages and demonic bondages are broken. Even to the shock and the admiration of even the unbelievers.

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    “A ministry that has stood the test of time, that continues to stand the test of time, and that will continue to stand the test of time to the glory of God. Yes. But Prophet TB Joshua was not just this global Christian leader and fatherly covering to so many people all around the world.”

    Preaching love, she urged the church to celebrate the values that her father stood for which was love. “Love that sees beyond hatred. That is, when you are hated, you should love. Love that sees beyond intimidation”.

    A South African nationalist and former South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Dr. Kirstan Nematandam, who flew into Nigeria to partake in the solemn night ceremony, described the all-night praise and worship event as “A spiritual high watershed, and a great moment in all continents of the world to thank God for the grace of T.B. Joshua on earth in His ineffable love for mankind and His creation.

    He described T.B. Joshua as a great man of God whose life was Christ-like, living the word and practicing the word. “He was the light shining in the darkness, the most humble man you could ever come across who touched the lives of millions, preaching the Word with power and with an extraordinary philanthropy across the universe,” he said.

    Notwithstanding the simultaneous happening of the event in several nations, many still flew into Ikotun-Egbe SCOAN’s headquarters.

    The serenation of the late cleric lit up the Ikotun-Egbe SCOAN’s headquarters with international visitors from many African countries, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, filling the cathedral to the brim.

    The atmosphere was ecclesiastically electrifying as people from diverse languages from all walks of life spoke glowingly of the transformational power of God in their lives through their encounters with T.B. Joshua.

    A leading Pastor from Argentina who came to Ikotun Egbe for the event, Pastor Robert Acosta said: “The men of God who impacted lives and transformed generations under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit never die. The Bible says, ‘Their works with them continue’.

    “The teachings, the example, the impartation continue to live on in our hearts and our lives. Prophet T.B. Joshua, his life, example, and ministry, have been a gift from God to the whole world but in a particular way to my life, my wife and family, and to our church and congregation.

    “He was our pastor, our friend, for five years until he passed on to glory, and we continue to live with the legacy he had left us. The impartation we had received from the Holy Spirit through the life of the man of God, continues to bring healing to the sick, continues to raise cripples, and perform amazing miracles and deliverances; not only should we but we want to honor God for the life of the man of God, that is why we come to Nigeria to exalt God and I believe that just as in the days of Elisha, when he had already departed, there was anointing in his bones, I believe there is still much anointing to continue resurrecting lives and ministries, not by a man that had passed on to glory, but by the Spirit of God that continues to operate.

    “We have come to honour God with joyful activities for this great man of God.

    “He has been for me a father in the Lord, a friend, a pastor, and has been an honour from heaven to have walked and shared time with him, his teachings, his advice, and his prayers have transformed our lives.

    “Even today, in our radios, discipleships, and meetings his teachings are still alive…

    God has done it through the man of God”.

    Also paying glowing tributes to the late SCOAN leader, a leading Brazilian cleric, Pastor Sandro Gomes dos Santos, who was happy to be in Nigeria again said: “I am here to celebrate the birthday of Prophet T.B. Joshua, a unique man, a unique prophet, a great man of God and his legacy remains. It is ageless and cannot be forgotten. The good works he did here on earth are wonderful and cannot be forgotten.

    “Prophet T.B. Joshua impacted my life not only with his ministry of miracles, signs, and wonders but with his love for the Word. When he spoke the Word it went straight into my heart and changed the way I was and the way I thought. His teaching on offence and forgiveness completely changed my heart. With him, I learned how to let go of offence and the importance of having a pure heart.

    “He exemplified everything he taught; his life was a life of excellence. Prophet T.B. Joshua’s legacy is beyond time and will remain forever. He is a special man of God, there is no other like him. The opportunity to be here on this anniversary for me is a gift from God.

    “I come to honour the life of Prophet T.B. Joshua and his legacy. As the Bible says: He who honours a prophet receives a prophet’s reward. This is an opportunity given by God, not man. God in His infinite grace allowed me to come and showed me that

    “His anointing and power continue here in this ministry through Pastor Evelyn Joshua. There is a fresh anointing, something new and extraordinary. The wonders of God continue to work here at SCOAN. God has done great and extraordinary things through Prophet T.B. Joshua and that mantle continues to rest upon Pastor Evelyn Joshua, just as it did with Elisha. I am so grateful to be here to celebrate the life and legacy of Prophet T.B. Joshua”.

    Mr. Segun Olanipekun, one of the coordinators of the church, who was full of excitement, disclosed to the vivacious crowd present at the event that the last three years had been of joyful activities and the ministry had greatly expanded. “Some of the programmes that I can remember that have taken place under Pastor Evelyn Joshua’s leadership are: The church was reopened after about two years of lockdown, we had a three-day revival on the prayer mountain,

    Akure branch was reopened, frequent weekly charity work in the church,

    Partners, revival, crusade, and charity meetings in South Africa, Ghana, Lusaka, Zambia, Madrid in Spain, Kenya, France, Germany, UK, USA, Canada and Nigeria.

