A pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), David Musa, has been killed by his abductors after payment of N1,000,000 ransom in Kogi State.
It was gathered that the cleric was abducted from his farm on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in Obajana, Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.
A member of the church identified as Mary said the pastor was killed shortly after the ransom was delivered on Tuesday night, November 14.
“The pastor went to his farm that ugly day. So, his wife was waiting for him to return home, but she didn’t see her husband. When night fell, the wife raised an alarm, and the church people, including residents of the community, went to his farm to search for him,” she explained.
“It was then that they discovered that the pastor had been kidnapped. The abductors got in touch with the family, demanding N20,000,000. Since the church and the family could not raise such an amount of money, they pleaded with the kidnappers, and they reduced the ransom to N1,000,000.
"The kidnappers insisted that, when they are bringing the money, they should come along with recharge cards, chicken, and many alcoholic drinks for their consumption. Two of the church members were sent to deliver the money and the items requested by the kidnappers.
"When they went to the kidnappers’ den, they saw our pastor alive. They now instructed our pastor and the two other church members who brought the money to start going home.
"Unfortunately, they later called the pastor to come back, and he did as instructed because he knew that there was no way he could run from their place since his abductors were holding sophisticated weapons.
“When he was coming back to them, they immediately shot at him, and he died. That was how they later brought his lifeless body back to Obajana. This incident has thrown the entire church and the community into mourning.”
A message posted on social media platform of the church on Wednesday morning reads: “It is with a heavy heart, but in total submission to the will of God, that I write to inform you that the abductors of our brother, Pastor Musa David, have killed him after collecting a ransom of one million naira last night. Let our prayers be with the family, the church, and the DCC in this trying moment.”
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ayah, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, November 16, said those behind the killing will be arrested and prosecuted.
The PPRO added that the command has begun an investigation into the incident.
Defamation: "I didn't know burning Qur'an is offense" - Tani Olorun Seeks Forgiveness from Muslim Community
AdminA Kwara State Chief Magistrates Court in Ilorin, on Thursday, finally granted bail to the embattled Isese adherent, Abdulazeez Adegbola, alias Tani Olohun, who is facing defamation charges brought against him by some Muslim faithful.
Tani Olorun, who had been in custody for 91 days, during Thursday’s court appearance, sought the permission of the magistrate to speak in the open court.
When given the floor, the traditionalist pleaded for the forgiveness of the Islamic scholars whom he had allegedly defamed and from all Muslims all over saying they should forgive him and promising never to repeat such act of posting negative videos on his social media handles again.
Speaking in Yoruba language, he said, “I want to seek forgiveness from the Islamic scholars and the entire Muslims worldwide. I didn’t mean to hurt them or debase the Islamic religion.
‘’I didn’t know what I was doing was wrong when I was doing it. I want them to forgive me. I promise not to do such a thing again.”
Following a bail application by his lawyer,Ademola Bank, the court admitted him to bail in the sum of N2m and three sureties in the like sum.
The magistrate said one of the sureties must be a community leader while the second must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court or in Oyo State where he (Tani Olorun) claimed to be a resident.
Earlier while moving the bail application, Bank said his client had begged for the forgiveness of Islamic scholars and urged the magistrate to grant him bail in liberal terms.
Counsel for the two complainants, Labeeb Lagbaji and Modirasatu Mohammed Islamic group; Taofeeq Olateju and Y.Y Ajibade, respectively did not oppose the bail application moved.
Tani Olorun’s lawyer, after the court proceedings, told The PUNCH, “We will struggle to meet all the conditions of the bail as spelt out in the ruling of the court.”
American rapper and actor, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, popularly known as Snoop Dogg, has announced his decision to quit smoking.
The rapper, who disclosed on an exclusive preview of Martha Stewart’s iHeartRadio podcast in 2022 that he started smoking at the age of 18, stated thoughtful consideration and discussions with his family as reasons for this decision.
American rapper and actor, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, popularly known as Snoop Dogg, has announced his decision to quit smoking.
Making the announcement on his X account on Thursday, the 52-year-old artist emphasised the importance of respecting his privacy during this time.
In the post, he said, “After much consideration and conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time.”
Snoop Dogg rose to fame in 1992 with his feature on Dr. Dre’s debut solo single, “Deep Cover,” followed by his contributions to Dre’s debut solo album, ‘The Chronic.;
Since his emergence on the music scene, Snopp has sold over 23 million albums in the United States and 35 million worldwide.
