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Methodist Church Consecrates First Female Bishop In Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nkechi Nwosu

By Ayodele Oni

The Christendom in Nigeria has commenced a process of assigning more responsibilities to women as the Methodist Church Nigeria, on Sunday, enthroned its first female Bishop.

The new Cleric, Rt Rev. Nkechi Nwosu, will oversee Jos Diocese of Methodist Church.

In the past, even till now some Churches, mostly white garments, don’t allow women to go near the alter, described as sacred place.

Nwosu was enthroned by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Joseph Nnonah, Archbishop of Kaduna at the Christ Methodist Cathedral, Jos.

The new Bishop in a brief interaction with newsmen revealed that “God is using what has happened in the Methodist Church, Nigeria to tell the whole world that the time to release women to fulfill their destiny has come.

She said that women and men needed to join hands to achieve the mandate of God.

“God knew that by creating only Adam, He will not be able to bring his heart’s desire, so He had to make the woman to complement him.

“So, for the word of God to reach the end of the world, man must put their hands together to serve God, irrespective of gender because God is a spirit.

“He is not a flesh, the flesh we are seeing is just for our comfort, as He said that everybody who believes in Him and is led by the spirit of God is the son of God.

“And so every child of God who is born again and dwell in the Holy Spirit is a son of God.

“And when men or women of God in charge of denominations understand this, I believe we will conquer more for the Lord than what we have done.”

On the 2023 general elections, Nwosu called on Nigerians to listen to the voice of God who knows the best leader for the country at this moment.

She added that God gave Nigerians conscience and power and that the power is in the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

“We must all go out there and agree with God, listen to the spirit of God, and do what God said we should do.

“Do that so that God will use us and anybody He wants to put on that seat to restore Nigeria to a place of pride in Africa, and the world,” she added.

His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, during whose tenure Nwosu was elected bishop, said that God made all humans equal.

Uche said that Jesus Christ elevated the position of women by being born of a woman.

“So I believe there is no difference between a man and woman, after all, in Hebrew language, a man is a he man and a woman is she man, so we are all men.

“And moreover, in Methodist Church, we taught that people who have reached menopause, who are no longer childbearing can hold responsible office in the church, because they have the capacity.

“They have the ability, they are meticulous, resourceful, and spiritual.

“So we decided that we should have in Methodist Bishop a woman and I know that some time ago, the President of the British Church was a woman from Ireland.”

Ekiti: Suspended Reps Candidate Regrets Absence At PDP Rally, Begs For Forgiveness

By
Ayodele Oni
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Babatunde Ajayi

By Ayodele Oni

One of the suspended members of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Babatunde Ajayi, has said that the leadership of the Party acted well over his suspension.

Ajayi, a PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ekiti  North Federal

Constituency, was among those whose suģspension was announced last week by the National Executive Committee, (NEC) of the PDP.

Those suspended, including the son of former Governor Ayo Fayose, were disciplined for absenting themselves from the Presidential Rally of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during his visit to Ekiti state last week.

Their absence may likely be as a result of their loyalty to the former Governor, who belongs to the PDP G5, Governors currently at war with the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyorcha Ayu.

Fayose had singlehandedly handpicked candidates for the next month’s election, except, Senator Biodun Olujinmi representing Ekiti south, who is recontesting

In a statement released in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, the Ekiti north house of representatives candidate states that “I Otunba Babatunde Ajayi Popularly known as TCASH hereby dissociate myself from the recent press release, purportedly signed by Suspended Ekiti NASS candidates, where they said that they didn’t take our suspension seriously.

“I make bold to say that I am serious about winning election, and I am riding on the goodwill of our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON and our great party the PDP.

“I regret my absence at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Ekiti, and I am taking drastic measures to appeal my suspension.

“I have been an ardent supporter of Atiku Campaign since inception, and I donated my widows mite during the PCC inauguration in Ekiti.

“I make bold to say that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is our known presidential candidate, and I am fully working towards his victory and our great party PDP at all levels.

“The general public is hereby advised to ignore any press release against the party hierarchy where my name is included, or the name of my campaign council.”

Dino Melaye Invites NDLEA     To Search Tinubu’s Houses For Drugs, And Physically Test Him For Use

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The messy campaign between the Presidential Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, descended to a new low on Saturday, January 21, 2023, when the Director Media and Publicity of the Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP, Senator Dino Melaye, invited the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to investigate the APC Candidate.

