The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sunday magazine

  • Nursing mother paralysed by falling electric pole seeks justice

    Nursing mother paralysed by falling electric pole seeks justice

    A mother of two paralysed by a falling electric pole that smashed her and her baby into a gutter in the Okota neighbourhood, Lagos State is demanding justice and compensation from the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), KUNLE AKINRINADE reports.

    Muyibat Bisola Onilude was a bubbly resident of Agbeke Street, off Ofokaire Road in the Okota area of Lagos until a defective wooden electricity pole fell on her and rendered her paralysed.

    She said the pole fell on its own and landed on her while she was returning from work with the seven-month-old daughter she picked up from school.

    She recalled that both she and her baby were pushed into a gutter that was flooded as a result of a downpour that occurred in the morning.

    Muyibat said: “I worked on Lagos Island and was returning from work on the evening of July 20, 2018, and I decided to pick up my child from school.

    “While I was walking on the road that led to my residence with my child, a wooden electricity pole suddenly fell on me, pushing me and my child into a big nearby gutter and pressing my head down in the gutter.

    “That is the last thing I remember as I went into coma for four months at the hospital.

    “When I got out of coma, I was told my child was safe. I was also told that it was a young man who alerted older residents, including some Hausa security men, who rescued me and my child from the gutter.

    “I was taken to Isolo General Hospital and transferred to LUTH where I underwent series of surgeries.

    “My neck was fractured and an implant had to be done to restore my broken neck.

    “However, I have since become paralysed and I can no longer feed myself except I get help from my carers.

    “My family members had got in touch with the nearby branch of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company around Okota-Isolo Road.

    “Sadly, operatives of the electricity company returned to the scene at night to remove the fallen wooden pole to cover their tracks.

    “Now doctors say about N32 million should be provided for another round of surgery to put me in shape again and aid my mobility.

    “A hospital based in Chicago, United States of America (USA) is where the surgery would take place. We have been given a referral to the hospital. ”

    A witness, Mallam Musa, explained that Muyibat, popularly called Mama Aishat, was in the gutter for a long time before she was rescued.

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    “The woman used to be hale and hearty until the incident occurred. I was there when the it all happened.

    “A certain old man brought her out of the gutter with her baby and took her to Isolo General Hospital.

    “The incident occurred around 6 pm, but it was not until around 7.40 pm that a man who was in his car noticed that the woman was lying face down inside the gutter with her child.

    “I immediately joined the man and I was able to identify the woman to be Mama Aishat.

    “We both carried her into the man’s vehicle and took her to Isolo General Hospital where she was rejected and transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba in Mushin area of Lagos.

    “Her father also joined us in taking her to LUTH. She was in coma for several weeks. It took several hours before she was given a bed space at LUTH.

    “From around 8 pm when we got there, she was not allocated a bed space until around midnight.

    “It was just God who saved her life, because people thought she had died after the incident.”

    Another witness identified simply as Ngozi said: “For hours,  no one knew what was happening until a certain Hausa grocery seller noticed she was in the gutter with her daughter.

    “It was an electric pole that smashed her and her baby into the gutter, and it is only God that has kept her alive.

    “She is a good woman, although I am an Igbo and she is Yoruba.

    “I lived in the area before I got married, but I still run my shop on the street.

    “She went to pick her child  up from school and was returning home when an electric pole fell on her shortly after a downpour on the fateful day.

    “It was the people around that brought her out of the gutter, and since then, she has been paralysed and unable to walk or stand up.”

    A petition written by Muyibat’s lawyer, Omobolaji Adejumo of Adedoyin Akanke Chamber, Lagos, urged the authorities of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to pay N5 billion as damages for the disability suffered by Muyibat, arising from the company’s failure to fix its defective wooden pole that has cost the mother of two her health.

