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 We’re in a season of national distress — Oyedepo The Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church worldwide, headquartered in Canaan Land, Ogun State, David Oyedepo Jr., has said Nigeria was in a state of distress. Speaking on the church’s third service, themed ‘’Convenant Day of Fruitfulness’’, Oyedepo urged Christian faithful to take cover in convenant stewardship. He said:  “If you raised an empty Ghana-must-go bag in a windy environment, it would fly away, but if you have a heavy substance in it, no matter the hash wind, it would resist it.  The same applies to an individual without convenant practice in Christ Jesus.’’ Meanwhile, Presiding Bishop of the Church, David Oyedepo, while urging Christians to reach out to the needy around them to mitigate the economic hardship, disclosed that the church has opened several Kingdom care outlets to reach out to the needy through its Winners Satellite Fellowship,WSF across Nigeria. According to him, this is to mitigate the economic ...

How chorister was shot dead inside church in Edo.  The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the shooting to death of a church chorister, simply identified as Success. As at press time, it could not be ascertained if the incident which occurred last week Sunday (3 March, 2024), is cult-related or not. It was however that the hoodlums stormed the Pentecostal church located around Murtala Mohammed Way at about 8 am when the Success and other worshippers were reportedly taking their Sunday school’s teaching. The victim was said to have received a telephone call, and stepped out of the church hall, apparently to attend to the caller. According to an eyewitness who craved anonymity: “Immediately he stepped out, one of the assailants held him by his waist within the church premises. “In the ensuing confusion, Success was wrestled to the floor, while another assailant emerged and shot him on the floor,” “The gunmen thereafter collected his [Success] mobile phone before fleeing the scene....

 Alleged N3trn budget padding: Northern Senators divided, lawmakers rap Ningi …as Karimi, Zam, Sheu disagree with him on allegations against Tinubu, Akpabio, Senate . Urge Ningi to rein in trouble makers, warn ‘you can’t use us to blackmail budget process done in good faith’ Three senators – Steve Sunday Karimi, Titus Tartenger Zam and Kaka Sheu – on Sunday, said the allegation of budget padding levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by their colleagues in the Northern Senators Forum is unfounded, baseless and a figment of their imagination. They therefore warned against what they described as the antics of blackmailers bent on creating an atmosphere of crisis in the upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Karimi, Zam and Sheu, while speaking on behalf of the Northern Senators’ Forum, also said no room should be allowed for division and acrimony between Senators from the North and South by those who may not want to accord priority to national unity and harmony. Northern...

 PRESS RELEASE IGP REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SECURITY FOR ALL DURING RAMADAN Urges Muslim Ummah to Embrace Compassion, Forgiveness, Peace During Ramadan As the holy month of Ramadan begins, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, extends the warmest greetings from the Nigeria Police Force to all Muslim Ummah across the country on the Ramadan season, a time of reflection, spiritual growth, and communal solidarity which holds great significance for millions of Muslim faithful around the world. During this holy period, the Nigeria Police reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all citizens. The Police, as an institution, recognizes the importance of respecting religious practices and cultural traditions and the need to promote the principles of tolerance, understanding, and unity within our diverse society. The IGP urges all Muslim Ummah to embrace the spirit of compassion, generosity, and forgiveness that defines Ra...

 Czech Republic's Krystyna Pyszkova Wins Miss World 2024. Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World at a glamorous contest held in India on Saturday night. Pyszková defeated Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon who was the first runner-up to clinch the title among 112 contestants in the competition held in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s Ada Eme couldn’t make it to the final top eight. “Beng crowned Miss World is a dream come true. I am deeply honored to represent my country and the values of ‘beauty with a purpose’ on a global platform,” Pyszkova said. After the reigning Miss World, Karoline Bielawska of Poland, passed the crown to her, Pyszková waved to the large crowd at the Jio World Convention Center and hugged some of the other contestants. The event showcased the rich tapestry of India’s culture, traditions, heritage, arts and crafts, and textiles to a massive global audience. The participants wore heavily embroidered ...

