General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed that the strength of renowned evangelist, Rev. Uma Ukpai, helped him after the death of his son, Dare Adeboye.

Recalls that Dare, the third child of Adeboye, died on May 4, 2021, in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he was based with his family.

Pastor Adeboye’s son was the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35 and was married to Temiloluwa with three daughters, before his death.

Speaking during a special service at the International Worship Centre in Uyo on Friday held to celebrate Ukpai’s 80th birthday, Adeboye said the clergy’s steadfastness in Christian faith helped him after the death of his son.

Adeboye, who described his son’s death as the darkest moment since becoming a Christian, said he drew strength from Ukpai’s lifestyle.

He added that Ukpai’s influence would be well appreciated when he dies.

In his words, “If you really, really want to serve God, then you must be ready to serve him whether things are pleasant or not.

“In the darkest moment of my life since becoming a Christian — when I lost my son without notice — my son called me on a Sunday evening and said, ‘Daddy, the weekend programme was extremely successful. Glory be to God, thank you for your prayer support.’ The next thing I heard on Tuesday night was that my son was gone.

“I had to preach on Friday, and one reference point that gave me strength was Uma Ukpai. I know he lost more than one child in a day, yet he did not waver. He kept on serving God. He gave me strength at a time when I needed it most.”

Governor Seyi Makinde, on Friday, 10th January, 2025, announced the appointment of Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the next Alaafin of Oyo.

As earlier reported by Naija News, the approval was made public in a press statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.

The announcement comes about 2 years and 9 months after the last Alaafin, of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, joined his ancestors.

Below are some important things to know about the incoming Alaafin, Prince Owoade.

1. Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade hails from the Owoade-Agunloye royal family of Oyo, with a lineage tracing back to Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade of Agure Compound. He is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade.

2. Prince Owoade was born in 1978.

3. He attended Baptist High School, Saki, and holds diplomas in Mechanical Engineering from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Prince Owoade pursued further education in the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland in 2008 and a Master of Science in the same field from Northumbria University in 2012.

4. Prince Owoade worked as a Planning Engineer in the UK and is currently a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada.

5. The newly-appointed Alaafin is the president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a company focused on real estate and financial services.

6. Owoade was recommended by the Oyomesi after extensive consultations to succeed the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

Subomi Okoya, one of the sons of billionaire Razaq Okoya, has apologised for abusing the naira following the detention of a policeman attached to him.

In a viral video, Subomi and his brother Wahab were seen spraying naira notes while the detained officer held stacks of the currency, a violation of Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

Spraying or abusing the naira is an offence punishable by law. In 2024, popular socialite and cross-dresser Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, was imprisoned for a similar offence.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said on Friday that it had identified and detained the policeman captured in the video.

The NPF disclosed this on its official X handle, stating, “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action.”

The NPF condemned the officer’s actions, calling them unethical and contrary to the values of the police force. “The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police,” the statement read.

Several X users demanded that Okoya’s sons should also be detained.

@Omolomo_o wrote: “What about the sons who mishandled the money? They’re above the law ????”

@SamuelI10540458 wrote: “Why detain the Police when you could have easily picked Chief Okoya sons . This is all shades of wrong.”

Reacting to the backlash, Subomi apologised to the police in a post on X, saying he was not fully aware of the consequences of his actions.

“To the Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive.

“I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action,” he wrote.

Former Minister of Youth, Solomon Dalung has doubled down on the claim that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is not insulated from the activities of ‘dangerous cabals’.

The former Minister reiterated his recent claim about the existence of cabals in Tinubu’s administration while appearing on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Dalung said the activities of the cabals are unhealthy to good governance, adding that most of the decisions of the Tinubu administration are influenced by the cabals.

“If you look at the hardship in the country and the president’s reaction, it’s completely a disconnect from the reality we are dealing with.

“Of course, I still maintain that the infrastructure of the cabal is still effective and also influencing most of the things we see happening in government,” he said.

