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A new book on former President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how prominent pastors vigorously campaigned and prayed for him to lose the 2015 election and progressed from there to pray against him and his government after he won the poll and assumed office as Nigeria’s leader.

The book, written by Buhari’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, chronicles the hordes of vicious rhetoric and hate campaigns which the men of God orchestrated against Buhari and his government right from the time he signified interest in contesting the election.


The book recalls how former President Goodluck Jonathan opened the floodgate of church mobilisation against Buhari by visiting and speaking in many churches ahead of the 2015 election so as to win against Buhari, thereby setting the tone for many pastors to use and attack Buhari.

“Before the 2015 presidential poll, the then President Jonathan went church-hopping. He visited most major congregations, secretly campaigning for votes and generating hatred for the APC candidate. In fact, there is one Pastor Emmanuel who recorded a widely circulated audio tape, describing the APC as a Muslim/Jihadist party, and its candidate a precursor of the anti-Christ. Horrendous!” the writer notes.

“Buhari still won the election, but a disgruntled army had been mobilised against him. Another mass of Armageddon. Prejudiced preachers and congregations with scant knowledge of the word of God. They just follow their leaders unquestioningly, not like the Bereans Christians as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in Chapter 17.

“A good number of preachers displayed blatant hostility against the Buhari government. Even when they went prophetic, and hit the crossbar, they still continued to parade themselves as somebody, instead of suiting in sackcloth and ashes.

“Bishop… had arrayed himself against Buhari before the election. Indeed, he was on tape as instructing members to kill any Fulani they saw near the church. Jesus sure wouldn’t say that, would He?

“There is a story, on good authority, of a meeting convened of top Christian leaders by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye at the Redeemed Christian Church of God Campground, off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It was shortly before the 2015 presidential poll.

“A renowned pastor at the meeting told me that Pastor Adeboye asked the preachers if any of them had a word from God on the forthcoming election. Bishop O… was said to have stood up, and pontifically declared that God told him President Goodluck Jonathan would win. Another pastor was said to have indicated support for the then President Jonathan, as government was going to do bid rounds for oil blocs soon, and he needed one for works of the kingdom. Fine. The election held, and you know the rest of the story. The pro-Jonathan pastors never forgave Buhari and the APC.

“Many times, one of the most prominent pastors reportedly cursed President Buhari and his government. In fact, there was a time in the first term that he declared Buhari’s time as over, that God had rejected him.


“The President not only won re-election in 2019, he also completed his second term. So much was the top pastor’s antipathy toward Buhari, that he publicly identified with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election. He forgot that Atiku was also Fulani, the breed he had asked his members to lynch, if they saw any near the church. Of course, Buhari trounced them all together.

“In June 2022, he declared the Buhari government as the most wicked and corrupt in the history of the country. Without any shred of evidence. In the process, he mixed up his facts. Months earlier, he had proclaimed seven days of fasting and prayers for the fall of Buhari, in which had been joined by two of his acolytes of Dunamis Church and Salvation Ministries. They failed because God was not in the enterprise.

“In August 2020 Bishop O had publicly rained curses on the president of his own country. He said judgment was closer than ever. None of malediction came to pass. In December 2018 Bishop O deeply embarrassed himself, when he said the Buhari that returned to the country after the health challenge of 2017 was a clone. He didn’t understand satire, and was gleefully reading a piece done by Dr. Olatunji Dare in The Nation Newspaper.

“He did not know that the piece was a caricature of those who had sold the story of Jubril of Sudan, as the man occupying Aso Rock Villa. In April 2018, he said God was angry with Buhari, and that his days were numbered. But the Almighty smiled at the man till he handed over power on May 29, 2023”.

Adesina, who is a member of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, also recalls how he temporarily left the church when the Abuja Pastor of the church started using the pulpit to attempt to denigrate Buhari and his administration.


The former presidential spokesman said: “I am a member of the Foursquare Church in Nigeria, and I have been since I got converted in 1988. When I went to work in Abuja in 2015, I began to worship at the Asokoro branch of the church, pastored by Rev. Babajide Olowodola. A retired very senior civil servant, Olowodola is a good preacher and pastor. But at a stage, he began to exhibit some messianic tendencies, in which he believed he would pull down President Buhari single-handedly.

“Week after week, I heard snide remarks he made against the president from the pulpit. He would threateningly ask people to get their permanent voter cards against 2019, and vote out the incompetent government. I did not let it bother me initially.

“Matters however came to a head in 2018, when Boko Haram abducted the Dapchi girls. I was in church on Sunday, and there was no name the pastor did not call the president. He even went into the fallacy of saying more people had been killed in the country since 2015, than what we lost during the Civil War. Recall that Nigeria lost between two and three million souls during that fratricidal war. He went on and, on that Sunday, but I kept my peace.

