A 15-year-old boy, who allegedly stole eight jingle bells from a church was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The defendant whose address was not given was docked on charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed between Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, at Christ Apostolic Church, Abraham Ezomor St., Ijaiye, a suburb of Lagos.
Donny said that the defendant and one other at large, have been going to the same church to steal jingle bells.
“So the security guards were put on alert, on that day, the accused and his other accomplice did not know they were being watched.
“As soon as they stole the jingle bells and were about leaving, they were apprehended by the security guards, but the second boy escaped, “he said.
Donny added that the defendant and his other accomplice had stolen eight jingle bells in the last 11 days valued at N35,000.
The offences contravened Sections 280 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folakemi Davies – Abegunde, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum .The case was adjourned until Dec. 4 for mention.
The President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun has praised the Federal Government for stopping the military operation in Abia State over the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The cleric noted that the development was a proof that the government was not deliberately interested in clamping down on IPOB members.
Speaking at this year’s Pastors’ Conference held at the Babalola Memorial Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji, Akinosun noted that the clashes of IPOB members with the military at various check-points on September 10, 11 and 12 was said to have led to the declaration of the organisation as terrorist group.
The cleric, who described the development as sad, however said there were excesses on the part of IPOB members, noting that the states acted in the interest of peace in taking the action.
According to him, no responsible government would stand by and watch while the security of the people was being threatened.
He, however, urged both the federal and state governments to look into the demands of the group, stressing that if they are genuine grievances, they should be addressed in the interest of peace and unity of Nigeria.
The President supported that the country should be restructured to enable the Federal Government to shed some of its weights and devolve power to the federating units in order for them to develop at their own pace.
On the economy, astor Akinosun expressed the need for diversification, adding that from 2030,the whole world would phase out petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and the demand for the product would drastically reduce.
This, he noted, would negatively affect development, even as he said it would have negative effects on the economy of the country. He called on economic planners to evolve strategies that will cushion the effects of the glut of crude oil in the international market.
Meanwhile, hope is rising on the final reconciliation of the 26-year-old crisis in the Christ Apostolic Church fold.
Indication to this emerged when the warring factions that had been at loggerheads with the mainstream General Executive Council (GEC) suddenly joined others at the Pastors’ Conference at Babalola Memorial Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji.
Crisis had engulfed the leading Penticostal Church since 1990 when the leadership of the church dismissed some Pastors, including the late Prophet T.O Obadare, Pastors J.O Adegoroye N.E Udofia, J.A Akintola and P. Alayo over alleged anti-church activities.
It was learnt that the aggrieved factions had taken each other to court for resolution of the disputes, the last of which favoured the GEC, adjudged as the authentic ruling body of the church.
Also, the criminal case against its leaders was resolved in their favour when the Federal High Court, Ibadan dismissed the suit.
However, delegation of the Supreme Council led by Pastor Henry Ojo visited Ikeji-Akeji Conference for a solidarity re-union where he delivered the message of their leaders to the GEC.
Among members of the delegation were Pastors Henry Ojo from Port Harcourt, James Onagwa and Matthew Olaseinde, while another team was led by Pastor Paul Obadare of World Soul Winning Evangelistic Ministry (WOSEM).
Pastor Ojo appreciated the rousing welcome accorded them at the conference, stressing that the delegation did not act on its own, but by the directive of the Supreme Council faction.
He said it was time the CAC ended the protracted crisis, pleading for reciprocal visit by the GEC to Supreme Council Pastors’ Conference at Alasepe Camp Ground, Ikire.
Also speaking, Pastor Obadare urged all factions to reconcile to fulfil the CAC’s motto which is ‘One fold and one shepherd”.
The President, CAC Worldwide, Pastor Akinosun expressed happiness for the visit by the other factions, stressing that the crisis was a sad commentary on the church.
He sasid:”I have always believed that court cannot be the best alternative to solve the problem within the CAC. All human efforts to unite the church using human wisdom had failed, but God had resolved to end the crisis in His own time.