Explaining why he described the cabals as dangerous, Dalung said the people around Tinubu pursue their personal interests, disconnecting the president from the reality of Nigerians’ plights.

“They are dangerous because they pursue their selfish interest against the interest of their principal and that, of course, is at cross purposes with the intention of whosoever appointed them. That is dangerous because they are doing things different from what ordinarily would have impacted positively on Nigerians,” he explained.

When asked to mention the names of the people who constitute the cabals, derailing Tinubu’s directives, the ex-minister said he reserves the right to mention no name. 

“As to asking me to name some names, I have clearly given you my opinion about what I know as a cabal. And it is up to you to dig deeper as an investigative journalist to find out

“But for you to ask me to name some names, I think I have the right to reserve the names of those I in my opinion think are a cabal,” Dalung said.

Jubilation has erupted in the ancient city of Kano as a Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in the crucial legal battle over the Emirship stool.

Supporters of Emir Sanusi, including youths and elderly individuals, celebrated the victory with drums, dancing, and other festivities.

The judgement delivered by the Appeal Court which sat in Abuja has brought an end to the prolonged legal dispute that threatened the stability of the Kano Emirate.

Recall that the dispute began when Governor Abba Yusuf sometime in May 2024 dissolved all the Emirates and dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero while he was away from the state (the palace) and that which paved way for the reinstatement of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II who was immediately moved into the Kofar-Kudu palace to ascend the throne.

Upon return to the state, Bayero was forced to occupy the Nassarawa mini palace in a sit tight and where he currently carries out his courts.

The Federal Government has said the promise of a better economy for the nation was being delivered.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated this on Thursday while briefing the Senate Committee on Appropriations on the 2025 budget.

The briefing provided critical updates on the performance of the 2024 budget and the administration’s progress in implementing key economic reforms.

During the briefing, Edun sought a closed session when was grilled concerning revenues accruing from the removed petrol subsidy.

During the session, the Minister said the significant fiscal recovery in the economy was a result of bold reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the market-based pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and foreign exchange policies, which collectively could save the country up to 5% of previously lost revenue.

“The administration inherited an economy on the brink, but through targeted reforms, we are now on a recovery path.

“Our focus remains on growing revenues, improving fiscal discipline, and ensuring sustainable economic growth for all Nigerians,” he said.

Edun stressed the strong performance of recurrent revenue at nearly 100% in 2024 as evidence of the government’s ability to meet its obligations despite a challenging economic environment.

He also expressed the government’s commitment to funding capital expenditure, which has been extended to run through June 30, 2025.

He pointed out that the over 3% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth recorded last year as a key milestone, was a result of sound macroeconomic reforms of the government.

“Our macroeconomic reforms have begun to deliver results. With stronger performances from agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, we are seeing consistent revenue growth, which is critical for funding our development goals,” he stated.

The Minister explained that the 2025 budget was designed to build on the successes of the past year by increasing tax-to-GDP ratios and shoring up national revenues.

He reaffirmed the President’s commitment to maintaining fiscal stability and meeting debt obligations while implementing reforms that will foster inclusive growth to the benefit of all Nigerians, including creating jobs and attracting investment.

The Finance Minister further assured the Committee that the government’s reforms are setting the stage for sustained economic growth and fiscal recovery.

He added that the administration remains determined to achieve higher growth rates and create a more stable economic environment that benefits all Nigerians through increased job opportunities, higher investments, and inclusive growth.

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho has vowed to go after bandits hiding in forests across the South-West region, provided the government permits him.

Speaking via a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Igboho lamented that he can no longer stand by and watch bandits attacking, killing and raping his people.

He insisted that he is always ready to defend his kinsmen against activities of bandits and rogue herders, adding that it is a wicked act to unleash violence on innocent farmers trying to earn a living.

He said, “I can’t fold my arms and refuse to stop the marauding bandits and herdsmen attacking, raping and killing my people engaging in farming and other legitimate activities in various communities.

