Businessman Olakunle Churchill and Nollywood actress Rosy Meurer mark their 5th wedding anniversary on December 23, 2024.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2019, took to the popular image sharing platform, Instagram to share their love and appreciation for each other, with Rosy posting a heartfelt tribute to her husband.

In her message, Rosy Meurer referred to their marriage as a “timeless” bond, emphasizing that while their anniversary is a momentary occasion, their love for each other is enduring.

She expressed deep affection for Olakunle, calling him her “baby” and reaffirming her commitment to him, stating that she would always belong to him—”today, tomorrow, and forever.”

To commemorate the special day, Rosy shared sweet photos of herself and Olakunle, where the couple was seen dressed in matching outfits, radiating joy and love.

The images were accompanied by loving words, with Rosy acknowledging the strength of their relationship and the journey they’ve shared so far.

Fans and colleagues of the couple also joined in the celebrations, sending their well wishes and congratulatory messages to the duo.

The couple’s enduring love story continues to capture the hearts of their followers, with many expressing admiration for the bond they have built together.

Olakunle Churchill, who was previously married to actress Tonto Dikeh, has found happiness with Rosy, and their relationship has been flourishing since they tied the knot.

Despite the challenges of his past, Olakunle’s marriage to Rosy seems to be full of love and mutual respect, as evidenced by their public displays of affection and support for each other.

See below;

Popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has reached another milestone with her latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, which has officially become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2024.

The movie has raked in an impressive N500 million within just 12 days of its release.

Taking to her Instagram page, Funke expressed her heartfelt gratitude to fans and supporters, as well as her faith in God, for the overwhelming success.

“Thank you, Lord!! Thank you, everyone!! I couldn’t have done this without your love and support!! God bless you all!!!” she wrote.

This accomplishment comes shortly after the UK premiere of the film at Odeon Cinemas, where tickets sold out within minutes.

• With boldness and precision, Pastor Abel Damina, in new interview, addressed pressing controversies and weighty matters, sparing no detail on his take on the nation’s spiritual and political pulse.
• The conversation turned intense as Damina was thrust into the heart of debates surrounding revered spiritual icons like Pastor Adeboye, Bishop Oyedepo, and Pastor Enenche, figures who command immense influence over millions.
• He also didn’t shy away from scrutinizing the leadership of President Tinubu’s administration, offering thought-provoking perspectives on the state of governance in Nigeria.

Dr. Abel Damina, the formidable force behind Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, recently sat down for a captivating, no-holds-barred conversation with Nigerian journalist Seun Okinbaloye on the Mic On podcast.

In a revealing snippet making waves across social media, Damina doubled down on his long-held stance that tithe is not a mandatory requirement, despite the overwhelming chorus of his fellow pastors who adamantly preach otherwise. With uncompromising clarity, he declared that neither the Old nor the New Testament supports the doctrine of compulsory tithing.

When the conversation veered toward the revered General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Adeboye, and the question of whether he considers him a mentor, Damina’s response was nothing short of startling. He immediately rejected the notion.

Turning his attention to the growing tide of dissatisfaction surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Damina offered a measured yet firm perspective.

While acknowledging the widespread complaints of hardship plaguing the country, he insisted that it’s far too early to pass judgment on Tinubu’s government, and he reminded listeners that no earthly government can ever be perfect.

The discussion then turned to Bishop David Oyedepo’s decision to retire long-standing associates like Davis Abioye and Thomas Aremu. Damina, ever the contrarian, expressed disbelief at the very concept of ministers retiring. For him, God’s calling into ministry is eternal and irreversible.

The topic of his well-known rift with Pastor Paul Enenche, senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, sparked even deeper reflections. Damina shared the painful truth of how Enenche, once his spiritual son, turned against him.

Damina ended the clip with one of his most controversial topics— the prevalence of fake miracles in churches. He pointed to his earlier expose on the new crutches phenomenon, where he called out fraudulent acts of miracle claims, and proudly claimed credit for the reduction in such deceit.

WATCH HIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW BELOW 

The husband of one of the victims of the stampede that occurred at Okija, in Anambra State on Saturday, identified as Uchenna Nwaudo, has lamented the loss of his wife in the incident, saying he had warned her not to attend the programme, but she did not need his advice.

No fewer than 22 persons died in a stampede that occurred at the gate of a charity event at the Obijackson Centre in Amanranta area of the community.

The victims, particularly middle-aged women, the elderly and children were stampeded upon as they struggled to gain entrance at the gate amid a very large crowd.

It was gathered that the centre was the venue of the sharing of 25kg bags of rice palliatives including vegetable oil and cash.

Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, Nwaudo lamented the loss of his wife in the incident, saying, “I am from Umuohi village in Okija. On the fateful day, I had warned my wife not to go to the rice-sharing venue because of our little baby who was not feeling fine. I asked my wife not to attend the event to look after the boy.

