Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has commiserated with Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), over the sudden death of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
In a message of condolence to the General Overseer and RCCG members, the former President expressed sadness over the passing on of the Pastor, describing him as a much loved Clergyman.
Dr. Jonathan further noted that the deceased man of God lived a life that was a pattern of good works and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye
In the message, the former President said: “My family and I condole with Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the entire membership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, on the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye, son of the General Overseer, and a much loved clergyman.
“Though I never knew Pastor Dare, personally, I have had cause to meet his father, Pastor Adeboye, and it would seem that the apple did not fall far from the tree.
“From every account, Pastor Dare lived a life that was a pattern of good works and a credit to the Body of Christ. He was known to emulate the godliness and moral leadership that his father is well known for.
“We share in the grief that naturally comes when such a devout man passes on to eternal glory. May God grant his family and ministry the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolences to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adebayo, over the death of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
The Governor described the death of Pastor Adeboye’s son as an unfortunate development which has inflicted a wound in the hearts of family members in particular, the Christian community, all lovers of Adeboye and Nigerians in their millions.
Dr. Fayemi described Pastor Dare as a vibrant young man and committed Minister in God’s vineyard who trod the righteous path being trodden by his parents.
The Governor urged Pastor Adeboye and his wife to remain strong in faith in the trying time and rely on God who assuages grief.
“Our heartfelt condolences to Baba and Mama Adeboye, and the entire members of the RCCG worldwide. May the Lord heal the wound and uphold them.
“We urge them to be consoled by the fact that their departed son made an impact in his short years of existence and is resting in the blossom of the Lord.
“May God grant the entire Adeboye family, RCCG congregation the fortitude and equanimity to bear the irreparable loss”. The governor added.
Also, Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, commiserated with the General-Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over the death of his son.
Governor Akeredolu described the sudden death of the late Dare as tragic and a huge loss to the Christendom, Adeboye’s dynasty and the youths considering the role of the deceased in youth mentorship as an Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35.
“Undoubtedly, if Christ tarries, no one is excused from the tragic end of death. What is most desirable is that we all come of ripe age and live our lives well in the hope that we bury our parents and not the other way round.
“It becomes devastating when a father experiences this kind of loss. This is indeed a big blow to take. Pastor Dare was a promising servant of God. His death in his prime is, to say the least, excruciatingly painful.
“While we condole with our father in Lord, Pastor Adeboye, and the entire family of RCCG worldwide on this irreplaceable loss, we urge Pastor Adeboye to take solace in the words of God: “He gives and takes. He is an unquestionable God.”
Governor Akeredolu said that Pastor Adeboye has been a great benefactor of the state through the RCCG’s many interventions, adding that the state will continue to pray for him.
“Are you the owner of my mouth? You can’t tell me who to bless. If you (Bishop) are not happy that I blessed someone, you have your own mouth, you can curse the person”.
Leader of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has accused the Diocesan Bishop of Enugu, Callistus Onaga, of detaining him. He also said he refused an offer of embarking on a course to Rome because it was meant to remove him from the Adoration Ministry. He would never leave, he emphasised.
Exonerating the DSS from the allegation that it was the Service that arrested him, Mbaka disclosed that it was the Bishop who asked him to leave the Parish House, the Adoration Ministry’s ground, and never step in there for 30 days.
Fr. Mbaka had suddenly disappeared from the Adoration Ground on Tuesday, fuelling strong speculations that he had been arrested by the DSS.
But the DSS issued a statement to the effect that he was not in their custody.
On Wednesday, his followers, in their hundreds embarked on a protest in the State Capital Enugu, shutting down businesses, and headed to the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Court.
They attacked the Bishop’s Court, destroying things.
On his re-appearance later on Wednesday, Mbaka, disrespectfully blamed Bushop Onaga for “his ordeal”. He said the Bishop detained him at the Bishop’s Court, and asked him to stay there for 30 days and rethink his activities.
Problem started when the Father got enmeshed in a Political spat with the Presidency. One of those who campaigned vigorously for President Muhammadu Buhari and predicted his victory in 2015 and 2019, Mbaka, last week, suddenly made a u-turn and asked the President to resign from office, failing which he called on the National Assembly to impeach him.
The Presidency fired back by accusing Mbaka of attacking Buhari because the President denied him contracts. Mbaka did not deny the allegation of taking three expatriate contractors to Buhari, but said it was for the good of the nation since they said they could wipe out insecurity in Nigeria within one month.