    The petition dated August 22, 2024 and titled ‘CALLOUS NEGLIGENCE OF IKEDC RESULTING IN THE PERMANENT PHYSICAL DISABILITY OF MRS GIDADO MUYIBAT BISOLA NEE ONILUDE, FEMALE, 34 YEARS OLD,’ reads in part: “We act as a counsel to Mrs. Onilude Muyibat Bisola, hereinafter referred to as our client, and on whose brief and instruction we write to you.

    “It is our brief that on the 20th day of July 2018, our Client was on her way back from work with her child in Okota axis, particularly at Agbeke Street via Ofokaire link Road where the faulty electricity wooden pole from which you had previously detached the electric cable due to complaint from your consumers as to its defectiveness and instability.

    ”Upon the said removal of the cable you failed to remove the defective and unstable pole or take measures to prevent or to adequately control the exposure to the risk of the pole falling and landing on innocent bystanders or commuters so as to prevent avoidable injury to members of the public.

    “This negligence on your part led to the faulty wooden pole falling heavily on our client and thereby rendering her physically incapacitated.

    “At all times material to this unfortunate and avoidable incident our client was backing her then seven months old child who through this unfortunate incident has been denied the warmth, love and affection of a mother to child as the mother is physically incapable of taking care of herself and the child

    “Immediately after the incident, our client was taken to Isolo General Hospital from where she was referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) due to the severe nature of the injury sustained.

    “She was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital[LUTH} at Idi Araba where she was in coma for months.

    The petition noted that the electricity distribution company was informed about the incident by the relatives of the victim, but they turned deaf ears to Muyibat’s plight and abandoned her to her fate.

    “The family members of our client visited your office while she was in coma and informed your office about the incident but you demonstrated an unparalleled corporate arrogance and nonchalance towards the wellbeing of our client.

    “Instead, you chose to cover up your criminal negligence by surreptitiously removing the pole and its stub in the dead of the night.

    “At Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos, our client was diagnosed with body paralysis, burst fracture of vertebral body, lamina and pedicles with traumatic spondylolisthesis, with features of associated compressive myelopathy and mild traumatic brain injury.

    “Our client was admitted and had supportive care over the ensuing eight (8) weeks while being worked up for rehabilitative surgery. At surgery, she had C4/C5 corpectomy and fusion with iliac crest graft and anterior cervical plates.

    “Following her discharge a month afterward with no significant neurological or motor improvement, our client was placed on out-patient follow-up and due to seizures observed four (4) months post-discharge she was commenced on anti-epileptic medications by the neurologist.”

    Explaining the present condition of Muyibat and the need to give her proper care, Adejumo noted that there was the need for special caregiving for the mother of two whose marriage had also broken down due to the incident.

    He therefore demanded the sum of N5 billion as damages for the victim.

    “Our client incurs a lot of expenses on treatment, surgery, medications and salary of caregivers.

    “All these expenses are just a fraction of what she has expended so far since the incident.

    “Presently, our client’s whole body is paralysed and in severe pain. She is unable to perform her day-to-day activities without assistance, and she is unable to feed, bathe or move any part of her body. All these are done by her retinue of caregivers.

    “Our client urinates with the aid of a catheter, is incapable of engaging in sexual activity, and also suffers from a fractured neck, inability to sleep at night due to severe pain and her body temperature drops drastically at intervals.

    “Basically, the incident which occurred due to the negligence of your company and its staff has destabilised our client’s life, deprived her of basic life enjoyment, and ability to carry out her work as an artist who paints and designs thereby losing her means of livelihood.

    “She cannot make use of the normal public transit. She books online app driver (Uber), which is beyond her financial capacity.”

    He added: “Due to this incident, our client’s marriage has broken down irretrievably and is on the extreme edge of collapse due to her inability to perform her conjugal duties and responsibilities in her marriage, thereby making our client physically, psychologically and emotionally traumatised due to the negligence of your company and its staff who failed to carry out their duty diligently.

    “We aver that our client suffered unimaginable physical, emotional, psychological and financial damage as a result of the negligence of your company and its staff.