“But I was at the place of my business at Ihiala junction when I was called to rush to Amaranta, venue of the palliatives sharing, that there was a heavy stampede and my wife was trampled upon and that she had just slumped on the floor. I expressed surprise as I had already warned her not to attend.

“But when I got there, to my surprise, I met her lifeless body and my baby still strapped on her back while everywhere was rowdy and everybody scampering to safety. I looked and observed that the baby was still alive. What I did was remove the baby from her back and leave the scene.”

He said he could not even carry her lifeless body as everywhere was still very rowdy noting that it was by the grace of God that he managed to escape the scene. “Even my mobile phone and her handbag were nowhere to be found,” he added.

“It was later that I learnt that the lifeless body was taken to the mortuary by the ambulance provided by the organisers of the event. I went to the mortuary at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, to see the lifeless body. I have consulted with members of the family and we are making arrangements to go and pick up the corpse for proper burial.

“It was an unfortunate situation. I won’t blame the organisers of the event, because it is a gesture they have been doing over the years as a way of helping the members of the community to put a smile on their faces during Yuletide. But this one turned out to be like this.

“It was impatience on the part of the people and poor crowd control that contributed to the incident. I learnt that the security operatives battled to control the surging crowd who forced entry into the premises.

Our correspondent, who also visited the scene observed that many shoes, slippers, handbags and some other belongings of the victims were still littered on the floor in front of the gate.
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A relative of one of the victims, Uju Udoka, said, “I lost a sister, who was a nursing mother to the incident. She left her baby to quickly go and share the palliatives. Unfortunately, she ended up not coming back home. It is something that the community has been benefiting from the foundation every year. It’s unfortunate that this year’s edition turned out to be like this due to impatience.

“Some people were fortunate to enter the venue without any problem and they benefitted from the rice shared. Despite what happened, some people still benefitted.”

An eyewitness identified as Nnamdi Uzor, said those who collapsed were rushed to nearby hospitals, and at the hospitals, those confirmed dead were deposited at the morgue, adding that two morgues were filled up and at a point stopped accepting more corpses.

Uzor said, “The stampede occurred in the morning of the sharing as the gate of the arena was about to be opened because many struggled to gain entrance. Many people, particularly the aged and children were trampled upon and many collapsed and critically injured while some died before being rushed to the hospital.

“I saw a woman that lay lifeless on the floor with her baby strapped on her back. Fortunately, the child was still alive, but when the husband came, he picked the child from the back of his wife and immediately left the scene.”

One of the survivors receiving treatment at the hospital visited, who identified herself simply as Ngozi, said, “I thank God that I survived the situation. I cannot tell what happened, all I can remember was that there were too many people at the entrance of the venue and as the security people were about to open the gate, people started rushing and pushing one another.

“And when the gate was eventually opened, people started running and in the process, so many people fell and as a result, people coming behind started trampling upon one another. Someone pushed me, and I also fell to the floor. Before I knew what was happening, I felt a heavy load on my body as so many people fell on me.

“As people were falling on me, I was gasping for breath and shouting, other people in similar circumstances were also shouting. There was noise everywhere. I urinated on my body. It was not a palatable experience, it was as if a trailer of container fell on me.

“I became unconscious and when I opened my eyes, I found myself at the hospital. I don’t know how I managed to survive. I give God the glory. I lost my mobile set and my handbag containing some money in the process, but that is not my concern now as I am happy to be alive.

“What happened was not the fault of the organisers. People were just impatient and in the process, it led to what happened.”

Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, the President-General, Okija Progressives Union, Dr Paul Isioma Ohaguim, described it as “very unfortunate”, adding that the community received the news with rude shock.

Ohaguim stated that the actual casualty figure has not been ascertained, saying the information so far gathered had different figures.

We’re yet to hear from kidnappers — Family Source

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have ambushed an Ado-Ekiti-bound 18-passenger bus at Emure Ile, kidnapping all the passengers on board.

The incident occurred on the outskirts of Emure-Owo on Sunday night, at the boundary between Ekiti and Ondo states, as the bus was returning from Onitsha.

A source at the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch, said the bandits kidnapped the driver, identified as Sunday Emmanuel, alongside other passengers, demanding a ransom of N30 million each.

The source, who craved anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers abandoned some children in the bus, whose cries attracted the attention of passersby in the early hours of yesterday, before it was reported to the nearest police station.

The source added that two passengers escaped before police arrived at the scene to recover the bus.
He said: “They drove the bus into the bush and dragged people inside the bush. The called the family of the driver and I pleaded to speak with the driver and after our conversation, they demanded a ransom of N30 million. They said they would call back, but they have not done so yet.

