Category: Featured

Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Jesus House Washington DC Parish, Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, has stated his ambition to be the new Soun of Ogbomoso is the will of God.

The Nation had exclusively reported how the RCCG pastor was picked by kingmakers to become the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

In a video posted on social media by the Parish, Olaoye, who addressed members of the church, said it was never his ambition to become the Soun.

He said he never wanted to be a king but God spoke to him about it and he had no option but to take a step of faith to obey God and watch what He wanted to do.

According to him: “All I am doing is to obey God. Let me tell you this if we find out in five years’ time that this church starts to have a crisis. And things start to go down and you find out that the Lord spoke to me and I did not obey him.

“And it becomes like the case of Jonah or Achan, I hope you will not say thank God you did not answer God. You will be angry that God spoke to me and I did not obey. All I am doing is obeying God. This is action is not any action of avarice. It is not any action of greediness. It is nothing but obeying God. And this is what I have preached for 30 years.

Read Also: How RCCG pastor emerged Soun of Ogbomoso

“I told God if it is not your will, Lord stop it, let it not go through. But then I got into the process. I am only following God.

“There is nothing in this world that anybody has to offer me than what I have committed half of my life to do. If you know me very well, I am not doing this because I have nothing else to do. I am doing it because I believe it with my whole heart.”

On fears that he may have to compromise his Christian faith through involvement in traditional rituals as demanded by custom, Olaoye said: ”I can tell you, I have only one covenant. The blood of Jesus is enough for me. No other covenant will I engage in. I am not going to go into the details of a lot of things you have seen on social media.”

He denied he had resigned as senior pastor of the church as widely reported in the media, stating he couldn’t have become the process of becoming the Soun was not yet completed.

According to him: “It is still a process. We will tell you when the process is over.”

Confirming The Nation’s exclusive report of how he emerged, Olaoye said: “There were 23 of us before I entered into the race. Two of us were eventually picked. The chairman of the kingmaker voted for me to break the tie. The next thing is that it goes to the governor.

“If you know the process, the person who makes anybody a king is the governor. The kingmaker can choose you. Your family can choose you, which they did not initially. But that is a story for another day. It is the governor who chooses.”

Kaduna State Government has announced completion of evacuation of passengers trapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train, which came under terrorist attack Monday evening.

The 1000 capacity train, which was reported to have about 970 passengers on board the 6:30 pm schedule,m took off from Idu in Abuja to Rigasa, Kaduna.

It was attacked around Katari and Rijana axis Monday evening.

The Government, in a statement on Tuesday morning, said passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road by security agents.

The statement signed by Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the State Government is footing the medical bills of passengers injured in the attack.

He however disclosed that, search-and-rescue operations were still ongoing in the general area as of Tuesday morning.

The statement titled: ‘Evacuation of trapped train passengers concluded,’ reads: “Evacuation of passengers on the trapped Kaduna-bound train from Abuja has been concluded this morning by security forces, officials of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Nigerian Red Cross.

Read Also: Troops capture terrorists’ stronghold in Sambisa Forest

“Passengers who sustained injuries, and other fatalities, have been moved to hospitals.

“The passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

“As stated yesterday, the Kaduna State Government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers manifest for efficient tracking.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who commended all those who participated in the evacuation appealed to the hospitals to attend to the victims diligently.

“The Governor also directed the Ministry of Health to be in contact with the hospitals as government will bear the cost of their treatment.

“As of the time of this update, search-and-rescue operations are in progress.”

The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended its service along the Abuja-Kaduna route due to unforeseen circumstances.

It made this announcement on Tuesday morning.

The Nation reports Kaduna-bound train with an unspecified number of passengers on board was on Monday night attacked by terrorists.

Many passengers were injured.

The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track, forcing the 1000-capacity train to derail around Rijana, a village on the rail corridor in Kaduna.

NRC, in a terse statement via its official Twitter page on Tuesday, said: “Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, Train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended.

“Further Communication would be given in due course.”

Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who turns 70 today, got plaudits yesterday from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, governors and many other dignitaries also celebrated the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his birthday.

President Buhari extolled his virtues as a pacesetter in leadership and good governance.