This call, he said, will be followed by an official petition to the anti-drug Agency.

In a video he made and posted on WhatsApp, Melaye invited the NDLEA, to search all Tinubu’s houses for prohibited drugs, including cocaine, and thereafter, invite the APC Candidate for a physical test on the use of drugs.

Melaye said his call is patriotic as anybody aspiring to be the President of the Country must be drug-free.

Both Candidates, through their Spokespersons have been hitting and slandering each other in the past couple of weeks.

But the antenna was raised a few days ago when the APC PCC Director of Public Affairs, Festus Keyamo, SAN, addressed a Press Conference, and wrote a petition to the Police, the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Atiku, and asked them to arrest the Presidential candidate of the PDP for investigation and prosecution over alleged monumental corruption he got involved in while he was Nigeria’s Vice President under the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government.

Keyamo relied on a whistleblower, a former Atiku Aide, who left nothing to the  imagination when he spilled the beans on Atiku and Obasanjo.

Keyamo said he gave them a maximum of 72 hours to do arrest Atiku, or he would proceed to Court to file a suit against  Atiku. He has done so already.

On Saturday, as if on a return match, Melaye posted his video where he called on the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, to cause a search on all Tinubu’s houses, and invite him for a physical test on the use of narcotics. To show he was not particular on Tinubu alone, he extended the same invitation to the NDLEA against his own Principal, Atiku.

Melaye’s video post reads:

“This morning, I am making a clarion call on Major General Buba Marwa, the Chairman of NDLEA, to please, in the interest of this Country, search the residence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to search for cannabis, cocaine and other narcotics drugs, please.

“And then conduct a narcotic test, conduct a narcotic test on Bola Ahmed Tinubu because for you to be the President of this country, you must be drug free, you must be mentally and physically fit.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not physically fit, he is not mentally fit, and I want the NDLEA to conduct a test, a drug test on Bola Ahmed Tinubu  and also, search the premises of all his houses in search of narcotics drugs because we cannot have an Escobar, I mean , it will be dangerous for Nigeria to have an Escober as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This will be followed up with official petition to NDLEA to search the premises, all the premises of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and also conduct a narcotic test on him.

“And, my Principal, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, is also open to the same treatment.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Presidential election is scheduled for February 25, 2023.

Wike, Keyamo, Attack PDP Over Suspension Of Senator Nnamani, Others; Wike Draws Battleline, Mulls Legal Action

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike and Iyorcha Ayu

By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Saturday, said the battle line with his Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu,  has been drawn.

Wike said that in reaction to the suspension of former Enugu State Governor, a PDP Senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani over brazen anti-party activities.

The ranking Senator, seeking  for a third term under the PDP, was suspended along with eight others, including John Fayose, a son of former Ekiti State Governor,  Ayo Fayose, a Wike ally. Fayose Jnr, is a House of Representatives Candidate.

Their suspension by the Party’s National Working Committee, NWC, was announced in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba after the NWC’s meeting in Abuja.

The statement which, also, announced the dissolution of the Ekiti State Executive Council of the Party, and the set-up of an Interim Committee, said the Party members were suspended, after a long deliberation over anti-party activities.

In a tweet, in reaction to Senator Nnamani’s suspension, Spokesperson for the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said the action is of no consequence as Nnamani’s candidacy as PDP’s Senatorial Candidate against February 25, 2023, remains valid. Nnamani has, for months, been canvassing openly for a Tinubu victory against his Party’s Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

But Wike, in his own reaction dismissed the suspension of the members as rubbish, with a threat: “the battle line is fully drawn.”

The Governor spoke Saturday at a Campaign Rally in Khana.

In a direct attack on the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Wike said the suspension of the members and the dissolution of the Ekiti State PDP Executive Council, will not save Ayu.

“It will not help you in anyway”, Wike thundered.

He told Ayu and the National Leadership of the Party: “Suspending people will not help you in anyway. The battle line has been fully drawn.

“We will do everything legally possible to challenge  any decision that we know is illegal.

“Don’t think you can threaten people by saying you’re suspended. Rubbish. Rubbish.

“We are above that level that you think you can threaten, intimidate anybody.

“We believe in the rule of law. We believe our party should respect its constitution.

