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The interception of 59 minors from Kano en route to Nasarawa State has taken a new dimension as the senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Sumaila Kawu, has stopped the trafficking probe.
Kawu asked the police to hand over the 59 minors intercepted in a J5 vehicle in Abuja on its way to Nasarawa State, promising to reunite them with their parents.
The lawmaker showed up at the FCT police command yesterday to say that the movement was an almajiri form whereby students migrate to other parts of the country to study.
Earlier on Tuesday, the FCT commissioner of police, CP Olatunji Disu,had paraded the vehicle driver, Idris Usman, and the children, promising to ensure they were returned to their base in Kano to reunite with their families.
Disu had said, “This incident has been classified as a case of suspected child abuse and trafficking given the circumstances and the absence of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.
“The suspects’ vehicle and all the children are with us while a thorough investigation is underway.”
After the briefing, Senator Kawu, who kicked against the mode of transportation of the children, told the police to hand over the children to him.
Kawu observed that there was nothing wrong with transporting the children to Nasarawa for training, a position that introduced a surprising dimension to the case at the police command.
When asked about the condition of the children’s transportation, Kawu said, “We will resolve it. We have secured another bus that will carry them back home. I am advising our people to stick to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the Qur’an in searching for knowledge. We have a procedure, a process provided by Islam. We must stick to that process. We must avoid traditional ways of doing things.”
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force had intercepted a white Peugeot 15 bus with Reg. No. KMC 283 ZJ along the Abuja-Kano route with 59 children suspected to have been trafficked from Kano. They were packed into 15-seater bus.
On Wednesday, the police operatives, led by deputy superintendent of police Sarki Umar, intercepted them on January 6, 2025, at about 3:30 p.m., along the Abuja-Kano route, heading to Nasarawa State.
The police said the kids, aged between four and 12, came from different families and were being transported by one Idris Usman to a male resident of Nasarawa State.
The commissioner of police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, said some arrests had been made, and the police would ensure that the children were returned and reunited with their families.
He also said the driver, Usman, who claims to be a teacher with over 40 years of experience, travelled to Kano State to convey the children en route to Nasarawa State under the pretext of training them.
The vehicle driver operates with his motor boy, Al Hassan Ibrahim, who is also from Kano State.
The FCT police commissioner said, “This incident has been classified as a case of suspected child abuse and trafficking, given the circumstances and the absence of proper documentation or parental consent for the movement of the minors.
“The suspects, the vehicle, and all the children are in custody while a thorough investigation is underway. The Police Command is working closely with the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to ensure that the children are safely reunited with their families and to bring all those involved in this act to justice.
“I want to reiterate our commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse in line with the Child’s Rights Act 2003. We appeal to parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children,” the commissioner had said.
Yesterday’s intervention by the senator seems to have changed the mind of the police towards further investigation and prosecution of the suspects.
The Nigeria Polics Force (NPF) has arrested a woman, Ihsanatu Shaaibu, and one other unnamed suspect, over alleged child abuse by inflicting grievous injuries on a five-year-old stepdaughter, Fa’iza Bala.
The development followed a viral video of the incident on social media. Consequently, Police operatives effected the arrests on Thursday.
This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a post on his verified social media handles and that of the NPF on Thursday night.
The Police image-maker wrote: “In relation to the viral video where a woman identified as Ihsanatu Shaaibu physically abused and caused grievous injuries to her stepdaughter Fa’iza Bala, a 5 year old.
“The Suspects have been arrested today, Thursday 9th Jan 2025, and will be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded. We will keep you abreast of the proceedings.”
President Bola Tinubu has decorated Nurudeen Yusuf, his aide-de-camp (ADC), with his new rank of colonel.
The president decorated Yusuf on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.
Yusuf was appointed Tinubu’s ADC in April 2023 before his inauguration on May 29.
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said the president described his ADC as a “reliable officer, deserving of elevation in rank”.
The presidential spokesperson quoted Tinubu as saying that he envisions the ADC achieving greatness in his military career.
Onanuga said Yusuf, formerly a lieutenant colonel, was promoted to the rank of colonel by Nigerian Army promulgation AHQ MS/G1/300/252/2 on December 19, 2024, noting that the rank’s seniority became effective on September 22, 2023.