The birthday will be marked in Lagos today with a Colloquium, the 13th in the series.

A statement by Presidential adviser Femi Adesina, speaking on behalf of the President, said: “President Buhari joins members, leaders and chieftains of the APC in rejoicing with National Leader of the party and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 70th birthday, March 29, 2022.

“President Buhari affirms the contributions of the party stalwart to the political, economic and social development of the country, setting a standard in leadership, governance and philanthropy.

“As the former Governor of Lagos State turns 70, the President notes and salutes his courage, resilience, selflessness and nobility in always placing the welfare and unity of the nation above self, backed with the vision of a greater Nigeria through investments in people, institutions and governments, without minding tribe or creed.

“President Buhari joins family members, friends, business and political associates in celebrating the septuagenarian, who has diligently and progressively risen on the nation’s political ladder since 1992, fighting for democratic rule against many odds, angling for people-focused development and supporting visionary and purposeful leadership.

“The President prays that the Almighty God will increase Asiwaju Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, in strength, good health and wisdom to keep serving the nation, and humanity.”

Lawan, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi, described Tinubu as an astute administrator who laid a solid foundation for the modernisation of Lagos.

To him, Asiwaju is a visionary political leader with a track record of building people and organisations.

The Senate President said: “I heartily felicitate the National Leader of our great party, Asiwaju Tinubu, on this occasion of his birthday.

Read Also: Asiwaju, institutional groomer of leaders at 70

“I join members of his family, friends, political associates and numerous well-wishers across and outside of Nigeria in rejoicing with Asiwaju for reaching this milestone in sound health of body and mind.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has lived a life of service, impacting many lives in several decades of active political participation and public service.

“This has made him a political pathfinder, leader of leaders and a legend in his own lifetime.

“Today, he is not just a principal actor in Nigerian politics, but also one of the main issues.

“I wish the Jagaban Borgu a happy birthday and many more years of impactful service to our beloved fatherland, Nigeria, and its great people.”

Gbajabiamila said Tinubu has demonstrated an uncommon and unyielding commitment to a progressive and prosperous Nigeria.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker extolled Tinubu’s unmatched credentials and invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy in the past decade.

He said Tinubu’s services to his fatherland were most needed at this time.

Describing the presidential aspirant as the pillar of modern Lagos, Gbajabiamila believes the APC national leader would go down in history as one of the best and most impactful democrats Nigeria has had.

The speaker wished Tinubu more fruitful years in good health as well as increased wisdom from the Almighty God.

Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, described Tinubu as a leader par excellence and a great strategist.

He said in a statement: “The life of this great Nigerian has been full of service to humanity and uplifting the lives of others. The great Asiwaju has been a blessing to many.

“Your leadership acumen has helped our generation a great deal. Your invaluable contributions to the development of our dear nation are commendable.

“To our great party, the APC, you have been a pillar of unity.

“I pray that the Almighty Allah will grant you many more healthy years so that you will continue your good works to advance and consolidate our democracy and good governance.”

A KADUNA-BOUND train with an unspecified number of passengers on board was last night attacked by terrorists. Many passengers were injured.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and Kaduna State Government confirmed the incident.

The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track, forcing the 1000-capacity train to derail around Rijana, a village on the rail corridor in Kaduna.

The NRC immediately suspended services on the corridor.

Last October, the Abuja-Kaduna rail track came under a similar attack.

It was gathered that the 6pm train that took off from Rigasa in Kaduna arrived in Abuja on schedule around 8pm.

However, the one that took off from Idu in Abuja, ran into the explosives planted by the terrorists.

A passenger on the train called for help in a tweet.

“Please this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnapper’s planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined,” the passenger, identified as Anas Iro Danmusa, twitted from the train.

He added: “We are helpless on the Abuja to Kaduna train. Gunshots still being fired right around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8pm, we have been here, between Katari and Rijina. I am a living witness”.

In another message, the passenger announced the arrival of the security forces at the scene.

“Alhamdulillah! (Glory be to God!), the soldiers are with us. We are safe!!!” he twitted.

