A classic Christmas stage play by Christmas Free Gift International Film and Theater Ministry focusing on the lessons of Christmas entitled “Roaring Lion” will be performed at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, Monday and Tuesday concurrently.
Written and directed by Ayotunde Yoloye, the play features veteran actress Banke Amole-Adams, Elijah Edet, Osei Matthew Okoduwa, Eric Amole-Adams and a guest appearance by Modupe Adeniran.
Roaring Lion tells the story of how Bamidele Lawson meets a girl online and seeks to take their relationship to the next level by arranging a physical meeting with her at Christmas.
With an ongoing epidemic in the land that threatens to degenerate into a global pandemic, his mother is opposed to any such meeting and so Bamidele seeks the help of a friend to make it happen. However his perfect plan to meet Tonia slowly begins to unravel in a high stakes saga of lies, deceit and blackmail that threatens to consume him.
Free GIFT Ministry has emerged over the years as a model for high impact, well performed Christian plays and films that minister the profound truth of God’s word effectively.
Many people were feared dead In Ugbakwu at Eha-Amufu, Enugu, on a Sunday afternoon after a confrontation between indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and some gunmen.
The clash reportedly began around 5pm when some the guunmen disrupted an IPOB gathering at the Eha Market Square beside community secondary school Ugbakwu with the aim of dispersing the group and making arrests.
The situation escalated as the gunmen allegedly overpowered the IPOB members and proceeded to target the leader, Obiajulu Ejimede.
According to eyewitnesses, he was the head of the group who stood firm for freedom.
In response, a heavily armed security team, including the Police, Army and DSS, arrived in several patrol vehicles and launched a crackdown on the scene.
Gunfire and tear gas filled the area, spanning St. Joseph Catholic Church along the Old Mba Road.
Eyewitnesses described the premises of St Joseph Catholic Church as chaotic, with reports of violence and bloodshed, as fleeing IPOB members and the gunmen were pursued. The violence disrupted the environment, causing serious death and injuries.
The incident started on December, 2022 at Eha-amufu community, in Isi-Uzo local government where residents discovered the bodies of residents with bullet wounds after armed men attacked their community.
This made the community to start pointing hands and accusing Obiajulu Ejimede who was the main leader of the gathering, for organising the protest.
He was involved in the protest to champion the creation of Biafra Republic but there was misunderstanding when the gunmen ambushed the protesters causing the military and police to intervene.
They later opened fire, killing several of them. He died from a gunshot wound.
The community blamed Ejimede and claimed they had tried to warn him against organising the protest because they feared it might result in violence in their community, but he did not listen.
Armed plain clothed men have also allegedly visited the community to trace members of his family after his dead body was found on 22nd December. They have also taken some young men for questioning and are yet to return them.
A source from the community said many youths have fled the community, which has become a ghost of itself because the youths of the community now fear for their safety.
Among some of the youths that are running for their lives are Ifeanyi Asogwa, Afamefuna Ude, Obiajulu Ejimede son named Emeka Emmanuel Ejimede, Uchenna Umeh and Azubuike Okereke and others.
A leader of a community, Ogbuabor Samuel, also confirmed the attack. “Several people have been killed, at least we have recovered the bodies of ten people,” he said.
“As I speak to you, we are combing bushes in search of those killed. I can’t tell now the exact number of people killed as we are still combing the bushes,” another source said.
Enugu police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development.
He said: “Sketchy report at my disposal shows that there was an attack, but the assailants were repelled by a joint Police and Army Team that is currently tracking them.”
A human rights activist, Mrs. Marjorie Ezihe, has kicked against any legislation offering special consideration to female politicians based on gender.
She said such ‘soft landing’ would only give opportunities for the emergence of mediocre.
Ezihe said what the women needed were security, safety, as well as a level playing field for healthy competition with their male counterparts.
She spoke in Awka, Anambra State, at a one day capacity building training in Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women, organised by Women Situation Room Nigeria (WSRN).