    “Our client will require 24-hour round-the-clock nursing and medical care, mobility aids, a special diet, a specially adaptive home suitable for her condition, drugs and medication, regular checkups, emergency medical care etc.

    “In consequence of the above, we demand that the sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (five billion naira) be paid to our client as damages for all the losses suffered as a result of your negligence.

    “We demand that the said amount be paid promptly and timeously into the firm’s account as provided thus.

    “We are open to exploring out-of-court settlement upon compliance with our demands in the way and manner agreed upon without room for any deviation.

    “Should you fail, refuse or neglect to accede to our demand, we would with or without further recourse to you institute a legal action against your company.”

  • Support for small businesses can boost economy, says Olu-Alo, empowers 1,500 SMEs

    Support for small businesses can boost economy, says Olu-Alo, empowers 1,500 SMEs

    The planter of CAC Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain World-wide, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo has appealed to government to scale up financial and other support to small and medium scale business owners. 

    He said giving more resources to the small and medium scale owners will enhance and boost the country’s economy.

    The cleric also advised Nigerians and the government to return to agriculture, saying the no amount approved as new minimum wage for workers  would ever be enough for them.

    The founder of Adamimogo FM Nigeria spoke at Jesus City, Lekki, Lagos during the “Sure Mercy of David” programme where about 1,500 people were trained on different skills/vocations and empowered with several millions.

    Some of the skills learned were security doors installation with equipment, catering, snacks making, craft, cloth dyeing, adire and weaving among others.

    A physically challenged was got a wheelchair from a man, who also gave the wife N500,000 to start a business. The man also offered to sponsor return of four persons to Europe.

    Speaking further on the empowerment of small and medium scale businesses owners to boost the economy, he said: “They can help in many ways. It is not government that is producing the goods being imported into our country from China, government is the one producing goods coming from India and even in Turkey. I have been to all these countries.

    “These individuals  are getting contracts from their very small shops and produce stuff according to the the resources at their disposal. Instead of importing goods from abroad , if these small scale business owners are encouraged, what they are producing here  can be useful for our country Nigeria which will bring comfort. 

    “For instance, looking at the kind of clock made by our people here, one will think there were imported from overseas. If they are doing it and the politicians are buying  and promoting them as  a way of encouraging them, it will be acceptable to the people.

    “They should be buying them and  present them as gifts to the people. The youths producing them will be encouraged to do more and will serve as good source of livelihood for them. Others that are trained  will also have something to do and all of these will have great impact on our economy”.

    Olu-Alo who posited that such will go a long way to reduce crimes, said: “Like in Turkey, the government and big successful companies there, will gather young people, train them on different vocation and skills acquisition and whatever they produce, government will subsidize it, buy from them and sell.

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    “And there are laws on what they termed ‘hand made’ that is what is made with hands, it is always more expensive than what  it made through machines and other technology. They do this to get them engaged and encourage them to continue in the trade. They will also be the one giving them part of what they use to produce the goods 

    “Here we also trained people and give them machines to make foreign doors which is in vogue now. We are doing this to add value to their life and to make money. Ipf they are doing these and the government is supporting the with other tools they can use for their businesses, it will help our country and our nation will have rest .

    “Like this time we are having terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminalities in our country, it was partly as a result of unemployment and jobless that most of our youths and people are into these criminal acts.Some have already acquired skill but don’t have equipment and tools to work with, that is why we have thief’s, armed robbers, fraudsters and kidnappers all around us.

    “Some will farm, there will be no buyers for their farm produce. In most developed countries, it is the government that buy such from the farmers and store it . It  serve as encouragement for them, that is why those nation are enjoying peace and rest. 

    “But there is  hunger in the land, as we are saying there is famine in our country some food items from the farmers are wasting away. In the farms where there is road to access them, no train to reach there. Plantains, yams and other farm produce are getting spoilt because of this.