 Ramadan Crescent Moon Sighted In Saudi Arabia The crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, has been sighted in Saudi Arabia. The moon was reportedly spotted on Sunday evening, meaning March 10 is the last day of the month of Sha’ban and the holy month will begin on Monday, March 11. Ramadan, determined by the lunar Islamic calendar in which months span either 29 or 30 days, commences and concludes based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Saudi Arabia authorities had earlier called on Muslims to sight the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan. Seven Tips for Observing the Ramadan in Hot Weather As we get set for 1445AH Ramadan The Supreme Court had called on whoever sighted the crescent to report to the nearest court and register their observation. Australia, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei have announced March 12 as the beginning of Ramadan. But Oman has announced that it will observe the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan on March 12, Tuesday...

 El-Rufai not anti-Christian, doesn’t care about opinions – Son, Bello A member, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, has dismissed claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai was anti-Christian. Bello said the closest person to El-Rufai was a Christian from Cross Rivers State, Peter Jones. He recalled that El-Rufai demolished both mosques and churches when he was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Speaking with Seun Okinbaloye in a podcast, Bello said: “My father is a very simple person who’s been stereotyped a lot. I got a video of him where people say this or that about him without even knowing him. “My father does not go out of his way to change what people think about him. He doesn’t really care. “There’s a perception that he’s anti-Christian. But, the closest person to him since we (children) were four years old was a man from Cross River State, Peter Jones. “Religion is personal to us. A...

 If You Take More Than You Deserve, You Have Stolen -Onaiyekan *** “It is time for a change. One thing is definitely sure, we cannot continue the way we are going. If we decide to retain the system we have now, it must change the way it is been practiced. “If the easiest way to change is to change the system, then let’s go ahead and change the system to parliamentary, with all its advantages and disadvantages. My understanding is that the parliamentary system is built in such a way that will not be so easy to steal such humongous sums of money, and misuse of our natural resources legally “The problem of this nation is that government people are stealing legally, they don’t even feel that they are stealing. According to my own understanding, if you take more than you deserve, you have stolen.’’ -Cardinal John Onaiyekan At Policy Dialogue On New Governance Structure For Nigeria Organized By ASSPT

 Nwabali is proof – Enyeama clears air on placing ‘curse’ on Super Eagles Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has claimed that the emergence of Stanley Nwabali as the new number one ends the superstition that he cursed the team. Enyeama retired from international football after 101 caps for Nigeria, following a disagreement with the then-head coach, Sunday Oliseh. Since his exit, the three-time African champions have struggled to replace him. With Maduka Okoye not available for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and Francis Uzoho not convincing with his performances, coach Jose Peseiro called up Nwabali for the tournament. Despite not playing any competitive game prior, Nwabali impressed as the team reached the final. “I think Stanley (Nwabali) came in at the right time; for a long time, we have been clamouring for a goalkeeper,” Enyeama said. “We didn’t readily have Okoye, and Uzoho had done well with the national team, but his form is unfortunate. “I pray he continues in...

 Apapa appeals judgment reinstating Abure as LP national chairman The leadership tussle rocking the opposition Labour Party (LP) seemed not over yet as Lamidi Apapa has approached the Supreme Court to appeal the Court of Appeal’s verdict reinstating Julius Abure as the national chairman of the party. Abayomi Arabambi, the national publicity secretary of the party loyal to Apapa, who disclosed the move on Sunday while addressing the press in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, said the party had obtained a stay-of-execution motion in respect of the judgment. An Appeal Court sitting in Abuja had on March 6, reinstated Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party, saying the High Court erred by restraining him from parading himself as the national chairman of the party. In a unanimous judgment, Justice Harmman Barka held that the High Court listened to a matter it lacked jurisdiction over at the first instance, describing it as purely an internal party issue, and proceeded ...

 Four deadly London men who stabbed man 60 times jailed total 117 years Four deadly men who stabbed a teenager 60 times in Southwark, London have been jailed cumulatively 117 years by the Old Bailey Court. The convicts are Tashan Bailey-Brown, Denzel Ealmeida, Darren Soyemi and Kevaniel Perkins-Robinson. The teenager was stabbed viciously 60 times and left fighting for his life in Southwark in January 2023. According to the Metropolitan Police, due to the quick actions of officers who identified and stopped a car that was seen fleeing from the scene, three of the four suspects were arrested soon after the attack on New Year’s Day in 2023. Police had been called to Seeley Drive, SE21 at around 23:40hrs on 1 January following reports that an 18-year-old man had been attacked. According to the Met Police, paramedics attended the scene and rushed the man to hospital and was later found he had sustained over 60 stab wounds in the attack. Witnesses reported seeing a car leave the scene. ...

