The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has denied backing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that RCCG, Nigeria’s biggest pentecostal Church, had come under fire for setting up a directorate of politics, in what many see as a plan to back the unconfirmed presidential ambition of Osinbajo.
Speaking on Sunday, Pastor Adeboye said that he does not support any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Daddy GO, as he is fondly called by his congregation, said he needed to make clarification amid the criticisms against the church’s creation of a Politics Directorate and the instruction to members to be politically involved in the 2023 elections.
He added that politics is not his calling and he will never be a politician.
On the 2023 elections, Pastor Adeboye said he does not know if the 2023 general election will hold as scheduled.
He stated that God is yet to speak to him about the 2023 elections as He did in 2019.
The 80-year-old cleric quickly added that God might still speak to him about the 2023 general elections.
Adeboye stated that his focus is on the Kaduna killings, oil theft, Nigeria’s depressing debt profile and other current national challenges.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that its ongoing warning strike may be extended for 16 weeks due to failure of the Federal Government to meet the union’s demands.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, told THE WHISTLER in a phone interview at the weekend that if at the end of its two months strike the government has not made any concrete steps to address their demands, the Union would meet and decide if they should commence a 16-week roll-over strike.
The ongoing strike which began on February 14 is now in its seventh week.
Osodeke said, “At the end of these two months, we will meet, evaluate the situation and if the government has not done anything, my congress will also advise that we should roll over the strike again. Maybe for 16 weeks.”
Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU President
According to him, the government does not care about the plight of the Nigerian students or their parents because people in the government don’t send their children to schools in the country.
“This is what we’ve been saying since the beginning. These people don’t have any feelings for the Nigerian students or their parents, and they have no feelings for the system just because their children are not here.
“If their children were students here, they would’ve taken action long ago, solved the problem, and then schools resume. They have just made it clear now that they don’t care about these children,” he explained.
The ASUU President stressed that the Federal Government has made no attempt to meet with them to negotiate terms on how to end the ongoing strike.
“There has been no meeting to resolve the issue between ASUU and the FG. They’ve not reached out, we are still waiting for them.
He added, “The government is not really interested in education. If they were interested, they wouldn’t allow the strike to last more than 1 week but this is the 7th week and they’ve not made any comment.”
Asked what he thinks about the protests by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over the strike, Osodeke said the students have a right to protest seeing as the system is not working for them.
“As Nigerians, they have a right to protest if the system is not working because we have given our own reason why we are on strike.
“It is in the interest of the students and the whole community so as students they have the right to protest,” he said.
ASUU had commenced a warning strike on February 14, 2022, to intensify its demands which include the renegotiation of its 2009 agreement with the government and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the Federal Government’s Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
On March 14th, the Union extended the strike by two months, until May 14th, indicating that the strike is not a fresh one but rather a continuation of the 10-month strike which began in March 2020 and was suspended on December 23, 2020.
Other demands by ASUU include payment of earned academic allowances, funds for the revitalization of public universities, promotion arrears, and poor funding of state universities.
ASUU has also insisted on the release of the reports of the government’s visitation panels to federal universities and regular payment of salary to lecturers.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nigerian socialite Cubana Chief Priest on charges of money laundering and tax fraud.
The socialite, whose real names are Pascal Okechukwu was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed airport on Thursday, but anti-graft officials kept quiet about it due to pressure from his friends and family, who warned that the incident could complicate conditions for others suspected of being involved in the alleged racket.
Okechukwu’s detention has made it impossible for him to respond to birthday greetings from his over four million Instagram followers.
Only his wife is allowed to see him in custody.
It was unclear when he would be released on bail or how much information officials had gotten from him as of Saturday night. An anonymous source claimed that “the matter is still under investigation.”
The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Saturday officially declared his intention to contest for the 2023 presidential election.
Bello made the declaration in Abuja to lay to rest speculations about his presidential ambition.