“When a man says you will not sleep, he too will not sleep. We are waiting for you.”

Wike and four other Governors – Samuel Ortom, Benue,  Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, Seyi Makinde, Oyo – have been at loggerheads with the leadership of the Party, as represented by Ayu and the Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ever since Atiku defeated Wike at the Presidential Primary to pick the ticket.

Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Director Resigns

By
The Source
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Bola Tinubu and Naja'atu Muhammad

By Gideon Njoku

About a month to the Presidential election, a Director in the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, has resigned her appointment.

Naja’atu Muhammad was the Director of Civil Society before her resignation.

A Commissioner on the Police Service Commission, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, Muhammad said she resigned so as to pursue her civil society activities in good conscience.

A no-nonsense Lady, Muhammad had, a few days ago, in an interview with Arise Television, expressed deep displeasure over the Government of Buhari and the APC. She scored them zero, and insisted that everything had gone from bad to worse.

He accused the Buhari Government of reneging on all the promises made to Nigerians, and lamented the insecurity, hunger and suffering in the land.

A few months ago when a student was, on the orders of First Lady. Aisha Buhari, arrested, detained and dragged to Court for an unflattering post on the  First Lady,  Muhammad was unsparing of Mrs Buhari.

She called for the First Lady’s arrest and prosecution for appropriating to herself, the powers she does not have.

At the Police Service Commission, she once wrote a petition against the immediate past Chairman, Musiliu Smith, accusing him of corruption and embezzlement of funds.

Smith, a former Inspector General of Police, resigned from  office a few weeks later, a first of its kind in the history of the PSC.

President Buhari has not replaced Smith, but PSC’s Commissioner 1, a retired Supreme Court Justice, representing the Judiciary on the Commission, The Honourable Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, has been acting as the Chairman since Smith’s resignation.

Smith had cited ill-health for his resignation, but sources at the PSC, said Muhammad’s allegation against him was too much for him to continue in office.

We’re Patriots Who Seek To Serve Fatherland, Obi Tells S/Kaduna People

By
The Source
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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmed, on Saturday returned to Kaduna where they were on Wednesday, this time in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna and allayed the fears of Christian and Muslim leaders who expressed concern over frequent disagreements between President and his Vice.

The leaders said such disagreements always result in religious tension in the country, but Obi and his running mate quickly allayed their fears, saying that such fights emanate from transactional deals which they are not into at all.

The duo spoke at a town hall meeting responding to concerns expressed by the Chairman, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association,

Apostle Nuhu E. Kure citing such situation in the current administration.

But Obi who addressed leaders of both Christian and Moslem community at the Throne Room Ministry in Kafanchan, said himself and Datti have nothing to quarrel for.

According to him, “the reason why people quarrel is transaction. I have no reason for self enrichment, God has given me enough. I am contented.

“Those who steal govt money abuse God’s grace. We want to work for this country. There is no other thing we need.”

The LP flag bearer said Nigeria lacks committed and competent leaders, and assured that the commitment of himself and his running mate, if elected, would be total.

“We will fight corruption. Presidency requires physical and mental energy, and not a retirement home for old and tired people

“There nothing wrong with Nigeria, what is wrong is bad leadership. Our leaders have refused to rise above expectations,” he added.

He assured that his government will secure and unite Nigeria, adding that those who are creating insecurity in the country are not greater than government.

“We need leadership, Datti and I will not shy away to secure Nigeria. We are promising Nigerians that after our leadership there will be a difference,” he stated.

The presidential running mate who said he was outside the country when Obi invited him to run with him, said he is not an ambitious person.

He added that himself and Obi are different from other politicians. “We are different because we speak with action. Nigeria is going to change because we are different. I am an ambitious person.

“We have worked for six months, if there will be disagreement, it would have shown. So entertain no fears as far as Peter Obi and I are concerned.”

Datti assured that the Obi-Datti government, if elected, will provide infrastructure and better the lives of Nigerians.

“You will see the result when you hear Peter Obi as president of Nigeria. We will stop the killing and start the healing; we will stop the stealing and start keeping the money,” he said.

Apostle Kure and Chief Imam of Kafanchan Mohammed Kabiru, who also doubles as Chairman, Council of Imams in Southern Kaduna, said both Christians and Moslems in Southern Kaduna have resolved to vote for a presidential candidate who will protect their interest.