The storm was getting serious, to the embarrassment of the Catholic Church. The Bishop weighed in by inviting Mbaka to his Court, and keeping him in ” protective custody.”
But he did not bargain with the reaction of Mbaka’s followers, or the Father’s defiance.
Trouble had started when his followers went to the Adoration Ministry to worship but to their surprise, the Reverend Father was absent. Soon, words filtered in that he may have been summoned by the Bishop.
The initial confusion resulted in many online medium declaring him missing, and many pointing suspicious fingers at security agencies, bearing in mind his recent utterances condemning President Buhari and endorsing the Biafran separatist leader, Nnamdi kanu.
The faithfuls marched to the Bishop’s Court in Enugu and demanded to see the Priest, but were denied entrance to the Bishop’s house. They blocked the street with tricycles. With time the demonstrations became violent resulting in the intervention of the Police area Command, who tried to calm the frayed nerves and later entered the Bishop court.
Glass windows and AC vents were vandalized, and hoodlums were prepared to burn down the building. “It is our offering money that built the house, so we can destroy It if we like”, one woman fumed. Some of the protesters were carrying placards.
Hours later, Mbaka came out of the Bishop’s Court to a tumultuous welcome by his followers. They proceeded to the Adoration Ground where he addressed them.
In his address, Mbaka said the Bishop was planning on keeping him at the Bishop house for 30 days because of his recent statements on Buhari and Nnamdi Kanu. He said he was offered a trip to Rome for a course to get him out of the way.
“If I had left, would I have been able to come back here to stop the destruction?” He queried. He said he will never leave Adoration Ministry to anyone or to anywhere-a clear defiance to Church constituted authorities.
He said Bishop Callistus Onaga was not comfortable that he blessed Nnamdi Kanu. “Are you the owner of my mouth? You can’t tell me who to bless? If you are not happy that I blessed someone, you have your own mouth, you can curse the person,” he declared, adding: ” I have no problem with the Catholic church or any Church. I am a divine vessel, and I will not leave the charity that I am doing here.
Nigerian lender Access Bank Plc has inched towards becoming one of Africa’s biggest banks after completing all regulatory frameworks for the acquisition of Grobank Limited, a South African bank which has now been named Access Bank South African Limited.
The Herbert Wigwe-led commercial bank Access paid a whopping $60 million to purchase a controlling interest in South Africa’s 74-year-old bank, the third acquisition within eight months after the bank had earlier taken over Kenya’s Transnational Bank in July and later Zambia-based Cavmont Bank.
As Ngeria’s biggest bank by asset, the bank has completed a slew of acquisitions across the continent last year in Cameroon, Kenya and Zambia and according to insiders in the bank, propositions are already in top gear to expand to eight other markets in Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco Angola, Namibia, Algeria and Ethiopia. “The target is to bring Access Bank to 20 countries within few years ,” a source said.
Keen Industry players informed the magazine that the Deposit Money Bank, DMB is moving on a fast pace in the quest to leverage the markets in major African economies, as part of the bank’s over all drive to explore opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCTA which came into effect in January.
They are quite right. After signing the dotted lines with Grobank former owners, which effectively brought the South African bank under Access Bank management, its chief executive, Herbert Wigwe said the lender has completed a major phase in its aspiration to bring industrialised economies in the continent under its watch.
Wigwe: We Are Opening Africa’s Gateway to the World
Wigwe said: “Today’s ceremony in South Africa seals our commitment to delivering our strategic aspirations of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World, in line with our vision to be the ‘World’s Most Respected African Bank.’
“We look forward to the many opportunities our collective experience and deep understanding of the African market brings to our valued clients, and the journey ahead being one of great promise for our institution and the continent.”
A statement from the lender further stated that “Access Bank South Africa Limited is positioned to deliver a robust banking operation that connects key African markets.”
The bank stated that the South African acquisition will open doors to growth and opportunities both in the short and long term.
On his part, the chief executive of Grobank Bennie van Rooy said customers will now have opportunities to connect to Access Bank’s international banking system. “This is an extremely exciting day for the South African banking industry. Our corporate customers will now have increased access to trade finance, treasury, international payments and loans through the wider distribution network offered by Access Bank’s presence in the key trade corridors that connect Africa to the rest of the world.