“You all know Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf. He carries a lot of responsibilities. I am joyous that the military authorities have promoted my ADC,” the statement reads.
“He is worthy of the promotion, and I am very happy for him. Nurudeen is a diligent and reliable officer with the right temperament. I believe he will go farther and farther in his profession.
“We are with you. We love and really care about you. We will continue to do so. Character defines man, and it has defined you. With your promotion, you are highly respected. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you. We thank God for you.
“May God bless our armed forces and keep them safe.”
The presidential spokesperson added that Tinubu commended the ADC’s wife for “keeping the home front steady, calm, and reliable” during his service.
Yusuf expressed gratitude to the president for trusting him as his ADC and reaffirmed his loyalty.
“I stand here today filled with immense gratitude and humility as I reflect on this remarkable occasion of my decoration with the rank of Colonel in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
“This moment is a personal milestone and a testament to the enduring values of the unwavering support of those around me.
“First and foremost, I thank the Almighty Allah for His grace, guidance, and blessings upon my career and life. Without Him, this day would not have been possible.
“To His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief, I am deeply honoured by the privilege to be granted promotion to this enviable rank.
“I wish to use this unique opportunity to restate that your leadership and trust have been a source of inspiration, and serving as your Aide-de-Camp has been a profound privilege and the highest honour of my career.
“Thank you for your confidence in me and for being here to share in this special moment.”
In attendance were AbdulRazaq AbdulRahmon, governor of Kwara; Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Kayode Egbetokun, inspector general of police (IGP); Christopher Musa, chief of defense staff (CDS); and Bello Matawalle, minister for state defense.
Others include Kudirat Yusuf, the ADC’s mother; Ganiyat Yusuf, his wife; and Abiodun Yusuf, his daughter.
[TheCable]
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, says the new minimum wage will be reviewed in less than two years from now.
Onyejeocha said this on Thursday in Umuahia while addressing newsmen after a meeting with labour leaders in Abia.
She said that President Bola Tinubu was committed to his promise to Nigerian workers by ensuring the minimum wage was reviewed after three years.
She said that the president was deeply concerned about the welfare of workers and would keep to every promise he made to them.
“We are not going to allow minimum wage review to be forever.
“It used to be about five years, but now, in three years, which is less than two years, we will also review the minimum wage,” Onyejeocha said.
According to her, it has been said and it has been documented.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu had approved a N70,000 minimum wage in July 2024, with a promise to review it every three years.
Onyejeocha, who hails from Abia, said that she decided to meet with the labour leaders, who she described as her constituents, “to wish them well,” after spending her Christmas and New Year holidays in the state.
She said that she reminded the leaders that labour is an integral part of the government that should help to ensure stability and peace, not just in the workplace, but also in the country.
“I reminded them that we should have a strike-free year, where we will be able to work with the government in partnership, knowing that if we are in peace, we will be more productive,” she said.
The Abia Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Ogbomna Okoro, commended the minister for her giant stride in office, saying that the body was proud of her and would collaborate with her.
Earlier, the minister, who is from a royal family, had a roundtable with the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, where she took time to explain some Federal Government’s policies to them.
(NAN)
VIDEO: Building mansion in village as Igbo man is waste of money – Canada-based Medical Doctor, Dr. Zo
AFOLABI
Canadian-based Nigerian doctor, Arinze Onwumelu, also known as Dr. Zo, has shared his opinion about the financial prudence of building mansions in villages.
Speaking on the topic, Dr. Zo questioned the longstanding tradition, which he described as economically unviable in the face of modern realities.
“I am Igbo, from the eastern part of the country,” he began, pointing out a cultural norm among the Igbos.
“There is this thing we have in the east that for you to be recognised as an Odogwu (a wealthy man), you must build a big mansion in the village. I did it too. I watched a lot of people this last Christmas go home and open their big mighty mansions in the East, especially. I don’t think other parts of the country have this same concept.”
Dr. Zo expressed concern about the lack of economic value in such investments.