The Kaduna-bound train was attacked between Katari and Rijana in Kaduna State. No fewer than 900 passengers were said to be on board. This could not be officially verified.

Confirming the incident to The Nation in a telephone chat, NRC Managing Director Fidet Okhiria said: “It is true but we don’t know the details yet.

“We cannot give you much information now but most of the passengers have gone into hiding and they cannot be giving information, but there are reports of gunshots, continued gunshots as the train stopped.

“If we have more details, we will get it across but I will be in Abuja tomorrow because of this incident.”

Anxious Nigerians took to their Twitter handles to make clarification and confirmation.

The former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani in multiple Tweets called on Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to confirm the incident.

“Train; @Official_NRC please confirm if everything is ok,”

Read Also: Residents, vigilantes, security forces kill 100 terrorists in Niger community

Sani also said he has been trying to reach a number of passengers on the train without getting through to them.

He added that villagers who confirmed the incident said they heard multiple gunshots from afar in the forest.

“We have been trying to call the numbers of passengers in the Kaduna-Abuja train but it’s not connecting @Official_NRC.

“Villagers along Abuja-Kaduna road called to confirm hearing multiple gunshots and attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by terrorists”.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan in a statement issued around 11:00pm, said: “Troops secure Abuja-Kaduna train trapped by terrorists.”

He added that, some of the passengers who sustained injuries had been rushed to the hospital, while efforts were on to convey other passengers from the location.

Aruwan said: “Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that the military has secured the Kaduna bound train from Abuja trapped by terrorists.

“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas.

“Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made to the area to secure the passengers on board.

“Efforts are ongoing to convey the passengers from the location and others that sustained injuries have been rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention.

“The Government of Kaduna State will be liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking.

“This is to acquire an accurate inventory of all passengers and their actual status.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i who has been in constant touch with the security forces, commended them for their prompt response, and thanked them for successfully securing the train and passengers on board.

“Security forces continue to comb the general area in additional rescue efforts.

“Emerging developments will be communicated to the public,” he said.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim have added their personal voices to the growing calls for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

The duo said the South deserved the ticket, not only for their massive support and contributions to the growth of the party, but in the interest of equity and fairness.

The  Rivers State governor however, said he would not challenge the PPD if it zones the presidential slot to the North. But the former Senate President  stated that any candidate that emerged from the South would be “agreeable.”

They pointed out that the founding fathers of   PDP, knowing the complexities and diversities of the country, made provision for zoning..

The two prominent PDP members, who are both presidential aspirants,  spoke at different fora yesterday.

Fielding questions from Channels Politics Today,  Wike disagreed with some aspirants, who claim that there is no zoning in the party.

Quoting a relevant section of the PDP’s constitution on zoning, the governor stressed that it was selfish for anybody in the party to deny the arrangement (zoning) because of personal ambition.

He recalled that there was an agreement to zone the presidency to the North in 2018/2019 and to the South in 2023, saying that people should learn to honour pacts.

The governor said: “I was part of the arrangement in 2018/2019. We agreed to zone the ticket to the North in 2017 and then, I supported Governor(Aminu) Tambuwal.

“And because of the deal, which is covered by our party’s constitution, no Southerner in PDP competed for that post in 2019.”

However, he said as a party man, if  the PDP opts  to zone the slot  to the North, he will abide by it.

Wike added: “What I don’t like is for people not to be sincere.  At least, some people should say that we have this agreement.

But, as a party man, if my party decides to give the ticket to a Northerner, I will abide by the party’s decision as I have no other party to go to.”

“But for equity, fairness and justice, zoning should be done. What I dislike is the denial by some highly influential persons within the party, who are saying that zoning does not matter.

“I am not vying for the Presidency based on the zoning principle, but I am showing interest because I believe I have the capacity.

“For equity, fairness and justice, zoning should be done.”

Read Also: Saraki, Tambuwal, Bala takes consensus campaign to Atiku

Asked if it was appropriate to zone the presidential slot to the South, given that the last President   (Goodluck Jonathan) produced by the PDP was from the region, Wike said such an argument did not hold water. He argued that zoning applied to the entire country and not to a party.