    “It means they are running their businesses at lost, when this continues, there is no way it can bring growth and development to our country. All good countries do have storage facilities for their farm produce.”

    He counselled government to partner to export farm produce and other good made in Nigeria in to encourage young producers to have good returns for what they have produced.

    On the N70, 000 new minimum wage, he urged Nigerians to return to agriculture, saying it will make them self reliant and not waiting for monthly salary that can’t take them home.

    “But before doing that , government has to do some things to stimulate and encourage the people. State government should be buying what the people produce from their farms and also give financial assistance to the farmers.

    “If each workers is given N200,000 as minimum, it won’t be enough for them to eat and  feed their families.

    “This is because the actual area where our government needs to intervene they have not attend to it . It is until they intervene in the area of farming and agriculture that they will get it right.

    “Also, the youths should be ready to take up farming and embrace agriculture.

    They should be given caterpillars, fertilizers, seedlings, farmlands and other farm implements and inputs needed by the farmers.

    “We have been calling on the people and the government to provide expanse of land for us farming, nobody has come out to give such to us. We want to use it to help them and the people. Where we signified interest, they asked us to bring money, it is not for us but we want to do it for our people and our society to grow.

    “So, people with such vision should be given  enough land and the tools to work with. Things like this will bring rest to government and they should not give us palliative,” he argued. 

    The renowned man of God, who lamented the hike in the pump price of petrol, urged the Federal Government to expedite actions on making all refineries in the country work.

    “It is unfortunate that we are an oil producing country and our people are groaning under high price of fuel. There  is urgent need for all our refineries to be fixed. That will end a situation whereby we take our crude oil to other countries to refine and brought back to the country with highest. 

    “I want to commend the government for the planned move to be exporting  the gas, that will make more funds available to the government and give source of income to Nigerian,” he said. 

    He also advised the government to dialogue with youths and ensure that reasonable demands of those bent on staging another round of protests across the country are met to ensure peace and avoid breakdown of law and other.

    Commenting on the empowerment programme, a trainer who is also a pharmacy technician, Mrs Temitope Mary Michael said: “We thank God for the life of Prophet Sam Olu Alo, a devoted man of God and a philanthropist. He facilitate” the training of these youths on resin hat. We made use of resin chemical and hardener as well as silicon mould to do this. The students were able to mould different items like, pen, key holders and a fashionable wall clock”.

    She encouraged jobless youths to learn trades and acquire skills to earn a living .

    A gospel singer, Sara Praise described Olu-Alo as a great, prayerful committed man of God  who is passionate about the ensuring that people are happy and living well, advised all Nigerians to emulate his prayer and giving life . 

    She said: “He is a giver, a philanthropist who has been assisting and helping people in diverse way. How I wish that many men of God will emulate this beautiful character, to give. So , I’m imploring every Nigerian to be prayerful, be a giver , give to the poor and that is how they will never lack in life.”

    Pastor Niyi Olanrewaju said he joined the shoemaking section to learn how to make shoe and he was successfully trained.

    He described Prophet Olu Alo as a very generous person, a selfless man of God who always look for a way of empowering people and better their life. 

    “If everybody in Nigeria, especially our politicians can emulate what Prophet Olu Alo is doing, I believe in a very short while , Nigeria will become a grace place to live in. It will become a Nigeria of our dream”. 

    He enjoined all the  unemployed people to come for empowerment programmes at Jesus City and take advantage of such opportunities to empower themselves as I have under this Sure Mercy of David 2024.

    One of the trainees, Mr Mathew Ayodele said he  thanked God and Prophet Olu Alo for the empowerment and the opportunity to be trained on foreign/security door installation.

    “I was giving equipment to work. I have been coming to the church programmes and when to called people out form skill acquisition, I came for door installation , because I had once learned welding before now. We were over 90. I have been travelling to various parts of Nigeria to do the work and thank God, I has been helping me to raise money to take of my family”.

    He is true man of God, who God is using to lift the youths and the downtrodden in our society. I pray that God will continue to bless and  lift him higher.