“They left some children on the bus, and it seems that some people at the the farm saw the kids and alerted the police in Emure-Owo

“The driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti is currently holding a meeting on how to reach out to the kidnappers.

The source added that two of the kidnapped victims escaped while they were being herded into the bush.”

The Ekiti State police command was yet to react to the incident at the time of this report as the police PPRO could not be reached on his phone.

We’re yet to hear from kidnappers — Family source

Meanwhile, the family of the kidnapped bus driver has said they are yet to receive further calls from the abductors.

A family member, who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti had been contacted about the development.

The source said the kidnappers have not communicated with the family after their initial demand of N30m ransom.

The family source said: “When I called the union, they said they are also making calls on how to sort out the ransom. The union called me again today and I told them I have not heard again from the kidnappers and no one knows how to reach out to them.

“We learned that the union held a meeting today to discuss the ransom and how to negotiate with the kidnappers.”

— Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Education, Law, and Humanitarian Causes

The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has been named the 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot by the Association of United Nations Ambassadors for Peace.

The award comes amidst recent controversies surrounding alleged defamation by human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

The notification of the award was conveyed in a letter addressed to the legal icon, co-signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Selection Committee, Prof. Joseph Mfon and Prof. Barika Saro-Laka, respectively.

In the letter, the association described Afe Babalola as a detribalized nationalist whose selfless contributions have left a significant impact, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa and beyond.

The association highlighted the reasons for honoring Aare Afe Babalola: Employment Creation: Providing over 1,600 jobs to Nigerians across various tribes and cultures.

Legal Excellence: Producing the highest number of lawyers in Africa, including over 100 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), as well as Judges and Attorneys General of the Federation.

Educational Development: Establishing the self-funded Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), aimed at reducing illiteracy, crime, and ignorance in Nigeria.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Labour House, Abuja, on Thursday, 9th January, 2025.

The letter partly reads: “We have approved the conferment of our pioneer merit award of 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot on your dignified personality due to your consistent and impactful contributions to humanity and societal development across multiple sectors.”

The association also announced a humanitarian gesture in honor of Afe Babalola: Support for 300 Widows: Verified members of the National Association of Nigerian Widows (NANIWO) will receive Christmas food packs and transportation allowances as part of the celebration.

The association further commended Afe Babalola for his enduring commitment to national development, integrity, and excellence in both education and law.

This recognition reinforces Aare Afe Babalola’s status as a visionary leader, an advocate for justice, and a tireless contributor to Nigeria’s progress and development.

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the ban imposed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on distribution of palliatives to the poor, except with the approval of the police.

The ban came as a fallout of recent stampedes across the country from events organised to distribute economic relief items to the needy.

Obi, writing on his X handle, described the move by the IGP as a timely response, but a disturbing development in the light of the state of the nation. He said it was an unnecessary bureaucracy prone to abuse. 

He stated, “The latest directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) placing some restrictions on the distribution of palliatives to the less privileged in our midst is disturbing.

“Even though the directive is a timely response to the series of tragedies recorded across the country recently, and the IG’s honest reaction to the challenges of the prevailing economic hardship, it’s open to abuse.

“It is capable of discouraging citizens from helping the hungry and distressed among us.

“While I understand the need for better organisation and more attention to public safety, it is important to clarify that acts of goodwill should not be hindered by excessive bureaucracy.

“Rather than requiring people to seek permission to assist those in need, we should encourage them to find better, more organised ways to offer such help.”

Obi said, “The focus should be on promoting coordination, not imposing barriers that could deter much-needed acts of kindness in a time of widespread hunger, pain, and anger.

“This is not the time to stifle the spirit of compassion and generosity among our people. Instead, let us channel these efforts constructively, ensuring that help reaches the most vulnerable safely and efficiently.”

Obi also urged the federal government to address the root cause of hardship through people-friendly policies, instead of erecting barriers that isolate people from help.

He said, “The government must also do more to address the root causes of this hardship, providing lasting solutions rather than creating obstacles for those stepping in to fill the gaps created by government’s insensitive policies.

“I urge the IGP to immediately review this directive and ensure that the police foster collaboration and support, not division and discouragement, in our shared quest to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday described the October 2020 EndSARS protest period as one of his toughest moments as a leader.

Sanwo-Olu made this known during a chat with 30 fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, in Ikeja.

“One of my toughest moments as a leader was during the EndSARS protest.

“We have been tested as a government, but we must continue to put the needs of Lagosians beyond our struggles as a responsive and responsible government.

”No bad news stays forever. Work hard to create good news and make sure people listen to it,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He advised fellows of the academy to be intentional about developing their leadership skills.

”For you to have been selected out of 16,000 applicants means there is something of value in you.

“Leadership is something we should be deliberate about which was why we created this academy.