Ezihe said: “There shouldn’t be different set of rules for women and for men. It should be based on qualifications and competence. The standard should not be lowered to favour women. That’s not the way to go. Otherwise you won’t get the best.
“Leadership is reserved for the best. Women should be able to compete with men. Let the natural playing field be made safe so the best can be thrown up. Government business is to provide an enabling environment.”
Ezihe, the executive coordinator, Sisters with a Goal Initiative, refuted the alleged assertion that failure of female politicians in securing election victory was based on hatred by their fellow women.
She described such arguments as erroneous and misleading, saying they were being peddled by male politicians for their selfish interests.
She said it was high time such erroneous narratives were discredited and jettisoned, to ensure women were kept where they truly belonged.
“I’m not just a lover of human beings, but a supporter of women. I don’t believe in the narrative that women hate themselves.
“A woman has a natural affinity with a fellow woman because she believes her realities, goes through the same challenges and a natural support base of her fellow woman.
“It’s a mischievous narrative being pushed out by men to be able to remove basic vital ingredients from women and it’s high time we began to discredit and jettison that narrative to keep the women where they belong,” she added.
The state Coordinator, WSRN and the Executive Director, Integrated Anti-human Trafficking and Community Development Initiative (INTACOM), Africa, Okoye Hope, said the body aimed at increasing women substantive participation in political process and conflict prevention, in accordance with UNSCR 1325.
She said: “The goal of the WSRN is to ensure elections in Nigeria are peaceful and women and youth play substantive role in sustaining and building peace in communities, states and at the national level.
“Governance can be said to be effective when it is all inclusive, providing for citizens of all cadres and is not a reserve of a select few. UN’s CEDAW is clear about gender mainstreaming as far as politics is concerned.
“Women’s participation in politics needs to be increased in Anambra State.”
The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, has said human beings cannot thank God enough.
He urged residents not to stop praying for the success of the Godwin Obaseki administration.
Ogie, a lawyer, represented by a Permanent Secretary in SSG’s Office, Mrs. Deborah Enakhimion, solicited support for the administration yesterday while speaking at the annual thanksgiving service of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Deliverance Centre, Benin.
He said: “Without God, we can do nothing. I am aware that many Edo residents are interceding for the state government and Governor Obaseki. Please, do not relent in your prayers and support.”
The SSG, who said it was important to give thanks to God, supported the programme with N1million.
The planter of the church, Prophet John Odigie, accompanied by his wife, Evang. Eunice Odigie and the District Superintendent, Pastor Festus Odunayo, urged people to strive to make heaven.
He said he would continue to tell the truth.
The guest preacher, Pastor Peter Edioma, who took scriptural text from Luke 17:12-19, titled his sermon: “The Blessing of Gratitude.”
Edioma, who is also the vice- president of United Pastors Prayer Association (UPPA), described himself as the spiritual son of the renowned Prophet Odigie in the last 30 years.
He advised worshippers and their guests to be grateful to God and human beings.
A Niger Delta group, the Ijaw Defenders Mandate (IDM), has dismissed a “vote of no confidence” passed in the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), by a coalition of Isoko youths last Thursday.
In a statement made available to reporters in Warri at the weekend, IDM berated Isoko youths, who also called for the “resignation” of the PAP boss.
The statement, signed by the group’s spokesman, Solomon Igbanwei, said the youth might be ignorant of the modus operandi of the Amnesty programme.
The youth had frowned at the PAP chief for perceived failure to absorb youths of Isoko ethnic nationality into the programme.
But stressing that Ndiomu was the best thing that had ever happened to the Amnesty programme, Igbanwei said Ndiomu had no power to admit people into the programme, hence no one should attack him on such basis.
He said Amnesty programme was not structured along ethnic lines, but a programme that was born out of a struggle for which its actors were admitted to the programme.
“People should understand the difference between Amnesty programme and other intervention agencies in the Niger Delta.
“While the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Niger Delta Ministry were created for the development of the region, PAP was created to accommodate only those that took arms against the Federal Government to resist the alleged age-long oppression in the Nigerian state, in 2009.
