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Tag: Nigerian news

  • COZA: Fatoyinbo not ready to be helped, says ex-spiritual father

    Founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Abuja, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, is not ready to be helped to overcome his sexual weaknesses, his former spiritual father, Pastor Emmanuel Oset has declared.

    Oset, presiding pastor of Champions’ Church Ilorin, was reacting to the allegation of rape against Fatoyinbo by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo.

    Several women have also alleged the preacher had illicit sexual relations with them.

    The first allegation broke in 2013 when Ese Walters gave graphic details of how he had a long affair with the preacher, culminating in sexual relations while in the United Kingdom.

    Oset, to whom Fatoyinbo submitted until 2014, described his estranged spiritual soul as a man who cannot be helped by man or God.

    He spoke on Thursday in an interview on Arise TV.

    Read Also; Rape saga: Jealous pastors behind Fatoyinbo’s ordeal — COZA

    According to him:“Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that Judas had become a thief but it wasn’t Jesus who said so, it was John who said so. Not because Jesus was weak but because Jesus was hoping that this man would change,” he said.

    “You always find in the scripture, the purposes of God are redemptive. Before God comes with judgement in any case, you will see that he would have tried to get through to the person. It is when His love has been rebuffed and rebuffed again that He comes with judgement. That is God’s procedure.

    “God does not rule by force, he rules by love.

    “People have spoken. People spoke in 2013 but you can only help somebody who wants to be helped.

    “If somebody doesn’t want to be helped, even God will not be able to help him. His hands will be tight in that regard.”

    Recalling his efforts to bring Fatoyinbo to order in 2013 when Walters allegations became public knowledge, Oset said: “When in August 2013, news broke out online concerning him and his ministry, as somebody he was close to as an elder I thought it was my responsibility to get across to him.

    “I was preparing to go to the United States for ministry and after some efforts because it wasn’t easy to get through to him, his pastor in Ilorin here, I told him, get through to your boss and I want to share a thing or two with him.

    ‘’Eventually he succeeded, and he called me from Abuja. And I told him this news is all over the place and I want to hear from you and I want to also give you some counsel if need be.

    ‘’And he said he would get in touch. I said okay, I’m on my way to the US while I’m there if I want to get through to you how do I do it?

    “I thought he would just say sir you can get through to me using my email. Then he said his fear that time was that he was being bugged.

    “When I came back from the United States, I still tried to get across to him because my desire is always to please God. I am not saying this to impress anybody.

    “I wasn’t part of those already making comments on the issue. I just wanted to see how I could be useful in terms of helping him, but he didn’t show up.

    “I waited from August 2013 to April 2014. When he didn’t show up and he was coming to town, having meetings I was seeing his billboards in town, well, my wife and I said to ourselves we’ve done our bit.

    ‘’It was then I wrote him a letter and I said consider that we no longer have anything to do with you and your ministry. I didn’t post it, it was hand delivered by his pastor.”

  • Stakeholders call for FG’s intervention to boost tourism sector, economy

    Stakeholders in the Nigeria tourism sector on Friday called on the Federal Government to harness enormous potential in the industry to develop the nation’s economy.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that the Federal Government should give attention to tourism to thrive.

    The stakeholders spoke in commemoration of the World Tourism Day designed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) since 1980.

    The 2019 theme is: “Tourism and Jobs: a Better Future for All”.

    A veteran Fuji musician, Adewale Ayuba, said that government should exploit the nation’s tourism potential in cuisine, music, clothing and other areas to create employment opportunities for youths.

    According to Ayuba, proper projection of these potential will improve cultural exchange programmes among African countries, thereby putting Nigeria on the world tourism map.

    He said that government ought to create platforms which would enable musicians across different genres of music such as the Fuji, Waka and juju to showcase their talents to the world.

    “We can tag it ‘Nigeria Indigenous Music Festival’ and it can be promoted to attract tourists across the globe.

    “I advise that we celebrate our music that are indigenous to us, create platforms where Fuji, juju, Afro beat, Waka and Apala and more can be promoted.

    “I urge the embassies to promote our culture and music. This will help us to improve,’’ the Fuji musicians said.

    He, however, expressed regret that Nollywood artistes who had invested a lot were not reaping enough from their hard work.

    Read Also: Tourism practitioners lament temporary closure of border

    “We can see most of our actors who had entertained us later soliciting for help when they are sick, this is bad.

    “Government must create functional royalties to compensate them for their contributions toward the growth of the entertainment industry,” Ayuba said.

    Also, Mrs Ebele Enemchukwu, a former Miss Tourism United Nations, said the industry could be a huge money spinner for the nation, if well harnessed.

    Enemchukwu urged government at all levels to collaborate more with the private investors to ensure that the industry generate enough job opportunities for the citizens.

    According to her, the benefits of tourism are enormous, if government will endeavour to boost and sustain the industry.

    She said that all Nigerians have roles to play in the promotion of tourism by visiting and spending holidays in leisure sites because they have better attraction.

    “Nigerians should cultivate habit of visiting nation’s tourist attractions, share beautiful pictures, videos, articles that captures our rich green land and warm people.