Akinosun promised the delegations that if the church finally reconciled, no one would lose its status or ranking.
A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday dissolved a 12-year-old marriage between Oluwatoyin Olanrewaju and her husband, Asimiyu Olanrewaju, over threat to life.
The president of the court, Mr. Ademola Odunade, held that the union between Oluwatoyin and Asimiyu collapsed due to irreconcilable differences.
“In the interest of peace and order, the union between both of you has ceased to be, henceforth.
“The custody of the two children produced by the union is granted to Oluwatoyin.
“Asimiyu shall pay a monthly feeding allowance of N10,000 for their upkeep in addition to being responsible for their education and other welfare,” Odunade said.
Earlier, Oluwatoyin, a nurse by profession had told the court that her husband, Asimiyu, was threatening her life with machete.
“My lord, ever since I married Asimiyu, I have never known anything called peace as he usually frustrated my stay in his house with the threat of hacking me to death.
“From day one of our marriage, his mother stated that she was not going to accept me as her son’s wife because I was no match for him.
“I told Asimiyu to let us terminate the relationship, but he promised that he would forge ahead with me.
“I saw hell when I was to be delivered of our first child. Only the placenta was coming out from my vaginal while the baby refused to come out until God took charge.
“After then, he turned me into a punching bag anytime he wished.
“Worst still, Asimiyu often destroyed my clinic equipment, thereby denting my image before my patients or customers.
“For years, he decided not to fend for the children and me until he sent us out of the house.
“In fact, Asimiyu has no milk of human kindness in him,” Oluwatoyin said.
Asimiyu, an employee of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ibadan, accepted the divorce suit.
He, however, denied most of the allegations Oluwatoyin leveled against him.
“My lord, it is absolutely untrue that my mother contributed to the marital problems between Oluwatoyin and me.
“I must say that I made a terrible mistake to have ventured into the marriage.
“Oluwatoyin has done everything within her power to pull me down from greatness and I am still facing the challenges till date.
“I am a Muslim and I married her while she was a member of the Christ Apostolic Church.
“All of the sudden, she started attending a white-garment church and was performing rituals for people in my house.
“I got irritated because we never, ever discussed converting my house into a spiritual centre.
“That was what she meant when she alleged in her submission that I was denting her image before her patients or customers
“Oluwatoyin had no time to take care of our children because she devoted all her time to her spiritual activities.
“The older of our two children was supposed to write his promotional examination in his school, but Oluwatoyin refused to let him go.
“I became angry because of her action and I took the child away from her. She, however, reported the matter to the Orita-Aperin Police Station and some policemen from there to arrest me.
“For the past one month, I have been taking care of that child which means that I am capable of catering for our two children in her absence,” Asimiyu said.
Why pregnant women are shunning hospitals for their centres
Our encounters with HIV-positive moms
In 2015, 342 of them helped birth 14,536 babies. In 2014, 809 of them attended to 23,229 deliveries, according to data from the Partnership for Transforming Health System 11 (PATHS2). In this report, HANNAH OJO writes on how trained Traditional Birth Attendants are reducing maternal and child mortality in Lagos State.
To arrive at Number 19, Lamidi Jemni Street in Egan-Igando, a community in the remote part of Lagos, one would need to meander through a labyrinth of swampy roads steeped in gallops. When it rains, access to the community is best described as a motorist’s nightmare and a bike rider’s burden.
The unpainted structure is a modest bungalow divided into three compartments: the first part is residential; the second a church while the third is a small space built with a wooden cabin. The cabin serves as a reception leading to another paved structure housing a labour room and a maternity ward containing three new maternity beds.
In another part of the compound with walls covered in algae, a construction is underway. When completed, the building would be a new clinic furnished with more toilets and a larger consultancy room. Welcome to the premises of God is Wise, a faith-based community birth attendant clinic.
Fifty-three-year-old Omowunmi Mary Olaoyenikan, a registered member of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, manages the facility. Since she got trained by a church mission in the year 2000 to practise as a traditional birth attendant, she has taken delivery of more than 1000 babies.