“Consequently, there was a time limit given to the ex-agitators to lay down their arms to be part of the programme.
“Many processes, from laying down of arms, to enlisting of ex-agitators into the programme, to training and empowerment and what have you.
“There is serious documentation regarding activities in the PAP. Ndiomu is only working on laid down scripts. He does not have the power to include anyone besides the aforementioned processes. People should get their facts straight before rushing to the media,” Igbanwei said.
The statement advised Maj.-Gen. Ndiomu not to be distracted by such persons, noting that right thinking Niger Deltans were proud of his productive leadership in his few months in office.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has blamed alleged withdrawal of operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to him on rivalry with men of Nigeria Police.
A socio-political group, Osun Shall Rise Again (OSRA), in a statement through its Secretary and Chairman, Saheed Bakare and Lanre Akeju, said DSS operatives were withdrawn from the governor for insulting them despite attempts by the DSS headquarters to stop him from disrespecting its men.
The group said Governor Adeleke had been begging the DSS leadership for reinstatement of the operatives, promising not to disrespect them again.
OSRA said: “It is unfortunate that Governor Adeleke’s unguarded utterances have made DSS to withdraw its personnel from him. Despite that a top official of the department called to caution the governor, they (Adeleke and his sister) insulted the officers. The development angered the DSS headquarters and after making contacts, they decided to withdraw their personnel.
“After the withdrawal, the governor pleaded with the DSS command for another chance. He is expected in Abuja on Monday (today), where he will explain himself and reassure the DSS that he can be trusted with their officers.”
Adeleke, through his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, attributed the alleged withdrawal of the operatives to the rivalry between men of the DSS and the Police.
Lagos will deploy nature-based solution to tackle flood and other effects of climate change from 2023, it has been learnt.
The Director (Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources) in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mahmood Adegbite, made this known at a review of the Y2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) for Lagos.
He represented the permanent secretary.
Adegbite said the introduction of nature-based solution would help to attenuate flood water that got into the drains.
This, he said, would require the participation of every household.
Adegbite said: “Everything we have been doing before now is either structural or engineering-related. But, in 2023, we will introduce nature-based solution where every household will be required to collect rain water and reuse or throw away after the rains must have stopped.
“In the last two years, our constructions have been featuring roof gutters, and looking back at what we did in the 70s where people collected rain water in buckets. Now we want to reintroduce that by urging the people to collect rain water and reuse or throw away, but after the rain. We are still working on the modalities to make more fitting. We know that more rains are coming, and we understand the peculiarities of Lagos, so we want to play these things to our advantage.”
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage and Water Resources, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the flood forecasting system with automatic weather stations, which was established in three pilot areas, was a major help to combat flooding in 2022.
“We also established a flood monitoring system with installation of River Gauge Stations in Ikoyi and Ikorodu to produce early warning of flooding on rivers, creeks and their surrounding communities. We didn’t stop at data gathering and warnings, we also embarked on a comprehensive all year-round cleaning and maintenance dredging of drainage channels/canals, reclamation of right of ways (RoW) of drainage alignments, construction of new drainages, as well as public awareness campaign aimed at re-orientating the people on dumping waste in drainages.
“Our preparation paid off because while many parts of the country were devastated by flood, Lagos, despite its peculiarities, has coped well. Reviewing the Y2022 SCP will afford us a self-assessment, especially in the Global Climate Change Era and the challenges it poses. It is especially necessary due to its impact, which is mostly felt at the communal level, comprising already vulnerable individuals,” he added.
Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) Prof. Mansur Matazu hailed Lagos for acting on the SCP and also taking proactive actions to mitigate negative effects of climate change.
Matazu, represented by Adeleke Oyegade, noted that the review was important to highlight anticipatory action and disaster preparedness.
He said it was also “to promote and support early actions against the whims of weather and climate change, provide hydrometeorological predictions and advisories with sufficient lead ahead of these events, which is critical to mitigating threats, building climate resilience and ensuring sustainable development.”
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, has promised to implement social security and welfare programmes if elected.