The likes of Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Femi Fani-Kayode and several others were in attendance.
Zwingina while speaking at the event described Bello as a detribalized Nigerian, who ruled his state with appointees from other states.
He said, “governor uprooted insecurity from Kogi, the state would have been a breeding ground for kidnapping and banditry, but his leadership skills.”
Yahaya Bello will be hoping to clinch the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2023 race.
The likes of the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu have declared their intention to run on the platform of the ruling party.
However, there are speculations that the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi might be contesting in the 2023 race and also has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ramadan: Show Love, Pray for Nigeria, Obasa Urges Muslims
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Nigerian Muslims to rededicate their lives, increase their love for others, show stronger commitment and obedience to God’s instructions at this period of the Islamic holy month.
Speaker Obasa gave the counsel on Saturday in a statement by his media office to congratulate Muslim faithful for being alive to witness this year’s Ramadan.
The 30-day fasting period, the Speaker noted, should be seen as a greater opportunity for Allah’s blessings “as we carry out all that He has commanded us to do.”
He also urged Muslims in the country to use the period to pray for a better Nigeria characterised by peace.
“I congratulate us all, the Muslim Ummah, for having this opportunity, a special grace from God to take part in this year’s Ramadan.
“As devoted Muslims, we have to be conscious of the fact that this is a period of sober reflection, holiness and deep supplications to Almighty Allah, the One who was, who is and who will forever be.
“Let’s not forget to show love more at this time and at all times in our journey of life. It is the will of God that we do so.
“May Allah hear all our prayers and always show us His favour and mercy, Amin.
“Ramadan Kareem!” The Speaker prayed.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has unveiled the identities of those responsible for Monday’s dastardly attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in which many were killed, some injured and many others kidnapped.
The daring attack which sent shockwaves down the spines of Nigerians was jointly executed by Boko Haram members and bandit terrorists, the Governor disclosed.
He made the disclosure on Friday while speaking with newsmen shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the security situation in Kaduna State as well as the recent attacks in the state, Naija News reports.
Governor El-Rufai also confirmed that the terrorists have started contacting some of the family members of those they kidnapped but ruled out the possibility of his government paying ransom to secure their release.
He said, “They have contacted some of the families but they have not made specific demands yet.
“They are not the ordinary kidnappers, it’s Boko Haram members that connived with bandits to launch the attack and so our thought is, they may demand the government to pay the ransom.”
He remained optimistic that security forces will locate the bandits in their hideout and rescue the victims safely.
It will be recalled that former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani also recently identified the major bandits operating in the north as Bello Turji, Dogo Gide, Manjagara, and Balleri, wondering why they still roam freely, grant interviews on radio and the security agencies have not arrested them.
He accused the security agencies and agents of only carrying out ‘eye-service’ operations.
Until his death, Adewole Qudus was the publisher of ebonymedisgist, an online medium which ranked amongst the most reliable news platforms in the country.
Oyewale described Qudus as ‘irreplaceable,” adding that NAOSRE has lost one of its best hands.
“It is a personal loss to me and NAOSRE because Kudus was not just a colleague but a personal friend and a brother.”
He stated that the lively spirit with which Kudus spoke with him about 48 hours back was so assuring that he was convinced that the hardworking journalist was getting better and would vacate the hospital bed in a matter of days.
“Regrettably, he died even when I thought he was getting well,” Oyewale disclosed.
Expression his shock, the association’s Grand Patron and former Chief of Army Staff, Buratai said it was the least news he expected to receive at this time saying he recalls reading his stories as Army Chief as well as an Ambassador on ebonymediagist blog “And I was particularly looking forward to seeing him and other members soon.
“My condolences to his family, NAOSRE executives and members including the Nigerian media for this sudden death of such a promising journalist.
While the executives and members are making plans for the burial, a condolence register has been opened at the association’s Abule Egba office in Lagos.