“Banking with Access Bank South Africa means greater security as well as access to more products and services through a best-in-class digital platform, and a full retail banking suite will soon be on offer,” Rooy said.
My first reaction when I listened to the condemnation of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodinma by Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, was to say to nobody, in particular, “the Priest has started again”. He is in his familiar territory. He did it to the Jonathans in 2019. Before them, he did it to thbe cerebral former Governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, now a Senator. The then Governor ignored him, and put a lie to his negative prediction.
Mbaka had sworn that Nnamani would never get a second term in office over a stampede at his Adoration Ground which took the lives of people.
Ordinarily, the organisers of that crusade ought to have been prosecuted for poor crowd management. The Government let it ride. But to, excuse this cliche, add insult to injury, Mbaka turned around, laid the blame on the Government, and swore Nnamani would never get a second term in office.
If he did, Mbaka swore, he would remove his Priestly Cassock.
Well, as you know, Nnamani got his second term. Yet, Mbaka is wearing his Cassock, and doing what he knows best: political predictions, and invoking doom upon anybody who crosses his path, or doubts some of those predictions.
Let me, then, confess that the above title was not my first choice. I had two in mind: Fr. Mbaka, We ‘Don Tire’ or The Priest As A Drama King, you know, the male version of a Drama Queen.
Rev.-Father-Ejike-Mbaka
But when Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, hit Mbaka below the belt, I hit the roof.
My first questions were: Why does Shehu think he is entitled to be rewarded for working for the President’s success in 2015 and 2019, and Mbaka is not entitled to it? Or is it because Mbaka is wearing a Cassock? Not likely, because the Priest’s Cassock drips of politics. So, he is entitled to the same reward. Like Shehu, he worked for Buhari.
But, thereafter, my anger boiled over at what an otherwise gifted Roman Catholic Priest has reduced himself to. I wanted to slam Mbaka to assuage my embarrassment over Shehu’s unnecessary below the belt attack. And I wanted to do that using a strong title.
That was until I listened to an arguement between a number of mutual friends. Their consensus was that between Shehu and Mbaka, there is no difference. One of them said it was like the kettle calling the pot black. Another said it was like looking for the difference between 12 and a dozen. I picked that. So, the title above
Their story is simple. It is the story of two people who did same job, different ways, but now quarrelling over patronage. One is enjoying the spoils of office. The other is very upset at being short-changed and so, revolted. For the purpose of this write-up, a little digression is necessary.
Rev. Fr. Mbaka, a Roman Catholic Priest, is the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry. He holds sway in Enugu State. He says he is gifted. His multitude of followers agree. He says he is a Seer, a Dreamer, the equivalent of the Biblical Joseph. They agree with him. He says he is a Prophet. They also agree with him. Whatever the Holy Spirit tells him, he makes public. A couple of days ago, he disclosed he could not be held responsible over his predictions. On the Buhari and Uzodinma victory predictions, for example, he said he only made public what the Holy Priest told him.cases, But he never quite explained what happened in the Nnamani case, why he failed.
In fairness to Fr. Mbaka, a few of his predictions had come to pass. That has attracted, to him, a very large congregation.
Between him and the man at the Synagogue, Ikotun, Lagos, T. B. Joshua, I don’t know who attracts a larger congregation than the other. But like Joshua, Fr. Mbaka’s clout goes beyond Enugu State.
Because of his predictions he is like a rock star. He has a cult-like followership.
Politicians flood his Church. They rely on him for political miracles. They cling to him, particularly, close to elections.
Their journey does not end with his prayers and “endorsement.” You must donate. If you don’t do so voluntarily, he asks for it by pointing out the projects his Ministry has at hand. If you still don’t get it, you face the humiliation of your life. Ask Peter Obi, the 2019 Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP. For Obi’s well-celebrated stinginess, Mbaka humiliated him before the congregation and Obi’s entourage.
Fr. Mbaka is not just rich, he is, reportedly, richer than the Roman Catholic Diocese of Enugu. He confirms, not in too many words.
This other day, the Rev. Father said 23,000 people are directly in his employ. He pays them every month, he emphasised. He feeds them too. There are some he pays every two weeks, he added. And he picks the bills of several students. Probably a billionaire, he makes money for the Catholic Church too.
No wonder, many say his colleague-Priests hold him in awe, and are afraid of him. Even his Bishop, they insist. For his wealth and popularity, they say Mbaka thinks he is untouchable. Perhaps.