They also want Southern Kaduna to be provided with basic infrastructure if Labour Party forms the next government.

“Southern Kaduna has votes that is more than eight states. In the last election, 90% went to one party.

“Religion and tribe should not be issues in deciding positions, but merit. We are doing everything to restore peace. The vice presidential candidate should help us in the North and enlighten them. Most of the crises in Southern Kaduna come from outside the state,” Apostle Kure stated.

Obi had visited the palace of HRH Ufwai Bonnet, the Fada Sarki, Kagoro, as well as commission Labour Party office in Southern Kaduna

FUTA Student Commits Suicide

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olona Joseph Oluwapelumi

By Ayodele Oni

Apparently tired and depressed as a result of economic situation in the country, a 300 level student of the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA), Olona Joseph Oluwapelumi has decided to call it quits with life.

He reportedly committed suicide at his off campus residence around Aule area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The Department of Industrial Design student allegedly took his own life by hanging for reasons suspected to be connected to depression and financial constraints.

It was gathered that his close friends in the early hours of Saturday went to his room and discovered it was locked, and after several calls without response, the door was forced open.

Upon gaining entry, his body was discovered hanging with the buckets with which he aided the act.

Olona Joseph Oluwapelumi
Olona Joseph Oluwapelumi

Popularly referred to as “Black”, some of his neighbours who said Joseph was a playful and smiling human being who never entered into arguments or fight with anyone.

It was, however, discovered that the Facebook page of the deceased, who was, also,  an entrepreneur that made self initiated designer wears with the brand name “Tart Angle” contained post on sucidal thoughts.

Several of his posts also contained messages seeking financial help to enable him run his business. On 8th October last year, his Facebook post reads:

”Suicide kinda answers all, it’s the only thing that listens and trusts You when You left all to your self. Good night and Good bye”

Aside the statement from the Student Union Body, the school authorities are yet to make an official statement on the incident.

Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Mrs Funmi Odunlami-Omisanya said the corpse of the FUTA student had been deposited at the mortuary while investigation would start on the incident.

2023: How Anti-Obi Elements Hit The Rocks

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Obi-Datti Media Office has urged the public to disregard  concoctions being bandied about in the media about Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

It described the sponsors of the materials as haters and frustrated detractors of the leading candidate for the Aso Rock Villa in the February 25 polls.

“We will continue to be amused over the desperation of opponents to search for faults on the front-running candidate of the Labour Party and the apparent frustration of not finding him wanting,” the Office said in a statement.

The LP standard bearer has remained the most searched and fact-checked among the top four candidates…he is the only one running issue-driven campaigns and has generated intellectual conversations.

The LP candidate’s media team says it noticed despair in the detractors who now resort to blackmail to distract the candidate from focussing on the ball.

*We will remain focused on taking back Nigeria and rebuilding it after February 25, 2023.

“Our mission this day is to alert especially those desirous to see a new Nigeria emerge through Peter Obi, to ignore and treat as thrash any doctored and faked item on Peter Obi.”

The media team recalled a recent fact check on the fake news generated on the LP flagbearer intrigued an international news media to wondered why some people are dismayed by bright ideas trying to come out of Nigeria.

Recently in the South East, some hirelings recorded a fake video of unknown gunmen pretending to punish a man for allegedly wearing a Peter Obi T-shirt; it was indeed a polo shirt of PDP’s Peter Mba of Enugu State.

The video makers objective was to portray Peter Obi as unwanted in his region and frighten his supporters, which is utterly false. The fake video came ostensibly to counter the heartwarming rallies of the Labour Party in the two South East states of Anambra and Enugu.

Also on Friday while the Obidient movement was shutting down Jos for the arrival of Obi, detractors concocted another video of someone claiming to be an Obidient complaining of missing money for mobilisation. It was doctored to counter the organic nature of Obi’s rallies and make them look like the rented crowds of the other parties.

When the eagle landed on the Plateau, the real members of the Obidient movement took the space and showed the organic nature of their support.

These frustrated opponents not knowing how to halt the political acceleration of Obi are digging out some remarks of Obi’s opponents in previous electioneering and make it look anew.

“The Obi-Datti Media Office will continue to expose their deceptions which have roundly failed since our candidate has demonstrated unequivocally  that he is the best man for the job, having possessed all the required ingredients for the missing leadership in our polity: character, capacity, competence and capabilities.”