“You all are champions of good leadership. Challenge yourselves. The only limitation you have is not dreaming big enough.

”I know your generation may not know who Alhaji Lateef Jakande was,” he said.

The governor said that Jakande epitomised leadership.

“That is why we are still talking about him today,” he said.

The governor told the fellows that it would be important to show courage in the face of adversity.

“A trait of a good leader is the ability to tolerate and endure, which is why we need you to stay together so you will learn how to tolerate each other and make meaningful friendships.

”You need to be courageous and be solution-oriented, don’t focus on the challenges,” he said.

Mrs Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, the academy’s Executive Secretary, thanked the governor for addressing the fellows.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the academy is aimed at developing young, change-oriented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of Nigeria.

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has resumed trucking out of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, after a one-week halt in operations.

The refinery had abruptly stopped loading petrol a fortnight ago without providing any explanation, leaving many marketers stranded.

According to sources, the Port Harcourt Refinery Depot was inactive last Thursday, with an empty loading bay and no signs of activity throughout the preceding week.

However, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had stated that preparations for loading operations were ongoing.

Contrary to earlier reports, it was gathered that the lifting of petrol commenced on Saturday, with 11 trucks loading PMS from the depot.

A visit to the facility on Monday revealed that, although activities had not fully commenced, trucks were seen driving into the 18-arm loading bay from 1:14 pm onwards.

The Guardian observed that the first set of trucks arrived at the Onyema gate, the entrance point for trucks, at around 12:21 pm. The trucks, which were assumed to have been cleared from a designated area, were allowed to proceed to the loading bay.

By 12:26 pm, a total of seven trucks had been cleared and were ready to proceed to the loading bay to lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The trucks eventually made their way to the loading bay at around 1:30 pm.

However, despite the resumption of loading operations, activities at the depot remained slow.

By 2 pm, only two trucks had loaded, while six others were still queuing to load. Two trucks had already loaded and left the loading bay, while three others were in the process of loading.

A fire service truck was stationed at the loading bay in case of any fire outbreak. The first truck started lifting petrol at exactly 1:18 pm, and by 4:30 pm, a total of ten trucks had lifted petrol.

Marketers at the depot expressed dissatisfaction with the frequent shutting down of loading operations without explanation.

They also lamented that only three out of the 18 arms in the loading bay were functional, while the others had yet to be calibrated.

One marketer, who identified himself as Liti, stated, “We are not happy over what is happening here. If operations were going on fully here, you would see this place full of trucks, and they can load up to 50 trucks before 6 pm. So, let the government come and help us and make sure the refinery is working well.”

It was also gathered that not all the arms in the loading bay were designated for petrol loading.

Some were meant for loading Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Automated Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel. However, the refinery has yet to commence production of kerosene and diesel.

The resumption of petrol loading operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company is expected to alleviate the fuel scarcity in the region.

However, the frequent shutdowns and technical issues at the refinery have raised concerns about the facility’s reliability and efficiency.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a long-pending proposal for telecom tariff hikes, with new rates for calls, SMS, and internet bundles expected to take effect in January 2025. [b]This marks the end of over a decade of lobbying by telecom giants like MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile, who have called for price adjustments to reflect economic realities. Despite soaring operational costs driven by headline inflation, telecom operators have been unable to raise prices for 11 years.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed to TechCabal that further details of the tariff adjustments would be shared in an official announcement.

“This announcement will benefit the subscribers and operators because we have taken into account the proposals from the industry and the public,” an NCC spokesperson told TechCabal.

According to the existing proposals, telecoms tariffs could rise by up to 40%. If adopted, the cost of a phone call will increase from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute and SMS charges will rise from ₦4 to ₦5.60. For data plans, the price of a 1GB bundle will increase from ₦1,000 to at least ₦1,400.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, acknowledged the need for price adjustments, stating: “We think there may be a need for that” in a December 20 interview on Arise TV.

The NCC is responsible for reviewing and approving tariffs adjustments in the telecommunications industry. In October 2024, it rejected Starlink’s application to double subscription fees to ₦75,000. While the commission aims to balance the financial burden on subscribers, it also recognises that the industry’s operational challenges could affect service quality and investment.

Rising food inflation (39.93%) complicates the telecom tariff increase, with concerns that it could reduce internet usage in a country where digital inclusion is a priority. However, the current situation has led to significant financial losses for the telcos.

MTN Nigeria, for instance, reported a ₦137 billion loss in 2023, with losses expanding to ₦514.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024. Airtel Africa also reported losses of $89 million in FY 2024, largely driven by challenges in Nigeria.

Despite the grim outlook in the telecoms sector for much of the year, President of the Association of Licenced Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) Gbenga Adebayo argues that cost-reflective prices will incentivise investment and help improve quality in the long run.