“This work is a calling. You can’t just wake up and rush into it. Some pregnancies don’t show signs of complications until the time for delivery. It is a charity work. Many times, I have to cater for them with my resources,” she said, sitting across the reporter in the cabin which serves as reception.
A 14-inch box television sits atop a wooden shelf and walls in the cabin are plastered with posters of babies and pregnant women. In a corner of the wall hangs a calendar with the picture of the late Joseph Ayo Babalola, the famed founder of the Christ Apostolic Church.
Encounters with HIV-positive mothers
Many pregnant women often patronise the centre for “delivery miracles” without subjecting themselves to strident medical screening, Olaoyenikan said. Some pregnant women who have had caesarean sections in their first and second pregnancies also throng the centre hoping for a miracle that could make them birth babies without going under the knife. (Medically, anyone who has undergone a CS twice is usually booked for a third one automatically).
Olaoyenikan says she refers those women to the general hospital where they can receive comprehensive care.
“We let them know there are limits to what we can do”, she said, standing up to count the registration cards of patients who have been referred to the general hospital for caesarean sections.
With a registration card obtained for N500, the women are given a form which they take to the community health centre to conduct an antenatal screening which consists of several tests that pregnant women undergo for assessment of their overall health.
The result of the tests would also determine where they would deliver their babies: at the community birth attendants’ or at the general hospital in Igando.
“I take the time to check them up even after they’ve been referred to the general hospital. Some who are HIV-positive would run back here hoping for a miracle, but I encourage them to go back to their medication. In the end, they give birth to strong, healthy babies who are HIV-free thereafter.
“During pregnancy, some still insist that I follow them to queue for their retroviral drugs, while maintaining, for reasons best known to them, that their husbands should not be aware of their status. Women in this part of the world need encouragement to birth healthy babies,” she submitted, heaving a sigh.
Recently, figures from the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency show that 1,702 pregnant women tested positive to HIV in the last one year. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who reeled out the statistics, added that 1,143 babies who had been exposed to HIV were also placed on prophylaxis.
In order to enhance prevention and behavioural change, the state government, through the Traditional Medicine Board, has also engaged in rigorous training for traditional birth attendants, insisting on medical screenings for their intending patients.
A source at the Traditional Medicine Board, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that plans are underway to train TBAs in the state to manage HIV- positive mothers through pregnancy to delivery. The board, whose mission is “to evolve into an established traditional medicine practice that is standardised, documented and protected,” also sends the TBAs to observe a six-week internship in a general hospital close to them, in order for them to gain practical experience.
However, the insistence by the TBAs on tests for pregnant women often meets with resistance. Some women cite religion and low economic power as reasons for avoidance. Some of them end up with quack birth attendants, often leading to complications.
“They are usually vexed when we ask them to go for tests, but they don’t know that we are saving their lives. Some are even aware of their HIV-positive status, but they will come from far distances believing I would not insist on test results,” Olaoyenikan chipped in.
Unacknowledged heroines
A traditional birth attendant attending to a patient
The World Health Organisation defines a traditional birth attendant as a person who assists the mother during childbirth and who initially acquired her skills by delivering babies herself or by working with other TBAs.
In Lagos, each local government has one state-owned secondary health facility. However, these hospitals are not enough to cater to the teeming population of pregnant women. Neither do they have enough facilities or skilled staff to attend to them. In many cases, pregnant women are often turned away for lack of space.
Funmilola Biodun had her three children delivered at a TBA clinic. She told The Nation that the stress involved in accessing medical care in general hospitals was the motivating factor.
“Those women attend to us well. I have referred my other friends to them as well. The three children I delivered here are healthy and in great shape. Their services are convenient and pocket-friendly,” she said.
Instances like this underscore the efforts of TBAs in the informal health sector. Their presence bridges the gap, especially in communities where the closest health centre is many miles away.