    “There is something about MERCY, it does not look at your pedigree neither does it consider age.

    “By MERCY the beloved ones that were brought down by witchcraft was restored by God of Prophet Olu Alo, and were also offered working Visa, accommodation and tickets to travel abroad.”

    Another beneficiaries of the empowerment programme said, “We are thrilled to commend the philanthropic efforts of Prophet Sam Olu Alo, whose selfless contributions have positively impacted numerous lives. His generosity and kindness towards those in need are a testament to his compassionate heart.

    “Prophet Alo’s philanthropic gestures have brought hope and relief to many, demonstrating his commitment to making a difference in the world. His unwavering dedication to helping others is a shining example of humanitarianism.

    “Through his philanthropic work, Prophet Alo has shown that he is a true servant of the people, always willing to lend a helping hand. His charitable efforts have touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving a lasting impact on their well-being.

    “We applaud Prophet Alo’s tireless efforts to uplift those around him, and we are grateful for his presence in our community. His philanthropic spirit is a beacon of light, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.

    “Your philanthropic endeavors have made a significant difference, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of your generosity. May your kindness be repaid tenfold, and may your legacy continue to inspire future generations.”

  • Collins Ambrose releases single ‘No one like you’

    Collins Ambrose releases single ‘No one like you’

    GOSPEL music minister Collins Ambrose has released a new single titled ‘No One Like You’.

    The audio and video are being released on the platform of Collins Ambrose ministry.

    The worship song, which has a unique sound that draws listeners into a deeper connection with God, was shot/recorded by Tayo Amele and edited by Owoyemi Michael.

    Sharing his experience with journalists, Collins  said ‘No one liike you’ was birthed from a place of intimate fellowship with God adding that the song will inspire listeners to connect with the divine in a profound and personal way, offering a fresh wave of spiritual connection and personal revelation.

    According to him: “This song is more than just a song – it’s a love letter to God, expressing adoration and reverence. With soulful lyrics and uplifting rhythms, “No One Like You” is poised to resonate with many, transforming lives and helping people draw closer to God.

     “I am excited to share this song with the world, my prayer is that it will touch hearts and inspire a deeper connection with God. I burden to see God’s people come to the knowledge of their possibilities in God and walk in it experientially.

    “This song, filled with soulful lyrics and uplifting rhythms, is expected to resonate with many, and my designer is that they experience a fresh wave of spiritual connection, and personal revelation of the possibilities in God until it is made Flesh in their lives.”

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    Born with a passion for spreading the Gospel message, Collins discovered his calling at a young age, using music as a vessel to touch hearts and souls.

    Raised in a household where hymns filled the air and harmonies resonated with spirit, Collins’s love for music was nurtured from childhood. As he grew, so did his desire to share his faith through song, igniting a fire within him to pursue a career as a Gospel artist.

    With each chord struck and every lyric penned, Collins pours his heart and soul into his music, weaving together melodies that resonate with listeners far and wide. His authentic lyrics and soul-stirring performances serve as a beacon of hope in a world hungering for truth and inspiration.

  • Church organises 21-day prayer for Nigeria

    Church organises 21-day prayer for Nigeria

    Worried by the tough economic and social situation in the country, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has been advised to double its efforts in ameliorating the suffering of Nigerians 

    The founder and General Overseer of Jesus the Ocean Divider Prayer and Healing Ministry (also known as Altar of Settlement), Evangelist Ann Ugochukwu Okoro gave the advice yesterday at the church auditorium in Okota area of Lagos during a chat with reporters on the ministry’s forthcoming 21-Midnight Online Prayer of the church which holds from September 1 to 21 2024 between 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 am each day.

    The cleric said the prayer feast would feature salvation, healing, deliverance, financial breakthrough and marital settlement, even as she noted that the prayers would be offered to plead with God to make Nigeria better.  