“Sometimes, I wonder, we the Igbos think we are very smart in terms of economy, but sometimes I wonder the economic value. If I build that house somewhere in Lagos, Abuja, or Port-Harcourt, even Enugu, I would have made over a N100 million in the last five years.”
While Dr. Zo did not entirely dismiss the idea of owning property in the village, he advocated for moderation.
“I am not saying you should not build a house in the village. What I tell you is what I tell my younger ones: go to the village and just build a small house, 4-bedroom, have a big compound. It’s always good to have something in the village, but it does not have to be a mansion, occupying everywhere with houses. It’s rubbish.”
Reflecting on his personal experience, Dr. Zo shared the burdens of maintaining such properties.
“What I am saying to you, I did it, my father did it, father’s friends did it, and their kids are struggling today to maintain those houses. I am spending a lot of money to maintain the house I haven’t been in over four years because of things going on in the east—insecurity and stuff. So, what is the economic value? It is just a wrong move.”
He went further to advise against repeating the mistakes of the past. “What I am saying today, you will realise it in 25 years. Absolutely no need for those houses. Use that money and put it in better locations that will give you money. This is coming from a mistake that I made. A village mansion is a waste of time and a waste of money.”
Media
Nigerians are facing significant visa rejections for intending travellers to Schengen nations amidst the growing rate of migration to developed countries. Half of all visa applications to the destination by Nigerians were rejected.
The latest Henley Global Mobility Report January 2025, published by Henley & Partners, indicates that out of 105,926 Schengen visa applications submitted by Nigerians in 2024, 42,940, representing 40.8 per cent of the total application were rejected.
Migration has been part of the Nigerian middle-class psyche for decades, but the migration rate has increased in the last four years as economic hardship continues to bite harder.
Inflation soared to an all-time high of 34.60 per cent in November 2024, fueling the cost-of-living crisis, unemployment, and lack of opportunities, thereby forcing thousands to seek better opportunities outside the country’s shores.
The rejection level thus placed Nigeria among the top 20 countries withthe most denied visas to the choice destination and ranked 11th on the list.
According to the report, the rejection, largely driven by passport power and identity-based visa policies, has more than doubled over the past decade and created substantial barriers to economic mobility for Nigerians and other African citizens.
Nigeria’s passport ranked 94th in the latest global most powerful passports.
Similarly, Africa also faced a higher rejection rate compared to other continents despite the insignificant volume of applications from the region.
The report showed that six of the top 10 countries facing the highest Schengen visa rejection rates are in Africa.
Comoros leads with a 61.3 per cent rejection rate, followed by Guinea-Bissau at 51 per cent, Ghana at 47.5 per cent, Mali at 46.1 per cent, Sudan at 42.3 per cent, and Senegal at 41.2per cent.
Three Asian countries and a European country complete the list: Pakistan with 49.6 per cent, Syria with 46 percent, and Bangladesh with 43.3 cent. Greece, despite being a European Union member and part of Europe’s Schengen area, holds the second-highest rejection rate at 56.4 per cent. Furthermore, the top 10 African countries, while submitting only 2.8 per cent of global Schengen visa applications, faced a rejection rate of 44.8 per cent. Half of the 277,792 applicants from the top 10 countries with the highest rejections were denied visas.
The report said: “Looking at broader regional patterns in 2023, the top 20 countries in Africa and Asia submitted 703,894 applications, representing 6.8 per cent of all Schengen visa applications, of which 40 per cent were rejected.
“The top 10 African countries faced particularly high rejection rates, with applicants experiencing a 45 per cent rejection rate, higher than combined Africa–Asia average of 40 per cent.”
Prof. Mehari Maru of the School of Transnational Governance and the Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute and of Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, commenting on the report, said: ‘The global mobility divide is widening significantly. As the Henley Passport Index January 2025 edition reveals, global travel freedom has nearly doubled from 58 visa-free destinations in 2006 to 111 in 2025, but the gap between the most and least mobile nations has reached unprecedented levels.
“Africans face consistently higher rejection rates than their Asian and global peers. In 2023, despite submitting half as many applications as those from Asia, African applicants were twice as likely to be rejected, with rates 14 percentage points higher than Asian applicants.”