Here’s one example.
The Headquarters of his Adoration Ministry was in the capital city of Enugu State. He was the lord of the manor. But, one day, a couple of years ago, his Bishop dared. He transferred Fr. Mbaka out of Enugu, to a suburb Emene. It was a routine posting. No Priest stays in a Parish forever. So, no big deal. But for Mbaka, it was a big deal. He made it a media war, almost, against the Bishop. He said he was being peresecuted.
So, how did a Priest with so much influence, so much clout, so popular, descend to the level of exchanging below the belt blows with Politicians?
Fr. Mbaka is not, officially, known to be a card carrying member of any political party. Of course, Priests should have an interest in the candidates that offer themselves for election. But normally, they should be neutral, and pray that the best candidate wins. Not Fr. Mbaka.
He plays more politics than politicians. He looks at his crystal ball, gauges the mood of people at that particular time, and pitches his net.
In 2015, he suddenly pitched his net for Buhari against President Goodluck Jonathan when he noticed that the APC had not only overwhelmed the PDP with propaganda, but some PDP big shots in the North, including a considerable number of Governors, not to forget former President Olusegun Obasanjo, were hell bent on a Jonathan ouster. See, it was easy for Mbaka to queue in, and jump ship.
In 2019, the same game played out. Mbaka saw the writing on the wall. An incumbent, a former Army General, Mbaka knew that Buhari, having become President after failing three times, was not likely to give it away, on a platter of gold. Only a Jonathan could have done that.
Mbaka is smart.
He is in the habit of being close to the powers- that- be. But mid-way, it goes awry. The question is: why? Does he put too much pressure on them for patronage? He says not true. But events and his actions point to the contrary. I begin with President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mbaka was close to him and his wife, former First Lady, Patience. On the day Mrs Jonathan and her entourage went to his Church to worship, he heaped praises and prayers on her husband, the President. He said they were the best, and would be in office for eight years. In his usual manner, he cursed those who would work against the couple’s success in the Villa . Everybody chorused Amen. But a few months later, Mbaka made a u-turn. Why?
He put the blame on Mrs Jonathan.
The Fr. said Mrs Jonathan never took his calls. He said he asked for her private phone number, but one “cheeky” aide played a fast one on him. The number he gave him turned out not to be the First Lady’s private number. Some aides do that, atimes, not to their Principal’s knowledge. “I never got to speak to her”, Mbaka lamented. Each time I called, an aide would pick, and never passed the phone to her.”
So, Mbaka fell out with them. He said God had taken the glory from them. Seeing the mood of the nation as noted earlier, especially, with the sad incident of Chibok Girls, Mbaka backed Buhari. He campaigned for him more than APC card-carrying members. He predicted Buhari’s victory. Buhari won.
And Mbaka’s profile went a notch higher than before.
In the first five years, Mbaka kept referring to Buhari as Nigeria’s ultimate messiah. In 2019, during his Church’s money-spinning Annual Harvest, Buhari sent a delegation which included, among others, then Governorship Candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. It was the day Mbaka shook the faith of many discerning Christians in what he preaches.
Peter Obi, a staunch Roman Catholic, and then Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP, had gone to worship in Mbaka’s Church. But Mbaka, put Obi down over non- donation to his Church. He cajoled Obi, using every tactics which, almost, boiled down to blackmail, to donate money to his Church, or adopt a project. When Obi wouldn’t budge, Mbaka called him stingy, and told him he and the Presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku, would fail, unless ….
It was an embarrassing scene. But it got worse minutes later when the Presidential delegation arrived. Mbaka told them how he disgraced Obi because of Buhari. He also told them he was being peresecuted because of his support for the President. I don’t know who was persecuting him, and why.
But Mbaka should know that he was not the only Cleric who prayed for President Buhari’s victory. Most Clerics pray for politicians. It is like gambling. If it clicks, fine. If it does not, no big deal.
A Cleric in Ilupeju, Lagos, once predicted Chief Arthur Nzeribe’s victory over Shehu Shagari, and later, over Olusegun Obasanjo. But I digress.
Before the Presidential delegation, Mbaka turned a beggar. He told them that the President had done nothing for him or his Church for all the support he gave him. He went on and on. Same day, and this was before the elections, he told Uzodinma that he would be Governor. Everybody cheered.