His achievements include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations.
A trending video captured the daring feat, featuring Mr Roose navigating the bridge and train tracks at the CMS bus stop in Lagos.
Red Bull, the driving force behind the project, enlisted Mr Roose known for his jaw-dropping tricks and unique performances.
Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, shared the vision behind the initiative on Instagram.
He said: “Red Bull is aiming for the Perfect Lagos Selfie with Jaan Roose, showcasing the beauty of Lagos State in collaboration with the Lagos Safety Commission. Stay tuned for the Perfect Lagos Selfie.”
“Jaan Roose is an Estonian slackliner and Guinness World Record holder. Slacklining is a sport that can be a balance training, recreation and moving meditation.
“This project is to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and the Red Bull team is working together with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Safety Commission. Stay Tuned for the Perfect Lagos Selfie.”
Jaan Roose
The 31-year-old Estonian dynamo has turned slacklining into a heart-stopping spectacle around the globe.
From setting world records to performing as a Hollywood stuntman, Roose’s journey is as breathtaking as the high lines he conquers.
When he embarked on his slacklining odyssey at 18, little did he know it would catapult him into the limelight, captivating audiences with mind-bending tricks.
As the first and only athlete to execute a double backflip on a slackline, he has become a three-time world champion, holding a treasure trove of world records and pioneering feats in the sport.
His prowess extends beyond the realm of competitive slacklining. Hollywood beckoned, and he answered, performing daring stunts in films like Assassin’s Creed. He even shared the stage with pop icon Madonna during her MDNA World Tour.
For Jaan, the thrill of showcasing his extraordinary talent goes beyond competition. His globetrotting adventures include a 100m-high acrobatic performance in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021 and a daring 500m-long slackline traverse between two mountains in Kazakhstan the following year.
In 2023 saw him redefine heights once again, completing a mesmerizing 150-metre walk on a slackline across two points of a single building in Doha, Qatar.
Global investment bank Morgan Stanley has disclosed that the interventionist policies of former President Muhammadu Buhari triggered economic bottlenecks and hindered the private sector’s ability to grow.
Some of the interventionist policies according to Steven Quattry, an analyst at Morgan Stanley included multiple foreign exchange windows and fuel subsidies regime.
Quattry, in the report titled ‘Market Outlook: Nigeria’s New Dawn’ which was published on the bank’s website on Wednesday, disclosed that the last eight years have been difficult for Nigerians.
“Yet for the average Nigerian, the last eight years were incredibly difficult. The interventionist policies of former president Muhammadu Buhari namely, multiple foreign exchange rates and fuel subsidies—led to economic bottlenecks and hindered the private sector’s ability to grow.
“The country was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world from 2001 to 2014, but during Buhari’s term grew only 1.4% on average a poor showing, considering the 2.8% growth in the working-age population.
“Over that same period, the average Nigerian saw their annual income shrink by nearly a third, from $3,222 U.S. dollars to $2,200. By contrast, Kenyans saw their incomes rise by more than 40%.”
The report sees an opportunity for growth in the country’s economy in the next few years once the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu begin to bear fruit.
“In the next two to three years, once the current administration has succeeded in reversing the harmful policies and economic malaise of the past eight years, Nigeria could witness a sharp upturn in economic growth.
This is likely to present investors with opportunities in local equity markets, especially in the telecom, consumer goods and durables sectors”.
[Ripples Nigeria]
Reality TV Star, Bella Okagbue, has revealed that she would simply “move on” if her boyfriend, Sheggz doesn’t marry her.
She reiterated that it wouldn’t be a big deal for her, stressing that Sheggz doesn’t have one of her kidneys.
She revealed this while answering questions from fans during a question-and-answer session on Instagram recently.
A fan asked: “Bella, what if Sheggz no marry you, hope you won’t feel bad after everything o?” to which Bella replied, “Everything? Does he have one of my kidneys?
“I will move on like you all move on. That’s why we all have exs.”
Recall that the duo fell in love during the Big Brother Naija Level Up Season, in 2022. They celebrated their relationship anniversary, earlier this year.
[pNigerian Tribune]
The Chairman of De Wayles Group of Companies, Chief Emonena Wayles Egukawhore, has congratulated Senator Douye Diri over his re-election as the governor of Bayelsa State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last Monday announced the results of the election which he held last Saturday and declared Diri as the winner.