“As it turned out, the Dapchi girls were recovered within the week, save for Leah Sharibu, and a few others. So, the next Sunday, I went to church, waiting to hear what Rev. Olowodola would say. Not a word! Not even by accident! He did not mention the positive development, thus showing him as unfair and prejudiced. After the service, I picked my Bible, went home and never returned to the church.

“Some elements in the church made the going very tough for President Buhari in eight years. There are remnants of pastors who stayed true to their callings, not joining the mob. One of such is Rev. Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church and Pastor Williamson Folorunsho Kumuyi, General Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church”.


Adesina further wrote in Chapter Six of the 488-page-book that is bound to throw up many controversies and challenges from those named in various facets of the Buhari government: “Those of us who were Christians in the Buhari administration were demonized, ostracized and considered enemies of the faith, simply because we were working with a Muslim Fulani. But they miss it. In Nigeria, there is no way Christians would wish Muslims away and vice versa”.

Says internment won’t be gloomy affair, but celebration of life


Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the burial of the late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu won’t be a gloomy affair but a celebration of life.

Aiyedatiwa, also said Akeredolu would be given a state burial, adding that his family is being awaited for further briefing on the burial rites.

The governor said this while receiving the new Vice Chancellor of Elizade University,Ilara- Mokin, Prof Kayode Ijadunola, who visited him in Akure.

He described the death of the former governor as a big loss owing to the contributions he had made in all spheres of human endeavour.

His words:”The burial of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredelu will not be a gloomy affair but a celebration of the life of a patriot who was true to life and mankind.’’

The governor said Akeredolu will be given a well-deserved state burial, saying the family is being awaited for further briefing.

Aiyedatiwa noted that Elizade University is a fantastic institution, saying the state government holds the founder, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, in high esteem.

Earlier, ljadunola called for a strong collaboration between the Ondo State government and the university.
This was contained in a statement by the school’s Head, Public Relations, Williams Olufunmi.

He said the university employs no fewer than 500 Ondo indigenes alongside others around the world, adding that they contribute substantially to the socio-economic growth of the state.

The Vice-Chancellor said he was in the office of the governor to inform him of his assumption of office as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University and to commiserate with him over the demise of his predecessor.

Ijadunola also visited the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and the Alara of Ilara-Mokin, Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti.

Last modified on Sunday, 21 January 2024 06:35

The Rivers State Police Command on Saturday said it had identified and arrested three cops accused of kidnapping and extorting the sum of $3,000 from a yet-to-be-identified man in Port Harcourt.

The man was allegedly whisked by the policemen from the Rivers State capital, and taken outside the state where he was forced to transfer the said sum before he was released.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The arrest followed a revelation from an X user, Harrison Gwamnishu, on his handle, @HarrisonBbi18, who stated that “police officers attached to Rivers State Police Command left Port Harcourt to Aba, Abia State, arrested the man, took him to Bayelsa State and entered Ughelli, Delta State.

“After paying $3,000, they moved him (the man) back to Port Harcourt and dumped him.”

Though it was not clear what offence the man committed before he was accosted by the policemen, Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police said an investigation into the matter was ongoing.

In a terse statement titled, “Re: $3,000 USDT Transferred To Police Officers Wallet,” the PPRO said, “The police personnel have been identified and arrested.


“Three of the officers are in custody while the investigation is in progress.”

She also promised to make the outcome of the investigation public as soon as it was concluded.

Forbes released a new list of the top 10 strongest currencies in the world in 2024. In no surprise, not a single currency from the existing BRICS countries made it to the list.

The local currencies of BRICS countries are not strong enough and stand no chance in the global currency market. However, the U.S. dollar has ranked last in the Forbes list of 10 strongest global currencies in 2024.

 

Below is the list of the top 10 strongest currencies in the world in 2024, according to Forbes.

 
Source: Forbes India

The Kuwaiti Dinar takes first place while the Bahraini Dinar comes second. Omani Rial, Jordanian Dinar, and the Gibraltar Pound take the third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively. In addition, the British Pound stands in sixth place while the Cayman Island Dollar comes seventh. The Swiss Franc, Euro, and the U.S. dollar rank eighth, ninth, and 10th respectively.

The U.S. dollar ranking last comes at a time when the BRICS alliance is aiming to uproot the greenback. However, despite coming 10th, the U.S. dollar is still the de facto global currency for trade and commerce.

 

Reserve Banks around the world have the U.S. dollar in treasuries and cannot transact or initiate business without the greenback. Therefore, the U.S. dollar is supreme and remains to be an undisputed king in the global currency markets.