A private autopsy and toxicology analysis carried out by the family of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has been completed.
Naija News understands that in June 2024, the Coroner’s Court located in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State granted the family authorization to carry out an independent autopsy and toxicology examination on Mohbad.
The family sought this independent investigation due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
This court ruling followed the earlier autopsy conducted by the Lagos State Government, which was deemed inconclusive and subsequently rejected by the family.
According to The PUNCH, source within the family told journalists on Thursday that the results have been available since December.
“The private autopsy has been concluded and the result is currently with the forensic pathologist contracted by the family. The result was ready since December and the pathologist is waiting to present it in court,” a relative reportedly disclosed.
In other news, a coalition of concerned citizens, known as The Critical Thinkers Group, has advocated for the resumption of the coroner’s inquest regarding the singer’s death.
The group has also verified the conclusion of the family’s private autopsy and toxicology analysis, expressing that the suspension of the inquest has heightened concerns and extended the quest for clarity surrounding the circumstances of the singer’s demise.
A statement issued by the secretary of its United States chapter, Bossy Keno, stated: “It should be noted that the inquest was suspended in September following a court order. This came after an NGO that sought to participate in the proceedings was denied by Magistrate Shotibi of the Ikorodu Magistrate Court.
“The suspension of the inquest has raised concerns among many, with growing sentiments that the delay is prolonging the search for answers.”
The group emphasised that reopening the inquest was crucial to advancing the fact-finding process and ensuring the matter can progress to the High Court.
“We call on the Magistrate to set a new date for the proceedings and also to hear testimonies from key witnesses, including Naira Marley, Sammy Larry, Nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and the family’s pathologist, who is expected to present the findings of the private autopsy,” the group demanded.
Why Tinubu’s Govt Didn't Give El-Rufai Relevant Role? – SDP Chair Opens Up, Gives Details Of Last Meeting
AFOLABI
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, has questioned why the All Progressives Congress (APC) is worried about the meeting of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, with the party.
Naija News reports that Gabam, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, said his party has done nothing wrong in holding talks with El-Rufai.
He queried that if El-Rufai and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi are essential, why will the administration of President Bola Tinubu not give them relevant roles to enhance the efficiency of his government.
Gabam stressed that their discussion during the last meeting strategically reviewed the situation of the country in 2024.
The SDP chairman also said the ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet lack the capacity to implement the president’s vision, adding that Nigeria has never experienced the economic hardships it is currently facing.
He said, “Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant, he’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi? If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?
“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments. So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people.
“It’s the same things APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they re-organised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP.
“So, we are not doing anything wrong. I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria.
“No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election.”
Senators on Thursday asked Ministers and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to explain some some policies of the Federal Government being executed or supervised by them.
The Senators made the requests during separate budget defence session organised by Senate Committees.
While the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Wale Edun and the Minister of Budget and Economic planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu were asked questions bordering on gains of fuel subsidy removal and the amount spent on debt servicing in 2024, Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu was asked to explain the need for the National Identity project being championed by the agency.
During a session organised by the the Senate Committee on Appropriation, the Minister of Finance was asked to about the state of implementation of the 2024 budget, particularly the capital component.
A member of the Committee, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP – Bauchi Central), asked Edun to explain how proceeds from fuel subsidy removal were expended in the 2024 fiscal year.
Ningi said: “What is the budget performance achieved so far, for 2024 fiscal year, particularly in terms of the capital expenditure.
“We haven’t heard from the Minister how much has been saved from the removal of fuel subsidy and how much has been expended.
“We also haven’t heard from the Ministers about the debt servicing. How much have we actually used to service our debt in 2004?
“How much are we expecting to service the debt in 2005? Finally, will the Minister of Finance guarantee that the extension of the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025 will give the desired results in terms of implementation that has a very low percentage now?”
The Minister however requested the committee to allow him provide answers to the questions in an executive session which was granted by the Committee chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC – Ogun West).
“Are we in a closed door session? If we are not in a closed door session, I will humbly seek for that for detailed explanations on the questions asked,” he said.
Issa-Onilu and his counterpart in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Mohammed Ali, were separately quizzed over their allocations, projects and 2024 budget performance when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation.