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    Revealing “My Season of Settlement” as the theme of the event, Evangelist Okoro noted that a lot of Nigerians are experiencing countless challenges, ranging from economic, financial, social and relationship difficulties, adding that whatever problems anybody who participated in the three-week programme “will be settled by the great Ocean Divider who parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk on dry land when their Egyptian enemies were pursuing to crush them.”

    Quoting copiously from the Acts of the Apostles chapter 16 verses 25-26, Evangelist Okoro said: “Prayer changes all ugly situations. When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they resorted to prayers and they were set free,” adding that “the significance of this is that it inspires confidence in God’s transformative power. It reminds us that no prison—physical, emotional, or spiritual—is beyond God’s ability to shake its foundations and bring about liberation.”

  • Lack of early spiritual guidance root cause of societal issues – Rev. Adigun

    Lack of early spiritual guidance root cause of societal issues – Rev. Adigun

    The District Superintendent for West and Central Africa Headquarters of the Apostolic Faith Church, Rev. Dr. Isaac Adigun, has attributed some of today’s societal issues to a lack of early spiritual guidance.

    He said that the challenges faced by adults often arise from not being introduced to the teachings of the Lord during their formative years.

    Rev. Adigun stressed that a relationship with the Lord naturally fosters responsible citizenship.

    To address this, he pointed out the church’s dedication to cultivating good citizens through its elementary department, which involves young people in church activities and instills spiritual values from a young age.

    He said: “Honestly, we have our elementary department where we teach children the word of God as well as what you have seen here today they play musical instruments and also take part in other activities of the church.

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    “We believe that when young ones, children right from that tender age are shown the way of the Lord, well, once you know the Lord you have to be a good citizen.

    “Anyways, so we believe in getting them while they are young in terms of serving God so that when they grow, their contribution to the country will be good citizens that we will all enjoy and all the problems and issues that we are having with some relative grown-ups today or even adults by the grace of God we will not have that.”

    He further compared Nigeria’s situation to that of the United Kingdom, noting that the British country experienced a turnaround when they turned to God.

    He said: “Actually it is the whole world that needs that kind of repair, not only Nigeria.

    “I was from the UK, I lived there for about 40 years before I returned to the country about 2-3 years ago and you can see the uniqueness of the situation of the whole world in terms of all of us need to return to God.

    “For those of you who may perhaps know the history of the United Kingdom it became Great Britain during the time of Welsh Revival when people turned to God. And now that people have turned their back to God you can see what is happening.

    “Now you have men getting married to men, ladies getting married to ladies, things just going out of hand.

    “So it’s not only Nigeria in terms of the situation of things just getting out of hand that we need to now go back to God in terms of telling God that we have sinned.

    “We need to rebuild that altar of our hearts in returning to God in repentance and seeking the help of God.”

    He made these remarks during an interview with the media at the 2024 church music concert, part of events to mark the annual convention held on the extensive grounds of the church-founded Crawford University in Igbesa, Ogun State.

    This year’s camp theme, “Come, Let Us Repair the Altar of the Lord,” is inspired by 1 Kings 18:30.

    The 2024 camp meeting also marks the 80th anniversary of the Apostolic Faith Church in Nigeria.

  • Church to hold lifeline global crusade in Lagos

    Church to hold lifeline global crusade in Lagos

    Nigeria United has finalised arrangements to host its Lifeline Global Crusade in Lagos, scheduled for September 12th and 14th at Jesus House Transformation Church in Surulere, Lagos.

    The event, themed “Divine Assignment,” is expected to draw thousands of Christian faithful from around the world.

    It will include Bible teachings, entrepreneurship sessions, prophetic ministrations, free medical tests, and empowerment initiatives for the less privileged.

    During a recent interview, the convener of the programme, Bishop Micaiah James Young Sr., founding pastor of The Life Center Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, stated that the crusade aims to make a meaningful impact, touch lives, and spread the gospel message of salvation.