Training TBAs is part of the efforts geared towards prioritising health care at the grassroots, especially in underserved communities. For those who are registered with the Traditional Medicine’s Board, the recognition by government helps in effective transfer of women in labour to health centres when complications arise.
This ease of transfer came in handy for Olaoyenikan recently when a pregnant woman with a history of high blood pressure was rushed to her place during delivery. “She initially registered at my clinic but after reading her test result. I sent her back to the general hospital. She was placed on bed rest but she ran from the ward and came to give birth at home because of her husband, who had two other wives, said he didn’t have money to pay. They rushed her to my place when she was convulsing and bleeding. It was the doctors at the General Hospital Igando who saved her,” she recalled.
Why pregnant women shun hospitals for traditional birth attendants
Although the Lagos State Government claims to operate a free maternal and child health care programme, findings revealed that various state owned hospitals charge pregnant women for antenatal registration, drugs investigations and delivery.
While normal delivery is pegged at N35,000 or more in state owned hospitals, caesarian section could go as high as N90,000 or more. However, with traditional birth attendants, delivery is much cheaper, ranging from N5000 to N10, 000. They also have the option of paying in instalments.
“We are closer to these women and they open up to us on intimate issues affecting them. A TBA would go and visit her patients in their homes, but a nurse cannot do that. Accessibility and psycho social care is another factor which makes our services appealing to ordinary people,” Veronica Tewe, another faith-based traditional birth attendant in Ikorodu told The Nation.
Perhaps the biggest downside is that there are many unregistered traditional birth attendants who have not been trained by health experts. This has led to a situation where women trying to avoid tests in order to minimise costs end up with quacks, leading to obstructed labour, excessive bleeding and eventual death for some.
Asked how pregnant women can differentiate registered TBAs from unregistered ones, an official from the Traditional Medicines Board who pleaded anonymity, said: “We instruct registered TBAs in the state to hang their certificates and licences on the walls of their clinics.” She added that crackdowns on unregistered TBAs are usually carried out through periodic monitoring or any time there is information leak from members of the public.
Also, since some herbal medicine practitioners boast of the ability to use herbs that will expand the pelvis so that pregnant women don’t need to do CS, the promise appeals to most would be mothers. But the practice is forbidden for registered TBAs in the state.
In Kio-kio, an Ijaw community close to Ikorodo famed for its traditional bone setters, The Nation met an aged woman who simply identified herself as Madam Maria. Her signboard announces her as “Dr Maria Fabor, a traditional gynaecologist specialising on barrenness, late menstruation and women infertility.” In a chat with the reporter, she also boasted of the ability to reset the womb and deliver babies without CS. These skills, she said, were acquired through an apprenticeship with her father.
In many cases, deliveries with TBAs have been tainted with use of unsterilised tools, unskilled personnel, poor environmental conditions and little or no knowledge of prevention of mother-to-child transmission. With all that the state is committed to doing, the best purveyors of safe birth, it appears, ultimately would be mothers themselves.
“Pregnant women need to be counselled to love themselves and take their health seriously. They blame us for forcing them to do tests, saying we don’t rely on prayers anymore. But that is a misconception. Some will tell you that in their culture, they don’t withdraw. They won’t consider the fact that you are trying to help them. The government should record jingles to educate them to be registered,” Olaoyenikan said as a final counsel.
The top causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria, according to a memo on the Lagos State Ministry of Health website includes hemorrhage (23 per cent), infection (11 per cent), obstructed pregnancies (11 per cent), among others. Also, the prevalence of traditional birth attendants at the community level who refused to follow laid down rules.
A Pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Ondo state, Moses Abiodun has been arrested by the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly burying fetish items inside his church.
The Pastor was apprehended in his church located at Ikota in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State while burying the suspected fetish items.
It was learnt that the matter was reported to the NSCDC office by some individuals who claimed to be neighbours of the Pastor.
The suspect was said to have confessed to the crime, but claimed that he was not using the fetish items for any spiritual purpose.