 Single parents create mentally unstable kids - Vector Veteran rapper Olanrewaju David Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector has opined that single parents may be creating more “mentally unstable” human beings in society. In a post via X, the rapper lamented about what he described as the rate at which single parents are “destroying” the lives of children. He was speaking in the context of children whose parents are divorced, separated, or no longer together. Vector said a parent should not be using what he termed “emotional sentiments” to destroy a child’s connection with the other parent. The musician said doing this would destroy the future peace and confidence of children. “The alarming rate of single parents destroying the lives of their kids out of emotional sentiments is crazy,” the rapper wrote. “You have a child with someone but because you both can’t be together, you sabotage the foundation of the child’s sanity by doing everything possible to destroy the connection they h...

How I was bullied on social media during pregnancy - Meghan Markle Britain’s Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has recounted how she was bullied on social media during her pregnancy. Meghan currently has two children with her partner Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. They are Archie and Lilibet. BBC reports that Meghan spoke at an event celebrating International Women’s Day in Austin, Texas. The former actress criticised the “seemingly endless toxicity” of social media, arguing that people have “forgotten” how to be humane. She said she found it “disturbing” that women were “spewing hatred” at each other online. Meghan said she now keeps her distance from such comments for her wellbeing. “The bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing on social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili”, she said. “You just think about that and wrap your head around why people would be so hateful. It is not catty, it is cruel. “If you are reading something terrible ...

 Lagos State Government over the weekend announced Monday as the commencement date for enforcement operations in Apapa to re-establish the three-metre drainage Right of Way for all its drainage channels. Speaking with newsmen after an inspection tour to check the level of compliance,  Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said the enforcement activities are coming after the expiration of notices and convening of stakeholders meetings with property owners to voluntarily move their fences that fall within the drainage setback earlier in the year. He said the Ministry had served contravention notices to the buildings on the Drainge setbacks, adding that for several years, the Ministry has not been able to access the eight major collectors for maintenance purposes due to encroachment which is a major contributor to flooding issues being experienced in  Apapa. He said the State Government was determined to find a lasting solution to the floodi...

Man Dumps Fiancee On Introduction Day, Plans To Marry Her Younger Sister With "Bigger Bumbum" Wonders will not stop unfolding this time as a lady was dumped by her suitor on their Introduction day and instead went for her younger sister who he believes has bigger hip  The lady from South-East Nigeria, who identified herself as Alice, claims her suitor on the day of her engagement dumped her for the younger sister because she had bigger hips. She narrated her ordeal this: "My suitor has decided to put me to shame in front of the whole world. I dated Kola for six months and two weeks before he decided to propose to me. He said he was in a hurry to get married as age was no longer on his side. “Kola just got promoted in his place of job with a good salary package and felt it was time he got married and settle down. I agreed with him in totality and we started planning our wedding. “On the day of my introduction, Kola came to my father’s house in a convoy of about six exotic...

 Many feared trapped as five-storey building collapses in Anambra Some yet-to-be-identified number of persons may have been trapped as a five-storey building under construction collapsed at Basden Street, Fegge, in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State. It was gathered that the building, meant to serve commercial purposes on completion, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday while some of the construction workers were on the last floor. An excavator has quickly been moved to the site to begin the evacuation of rubbles and possible rescue operations of any trapped victims. The reason for the collapse has not yet been ascertained but as of the time of filing this report on Sunday, a source near the area said one person has been rescued as rescue operations continue at the site. However, details of the incident are still sketchy as the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for confirmation. He did not respond to enquiries on his telephone as of the ...

