The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a post on his official Facebook page on Friday, he said: “After a hide and seek period spanning 21 months (one year, nine months) between COVID-19 and my humble self, the virus finally caught up with me during the dying days of 2021.
“After feeling unwell since 28th December, I decided to do a COVID-19 test yesterday (Thursday) morning.
“The result came out positive this morning.
“Currently doing fine, with some sore throat, feverish feeling and mild running nose. Undertaking treatment and isolation at home.
“I salute and wish all the medical personnel in the FCT and beyond who have been in the front line fighting this pandemic a happy and prosperous new year 2022.
“I pray for the quick recovery of all of us currently afflicted with COVID-19.
“I have been informed by the experts that my case is mild because I took two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I appeal to all those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so.”
In what appears like a conscious effort to prevent himself from losing political relevance after leaving office in 2023, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has called for “peace and reconciliation among political parties’ stakeholders” in the state.
Governor Ganduje made the call in his New Year message to the people of Kano State issued by the state’s commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba, on Friday.
In the message titled “Year 2022 era of reconciliation, peace building,” Ganduje expressed optimism that political parties in the state would create platforms for internal democracy to flourish.
The governor urged political parties to “produce more credible representatives at various levels who have the capacity and ability to win elections and subsequently build on laudable programs and policies initiated by the past leaders.”
Ganduje said “political gladiators” in the state already made efforts recently to usher in a new dawn in political history of the state.
According to Garba, the governor said “the event, which saw Kano political gladiators emphasizing on the need for reconciliation, elicited excitement from the people of Kano state who have been yearning for the much-needed peace and conciliation in order to advance the cause for proper development in the political terrain and the society at large.”
THE WHISTLER recalls that Ganduje’s appeal for peace and political reconciliation in Kano came a month after an FCT Federal High Court sacked the Kano All Progressives Congress executive committee led by him and recognised the faction led by Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, a former governor of the state and his political rival.
Amid the rift, the governor’s Special Adviser on State Affairs, Muhammad Shehu, had on Tuesday resigned his position and joined Shekarau’s APC faction to support the governorship ambition of Barau Jibrin, the chairman Senate committee on appropriation.
The Oyo State Joint- Security Task Force, Operation Burst, has recovered some stolen Apple phones from a suspect at Sabo area of Ibadan.
Operation Burst comprises of soldiers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The security outfit, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Information in the state, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the recovery was made during its raids on black spots and hideouts for criminals in Ibadan.
Director General of Oyo State Joint Security Task Force, Operation Burst, Colonel James Oladipo (retd.), confirmed that 23 Apple-phones were recovered from the suspect, who is now at large.
Oladipo said that this was part of the outfit’s efforts to protect lives and property in the state especially at this festive period.
“We have been on the trail of criminals who have been terrorising citizens and residents at strategic locations, especially in the Sabo area of Ibadan, the state capital.”
He said that a surveillance team of the joint security task force, recently, raided some ‘blackspots’ in Ibadan where the i-Phones were recovered.
Oladipo therefore called on victims who were recently robbed of their i-Phones within Ibadan to come forward with proof of ownership to reclaim them.
The Director General, while assuring the public of the task force’s immediate response to distress calls, urged them to give useful information that will aid security agencies in performing its duties.
Col. Oladipo also added that the outfit is in synergy with other sister security agencies.
It’s sad news again as reports say death has struck again as popular clergy and Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya has lost his beloved twin sister, Mrs. Kehinde Hassan née Odukoya.
This comes a few weeks after Pastor Odukoya’s wife, Nomthi Odukoya, lost two years of battle to cancer.
The death of Hassan was confirmed by Odukoya’s daughter via her Facebook page.
She wrote: “My Dearest Aunty K, my birthing partner and one of my closest aunties…
“You were always there for me when I needed my mother the most.
“You held my hand and encouraged me…
“To say I will miss you is such an understatement.
“Rest on Aunty, love you.”
According to available information, Hassan died of complications from cancer on Thursday the
30th.
It has been a very challenging and painful year for the amiable Man of God.
This year 2021 was the 16th anniversary of the passage of his beloved first wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya in an ill-fated Sosoliso flight of 2005.
In November of the same year, the Pastor also lost his second wife, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya after a protracted illness she fought for almost two years.
The 47-year old mother of 2 was married to the famous preacher for 11 years before the cold hands of death snatched her away.
As she was just getting over the devastating loss of his better half, the sad news of the passing of his twin sister (Kehinde) at the age of 65 filtered in.
The alleged move by the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, to become the ‘Oba of Oshodi’ has elicited a flurry of reactions.
His eligibility to the throne has become a subject of discussion on various social media platforms.