The governor took exemption to the argument that no PDP candidate from the South would match another Southern candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike said the results of the past elections showed that the PDP had most of the votes from the South, recalling that in the last election, APC could not get 25 per cent of votes cast in Rivers States.

He explained that he was running for the Presidency because he believed he had the capacity to unseat the APC in 2023.

In Jos, Anyim cautioned the PDP against abandoning its zoning principle.

Like Wike, he recalled that the founding fathers of the party embraced zoning with the primary goals of stabilising the country and promoting fairness and equity among its diverse ethnic groups.

He described zoning as the ‘l cord’ that holds Nigeria together, saying any attempt to thaw the cord could affect the fortunes of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, especially the presidential poll.

He pointed out that without zoning, it would be a near impossibility for the Southeast and Northcentral to produce a president.

Anyim said: “If power doesn’t rotate, it may not come to the Southeast and Northcentral. Both the Southeast and Northcentral have a stake in this matter. Zoning or rotation is very imperative. There’s no zone in this country that does not have competent people to rule Nigeria. Our two zones (Southeast and Northcentral) have been marginalised, suppressed and disregarded.

“Every part of this country is important in winning the presidential election.  President (Muhammadu)  Buhari contested three times and did not win. He only won in 2015 when the South supported him. No group or section can do it alone. And for a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, it is the cord that holds the country together. Anytime one section or a part is not on the table, you are asking for trouble.

“If we want to win this election, we should respect zoning. Also the only winning formulae that I have known are fairness, equity and justice. Anytime you don’t do these, God is not with you, you won’t have your way.”

Anyim recalled that the report of the PDP review committee showed that the PDP lost the presidential election in 2015 because it did not respect zoning.

He, therefore, called on  the North to allow power to rotate to the South, saying any candidate that emerges from either Southsouth, Southwest or Southeast  would be “agreeable.”

His words: “ Even the constitutional provision then could not help it. Again, we are at that point. If we don’t zone or rotate, we would lose this election, the formula to win this election is fairness, equity and justice”

“2023 is a defining moment in the history of this country. Every nation is organic, every living thing grows. What makes it grow is the people. And that is why we must have set rules, agree on standards and formulae that will bind everyone together so that they can be committed to nation-building”

Anyim, who promised to unite the country and guarantee equity, justice and fairness if elected, said Nigeria deserved the best.

 

Many persons were feared abducted after suspected terrorists attacked a Abuja-Kaduna train with 970 passengers on board.

The incident reportedly took place around Katari and Rijina area of Kaduna on Monday night.

Katari and Rijina is 85 Km – Distance to Abuja.

Former Senator representing Kaduna Kaduna Central Shehu Sani tweeted he has been trying to reach a number of passengers on the train without success.

He claimed that villagers who confirmed the incident said they heard multiple gunshots from afar in the forest.

“We have been trying to call the numbers of passengers in the Kaduna-Abuja train but it’s not conne

A passenger, Anas Iro Danmusa, who tweeted from the train, confirmed the incident.

He tweeted: “Please this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives in the engines have been ruined.

“We are helpless. Abuja to Kaduna train. Gunshots still been fired right around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8pm we have benn here. Between Katari and Rijina. I am a living witness. ”

He later tweeted that soldiers have arrived the scene of the train to rescue some of the passengers.

The Federal Government has accused the opposition of plans to sabotage the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and overheat the polity.

It claimed that the opposition was trying to trigger another EndSARS protest in the country.

It also faulted attempt by the opposition to declare the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) illegal.

It queried why the opposition cannot wait till 2023 poll to test its popularity.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, who raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja, asked the opposition not to promote anarchy.

Mohammed said: “As you know, the folks on the other side have been doing everything in recent times to overheat the polity, distort the achievements of our Administration and spread misinformation.

” Yes, it is very cold out there for the hungry and desperate opposition, but every indication is that they don’t even want to wait for the 2023 elections before testing their popularity or acceptability at the polls.

” How else does one explain their court case seeking the declaration of our convention as illegal? How do you explain their threat of another EndSARS that pushed Nigerians to the brink? How do you explain their glaring misinformation regarding the nation’s state of affairs?