    “I urge individual tourism practitioners to keep the fire burning, giving up is not an option and as far as tourism is concerned, posterity will remember you all for the good reasons,’’ she said.

    Enemchukwu recalled that when she won the Mrs Tourism United Nations World, she publicly pledged to use the platform as Tourism Queen to give Nigeria the needed promotion and visibility.

    “My reign ended two years ago, but that promise still stands and is still being fulfilled. I have contributed in many capacities to the industry.

    “There is more to Nigeria than Boko Haram, to political instability or all the negative reports that have gained publicity, locally and internationally,” she said.

    Commenting, Mrs Nike Okundaye, Managing Director, Nike Arts Gallery, also told NAN that government should intensify efforts in solving problems of insecurity, inadequate infrastructure facilities and power outage.

    Okundaye said these problems had hindered the growth of the tourism industry over the years.

    She said the industry was majorly driven by the private investors who needed to enjoy the support of government.

    Okundaye said also that government support would make tourism business to thrive, generate employment opportunities for youths and boost the nation’s economy. (NAN)

  • BUK expels 63 students, rusticates 13 others

    Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has expelled 63 students and rusticated 13 others for one year for their involvement in various forms of examination misconduct.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Examination, Admissions and Records (DEAR), Amina Umar-Abdullahi and issued to newsmen in Kano on Friday.

    According to her, the action followed a recommendation earlier submitted by the Senate Committee on Examinations Misconduct and Leakages approved on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019 at the 374th meeting of the highest decision making body of the institution.

    Read Also: BUK television commences operation 2020

    She said the expelled students included 10 from the School of Postgraduate Studies, 10 from the School of Continuing Education and seven each from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Computer Science.

    “However, the Faculties of Education and Management Sciences have six each and Engineering, FEES and Physical Sciences four and three, respectively.

    “The Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies has two expelled students and Faculties of Communication, Allied Health Sciences and Life Sciences have the least number of affected candidates with only one student each.”

    She said the Senate had equally directed that 19 other students be served with warning letters for other infractions.

    (NAN)

  • Ondo APC dissociates from pro-Osinbajo campaign group

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissociated itself from a group that staged support on Thursday for the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s presidency in 2023.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a group, Southwest Youth Congress, had stormed the secretariat of the party with banners in a campaign tagged: ‘OSINBAJO 2023’.

    A statement made available to newsmen by Mr Alex Kalejaye, the state’s Publicity Secretary states that: “the action was an embarrassment to the leaders of the party in the state.

    “The party wishes to firmly declare that it has no link whatsoever with the said group.

    Read Also: UPDATED: N90 billion allegation against Osinbajo baseless- CAN

    “For the records, the group that could best be described as a non-governmental body, and looked a bit unorganised, only stormed the state secretariat of the party unannounced with their banners and other write-ups.

    “The party notes with deep concerns that a highly sophisticated state politically like ours knows better than engaging in campaigns for an election prematurely.”

    The statement appealed to “those it described as desperate politicians and attention-seekers to encourage the vice-president, who was sworn in only a few months ago, to concentrate on the tasks and responsibilities attach to his office.”

    “We are sure, the vice-president is preoccupied with decisions and policies in the overall interest of the country and could therefore do with less distraction.

    (NAN)

  • INEC still in possession of 201,143 PVCs in Kogi, Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that 201,143 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have yet to be collected in Kogi and Bayelsa as at Sept. 20.

    The commission this disclosed on Thursday in a progress report on PVC collection, which it started on Sept. 2, ahead of Nov. 16 governorship elections in the two states.

    The breakdown of the figure in an infographic reports entitled: “Consolidated PVCs collection as at Sept. 20” 163, 856 PVCs have yet to be collected in Kogi, while the commission was still in passion of 37,287 cards in Bayelsa.

    The reports made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealed that so far 7,044 PVCs were collected in Kogi within the first three weeks out of 170,900 uncollected cards in the state.

    Read Also: JUST IN: INEC disqualifies 14 political parties for Kogi, Bayelsa gov polls

    The report, which was broken down per local government in each state, also revealed that in “Bayelsa 10,206 cards were so far collected within the same two weeks, out of 47,493 opening balance of uncollected PVCs as at Sept. 2’’.

    It shows that in Bayelsa 2,045 cards were collected within the first week, 4,536 in the second week, while in Kogi 2,276 and 2,993 cards were collected in first and second weeks respectively.

    It also revealed that in the third weeks 3,625 cards were collected in Bayelsa and while 1,775 in PVCs were collected in the same third weeks in Kogi.

    The collection of PVCs will continue until Sept. 30 in the two states.

    (NAN)

  • JUST IN: Pirates kidnap 24 on Bonny waterway

    Fully-armed sea pirates on Friday hijacked two speed boats with 24 passengers.

    The incident happened on Bonny waterway, as the boats were moving towards Bonny Island, the base of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited established on May 17, 1989.

    An indigene of Bonny, who spoke in confidence, stated that some of his relatives were among the victims.

    He disclosed their mobile lines were no longer reachable as they must have been moved to the remotest part of the creeks.