A trending image of MC Oluomo in royal regalia seen by The Nation shared last month also stirred the controversy.
But The Nation learnt MC Oluomo is an Awori from Oshodi. He is also an indigene of the town whose grand-uncle Seidu Akinsanya, was a Baale of Oshodi.
Also, it was gathered that MC Oluomo has been at the forefront of the struggle to upgrade the chieftaincy in Oshodi from Baaleship to Obaship for over a decade.
Of recent, MC Oluomo has been trending on the social radar for different activities.
He recently became an honorary member of the Institute of Corporate Public Sector Professionals (ICPSP).
A photo of the book cover with the title in his name “My Service to Humanity: A Life Changing Experience” surfaced online.
The royal family of Olushi Onigbesa has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop MC Oluomo from becoming king.
The head of the royal family, Kabiru Eyantan, said in a statement that if urgent action is not taken, it “may cause bloodshed” in Oshodi community.
“The attention of the Olushi Onigbesa royal family of Oshodi Awori Kingdom has been drawn to the picture of Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, chairman, NURTW in Lagos state, circulated on numerous social media platforms where he was dressed in traditional kingly attire intended for an Oba in Yorubaland,” Eyantan said.
“Our attention has also been drawn to the trending videos and news in social and conventional media with reference to the message delivered by a first-class Oba in Ikorodu division at the coronation anniversary of Oniba of Iba Kingdom in Iba Town, Ikeja division on the issue of intended aspiration of Akinsanya to become Oba of Oshodi.
“We plead with the Lagos state government to avert communal crisis, breakdown of law and order and bloodshed in Oshodi community, if urgent action is not taken by our proactive and peace-loving governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to stop MC Oluomo from soliciting to become the Oba of Oshodi or laying claim to the Obaship stool.
“To put the record straight, we state that the tribunal of inquiry into chieftaincy matters in respect of the upgrading Baale of Oshodi to first-class Obaship status was set up by Lagos state government and lasted between January 2003 and December 2008 and the tribunal recommended that the Olushi Onigbesa royal family of Oshodi land is the only family eligible and entitled to the stool of the Oba of Oshodi.
“Alhaji Akinsanya is not a member of the Olushi Onigbesa royal family in Oshodi land and has no right to be the Oba of Oshodi stool and therefore is not eligible to aspire or to be appointed to the stool of Oba of Oshodi.”
Although, MC Oluomo is yet to officially react as of the time of report, it was learnt that the media would be briefed over the issue on Sunday.
A fashion designer, Omowumi Oyapitan has been apprehended by the Ogun State Police for allegedly stabbing a man to death.
DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, spokesperson of the state Command said that the arrest was made after a report was received from one Stephen Udo the managing director of Splendour Guest Inn at Onipanu divisional headquarters.
He stated that an argument occurred between the deceased identified as Muhammed Ahmed and the fashion designer. The argument became heated and led to Oyapitan breaking a bottle and using it to stab Ahmed on the neck.
He said: “Upon the distress call, the DPO Onipanu division, CSP Bamidele job, quickly mobilized his men and moved to the scene where the victim was met in the pool of his own blood. The suspect was promptly arrested, while the victim was rushed to state hospital ota, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, who has been in the hotel since Monday 27th of December 2021, was hiding there after stealing the sum of #600,000 belonging to his boss at Hayorlak Hotel where he was working as bartender.
“It was further gathered that he used part of the stolen money to lodge some of his friends, and that he had altercation with one of those he lodged in the hotel because he accused him of stealing part of his money, the accusation led to hot exchange of words between them.
“The suspect, who claimed to know the other boy in their street intervened and the deceased who was not pleased with her intervention gave her a fist blow in the mouth and in retaliation, she broke a bottle and used it to stab the deceased on his neck.’’
Minister of Defence Charges Newly Promoted Generals on Loyalty and Professionalism
…Urges them to restore peace and security in the country
The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD) Major General Bashir Magashi(rtd) has charged newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA) to discharge their duties professionally and remain loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The HMOD made the remarks today 30 December 2021during the decoration of newly promoted Brig Gens to substantive rank of Major General and Colonels to the rank of Brigadier General at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The HMOD, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, felicitated with the newly promoted senior officers, describing their elevation as a recognition for their diligence and selfless sacrifices individually and collectively to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general.
He reminded the promoted senior officers of the enormous responsibilities that come with their promotion, adding that the country relied on their wealth of knowledge, character and professionalism to develop an enduring panacea that will completely defeat insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.
The HMOD assured that the Federal Government will continue to support the NA, especially in the acquisition of military hardware to facilitate the conduct of its operations across the country.