The vision he did not see is that he was not the only Cleric who told Uzodinma of his possible victory at the polls, even though they knew not how. Two high profile Catholic Priests, superior to Mbaka in rank – one, a Cardinal, the other, an Archbishop, gave Uzodinma quite some hope. For months, they prayed along with him. But none of them, till date, made a song and a dance of it.
That day, the Presidential delegation donated to his Ministry some money and promised to build a hospital for the Church, a project he drew their attention to. The congregation cheered.
Buhari won. And so did Uzodinma, at the Supreme Court. And Mbaka’s profile rose some more.
He revelled in Buhari’s victory. For five years and counting, he never said a word against Buhari. He saw no evil, heard no evil, and condemned no evil. He never mentioned Lear Sharibu. He never condemned rogue Fulani Herdsmen wreaking havoc across the country, including in the South- east, even in Enugu State where he lives. He never condemned the rising insecurity in the country. The kidnappings. The killings. The raping of women. The abduction of students. Nothing.
Mbaka never condemned the proscription of IPOB, and its labelling as a terrorist organisation. Or the incident at Afara- Ukwu which led to the forced exile of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He never asked why rogue Fulani herdsmen have not been branded terrorists by the FG. Or, why his Muslim counterpart, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, would be sitting with AK-47 -carrying Bandits, dialoguing with them? He never asked why nobody is dialoguing with IPOB members or asking them: “How market? He never encouraged the FG and SE leaders to dialogue with IPOB to avoid the accusations and conter- accusations which have followed the unprecedented violence and killings in the once most peaceful zone in the country. He saw none. And condemned none. And pleaded for none.
Well, until last week.
When l first heard of Mbaka’s condemnation of Buhari and Uzodinma, I couldn’t stop laughing. The Priest is, atimes, “a drama king.”
Forget the reasons he gave for abandoning Buhari. The main reason is that they cut him off. They did not fulfill the promises made to him – the hospital project, for instance They stopped taking his calls. It was the same thing with Mrs Jonathan. Father Mbaka should ask himself why he suffers that fate.
He had two things against Uzodinma – not taking his calls, and not coming to his Church for Thanksgiving. In the case of the President, he didn’t quite say, except that as many are saying, Mbaka just woke up to realities. But it was left for Garba Shehu to tell us why.
Garba Shehu
In an ill-advised response to Mbaka’s call on the National Assembly to impeach Buhari if he does not resign, Shehu, his tongue as acidic as ever, told us it was because Buhari refused to award contracts to Mbaka.
That was cheap. Shehu did not need to descend to that level.
Here’s why?
Shehu worked for the success of the President, as did Mbaka. Shehu was rewarded with the position of a Presidential aide. What was Mbaka’s reward? What is good for the goose, it is said, is also good for the gander. The pot should not call the kettle black.
That Mbaka asked for contracts is really, not a big deal, except that it is morally wrong. But he is not alone. A number of Clerics, from the South to the North, Christians and Muslims, are contractors, directly or indirectly. Shehu should know.
Nor is Mbaka the only contractor-Cleric who has criticised the President recently. It is how many of them survive. “Country hard.”
Fr. Mbaka is not quite different from the others. It depends on the method. I have listened to him ask for money. He did that in his Church in 2019, plastic basket in hand, from Obi. He knew he was not going to support Obi’s candidacy, yet, he asked him for money. That was not nice. I heard him ask for support from the President’s representatives led by Ganduje and Uzodinma. Both cases, his method was obscene.
But back to his dumping of the President. The smart Priest has gauged the mood of not a few Nigerians, especially in the South-east, where he resides, and had no choice but to do a a u-turn. A few months ago, he was still on the side of the President. He still insisted President Buhari would solve our problems.
So, what changed? Why for instance, did he suddenly remember Mazi Nnamdi Kalu? On that, here is what is playing out:
In this altercation with his friends ”before-before”, he needs the support of, especially, Kanu and IPOB.
Having lost his prime place in the hearts of Villa big boys, his public support for Kanu comes in handy for him. He knows Kanu would defend him, thinking Shehu lashed out at him because he is Igbo.