    Bishop Young, who has travelled extensively and continues to do mission work and ministry in Nigeria, said: “There is a lot of mission work still to be done. We have areas to be reached and people to be impacted and empowered with the gospel in Nigeria. These are part of our mission to Nigeria.”

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    He posited that The Global Crusade is designed to minister to individuals who need hope and need to be given a new start in life.

    “We don’t want to just target people who know the gospel. We want to target people who don’t know. We want to give hope to people who are walking the streets aimlessly, who feel that they don’t have hope, who feel that their life is over.

    “We want to give them a reason to keep living. We want to minister to them. We want to give them tools and resources to be empowered, to take initiative, and to lead productive lives.”

    He recognises the challenges many individuals face due to their environment and circumstances, which often hinder their aspirations.

    “Sometimes, people don’t reach for anything more because of their surroundings,” Young explained: “Our goal is to minister to leaders and pastors who are in turn ministering to others. It’s challenging to offer encouragement when you aren’t encouraged yourself.”

  • Cleric empowers SMEs with multimillion start-up kits

    Cleric empowers SMEs with multimillion start-up kits

    The Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain World-wide, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has appealed to government to prioritise support for small business owners in Nigeria, saying Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play crucial role in driving economic growth and development of the nation.

    He stated that small businesses face numerous challenges, including limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, and intense competition from foreign products. 

    Speaking at a programme tagged “Sure Mercy of David” at Jesus City Camp, Lekki/Epe Express way, Lagos, the cleric, who also trained and empowered some of his congregants with multimillion start-up kits, urged government to implement policies that would boost patronage of local products, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and training programs for small business owners.

    Beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes include shoe makers, caterer, phone repairer, make-up artists, and decorators among others.

    According to the prophet, supporting small businesses would not only boost economic growth but also reduce unemployment and poverty rates. 

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    “Some of the products Nigerians imported are not made by government but individuals, SMEs have alot of impact to boost the economy of Nigeria, instead of buying goods from oversea, if we can encourage all the small busines owners, it will bring succor and relief to the current economic hardship been experience by Nigerians.

    “For instance, the wall clock that was built by the beneficiaries of the empowerment, if people like politicians can buy it, it will encourage the people to do more and they can also used the money they realise in it to feed their families, by doing this, terrorism and other criminal act will reduce drastically,” he said. 

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    He encouraged Nigerians to patronise local products, saying that there is need for conducive business environment that would enable local entrepreneurs to thrive.

    He said by doing so Nigeria can unlock its full economic potential and create a brighter future for its citizens. 

    “Government’s support would be a significant step towards reducing the country’s reliance on foreign products and promoting self-sufficiency.

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    “By working together, we can create a thriving economy that benefits all Nigerians. Government should take proactive steps to support small business owners and promote patronage of local products, thereby driving economic growth and development.

    “For instance in Turkey, their government together with big companies will assemble and train their youths, empower them and also subsidized their products and buy it from them.

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    “In oversea, there is also a law call ‘Hand Made’ which make their own local product be costly than those ones they use machine or technology to produce, meanwhile, government is the one that will give them part of materials for the product.

    “If government can also encourage them and give them material, it will help he country and unemployment is one of the causes of terrorism, robbery, kidnapping, some have their work but their is no tools for them to work,” he stated. 

  • Day Abeokuta stood still for Fola Achudume

    Day Abeokuta stood still for Fola Achudume

    Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday and Thursday, stood still as eminent Nigerians, religious leaders, and political bigwigs from across the country converged on the rock city to bid farewell to the wife of the Founder and Lead Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume.

    A first timer in Abeokuta would definitely know that something remarkable and epoch-making was going on in the relatively quiet City.

    The long convoy that welcomed the body at the popular NNPC Junction on the morning of Wednesday was a clear testament to the fact that the late Reverend Fola Achudume was well-loved and held in high esteem by many.

    The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was stood in for by his Deputy, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedelè while extolling the virtues of the late fiery cleric, described her as a true ambassador of Christ and a champion for women.