    “The tempo for these activities has been more reinforced. The church has remained in the precious arms of the Lord. It has been a wonderful three years of God’s tremendous grace for the church.

    “Synagogue Church Of All Nations SCOAN today is the exemplification of the biblical word of Prophet Isaiah: the mills of God grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.”

  • MFM Water of Fire to hold on July 6

    MFM Water of Fire to hold on July 6

    By Ayoyinka Jegede

    All is set for the inter-denominational power-packed annual ‘Water of Fire’ programme organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.

    The yearly programme will be held on the 6th of July 2024 at MFM Prayer City, Kilometer 12, Lagos Ibadan Expressway. 

    As announced during Wednesday’s Manna water service, the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, revealed that this year’s Water of Fire will be different as God is set to tackle what humans have termed as hard and difficult problems.

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    He stressed that the programme which is also a means of winning souls for Christ is for every individual, family, ethnicity, and race, no matter their religious affiliation.

    He asked participants to come with at least three bottles of water which will be prayed on.

    “We have recorded mind-blowing testimonies that defy science and human efforts through this programme. The programme has constantly brought forth undiluted miracles through the wonder-working power of God, and this year’s own will be awesome. We are not selling ‘special water’ for the programme, come with your water and God’s power that parted the Red Sea for miracles, signs and wonders will enter into it after prayers, hence becoming Water of Fire “, he said

  • Why we need hymns back in churches – Umoru

    Why we need hymns back in churches – Umoru

    A Senior Pastor in the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Andrew Umoru has called for the restoration of gospel hymns in churches as they prime the soul, heart, and mind even before the message.

    Umoru said this at the Sounds Hymnal Strings Concert held recently at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Chapel Annex. It was supported by the Chapel of Christ Our Light, UNILAG.

    It also featured a drama presentation by Free Gift International Drama.

    Umoru sought the return to the hymns because “hymns are very solemn, it goes also beyond praising God,  worshiping Him more deeply. Every doctrine of the Bible is packaged into the hymns.”

    He lamented that “Satan has taken over the songs from us and is now the choirmaster in many places of worship.  So, they package songs that move people away from holiness, sound doctrine, and focus on God.

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    “God is not interested in commercial singing. What he wants is for us to use the hymns to prepare the souls of men for heaven and for things that are sound and profitable and to impact our world and our society.”

    He posited that hymns well presented with prayer and anointing, would lead to the conversion of souls and God will be glorified.

    The Convener of the programme, Mrs. Lydia Enyidiya Eke, said that the essence of this concert was to release the power of hymns. Tell the stories behind hymns and how lives have been impacted through hymns. “We have seen too many noises within the Christendom and we don’t know much about hymns anymore.

    “We find that in moments of crisis, moments of loss when somebody dies, or when terrible things happen, noise does not make it. But hymns will find a place. The coolness and quietness of songs that are spiritual and are breathed by the Spirit, anointed, will touch lives,” she said.

  • Ekunola, Odeyemi, Ajidara, others for CCC youth conference

    Ekunola, Odeyemi, Ajidara, others for CCC youth conference

    The former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and General Youth Coordinator of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Senior Evangelist, (Prof.) Samuel Odeyemi; The Founder of Ekunola Davies Ministry International, Prophetic Evang. Ekunola Davies; Executive Director, University of Lagos Business School (ULBS), Prof. Mike Adebamowo; Gospel artist, Evang. Segun Ajidara, and other ministers have been billed to grace the 3-day annual youth conference of CCC which will be held between Thursday, 22nd to 25th August at Oshoffa Citadel of Prayer Mission, Abule-Oke, Ifo, Ogun.

    Tagged: ‘Manifesting God’s Glory, will bring together thousands of Christian youths from different parts of the country.

    Speaking at a press conference, the Chairman of the Annual Youth Conference 2024, Bro. Elijah Ibiokoro, said that this year’s youth conference with its theme centered on manifesting God’s glory was inspired by the book of Isaiah 58 vs 8 to guide individuals towards demonstrating the presence of God in every aspect of their lives.

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    He added that the programme focuses on spiritual growth, financial management, relationship building, academic guidance, and the well-being of youths.

    He noted that the present challenges facing the country are not palatable but as Christians they should walk by faith, and “we are hopeful that the lives and destiny of Nigeria will turn around for good as they participate actively in this programme.

    “Jesus remains that answer to the problem facing the country and as many youths who will come to Jesus for salvation and regeneration, Nigeria will experience transformation,” he said.

    The National Secretary of Youth CCC, Brother Oluwaseyi Odufuwa, who is optimistic about a hitch-free event, said that adequate provisions had been made for security, transportation, accommodation, and health care personnel are going to be on the ground for the safety and wellbeing of the participants during the conference.