    The source called on security agencies and government to quickly ensure immediate release of the victims.

    Read Also: Suspected kidnappers terrorising Oyo arrested

    Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was yet to get report of the incident.

    Omoni said: “I have called all the relevant police formations in Rivers State.

    “They all said the incident had not been reported to them. The hijack of two speed boats with 24 passengers might have happened but yet to be reported to the police in Rivers State.

    “If the incident is reported to the police tomorrow, then I can confirm to you.

    “But for now, the Rivers State Police Command is not aware. I can assure you that immediately the police have the report, we will swing to action to apprehend the criminals and ensure the quick release of the victims.”

  • Buhari greets Segun Awolowo at 56

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm felicitations to Segun Awolowo, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), on his 56th birthday.

    He congratulated him for consistently serving the nation for many years, including working with four presidents.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, joined family members, friends and professional colleagues of the lawyer and scion of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s family in celebrating another milestone.

    The President noted that the Executive Director has demonstrated the same keen interest in humanity, and patriotism in affairs of the nation that separated his grandfather for commendation.

    Read Also: President Buhari hails Bill Gates, Dangote for service to humanity

    President Buhari affirmed that the Zero Oil target introduced by the NEPC, with the goal of diversifying the economy by increasing the chains of valued-added exports, had impacted greatly on the economy, prompting Nigerians to also consider the global market in productions and marketing strategy.

    As Mr Awolowo turns 56, the President urged more commitment and dedication to public service, assuring him that posterity will remember his sacrifices and loyalty to the nation.

    President Buhari prayed for strength and wisdom for the Executive Director of NEPC.

  • FMDA holds AGM

    The Financial Markets Association of Nigeria (FMDA) will on Monday September 30, hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

    In a statement, FMDA said the AGM will be an opportunity to inaugurate its newly elected President, Mrs. Adetoun Dosunmu who was formerly the association’s Vice President. She succeeds Samuel Ocheho, whose tenure has ended.

    The group also announced Ayokunle Ojo as the new Vice President while Ayodeji Abimbola, Dare Otitotju and Chuksnwabuisi Promise were  named executive members.

    It said the new officers of the association will be sworn in at the  FMDA Conference Hall, Moneymart Centre,  Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos at an event to be attended by market leaders and key players in the financial sector.

  • Why Nigeria is facing severe climate problems – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in New York gave some insights into the severe climate challenges confronting the country.

    He spoke at a meeting with the Nigerian Youths Climate Group shortly before his departure for Abuja at the conclusion of his engagements on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74).

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President said: “Nigeria is a neighbour to the Sahara Desert; Lake Chad is shrinking while population is exploding. It’s a challenging situation. With less land, less rainfall, these are very unique problems for the country.”

    He lauded the youths for representing Nigeria at UNGA as Climate Change Champions.

    Buhari said “It is good you are participating so that you can appreciate the problems older people are having.”

    According to Esther Agbarakwe, one of the leaders of the youth group, “This is the first time we are seeing a President sit with us. It gives us hope. We young people understand the problems, and are in the vanguard of advocacy. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Change Department works with us for solutions.”

    Read Also: Buhari greets Segun Awolowo at 56

    She also commended the support the group is receiving from the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and the Ministry of Environment, stressing, “We are in it together.”

    On his part, Hamzat Lawal, also one of the leaders of the group, thanked President Buhari for signing the Not Too Young to Run Bill into law.

    According to him, “We seek solutions to problems in the Sahel region. If we provide solutions to the Sahel, the world will be at peace. You have announced planting of 25 million tress and we youths plan to match it.”

  • JUST IN: INEC disqualifies 14 political parties for Kogi, Bayelsa gov polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified 14 political parties from participating in the upcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states for fielding invalid candidates.

    Disclosing this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said the commission disqualified eight parties in Kogi state and six in Bayelsa state.

    According to the commission, 49 of the political parties in Kogi state had submitted names and personal particulars of their nominated governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 governorship election.

    It explained further that only 23 political parties will be allowed to participate in the election, owing to the fact that eight of the parties violated the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) by nominating under-aged candidates. He also said that 18 other political parties voluntarily withdrew from participating in the election.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: INEC trains 210 security personnel

    However, 46 out of the 52 political parties that submitted names and credentials of their candidates for the election in Bayelsa state will be participating in the election.

    According to commission, six of the parties were also disqualified for also violating the rules of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) by nominating under-aged candidates.

    “At the close of the time stipulated by sections 31, 33 and 35 of Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) for the submission of the names of nominated candidates, 49 nominations were received for Kogi State.

    “Out of these, 41 nominations were valid while 8 were invalid. Subsequently, 18 political parties withdrew from contesting the elections. Therefore, 23 political parties will contest the Governorship election in Kogi State.

    “For Bayelsa State, a total of 52 nominations were received. Out of these, 46 were valid, while 6 were invalid. One political party has since withdrawn from the contest, leaving a total of 45 political parties to contest the Governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    “In compliance with section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated will be published in the relevant offices and on the website of the Commission on Monday, September 30, 2019,” the statement said.