He spoke in Asaba during the inauguration of a 42-member campaign council.
Ogboru described his social contract with ‘Deltans’ as the jubilee agenda, which he said encapsulated the party’s seven-point programme, focusing on reforms and development in education, housing, agriculture, environment and youth development.
He said over the years, local governments had suffered underdevelopment, promising to give N200million monthly to each of the 25 local governments, which would amount to N5billion monthly.
Ogboru said an APGA government would implement a free and functional education at the primary and secondary school levels.
He pledged to empower youths by generating employment, saying he would eradicate poverty and improve the well-being of ‘Deltans’ so they could reach their potential towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Chairman of APGA Campaign Council, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, Director General Chief Wilson Okpubigho, Secretary Chidi Okonji and Director Women Affairs and other members of the councils as well as coordinators from the 25 local governments were inaugurated.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned corps members to be involved in the 2023 general election, to shun electoral malpractices.
Acting Director General Mrs. Christy Uba gave the warning at the weekend while addressing corps members during their cultural carnival at the permanent orientation camp at Umuawulu/Mbaukwu in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State.
She said NYSC would not shield any corps member found culpable of electoral offences, but would hand over such persons to the state for prosecution.
Uba said the exercise was voluntary, urging the corps members to remain neutral and apolitical, as well as good ambassadors of their institutions, families and the scheme.
She said: “For those of you who want to participate in the coming elections, know that it’s an ad-hoc assignment and you must be neutral and apolitical. Don’t participate in any wrong manner. Remember you’re not politicians.
“If you fell foul of any electoral law, you’re going to prison and NYSC won’t cover you up. Once they come for you, we surrender you to the state to handle. We don’t want to lose any of you. Your parents love you and we love you too.”
Uba, who was conferred with the title, Nnedioranma 1 of Anambra, by corps members, emphasised the place of discipline and obedience among corps members to the rules guiding the scheme. She said their welfare would remain top in NYSC agenda.
She added: “You must be security conscious in view of the prevailing security challenges across the country. Security is now everybody’s business. Be of good conduct and don’t cut corners because it doesn’t pay. Shun cultism and cybercrime. Drug addictions will destroy you.
“Avoid unnecessary journey. If you must travel, obtain permission. Avoid night travels and free rides, especially the ladies. Make new friends and build bridges. Stay back in the state and learn some of their skills.
“Always communicate properly, using available communication channels. Don’t use social media while seeking redress. Find time to read our by-laws so you don’t run into trouble.”
The state Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Iruma, described the occasion as a special day set aside for celebrating diverse Nigerian culture, saying all culture were represented at the camp.
“What unites us as a people is much more than what divides us. This is why we’re identifying the similarities despite the differences in our culture,” she said.
Iruma thanked the Acting DG for the visit despite her tight schedule, describing it as home coming.
Bayelsa State Government has said available statistics and data showed that farmers were losing about 60 per cent of their harvest because of lack of accessibility to the market.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Chief David Alagoa spoke at the weekend at a sensitisation workshop in Yenagoa.
He said the only way to succeed was to sensitise those in the rural communities on the benefits of the Bayelsa State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Projects (RAAMP).
Alagoa said RAAMP’s objective was to improve rural access and agricultural marketing as well as strengthen institutional base for effective development through maintenance and management of rural roads network.
He said RAAMP had carried out a sensitisation programme for stakeholders on their roles for effective implementation, noting that the government had met the criteria for the take-off of the programme.
Alagoa said the inauguration of the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) and the release of the state counterpart fund by Governor Douye Diri attested to the fact that agriculture was a major plank to which the government was anchored upon.
He said most projects failed because of inadequate sensitisation programme, adding that RAAMP would take the sensitisation of the rural communities, which were the ultimate beneficiaries of the project, seriously.
He said the project would adopt a strategic approach towards sensitisation in order to bring a wider cross-section of stakeholders on the same page for the success of the programme.
The commissioner said: “Available statistics and data reveal that a lot of farmers are losing about 60 per cent of their harvest because of lack of accessibility to market.”