“I will go after the bandits and herdsmen lurking in the forests and some communities in the South West provided the government gives me the go-ahead to do so.

“I am always ready to defend and protect my kinsmen anywhere in the South-West against the inimical activities of bandits and rogue herders, who have already infiltrated our forests.

“It is callous and unjustifiable for anyone or group of people to unleash violence on innocent farmers earning their living anywhere in Nigeria. Government and other relevant stakeholders must rise to ensure the safety of the citizenry.”

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo following the recommendation of the Oyomesi, the kingmakers of Oyo Kingdom.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, made the announcement on Friday.

He explained that Owoade was chosen after extensive consultations and traditional divinations.

“Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the new Alaafin of Oyo,” the statement read.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademola Ojo, noted that the appointment resolves the legal and social disputes that followed the former Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III’s death on April 22, 2022.

“This decision has put to rest all the socio-legal controversies that have arisen since the transition of the late Oba Adeyemi. We urge the people of Oyo State to support the new Alaafin and join the government in celebrating this historic moment,” Ojo said.

The government expressed hope that the reign of Prince Abimbola Owoade would bring peace, unity and prosperity to Oyo Kingdom.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday said that illegal and hidden activities like prostitution and drugs peddling will now be included in the calculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

Meanwhile, NBS has proposed 2019 as a new GDP base year and 2024 as new base year for inflation computation.

NBS disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on GDP and Consumer Price Index, CPI Rebasing organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

According to the bureau, 2019 was proposed as the new GDP base year because economic activities were relatively stable during the year, compared to subsequent years disrupted by the impact of COVID and policy shifts..

The bureau added that the rebased GDP is expected to capture new segments such as the digital economy, activities of pension fund administrators, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), activities of modular refineries, domestic households as employers of labour and coverage of illegal and hidden activities.

Elaborating on the inclusion of illegal and hidden activities in the classification of economic activities for computation of the GDP, Head of National Accounts, NBS, Dr. Baba Madu, said: “Illegal activities will be in line with the national best practices, that is System of National Accounts, SNA 2008.

“If you are into, for instance, drugs, there are some countries, it is this drug that is driving their economy. It is illegal here because there is no legal backing. Also prostitution, they also earn income. Some even live bigger than those in the formal sector. The SNA does not say no to these, it is we. But the challenge is the legal backing and how do we get the data.

“And then, of course, the hidden economy. If I ask you, how much do you earn in a month, you will lower your income. Or if somebody is selling provision in a store, and before you know it he started selling India hemp. Those are the things we are seeing. There are challenges all over the world. But the beauty is that they are less than 3.0 to 3.5% of the GDP.”

Highlighting the importance of the GDP and CPI rebasing exercise, Statistician General, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said: “The rebasing is a vital exercise that ensures our economic indicators are current and accurate reflections of the economic realities on the ground. As economies evolve, new industries emerge, and consumption patterns shift, it becomes imperative to update our statistical measures to capture these changes. Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape. This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance; hence, it is one exercise that NBS is conducting with significant importance and professionalism.

Highlighting the benefits of GDP rebasing, Chief Executive Officer, NESG, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, in his welcome address, said: “Accurate data enhances credibility. Our debt-to-GDP ratio, a critical indicator of fiscal health, dropped from 19% to 11% after the 2014 rebasing.

“This improved Nigeria’s creditworthiness, making us a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment. Investors are drawn to transparency and growth potential, and rebasing sends a clear message: we understand our economy, and we are open for business.

“Second, rebasing sharpens policymaking. It provides a detailed map of our economic terrain, enabling governments to identify high-growth sectors for scaling and low-growth sectors that require targeted interventions to drive impactful and balanced development. For example, after Ghana’s 2010 rebasing—which resulted in a 60% GDP increase—its policymakers could better plan for infrastructure and social investments, fueling sustained growth.”