The four remaining siblings of late Nabeeha Al-Kadriyah have regained freedom, Daily Trust report.

The sisters were abducted alongside their father early January.

Their abductors had given a deadline for the payment of ransom, and failure of the family to meet their demand led to the killing of Nabeeha.


After killing the victim, the bandits raised the ransom from N60 million to N100 million, threatening to kill the remaining sisters.

But as of the time of filing this report (12:30 am on Sunday), the girls had regained freedom and arrived their Abuja residence where they were abducted.

Our correspondent understands that security operatives escorted them home, where they were received by family members.

The four victims are Najeeba, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student, her younger sister Nadherah, 300-level Zoology student, both of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and their twin sisters, Habeeba and Haneesa.

The uncle to the girls, Sherifdeen, confirmed the development to our correspondent in a telephone chat Sunday morning.

According to him, “The girls’ release was secured late Saturday,” he said.

It was gathered that although the N100 million ransom placed on them had since been paid, the bandits held on to them for days putting the family in suspense until Saturday night.

In a statement signed by Sherifdeen Al-Kadriyah, the family thanked the Nigerians for standing by them during the trying and traumatic period.

“Words cannot express the immense gratitude and relief we feel at this moment. It is a true testament to the power of faith and the unwavering support and prayers from every one of you. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank Allah for His mercy and guidance throughout this difficult time.

“However, amidst our celebration and gratitude, we must remember and pray for those who have lost their lives during this process. Their sacrifices must not go unnoticed, and their families must be in our prayers and thoughts.

“May Allah grant them the highest ranks in Jannah, enveloping them with His mercy and forgiveness. May He bring comfort and peace to their grieving families, providing them with strength to endure their loss.

“Our beloved daughters have shown remarkable strength and resilience, and we are overjoyed to have them back in our arms. Their bravery and courage during their time held captive will forever inspire us all. May Allah bless and protect every one of these incredible young women and grant them emotional healing and strength in the days to come”.

Media

Last modified on Sunday, 21 January 2024 06:31

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the court of appeal to set aside a no-case ruling granted to Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state, and Tanko Beji, ex-PDP chairman in the state, by Abdullahi Mukailu, a high court judge.

A no-case ruling is a court’s decision stating that the prosecution has not provided sufficient evidence for the defendant to open a defence.


The commission had filed a seven-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, abetment and criminal breach of trust against Aliyu, Beji and Umar Mohammed Nasko, a former commissioner for environment and chief of staff to the former governor, before Aliyu Mayaki, a judge at the time.


The matter was reassigned to Abdullahi Mukailu following the retirement of Mayaki.

According to a statement issued by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, 11 witnesses were subsequently called, while over 400 exhibits were tendered.

The EFCC said the three defendants made a no-case submission before the court and on December 7, 2023, the judge granted the prayers in favour of Aliyu and Beji, and directed Nasko to open his defence.

“Dissatisfied with the ruling on Aliyu and Beji regarding their no-case submission, the EFCC and fully persuaded that a prima facie case had been established against them, filed a Notice of Appeal dated January 10, 2024,” the statement reads.

“The Commission was optimistic that the Court of Appeal would do justice to the appeal.

“Surprisingly, on January 15, 2024, when the EFCC’s counsel appeared in court to continue the trial of Nasko and without any prior notice, the Attorney General of Niger State made an appearance in court with an application to take over the case from the EFCC.

“Not done yet, the AG made another appearance four hours later and entered a nolle prosequi which His Lordship acted on and discharged Nasko.”

The EFCC said it is “proceeding in its appeal against Aliyu and Beji at the court of appeal with all its evidence against them”.


The commission said it will “continue to discharge its duties in line with its mandate of tackling all forms of economic and financial crimes, without fear or favour”.

A Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Yetunde Adesanya has recently heard an application filed by the defense counsel of Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Chief Frederick Nwajagu, Chief Emefo Etudo over Chief Nwajagu non-membership of Indige nous People of Biafra (IPOB) at a sitting on his case at the Igbosere High Court in Lagos, Tafawa Balewa Square.

Etudo argued the application on behalf of Chief Nwajagu before Her Lord ship Justice Adesanya Yetunde. Nwajagu has been in detention since July 2023 due to issues relating to the 2023 General Elections, saying evidence against him was not sufficient to support his conviction.


It will be recalled that Nwajagu was arrested following a midnight raid on his Lagos residence by operatives from the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged threat to invite Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect Igbos living in Lagos from political assaults and electoral violence arising from the 2023 Elections.


Nwajagu was docked on April 5, 2023, before a Magistrate’s court on two counts of conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. He pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charge but was remanded in prison custody since then.