The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation during a budget defence session with Issa-Onilu and Ali, directed them to re-draft and re-present their budgetary proposals for the 2025 fiscal year.
The committee chaired by Senator Kenneth Eze (APC – Ebonyi Central), quizzed the NOA DG on the National Identity Project being implemented by the agency, saying Nigerians are not aware of the project particularly those residing at the grassroots.
But the NOA DG, told the committee members that the project is very necessary in putting in place the right value system.
“The challenge we have about value system is about National Identity which is very necessary at galvanising Nigerians for Nation building, national development and growth,” he said.
The Committee however insisted that he should go back and redraft programmes of the agency to be captured and appropriated for, in the 2025 fiscal year.
The Director General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was told to go and reconcile disjointed figures presented in the 2024 budget implementation before approaching the Committee for appropriation of allocation figures for 2025 fiscal years.
[TheNation]
The Chinese government says it supports Nigeria’s request to increase its currency swap line and its plan to issue panda bonds.
Wang Yi, Chinese foreign affairs minister, spoke to journalists after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa on Thursday.
A currency swap line is an agreement between two central banks to exchange currencies while panda bonds are securities denominated in the Chinese Yuan (renminbi) and issued by a foreign company in China.
China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion), to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.
The agreement, valid for three years, aims to strengthen financial cooperation and promote the use of both currencies in bilateral transactions.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Yi said the currency swap agreement “shows how well we have carried out our financial cooperation and sustained its momentum”.
“As with regard to Nigeria’s wish to increase the line of the currency swap we will favourably study and consider the issue, our cooperation is going well in many ways, in terms of finance,” the Chinese minister said.
“For instance, we welcome the panda bonds to be issued. We welcome Nigeria to issue panda bonds in China, because we have full confidence in Nigeria’s credibility.
“And by issuing panda bonds, Nigeria will gain good revenue and the safety is guaranteed through financial support. We are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, in particular, railway.
“Just a few days ago, Chinese banks supported, through financial funds, the building of phase three of the railway modernization project, and it has been delivered. So there are many details that are taking place between our cooperation.”
On January 8, the China Development Bank (CDB) granted a loan of $254.76 million for the construction of the Kano-Kaduna railway project in Nigeria.
The CDB said the construction is being carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with financial backing from the bank.
[TheCable]
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Families Of Offa Robbery Victims Demand ₦2.1 Billion Compensation From Kwara Government, Saraki
AFOLABI
The families of victims of the 2018 Offa robbery have filed a suit seeking ₦2.1 billion in compensation from the Kwara State Government over the tragic incident that claimed the lives of their relatives.
Allegations of Complicity
In the suit filed at a high court in Ilorin, the claimants alleged that the state government was complicit in the robbery attack, which occurred on April 5, 2018, targeting the Nigeria Police Station, Owode, and several banks in Offa.
The families accused the administration of former Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed of harbouring items used in the crime, claiming that several exhibits from the robbery were allegedly seen at the Government House during his tenure.
They further alleged that the convicted robbers had confessed to being members of a political group associated with former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Claims Of Political Sponsorship
The claimants asserted that one of the convicted robbers, Ayoade Akinnibosun (aka AY), testified in court that Saraki and Ahmed were their political sponsors.
According to the suit, Akinnibosun confessed that they had acted as political thugs for Saraki and Ahmed, claiming that their association with these politicians emboldened them to carry out the robbery.
“The convicts confessed that they had been political thugs to the third (Saraki) and fourth (Ahmed) defendants, and that was what encouraged them to do what they did,” the claimants stated in court documents.
Compensation Sought
The families are demanding:
₦1.5 billion as compensation for the loss of their relatives;
₦500 million as general damages;
₦100 million to cover the cost of the suit.
They argued that many of the victims were breadwinners whose deaths had left their families in financial hardship.
Legal Representation and Defendants
The suit was filed by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Johnson Usman, Yakubu Philemon, M. Abubakar, and A. Philip on behalf of the claimants, who include Abraham Makinde, Lateef Raheem, Adeshina Ayesanmi, and Monsurat Adebayo.