“We, therefore, remind everyone that Peter Obi, the head the cap fits, is seeking the Nigerian people’s mandate to serve and provide what has been lacking in our country and he comes proudly with attractive and satisfactory features embedded in his lifestyle and antecedents in his public and private life.”

My Suspension By PDP NWC Unconstitutional – Chimaroke Nnamani; Says His Political Career Unshaken

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chimaroke Nnamani

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Enugu State and Senator Representing Enugu East in the Senate, Chimaroke Nnamani, has reacted to his suspension from the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) saying it violates his right to fair hearing.

The former Governor has however, assured his constituents and Nigerians alike that his political career is alive and unshaken.

PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has announced the suspension of the Senator and others over alleged anti party activities.

Senator Nnamani said his suspension from the party came to him as a rude shock and huge surprise.

“I was never at anytime notified of any petition or complaint against me or informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the NWC of the PDP to suspend me from the party.

“I was not also invited to any meeting proceeding or hearing of the NWC of the party where my supposed offence (s) was/were discussed.

“I was, therefore, not afforded the opportunity to make representations on my behalf at any meeting where the proposal and decision to suspend me from the party was made.

“My right to fair hearing was consequently violated against the clear provisions of the constitution of the party, especially in disciplinary proceedings. More importantly, the superior constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I, therefore, appeal to all of you to remain calm and law abiding, while we continue our campaign to a hopefully victorious conclusion.”

Senator Nnamani thanked his constituents, the Ebeano political family, the people of Enugu state and Nigerians for the overwhelming support and solidarity.

He added: “I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and solidarity to me across the length and breadth of Nigeria and even across the political divide since the suspension was announced.

“I’m grateful. It is reassuring that my political career is alive. It is not threatened. We are going into the forthcoming elections very confident. We will win at all the levels of elections in Enugu state. Our people know where we are; Ebeano.“

Senator Nnamani stated that he would continue to provide the needed leadership that would facilitate the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

NGF Appoints Governor Soludo To Chair Committee On CBN’s Withdrawal Limit

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, has appointed Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo chair a six-member committee  to engage the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on issues pertaining to the country’s monetary management and financial system.

The 36 Governors of the Federation resolved to collaborate with the CBN and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit in advancing genuine objectives within the confines of Nigeria’s laws.

The resolutions arose after its first meeting in 2023 held on Thursday, January 19.

The NGF in a communiqué issued on Saturday signed by the its chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, noted that the recent NFIU advisory and guidelines on cash transactions were outside the NFIU’s legal remit and mandate.

The CBN had, on December 6, 2022,  directed banks, and other financial institutions, payment service bank, primary mortgage banks and microfinance banks to limit the maximum cash withdrawal over the counter by individuals and corporate firms weekly to N100,000 and N500,000 respectively adding that withdrawals above the lower limit would require processing fees of 5% and 10% respectively for individuals and corporate firms henceforth.

The apex bank further directed that third-party cheques above N50,000 shall not be suitable for OTC payment while extant limits of N10 million on clearing cheques stay, following the apex bank’s latest naira notes redesign.

Following pressure from Nigerians and lawmakers, the CBN revealed a revised upward in its cash withdrawal limit, saying individuals can now withdraw N500,000 cash weekly while corporate firms can withdraw up to N5 million cash across all channels comprising Automated Teller Machines and Point Of Sale terminals.

The NGF said the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, briefed it on the Naira redesign, its economic and security implications, including the new withdrawal policy.

The Governors stressed that they were not opposed to the objectives of the Naira redesign policy, however, observed that there were huge challenges that remained problematic to the Nigerian populace.

Speaking further, the Governors expressed the need for the CBN to consider the peculiarities of states especially as they pertain to financial inclusion.

The Governors, therefore, resolved to “set up a six-member Committee to be chaired by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Borno, Plateau and Jigawa as members, to engage the CBN in addressing anomalies in the country’s monetary management and financial system.

“Work closely with the CBN leadership to ameliorate areas that require policy variation particularly the poorest households, the vulnerable in society and several other citizens of our country that are excluded.

“Collaborate with the CBN and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit NFIU in advancing genuine objectives within the confines of our laws, noting that the recent NFIU.”

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