Etudo, the lead counsel to the defendant assured the media in his brief but precise interview that the totality of evidence so far made him very confident as nothing incriminating was found against the defendant according to the PW2, the police.

With these, the lead counsel said bail for the defendant can be applied for in the course of the investigation, nothing incriminating was found against the defendant, and finding nothing incriminating against the defendant is the totality of the evidence.

Etudo said that after a thorough search of Nwajagu’s house, it was revealed that Nwajagu has no connection with IPOB, and no uniform, flags, symbols, or membership card was found to address him as a terrorist.


He thereafter appealed to the Lagos State Government through the High Court to temper justice with mercy since the IPO on the matter could not justify all allegations with concrete evidence against the defendant.

A Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, on Friday, ordered Mr Chinenye Duru, a Polaris Bank official and account officer to Mr Victor Onukogu (Daddy Hezekiah), to be remanded in a correctional facility over an alleged N16.6 billion fraud.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after Duru was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge preferred against him.


While the IGP is the complainant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/603/2023, Polaris Bank Plc and Duru are 1st and 2nd defendants.


The judge, who adjourned the matter until April 23, April 24 and April 25 for trial, ordered Duru to be remanded in a correctional centre, pending further orders of the court.

In count one, Polaris Bank and Duru were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrew from Onukogu Victor Hezekiah’s account numbers: 1040495455 and 1060104735, domiciled with the bank the sum of 16 billion and 500 million naira.

It said that knowing that the said money did not belong to them, “and knowing the same act was wrong with the intention of converting same to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

In count four, the defendants were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017 and Aug. 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrawn the sum of 75, 534 million naira from Onukogu’s account number: 4010023601 contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

In count six, they were alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn the sum of 13.3 million naira from Hezekiah University’s account number: 40910106770.

The defendants were also alleged to have fraudulently withdrew the sum of 16.3 million naira between the same date from Hezekiah University’s account number: 411054152 without any authorisation from the account owner with the intention of converting same to their own personal use contrary to the Money Laundering Act, among other counts.


Onukogu, also known as Daddy Hezekiah, is the spiritual head of Living Christ Mission Church, Onitsha in Anambra State.

Nigerian actress Jaiye Kuti shared her personal experiences and shed light on a troubling statistic concerning the state of marriages in Nigeria.

 

According to her, 85% of Nigerian women express the desire to leave their marriages.

 

The actress acknowledged in a recent interview that cultural differences are the main reason why most couples struggle in marriage.

 

Jaiye Kuti’s own harrowing journey echoes this sentiment, as she confessed to having attempted to end her marriage three times.

 

She continued by saying that men, on the other hand, make it look easy to end a marriage because of their self-serving urge to cheat.

 

She said;

“If you ask hundred women, 85% wants to exit their marriage. I even tried to leave like thrice. The issue is when you marry someone from a different tradition and when a man wants to get married, he would treat and pamper a woman well but the second marriage and children are involved, everyone will start to show their true colours. Also, men can be egocentric in nature; and also can’t be stopped from cheating.”

 

Media

Vincent McCauley, the esteemed Ghanaian actor, has left this world.

 

McCauley passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, following surgery for a brain tumor in South Africa.

Announcing his death in a statement on Friday, his family, expressed gratitude for his “glorious magnificent transition” into the presence of God Almighty..

The statement said, “It is with a thankful heart that we announce the ushering into the presence of God Almighty, our son, brother, uncle and friend, Vincent E McCauley, Jr., (now of blessed memory) on Monday January 15, 2024, after undergoing surgery in South Africa for a brain tumor.

“His was a glorious magnificent transition, having the great privilege to see and encounter Heaven.

“An administrator at Soul Clinic Intemational School, Vincent was an ardent actor who starred in many films and TV productions, including being celebrated for his role as ‘Max’ in the popular series ‘Things We Do For Love.’

“At Perfect Peace, our Vincent now has Eternity of Rest. He leaves a large void and will be greatly missed.


“The family is grateful for the time you spent with us, dear Vincent! You were a gem, a gift straight from God and you were greatly loved and cherished.

“However, God loves you most perfectly. We sincerely thank all those who genuinely cared and loved him too.”

Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari,, responding to the news on her X account last Saturday, expressed;

“This news is such a hard pill for me to swallow. ????

“I met Vincent on the set of ‘Who owns the city’ about 14yrs ago.

“He was so radiant, a breath of fresh air and was always very bubbly. I’ll always remember the way his eyes sparkled whenever he mentioned my name and the way he laughed at my senseless jokes on set.

“Rest in peace, Vinny..and good luck with your mission in the other world.”