 How I was sexually abused at just 11 by school matron, Diana's brother EARL SPENCER reveals in devastating memoir as he says trauma left life-long toll Princess Diana's brother Earl Spencer has revealed that he was sexually abused at the age of 11 by a female member of staff at his boarding school. In an extract from his powerful memoir published exclusively in The Mail on Sunday, Earl Spencer describes in devastating detail the sexual assaults and horrific beatings he suffered at Maidwell Hall and the lifelong damage they caused. The 59-year-old reveals how a predatory assistant matron -- whom he describes as a 'voracious paedophile' – preyed on him and other young boys, grooming and then abusing them in their dormitory beds at night. The book also details how John Porch, the 'terrifying and sadistic' headteacher of the exclusive prep school, inflicted brutal beatings, seemingly gaining sexual pleasure from the violence. The torment Earl Spencer endured during...

 Ramadan: Governor Sule’s Aide, Man Pikin Distributes Rice To Indigent Muslims  ***  A grassroots politician, Alhaji Ahmad Ari Maina on Sunday distributed bags of rice to over 1,000 indigent Muslims across the Nasarawa to enable them observe this year’s Ramadan with ease.  Mr Maina popularly known as Man Pikin  distributed the rice worth millions of naira at his residence in Lafia amid the economic hardship in the country.  The grassroots politician currently serves Governor Abdullahi Sule as the Special Assistant on Political Affairs.  Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has directed Muslim Ummah to start searching for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH from Sunday. Mr Abubakar made the call in a statement signed by Professor Sambo Janaidu, the chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, and made available to newsmen in the state...

 I Wake Up At 2am To Cook For My Boyfriend -Tacha “We [me and my partner] could be planning a wedding and you wouldn’t know unless I say otherwise. “I wake up at 2 am to make noodles for him. I would ask him, what do you want to eat? And in my head I’m like, ‘People would be like Oh God this Tacha on social media.’ And maybe there’s a fight between us, I will tell him, ‘People will think I am the problem but you know you’re the problem.’ Because I’m super nice. “I do have someone I love and cherish. And most importantly, he understands me. So, even when people are constantly saying, ‘Oh who’s going to settle down with this one?’ I’m like, ‘If your daddy sees me, he’s going to love me.’ He’s going to want me because I’m tall, dark-skinned, cute, and most importantly, I’m beauty with brains.” -Tacha, BBNaija Star On Interview With Media Personality, Chude Jideonwo.

 PRESS RELEASE The Rivers State Police Command hereby issues an official update regarding a case involving three Police Officers who have been accused of engaging in acts of extortion. As previously communicated during our press briefing on February 13, 2024, Inspector Michael Odey was found guilty and subsequently dismissed from duty, effective from 07/02/2024, following thorough Orderly room proceedings and a comprehensive review conducted by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16. Furthermore, during the aforementioned briefing, we provided information regarding the ongoing reviews pertaining to ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, as their respective ranks required approval from the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission. Today, we hereby inform the public that the Police Service Commission has officially authorized the suspension from duty of ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, effective from 29/02/2024. Additionally, the salarie...

 Nigeria’s Wealthiest Woman, Folorunsho Alakija, And Husband Part Ways After Over 30 Years Of Marriage.  Nigeria’s richest woman, Folorunsho Alakija, and her husband of 30 years, Modupe Alakija, have parted ways, according to a report by TheWill. The mother of four and the businessman allegedly no longer live together in their matrimonial home in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos. The couple were alleged to have been having frequent squabbles which allegedly necessitated the wealthy woman to demand utmost privacy in her home. Her husband was forced to seek accommodation elsewhere. He allegedly lives alone within the same Ikoyi neighbourhood. Sources reveal that it has not all been smooth sailing for the couple these past few years and they have allegedly been forced to put up a united front because of their status in the society, the report added.

 EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abuja Zonal Command on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 arrested 37 (thirty seven) suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at Jahi, Dawaki and Gwarimpa axes of Abuja following actionable intelligence about their activities. Items recovered from the suspects include six vehicles, 20 laptops, 66 mobile phones, six international passports and 1 Apple wristwatch. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. More photos below. 