Having said that, I disagree with those who say he should resign as a Priest. Or that the Pope should penalise him. Perhaps, a short refresher course in Rome would do. I also think Shehu embarked on an over-kill. I believe Mbaka has some gifts. And I really acknowledge and appreciate, very much, the charity work he is doing.So my suggestions:
He should repackage himself. He should concentrate on his job as a Priest. He should delve less into partisan politics. He should stop asking those he prayed for to come for Thanksgiving in his Church, like in Uzodinma’s case. It is not by force. Leave such people to God. Afterall, it is God they are thanking, not you. You were just one of the many vessels through which they succeeded.
You are already blessed. You don’t need this hassle.
Or the embarrassment from Shehu. Politicians will always be what they are: Politicians.
You are not the only one Politicians have “used and dumped.” You will not be the last too. It is an everyday thing. So, calm down Father. This, too, shall pass.
Cross River state chapter of an Igbo socio- cultural organisation, Igbo Congress, will on Sunday, May 9 roll out the drums to celebrate persons of Igbo extraction holding political offices in the Government of Cross River.
The body will also use the opportunity to show appreciation to the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade for finding Igbo sons and daughters worthy of appointments into his Government.
Besides Igbo appointees in the Ayade Government, Igbo Congress will also honour sons and daughters of the race who have excelled in various fields.
A press statement signed by the president of the group, Prince Raymond Atulomah and Nze Chuks Agbarakwe,
Chairman (Central Planning Committee) said: “We are honouring some distinguished Igbo personalites who have contributed to humanity, especially those appointed into the government of Cross River by His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade.
“They are Barrister Ugoji Nwabueze, Senior Special Assistant to Gov Ben Ayade on Non-indigene Affairs, Hon. Chidiebere Onyemaizu, Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Governor Ben Ayade, Dr. Nacy Irek, Senior Special Assistant, Information and Hon. Justice A Onyebueke, Presiding Judge, Akamkpa High Court”
The statement further stated: “The ceremony became imperative so that we will also use the opportunity to say thank you to His Excellency Professor Ben Ayade who found some of us worthy to be appointed into his cabinet, which is a novelty.
“An Igbo adage says that when you thank somebody for what he has done he would be moved to do more. To our brother, Professor Ayade, we say thank you for remembering Ndi Igbo and enjoin you to please do more as we are solidly behind you especially in the area of industrialization of the state.”
Also to be honoured at the event is Dr. Uche Ogar, Minister of State, Mines & Steel.
The event which will be Chaired by Prof. Rufus Okoro of Physics Department, University of Calabar, will hold at Gomez Hotel, Atekong Drive, Calabar.
It would be preceded by a Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Navy Barracks, IBB Way, Calabar. by 8:00am.
The event will, also, feature Igbo cultural shows and display of Igbo cuisines.
Governor Ayade is expected as Special Guest of Honour.
Other high profile dignitaries expected to grace the event include Chief Gideon Ihezie (CEO, Gimpet Oil Nigerian Ltd) and Chief Fidelis O. Onyebueke ( Grand Patron, Ohanaeze, Cross River state chapter).
It will be an all England affair at the Istanbul Stadium in Turkey, when the two English Premier League teams, Chelsea Football Club and Manchester City Football of England trade tackles on May 29th, 2021.
It was a dream come through for Coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City as he guided his team to their first ever UEFA Champions League final, courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate scoreline against Paris Saint Germain Club of France.
For Coach Thomas Tuchel Side, Chelsea, they got to the final following a 3-1 aggregate against the highly rated Zinedine Zidane side, Real Madrid.
Tuchel will be avoiding a repeat of last season where his former Club, Paris Saint Germain lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the final of this competition.
Chelsea will also be gunning for a double. They are already in the final of the England FA Cup.
The last time Chelsea won the Champions League was in 2012, defeating Bayern Munich 4-2 on penalties after playing 1-1 at full time.
Manchester City have waited to get the final of the coveted European Club competition having been booted out of the competition in the quarter finals on three consecutive times. Their best placement was the Semi final it got to under former Coach Manuel Pellegrini.
Guardiola has won the Champions League twice. When he was in the saddle as Barcelona Coach, he won the trophy in 2009 and 2011.
It will be a battle between England best two teams, as Guardiola and Tuchel will be gunning for history.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA) has agreed to assist in the accreditation of professional courses offered by the Nigerian Navy. The Agency would also facilitate the attainment of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, STCW status for the Nigerian Navy’s training institutes, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said this on Tuesday in Lagos, when the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Kamarudeen Lawal, visited the Agency’s headquarters.