The defendants in the case are the current governor of Kwara State, the state attorney-general, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Chijioke Ihunwo, chairman of Obio-Akpor LGA of Rivers state, has appointed 130 special assistants.
Ihunwo, who announced the appointments in a post on X on Wednesday, said the new hires “must serve diligently”.
Some of the appointees are Helen Nyekwere, Josephine Wogu, Daisy Worgu, Wagwu Hilda, Ogbonna Stella, Goodness Ogbonna, and Grace Amadi.
Ihunwo added that the appointments take immediate effect.
In July 2024, when he was caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, Ihunwo appointed 100 special assistants.
The politician is an ally of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.
In October of the same year, he scrubbed Nyesom Wike’s name off the administrative block of the council secretariat.
Wike, who is the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers, hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.
Wike and Fubara are political foes who have been locked in a supremacy battle in the state.
A viral video of Pastor Terry Jackson of True Vine Apostolic Church of Christ, Hampton, Virginia, publicly rebuking a young woman for being pregnant outside wedlock has sparked outrage and debate on social media.
The footage, which reportedly happened on Sunday, shows the pastor instructing the visibly emotional woman to address the congregation.
Standing at the centre of the church, she tearfully apologised, saying, “I want to apologise to everybody in here because I am pregnant. I’m sorry, y’all. I just hope that y’all forgive me. Keep on praying for me.”
In his response, Jackson condemned her actions, describing the situation as “out of order.”
He further declared that the church would not celebrate her pregnancy with events like a baby shower.
“If you sin, you don’t wait later to repent. We don’t condone sin. Ain’t no baby showers. That’s what you lose when you have a baby out of wedlock, ain’t nobody in this church bout to attend one.”
“Thank God that God didn’t take you out of here,” the pastor said.
The video has drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing the pastor of public shaming.
Others supported his approach, arguing it was necessary for discipline.
Social media users weighed in with diverse opinions.
American journalist Jemele Hill condemned the pastor’s actions, writing on Instagram, “The only person who should be ashamed in this scenario is the pastor. I hope she finds a new church home.”
A commenter on Instagram, blk_charleston, wrote, “Why does she need people’s forgiveness? Did they die for her sins?”
Deedle, tweeting as @VanillaDeedle, “Why does she have to apologise for her sin in front of everyone in the church?? All those people sitting in those pews should be up there confessing theirs also. You know they’re all full of sin as we all are.”
Republican Rach 
, tweeting as @patrioticmaine, “You can condemn the sin of sex outside of marriage without condemning the individual or the innocent life she is carrying. Nothing a bout this is biblical or Christlike.”
Some defended the pastor’s stance.
On X, The Watcher, tweeting as @bythebookjulie,”The Pastor of True Vine is a hundred per cent correct. Sometimes it takes shaming bad choices that will effect the lives of everyone else and her future generations!”
DBSSTEELER, tweeting as @dbssteeler29754, “The Bishop is right. Don’t go on like there was no transgression, chastise the transgressor. 99% of what’s wrong with modern women is men letting bad behaviour go on unchecked.”
Others highlighted the importance of grace and compassion.
A commenter, @spottedlamb777, tweeted, “She confessed her sin, baby is coming, it’s time to support that girl and her child.”
Don Elswick, tweeting as @do5925, “Show grace, with the caveat, we all have missed the mark of godliness in our lives. Love restores.”
According to the church’s website, Jackson’s vision for True Vine Apostolic Church is to follow the Lord’s guidance in teaching the gospel, administering baptism, and bringing new souls to Christ.
While Jackson has not commented on the controversy, the incident has reignited discussions about how church leaders should handle sensitive matters involving congregants.
Stella Nwadigbo, a teacher at Christ Mitot School, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Lagos State Police Command arraigned her on Thursday after she was caught on camera assaulting a three-year-old pupil.
Nwadigbo resides at Isawo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the alleged offence was committed on January 7 at Christ Mitot School, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Akeem said that the woman was caught on camera giving a boy slaps and blows while teaching him to write the numerals.
The alleged offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 135 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Chief Magistrate O. Kushanu granted the defendant N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Kushanu adjourned the case until February 18 for mention.