 ALLEGED 30M EXTORTION BY STS OPERATIVES: POLICE ARREST ERRING OFFICERS, ACCOMPLICES INCLUDING POS OPERATOR, CONTINUE TRIALS  In furtherance of our zero tolerance for corruption and extortion, we wish to update the general public on an alleged case of armed robbery, abduction, and extortion carried out by some policemen against one Omoh Oshoke, an Abuja resident. The trio identified as Inspectors Francis Ahuean, Semiu Agbaakin, and Osagie Efford, all attached to the FID-STS, have been arrested, investigated and are currently undergoing trial.  In the same vein, the accomplices including one Elizabeth Amos Busayo, the POS operator and one Thomas Michael, who acted as an informant for the offending police officers, have also been arrested and are currently being investigated alongside the police officers.  The Force however assures that justice will be served in this case, while we urge our officers to always act and continue to operate within the ambit of the law....

A 41-year old man, James Okuwe Uwoezi, has died after his wife allegedly committed adultery. It was gathered that among the Okuwe, Okpara Community & Ikibo of Uzih Community both of Irri Kingdom, Isoko South LGA Delta State, it is a taboo and sacrilege for a married woman to commit adultery. The consequence is the death of the man if no sanctification is carried out. An indigene of the area who pleaded anonymity said: “A marked woman in our area is not permitted to have extra marital affairs. But if the woman cheats on her husband and the man finds out without doing some traditional rituals, he would die.” An obituary notice signed by Kelvin Iribo and Double Chief Atanoma Odhowho read: Fear woman: The Adulterous wife. GONE TOO SOON “With pains in our heart but total submission to the will of God. we the families of OKUWE of Okpara Community & IKIBO of Uzih Community both of Irri Kingdom, Isoko South LGA Delta State, regret to announce the painful exit of our beloved Son, Husban...

 No more leave of absence for migrating health workers – FG The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Saturday that the Federal Government had directed that health workers who plan to relocate abroad for greener pastures must henceforth resign their appointment beforehand. Alausa added that the era of health workers exiting to other countries of the world in search of better offers after applying for their leave of absence is no longer acceptable. The Minister stated this on Saturday during his visit to The Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Aro, Abeokuta. Alausa said, “The government is not unmindful of the Japa effect on our manpower in the health sector and the President has ordered for massive production of manpower such that when people go, there will always be replacement. “However, you cannot eat your cake and have it. If you are going, just resign your appointments with the Federal Government, rather than applying for leave of absence, that is the presidential execut...

85-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping 3-year-old boy in Kano.  Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at Ungoggo Division have apprehended a kidnap suspect, Ibrahim Usman, at Yar'adua quarters, Rimin Kebe in the Ungoggo LG of the Kano state.   According to the NSCDC, the suspect allegedly took a three-year-old boy from the area and tried to conceal him at his friend's place on Hotoro bye-pass in Kano State. “Suspecting foul play, his friend refused to keep the boy in his custody and decided to alert residents where the suspect lived at Rimin Kebe, who had been looking for the missing boy. This development led the suspect to run away, and he was later picked up by personnel of the corps, Ungoggo Division.” the NSCDC said. 

  Mother arrested for attempting to murder her epileptic one year old baby in Lagos.  The police in Lagos state have arrested a mother identified as Rukayat for allegedgly attempting to poison her epileptic child.  According to police sources, Rukayat had taken her one year seven month old child, Wuraola, to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital with complains that she wasn't feeling well.  In the course of the treatment, Rukayat confessed to the doctor that on March 3, she gave her child an insecticide to drink with hopes she would die immediately. According to Rukayat, she had tried every means to ensure her child's epileptic nature stopped but all efforts have been futile and, so she decided to poison her.   The doctors on ground were able to treat the child while the mother was immediately handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

 NDLEA uncovers illicit drug consignment in commercial bus engine, arrests 2 grandpas  . Two skuchies factories busted in Osun, Lagos Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a consignment of illicit drug consignment concealed in the engine compartment of an interstate commercial bus just as two grandfathers were taken into custody over drug trafficking. No fewer than 5.2kg of cannabis sativa and opioids were discovered in the engine compartment of an interstate commercial bus marked VDY 187 XA on Thursday 7th March 2024 along Gbongan – Ibadan road, Osun state by NDLEA officers on stop and search operation on the highway. The bus driver, Iorliam Sughnen Dominic, 35, who took responsibility for the concealment was taken into custody for further investigation.  The previous day Wednesday 6th March, a 26-year-old lady, Obasanmi Esther Iyanu, who produces and distributes skuchies was arrested during a raid on her hideout in Osogbo, the O...