Adewole Qudus left behind a father, mother and young family
Yoruba activist, Adeyinka Grandson has been sentenced to 4 and a half years in prison.
He was convicted of inciting racial hatred for posting messages on social media encouraging violence in Nigeria has been jailed.
The British Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command launched an investigation in March 2019 as a direct result of members of the public raising concerns to police about online social media posts which contained comments aimed at particular ethnic groups based in Nigeria.
The posts were created by accounts under the name “Adeyinka Grandson” and were reported to police
He was investigated by specialist officers within the Met’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU).
After assessing some of his content on social media, which contained commentary encouraging attacks against certain ethnic groups in Nigeria, officers determined these posts were potentially in breach of UK legislation and a formal investigation was launched.
The activity was all found to be linked to Grandson whose real names are Adeyinka Shoyemi.
Shoyemi was found guilty on 30 November 2021 of eight counts of inciting racial hatred after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit – the first of its kind to be established anywhere in the world – was instrumental in identifying Shoyemi and his activity.
“Over the last ten years, the CTIRU has been at the forefront of getting harmful content removed from the internet, and detecting and investigating potential terrorist-related activity online.
“We continue to need the help and support of the public and I would encourage anyone who comes across material or posts that could be related to terrorism or violent extremist activity to report it to us, so that our specialist officers can take action where necessary.”
The Osun State Police Command has arrested a manager of one of the hotels in Osogbo, Joseph Adeleye, for allegedly raping a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
The victim (name withheld) was deployed to the hotel which is located at GRA area of Osogbo for primary assignment.and she is working as the administrative officer of the hotel.
The corps member, who narrated how the incident happened to some journalists on Friday said she was raped in the hotel while on duty at around 8:30pm.
The corps member said she did not initially tell her colleagues what happened to her but she eventually told them when they asked her what was wrong with her because are contenance changed.
She said, “The manager, Mr Adeleye requested that I should bring a bottle of beer to his room, after he collected it, he started asking me what my plans were after the NYSC programme.
” I was not too fine with it because we were alone in a room. Few minutes later, he started touching me and I resisted by pulling his hands off my body
“But suddenly, he pulled me closer and turned my face on the bed and put his hand in my trousers. I struggled with him but he overpowered me and inserted his fingers in my private parts.
“He then pulled off my trousers from behind, turned my face up and wanted to penetrate into my private parts. I resisted but he was too heavy on me.
” I even bit him, yet, he carried on. I shouted on top of my voice but no one could hear me because the room was a bit far from where other members of staff were.
“He penetrated me and he poured his semen in my body and pant. When he discovered that I couldn’t breath very well, he stood and I ran out of the room.
“The following day, two of my female colleagues who are corps members discovered I was not playing or relating with them very well.
” They asked what happened. I couldn’t tell them at first, but when I couldn’t hold the tears anymore, I told them what happened to me and they encouraged me to report the matter to the police and I did. The manager was later arrested and detained.”
The NYSC Coordinator in Osun State , Winifred Sopeka, who spoke on the telephone said she was busy at the orientation camp.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrest.
She said, “The corps member said she was raped on March 25, 2022 around 8:30pm at the hotel which is her Primary Place of Assignment.
“She reported the case to us and we arrested the suspect who is the manager of the hotel named Joseph Adeleye. He is still with us and will be charged to court soon.”
An Appeal Court in Enugu has dismissed a suit against Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his Deputy Dr. Kelechi Igwe, seeking their removal from office for defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The suit was filed by Senator Soni Ogbuoji and his Deputy, Justin Mbam, candidates of the APC in the 2019 Guber Elections.
It was earlier reported that an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo had sacked Umahi, Igwe and 17 lawmakers in the state for defecting from PDP to the APC.
However, on Tuesday, February 28, 2022, a High Court sitting in Abakaliki struck out the same suit
On Friday, Justice A.O Belgore dismissed the suit for being inconsistent with the constitution and extant laws of the country.