Diri, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent and others in the election which was adjudged as peaceful.
Egukawhore in a statement issued yesterday affirmed that Diri’s victory did not come as a surprise but as a clear attestation of the faith, trust and confidence the people of Bayelsa State reposed on him.
According to him, “On behalf of myself and my family, I join the Grassroots Movement for Good Governance to congratulate Senator Diri on his re-election as the governor of Bayelsa State.
“Your victory at the polls did not come as a surprise, and it is a clear attestation of the faith, trust and confidence the people of Bayelsa State repose on you on account of your accomplishments in the last four years.
“Little wonder that you garnered wide acceptance and support across ethnic and political divides as the preferred anointed choice to continue to spearhead the prosperity agenda for the people of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria in general.”
[ThisDay]
A mother identified as Sharifa Noma alongside her newborn twin daughters were recently burnt to death in Sokoto State.
According to sources, the woman put to bed at home around 2:30am on Tuesday.
“After losing too much blood, her family decided to take her to the hospital for possible blood infusion,” the source said.
Their vehicle was said to have rammed into a road block erected by bandits along Ruwa wuri-Bugawa road in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto.
The bandits opened fire on the vehicle and the driver lost control after which the vehicle hit a tree and burst into flames.
“The driver, the mother and one of the twin sisters were burnt to death,” the source added
A resident of the community simply identified as Kabiru noted that, other passengers including the other twin sister escaped with injuries and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
When contacted, spokesman of the Sokoto Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he could not confirm the incident as he had not been briefed.
He promised to call back as soon as he gets information.
The Federal Government is partnering with the Anthology, a number one AI Tech company in the world, on blackboard technology to aid learning efficiency.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman while receiving in his office, the Anthology delegation in Abuja on Thursday, said the partnership would leverage on the limitations of physical capacity of learning and the inability to access credible learning materials.
Anthology is an EdTech provider that supports learners and institutions with the largest education technology ecosystem on a global scale.
Mamman pledged to provide necessary support that would facilitate the progress of the blackboard in the country.
“I am a firm believer of technology, I believe in the efficacy of what we can use technology to achieve.
“We are at the beginning of major reform in the education sector from the basic levels to tertiary levels. We know that physical capacity is a limiting factor but through IT, you can reach practically everybody and we are determined to do it,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono explained that the blackboard would establish Centres of Excellence in Nigeria that would be a benchmark for online learning methodologies
Echono said it would also help the country to be at the forefront of learning management system saying that “what happened during COVID would not catch us unawares again”.
He added that the blackboard would enroll about 2.2million student users in Nigeria across the 253 institutions.
He said the plan to enrol other private institutions to increase the target to 3million students.
“It is a platform that handles everything even from management of the institutions to the process of seeking admission-when you get enrolled to how you finish.
“Also the blackboard is able to provide content for all the institutions and the real-time engagement that the institutional ecosystem operates.
“It also gives us the opportunity to be able to benchmark what is happening in other institutions around the globe that are all using the same platforms.
“Blackboard will establish centre of excellence in Nigeria that will be a benchmark on online learning methodologies and this will really help to be in the forefront of learning management system that what happened during COVID will not catch us unawares again,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President of Anthology, Joe Belenardo, said the blackboard had been tested to provide solutions to students and directors of ICT around the world through skills.
Belenardo explained that the blackboard, a learning management system currently has about 6,000 clients and 150 million students globally and is designed to create additional solutions/innovations, access to network and give business development opportunities for learners.
“With ICT skills, we will make a difference in making the world a better place,” he said.
Also, the Country Director and Channel Partner for Anthology Nigeria, Mr Ladipo Adedeji explained that the system allowed students to function adequately both online and onsite.
“It’s not just about online learning, the learning management system allows you to function in schools whether it’s online or offline.
“As you will find out, nobody carries lecture notes anymore, nobody submits physical assignments anymore, so this allows lecturers to teach more efficiently, allows students learn efficiently in a sensitive way.
“Part of also the laudable project that TETFund has done is the issue of subscription that allows each student access to a global library.
“Part of the limitations of a lot of people is that they have no access to credible material but with the platform, the limitation will be addressed.
“The feature of this is that you can learn Yoruba in a university in Brazil. This is taking Nigeria into that 21st/22nd century and that is what TETFund has been able to achieve with this laudable project,” he said.
(NAN)
DACEMPCS presents her third business summit.