The suspect had in his confessional statement denied being a Pastor.
Sources said when they asked him some questions he said he was not using the items found in his church for any negative purpose but he said he was teaching his followers with the suspected fetish items.
He said he is a prophet and not a pastor and was no longer using the place where the items were buried as church.
But the leadership of the CAC in the state has denied the suspect, saying he was not a member neither was he a Pastor of the church.
The church has also threatened to institute a suit against the suspect on the ground that he impersonated as a pastor of the church.
The NSCDC official said; “we are still investigating the matter and we are likely to hand it over to the police for further investigation.
However, the image maker of the state police command, Femi Joseph said the matter had not got to the command.
“We have not received the case from the NSCDC but we are still expecting it,” Joseph explained.
The General Evangelist Worldwide, Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, has asked the Federal Government to set aside 10 per cent of the recovered loot for the less privileged.
Speaking in Lagos, during a church service, Abiara said the impact of the recovered money must be felt in the country.
“Foremost, I like to suggest that 10 per cent of the recovered money should be set aside to cater for all street beggars and the less privileged in all states.
“The federal and states government should provide them shelter (settlement), empower them to live meaningful life. Please take good care of the beggars and the less privilege in our society.”
According to Abiara, besides setting aside 10 percent of the recovered loot on the less privileged, he said the money should also be used to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and fund agriculture.
He commended Governor Akinwumi Ambode and his cabinet for improvement in areas of security, road repairs and maintenance, adding, that “it shows spirit of continuity”.
Rather than criticising the Buhari administration, he asked Nigerians to appreciate the present government and encourage it to continue in its transformation agenda.
“The President Buhari –led government is doing all within its power to touch every sector in the country. I encourage Nigerians to be more patient with this government. I believe that President Buhari and his cabinet members are doing something to bring about the positive change we all desire. It only requires time.
“Our President wants to build a new Nigeria. His government is working at finding a lasting solution to our various challenges. Therefore, patience is necessary.”
The Christ Apostolic Church, a.k.a Babalola Centre, has concluded plans to stage its annual three-day marathon prayer warfare at the Covenant Ground, Oba’s Palace, Ido-Ile in Ekiti State between Thursday and Saturday.
This year’s crusade titled, ‘Let my people Go,’ according to its organisers, will be unique because it will feature Oba Mathew Oyekale, the Oba of Masifasile in Osun State, who is popularly called the Royal Evangelist by his subjects. He is expected to minister.
The programme’s coordinator, Prophet Theophilus Oye-Adurota, urged people to come with great expectations “as God is prepared to release captives and perform wonders in their lives.”
He said: “People that have been in bondage of barrenness, poverty and all forms of diseases should come with great expectations. Also, those who find it difficult to have breakthroughs in their businesses and all other endeavours should try and attend this programme. It is for everybody and the Lord is ready to set people free and loose destinies from bondages. The only thing that is required of them is to have faith that God can do it”.
Other ministers expected at the programme are: Pastor Sam Olaniyan, Evangelist Ojo Ade, Dr Bola Are and Evangelist J.A Adelakun of the Ayewa fame, among others.
The funeral plans for Deaconess Beatrice Adenigbagbe, a devout Christian and women community leader from Ilesa , Osun State, have been unveiled.
She died on June 26. She was 77.
A Christian wake will hold on November 8 at her Bolorunduro Street residence , Ilesa Osun State. On November 9, there will be a funeral service at her residence before her remains will in Ilesa. A thanksgiving service will be held on the same day at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ayo, Bolorunduro Street Ilesa by 11 am.
“We let them know there are limits to what we can do”, she said, standing up to count the registration cards of patients who have been referred to the general hospital for caesarean sections.
“We are closer to these women and they open up to us on intimate issues affecting them. A TBA would go and visit her patients in their homes, but a nurse cannot do that. Accessibility and psycho social care is another factor which makes our services appealing to ordinary people,” Veronica Tewe, another faith-based traditional birth attendant in Ikorodu told The Nation.