Jamoh spoke in response to requests by Lawal, who believed collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA was not only required for success of the country’s maritime goals, but also inevitable.
He said, “NIMASA is all for anything that would enhance safety and security in our waters and promote shipping. This is in line with our mandate. We would support and advance courses and causes geared towards maximising our maritime potential.
“Our maritime training institutions and courses have their basis in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW. We would help the Nigerian Navy obtain the STCW status for its training bodies, and facilitate the accreditation of its programmes, on purpose to advance our common goal of maritime safety and security.”
Taking cognisance of the need to maintain the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, Jamoh said NIMASA would study the training curriculum of the Nigerian Navy. He emphasised the need for training and retraining of naval personnel to improve their capability, especially, in respect of the Navy’s leading role in the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (the Deep Blue Project), which is domiciled in NIMASA.
Earlier, the FOC said the visit was in view of NIMASA’s critical role in the maintenance of standards and safety in the country’s maritime environment. He said the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA had led to improved maritime safety and security in Nigerian waters.
Lawal commended efforts by NIMASA to ensure safety and standards in the maritime environment.
“This makes collaboration between the Command and NIMASA desirable and inevitable,” Lawal stated. “In order to achieve this objective, the Command desires further assistance and collaboration with NIMASA in the area of certification for International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,” he added.
Lawal also requested Jamoh to “facilitate the accreditation of our professional courses through collaborative efforts with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron.”
Following an unending violent clash over a chieftaincy at Ikare, Akoko North East Local Government Area, the Ondo State Government has imposed a 24 hour curfew on the town.
A statement by the State Commissioner of information, Mr Donald Ojogo, indicated that the curfew takes effect from 6.00pm on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.
The statement added that security agencies have been deployed and mandated to enforce the curfew.
“Accordingly, anyone who violates or contravenes this order shall face the full wrath of the Law. Dire consequences await such defaulters.
“In the meantime, Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all activities relating to the quarter head, Olokoja chieftaincy title.
“In this regard, no one is permitted to parade himself as Olokoja or engage in promotional activities relating to the title in question. This directive takes immediate effect.”
Violent clash broke out at Ikare on Monday over the Olokoja chieftaincy title with supporters and rivals engaging in fisticuff, disturbing commercial activities.
The State Government had since Tuesday deployed security agents to the town, but pockets of clashes were still being reported.
“I move around like a warrior. No bandit or kidnapper can threaten me. Even if they are ten in number, I will face them”
A First Class Monarch in Ekiti state has blamed his colleagues that have either been killed, shot or abducted by kidnappers. He blamed their plight on the abandonment of traditional practices.
The Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Adedeji Gbadebo, advised his colleagues to embrace the African Science in confronting insecurity and frequent attacks on Palaces.
Just last week, Chairman of Ekiti state Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Alabi revealed plans to consult their ancestors in a bid to tackle insecurity and incessant abduction of Monarchs.
In 2020, the Olufon of Ifon in Ondo state was shot dead between Owo and Ifon while returning from Akure.
In Ekiti state, the Elewu of Ewu, Oba Adetutu Ajayi narrowly escaped death after he was shot at between Ewu and Ayetoro Ekiti last month. His colleague at Ilemesho, Oba David Oyewumi, was unlucky. He was abducted right inside his Palace by heavily armed suspected kidnappers.
Briefing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, Oba Adedeji, who described as embarrassing, the incessant abduction of traditional rulers, maintained that he had fortified himself like a warrior.
Adducing reason why Obas are being abducted, he pointed out that some Yoruba traditional rulers have abandoned the African Science under the guise of embracing modern religious belief.
“I move around like a warrior. No bandit or kidnapper can threaten me. Even if they are up to ten in number I will face them.
“In fact, some of my subjects have also told me not to embarrass them by allowing myself to be molested by bandits.
“Attacks on Obas are disturbing. How can people kidnap or shoot a traditional ruler? I believe that going traditional to curb these senseless killings is not out of place.
“In the days of old, there were wars and we had unique ways of fighting and winning. Some people don’t believe in it because modern Religion has taken over and reduced our faith in traditional power.
“Some Traditional Rulers are saying that they can’t use charms to protect themselves. This is hypocrisy. We are custodians of tradition. Why are we running away from our tradition? How can an Oba be killed or kidnapped like a chicken? I find it appalling and difficult to believe.”