Read Also: #EndSARS: Lekki toll gate reopens April 1

“Gentlemen, there is nothing wrong in having a fiery and viable opposition in a democracy. We were there before and we remain the ones to beat in terms of determined, viable and relentless opposition.  But, in our time, not once did we advocate the destruction of Nigeria just because we couldn’t have our way.

“Not once did we seek to gain power via a desperate court action. If you destroy the country you are seeking to govern, what country will you govern? Must you cut your nose to spite your face?

” In their most recent act of desperation, they sought to erase seven years of unprecedented achievements by the Buhari Administration. In the most egregious show of shamelessness and a blatant refusal to be remorseful, they even had the audacity to express righteous indignation that the damage they inflicted on the country in their 16 years of misrule has not been totally undone in just seven years.

“In other words, those who brought the country to its knees are now accusing those working hard to repair things of non-performance. They said they are ready to rescue Nigeria. Pray, where do kidnappers rescue their victims? These same guys who

kidnapped the fortunes of their country are suddenly posing as rescuers. Caveat Emptor. Buyers beware! Nigerians Beware!”

“We are not under any illusion that they will stop their misrepresentation.

“No, because in their desperation to return to complete their demolition work on Nigeria, these folks will stop at nothing to paint us bad.

“But the good news is that Nigerians remain traumatized by their 16-year misrule, and will not return to ‘Egypt’ by allowing the ‘demolition gang’ back to office. In the meantime, let them present their 16-year stewardship in all the areas we have listed above and let Nigerians judge!”

Two operatives have been feared killed when gunmen bombed Obowo Police Division with explosives on Monday morning.

They also bombed the police transit camp in the area where some damages were recorded.

But the Imo Police Command said apart from the minimal damage on the transit camp and a vehicle, no life was lost during the attack.

It also said the police operative who sustained minor gun shot injury has been treated.

Other officers who sustained injuries have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for immediate medical attention, it was gathered.

A source said that the attack lasted for about three hours.

The source added that the gunmen used explosives to bomb the station after they ambushed and overpowered the officers.

“The attack started around 2:am and lasted for about three hours, we had the sound of various firearms and dynamites during the attack.

“Police re-enforcement came after the attackers had fled the station but we do not know if they carted away riffles in the station,”he said.

However Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of Operation, DCP Mama Giwa, who visited the scene around 7am, commended the officers for their gallantry and advised them not to relent in their efforts in combating violent crimes in the State.

Read Also: Terrorists abduct Catholic Priest, others in Niger

The Nation reports the latest attack brings to four such incidenf in March with no fewer than seven officers killed.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Command, CSP Michael Abattam CSP alleged that latest bombing was carried out by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB )/ Eastern Security Network ( ESN ).

“They came in their numbers from the rear of the division, which is an ungoverned forest, threw petrol bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices(IED) that fell on the transit camp where police men stays temporarily before getting accommodation and hit a vehicle while shooting sporadically, he told our Correspondent.

“Engaging the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, we prevented them from gaining entrance to the station and in the process forced the hoodlums into retreating and they escaped back into the forest with various degrees of bullet wounds.

“The police operatives gave them a hot chase and while combing the bush the following items were recovered on the spot: three(3) undetonated Explosives, four(4) expended AK 47 rifles, ammunition, five(5) live cartridges, thirty three(33) expended cartridges, two mask, one pump action gun and a motor saw machine,” he said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the request for bail by two Inspectors of Police – Simon Agirgba and John Nuhu – charged with suspended DCP Abba Kyari on offences of illegal dealing in drugs.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Monday held that the prosecution has successfully established why bail should not be granted the two defendants.

Read Also: BREAKING: Court refuses Abba Kyari, ACP Ubua bail over alleged drug deal

Justice Nwite held that having considered the affidavit evidence supplied by parties and proof of evidence, he was convinced that the prosecution has successfully raised reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the defendants.

The judge granted an accelerated hearing of the case.

In the two rulings read by the judge on Monday morning, he declined bail to Kyari, Ubua, Agirgba and Nuhu.

Details Shortly…