Speaking at the investiture, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya charged the newly decorated senior officers to remain loyal to the President and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He reminded them of the current security challenges and urged them to remain focused in their effort to ensure peace and security across the country.
He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and for his strategic guidance and the confidence reposed in the NA and other security agencies.
One of the newly decorated senior officers, Major General Chijioke Onwunle, who spoke on behalf of all the decorated officers reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion are the Honourable Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd), Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman House Committee on Army Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas, the Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly Rt Hon Ysuf Zailani, Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd), Representatives of the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff, President Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, serving and retired senior officers, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, amongst others.
Sometime ago I brought you the story of one MFM pastor based in Austria that Maureen Badejo accused of fraud and stealing in her various social media channels, even after learning that an investigation was done about the matter and the pastor was given a clean bill of judgment by the Austrian police.
Interestingly, today the judgement of that matter has been successfully registered in the United Kingdom and the consequences of this is that;
1 she needs to retract all her statement about Mr. Omowanile regarding any form of accusation libel and image assassination
2 A statement should be made that all her accusations were wrong, and this should reflect in all her social media platforms
3 Maureen Badejo is to pay the legal fees of the sum of 4930 euros
4 she should refrain from mentioning any thing regarding the pastor Omowanile and anything that concerns MFM Austria.
2022 seem to be starting with legal problems for this woman and I would like bloggers and news drifters to learn from this obvious self-inflicted disaster.
If you are a blogger, and you don’t do your due diligence of sourcing proper facts or authentic stories before disseminating them. know that your troubles will meet you when you bounce off the wrong people
Maureen Badejo obviously took more than she can chew by touching the fire of God and trying to make a mockery of mountain of fire and miracles ministries and their GENERAL OBERSEER like she has always done with other ministries and gotten away, but it getting clearer that when God is with a man or a ministry, the truth will always prevail it will only take time
We are still investigating the judgement of the 100,000 pounds she is to pay to the OLUKOYAS of MFM, we will let you know how that is going maybe a special jail awaits her this 2022.
Popular businessman, Obinna Iyeagbu, well known as Obi Cubana, has built an Anglican church in his hometown, Oba, in Anambra State.
According to him, the church which was built in memory of his mom came six months as part of his promise to God.
The celebrity businessman revealed this via his verified Instagram page on Thursday, where he showed when work started on the church land six months ago.
While posting a throwback video of the day he decided to carry out the project, he wrote, “On July 18th, 2021, we made God a promise here in Oba; to have Mama’s sixth-month service inside the new church building by December 31st.”
He also shared a video of the completed church building which is set to hold the 31st December 2021 service.
“Today, 30th December 2021, to the Glory of God, here we are Good Shepherd Anglican Church Oba. Started 15th August 2021.
“@nendys_intergrated_services our reliable engineers made sure the service will hold in this church tomorrow 31st December 2021.
“Thanks to all our amazing friends and family that made this happen. January 2022 we continue; more scholarships, schools, hospitals, and roads,” the business mogul wrote.
Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has lamented the current situation with the club, expressing doubt about his team winning the 2021/22 English Premier League title.
Tuchel’s submission is coming after Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have played 20 games in the ongoing campaign and currently sit in second place with 42 points, a point ahead of Liverpool which has a game in hand.
Thomas Tuchel’s side has been affected by a series of injuries and some of the player’s including a coach is currently infected with COVID-19 disease.
According to the Blues manager, it will be ‘stupid’ to think they (Chelsea) are in the Premier League title race.
Asked if Chelsea can still compete for the title, the German coach replied: “How should we be in it? We have seven Covid-19 cases. We have five or six players out for six or more weeks. How should we compete in a title race?
“We would be stupid to think we can do it out of Covid and injuries and just play, and everybody would be stupid to do it without 23 fit players.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has admitted that his side is going to lose more games before the end of the 2021/22 English Premier League campaign.
The Spanish professional football coach who spoke in a post-match interview after City’s Premier League 1-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday night, said he is afraid the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal may close up with points in no distance time.
Naija News reports that English young star, Phil Foden’s first-half goal secured City a 1-0 victory over Brentford.
Asked whether Manchester City were in control of the ongoing EPL campaign, Guardiola told Amazon Prime that, “There are 54 points to play for. It is not expected to have this distance for eight and nine, but Liverpool play one game less.
“But it is 54 points. In December, no one is champion. We are going to lose games. I see in my mind Arsenal, Chelsea, Southampton coming.
“54 points to play… 54.”
He added, “We have a game in London against Arsenal, maybe one of the top teams right now, the best Arsenal in the last four or five years.
“I cannot say more than congratulations to the team, but we must focus.”