    “Reverend Achudume was an embodiment of grace and strength, committed to creating a better society,” Governor Abiodun said.

    He urged the Achudume family, members of the congregation, associates, and well-wishers to be consoled in the fact that the late ‘woman-of-many-parts’ was already resting in the bosom of her Creator.

    Read Also: Ogun, Akwa Ibom govs lead tribute as Rev. Fola Achudume got befitting burial 

    Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun,  wife of the Ogun State governor,  while paying tributes to the late preacher, explained that her preaching and ministrations were so captivating and life-changing, describing her as a  ‘General in God’s Army’ whose made impact in the vineyard of God, community and humanity as a whole would remain evergreen.

    “Her passing is a deep loss, but her legacy of love, compassion, and service will continue to inspire us all,” she remarked.

    The Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who was also on hand to honour the Achudumes showered encomiums on the late Reverend Achudume’s life of devotion and service, referring to her as an ‘Aamazon,’ whose contributions to the uplift of women and youth were very remarkable.

  • God’s grace sustains our ministry, says Edgal

    God’s grace sustains our ministry, says Edgal

    The Senior Pastor of ‘Hour of Glory and Liberation Ministry,’ which holds its programmes in Aboru area of Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, Godwin Edgal has said that God has been merciful to the ministry since it began 10 years ago.

    Edgal said in an interview with journalists during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ministry that the inter-denominational Christian congregation has enjoyed the blessings of God through deliverance from oppression, healings, blessings, salvation, answered prayers amongst others.

    According to the man of God, it takes the grace of God for a ministry to keep waxing stronger for 10 years, saying that the best was yet to come as God has promised to do more for the people.

    Read Also: Ministry unveils scorecard for sustainable growth

    “We appreciate what the Almighty God has been doing in our ministry through our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the ability of God to deliver the oppressed and make life better for the people and we look forward to more exploit in the coming years.

    “I want to thank my wife, our numerous members for their labour of love and I thank all the men of God that have been coming to minister to people during our programmes.

    “We know that our best is yet to come and that God will make the glory of the latter to be greater than that of the former,” he said, adding that salvation is free for whoever is interested.

  • MFM produces largest number of first class – Olukoya

    MFM produces largest number of first class – Olukoya

    • From Ayoyinka Jegede

    Following the celebration of the 35th anniversary/international convention of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, the General Overseer, Daniel Olukoya on Sunday awarded 492 First-Class graduates with cash gifts alongside NYSC presidential awardees.

    The award ceremony which was its 6th Edition, according to Olukoya, is to encourage youths who are leaders of tomorrow to distinguish themselves for excellence, with this act, the General Overseer said MFM is helping to build reliable youths for a better tomorrow.

     Olukoya stressed that the First-Class award is in line with the 70-point agenda for the youths across all the nations in the world.

    “As part of the 70-point agenda for the youths, I made a statement in 2010 that any member of the MFM who performed excellently well in school would be given an official car among other cash prizes.

    “At the inception in 2011, 19 students benefited from the initiative while in 2015, it went up to 115 beneficiaries. Since its inception, there has been the rise of First-Class graduates who have been such excellence freaks in their various disciplines over the years.

    “Today is the 6th Edition and we have 492 graduates, children of MFM that made first class. I can gladly tell you that MFM has the highest number of first-class graduates. “

    Read Also: Olukoya to leaders: alleviate suffering among masses

    Olukoya’s wife, Pastor Shade was assisted in the presentation ceremony by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, and Delta State Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    It will be recalled that the grand patron of the award, Daniel Olukoya graduated with a first-class degree in Microbiology at the University of Lagos in 1980.

    The convention, which started on Friday,  attracted a great multitude of worshipers to the venue while a host of others were following the activities through the various alternative channels of the church.

    However, the closing ceremony of the convention attracted dignitaries across various walks of life with the demonstration of the awesome power of God through the various spirit-filled activities that characterized the programme.