Theme: Leveraging Cooperative Strength to Identify and Harness Business Opportunities
Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Time: 12noon–2.30pm
More...
One James Rich has been arrested for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a teenager inside a Church toilet in Anambra State.
According to the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, the indigene of Cross River State was arrested in Awka where he resides and allegedly committed the punishable offence.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, the Media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, said the suspect was arrested with the help of the Anambra State Police Command.
The suspect, who works as a yardman at St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, Ifite-Awka, repeatedly had carnal knowledge of the 14-year-old girl inside the church’s toilet and impregnated her in the process.
“Interviewing the suspect, he accepted to have defiled the 14-year-old and impregnated her in the process.
“He explained that he usually does so every Sunday morning at the church premises and that he has had carnal knowledge of her for about three times after which he gives her the sum of N200 to buy biscuit.
“The suspect, though married with two children and expecting a third child, lives in the church premises where he carries out his daily activity. He pleaded for pardon, stating that this was his first time committing the crime and that it was a temptation that made him do so,” Ikeanyionwu noted in the statement obtained.
When interrogated, the victim, who has reportedly developed mental challenges, said the 31-year-old suspect usually defiles her early every Sunday morning before the 6:30 a.m. service starts.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner disclosed that the case would be charged to court immediately to get justice for the girl.
She, therefore, warned adults to stop defiling young girls especially minors to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison as the state does not tolerate such.
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has clarified reports about the visa cancellation and deportation of some Nigerians upon entry into the Kingdom.
The Saudi Arabian government had on Monday, November 13, cancelled the visa of 177 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, on arrival at the country from Kano, insisting that they be returned to Nigeria.
Consequently, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria while 87 passengers were cleared by Saudi immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.
The Federal Government through the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, urged all affected passengers of Air Peace who had their visas cancelled and subsequently deported from Saudi Arabia to remain calm as it has launched an investigation into the matter.
However, in a statement, Saudi authorities stated that the visas of the 177 Air Peace passengers from Nigeria upon Arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were cancelled for violating the country’s entry rules.
“The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja would like to make a clarification about the media reports and social media releases concerning the deportation of Nigerian citizens at the point of entry into the Kingdom.
“The passengers, who were denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, did not fulfill the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that does not apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.’’
The Royal Embassy stressed the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.
It stated, “The Royal Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.
“Furthermore, all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions before departing from their countries to the Kingdom.
“This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only, but rather to citizens of other countries.’’
[NationalDaily]
Former BBNaija housemate, Venita Akpofure has opened up on how she misses being intimate and having someone close to talk to.
She said the connection that comes with having a partner is lacking.
The mother of two revealed this in her latest interview with Aura magazine while discussing her personal life.
Speaking about the emotions associated with her relationship history, Venita noted that she misses the intimacy that comes with having a man in her life.
The actress also talked about raising her kids as a single mother
“I do miss the intimacy of having someone to talk to about everything.
” However, the children’s father hasn’t significantly contributed to their lives. So, whether he’s present or not, it wouldn’t affect what the children need,” she said.
[TheNation]
The senator for Edo North and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, recounted a moment of assault at the hands of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives during his tenure as the labour leader between 1999 and 2007.
Oshiomhole, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, narrated his experience in light of the recent assault on current NLC president Joe Ajaero in Imo State, prompting an indefinite nationwide strike which began on Tuesday.
“I had a similar experience… I was on my way to Delta State and I went to the airport,” he said.
“The then director of SSS ordered that I should be arrested and stopped from travelling because we had given an ultimatum to the then Federal Government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo.”
According to him, the ultimatum had to do with resisting the attempt to withdraw fuel subsidy because of our fears of the consequential increase in the cost of living.
“They dragged me on the tarmac and I had my cuts all over the place. They forcefully prevented me from flying and took me back to the DSS director general’s office — then Col. [Kayode] Are,” the former labour leader stated.
“He offered to take me to their own hospital and I said, ‘No, I can’t even trust a government that has inflicted this kind of wound on me to treat me. They might as well poison my blood.’ I said I wasn’t going to do that.”
Oshiomhole added that he ended up in detention after being “taken away” for two days.
“[For] at least 48 hours, the NLC couldn’t locate me. When eventually I was let out, the bandage on my arm with the blood and all that, I told my colleagues, ‘This blood would rather reinforce and whet my appetite for the struggle for justice,’” he said.