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Super Eagles Keep 2026 World Cup Hopes Alive,  Narrowly Beat Lesotho

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles
Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has brightened its 2026 FIFA World Cup hope with a slim 2-1 victory over the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Peter Mokoba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

The Coach Eric Chelle team started the match like a house on fire dictating play, but their dominance did not metamorphose into anything meaningful.

The first half ended goalless with the Super Eagles failing to create any good scoring opportunities.

As the second half commenced, the Super Eagles grew into the game, piling pressure on their opponents, leading to handball by a Lesotho that gave the team a penalty.

William Troost-Ekong converted the spot kick to give the Super Eagles the lead.

Substitute, Adams Akor scored the second goal after a good exchange of passes with Victor Osimhen.

Nigeria never rested on its oars as it mounted more pressure, with the Lesotho Goalkeeper making vital saves to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

A misjudged corner kick by Nigeria Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali led to the Lesotho Team scoring a consolation goal to keep the result respectable.

In the dying seconds of the match, a blunder from Nwabali and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi almost gave Lesotho the much needed equalizer, but the Lesotho played the ball wide to ease the tension on Nigeria.

In the other match, 10-man Zimbabwean Team held South Africa to a goalless draw, while the Squirrels of Benin Republic defeated the Amavubis of Rwanda by a lone goal courtesy of Tosin Aiyegun.

With the results, Benin Republic top the log with 17 Points, followed by South Africa with 15 Points, With the Super Eagles having 14 Points and third on the log.

The Super Eagles have to outrightly defeat the Beninoise side in their last Group match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, hoping that the Bafana Bafana of South Africa fail to defeat Rwanda in their last match.

A victory for the Super Eagles with at least three- goal margin, hoping that South Africa fail in it quest to beat Rwanda.

Ondo Establishes Senior Secondary Education Board

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the establishment of the State Senior Secondary School Education Board (OSSEC), a move aimed at significantly boosting infrastructure  development and management in the state’s secondary schools.

The  approval for the establishment of OSSEC is a direct response to the  Federal Government directive mandated by the gazetted NSSEC Act   requesting    states to provide five percent counterpart fund to support infrastructural development across secondary schools in the 36 states of the country.

Pro Igbekele Ajibefun, Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, disclosed the approval in his office, in Akure on Friday.

He stated that the new board will collaboratively address the existing infrastructural deficit in Senior Secondary Schools in collaboration  with the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC)

“With this approval, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has fully aligned with the Federal Government’s resolve to upgrade infrastructure in our secondary schools,”

Prof. Ajibefun appreciated the Governor’s commitment to sustainable education policies.

Speaking on the Benefits and Scope of OSSEC, Dr. Akindele Ige, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry who was also  a member of the establishment committee,  explained that OSSEC will lead to improved funding for school management and essential infrastructural development, which is anticipated to boost student enrollment across the state.

“The scope of the new board is distinct as the  Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) will continue to manage facilities and infrastructure from primary schools up to Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), while OSSEC will specifically take responsibility for the Senior Secondary Schools (SSS1 to SSS3).

“When operational, OSSEC will function as an agency under the State Ministry of Education and will ensure its programmes do not interfere with other educational bodies in the state.”

Unity Bank MD: We’re Making Banking A Rewarding Experience For Customers 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Managing Director/chief executive officer of Unity Bank Plc,  Ebenezer Kolawole, has stated that the lender is redefining banking services in the country to make it a rewarding experience for customers.
 According to him, a service culture built on responsiveness and innovation will differentiate the impact that customer service can make in any organisation.
Kolawole who made the remarks at the flag off of the Customer Service Week 2025 in Unity Bank, stated that “apart from constantly improving the way in which better customer support can be achieved, the increasing sophistication of our customers have made the Bank to also begin to focus more on customer experience innovation with investment being made in technology, systems, and people which enable us redefine our customer journey altogether”.
While extolling the Bank for always rising to any occasion, the Managing Director celebrated the resilient frontline staff for their unwavering dedication and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service across all touch points, stating that this year’s celebration, themed “Mission: Possible,” underscores the Bank’s unwavering belief that every customer needs can be met through innovation, teamwork, and with service culture.
“The Bank’s customer service teams are well acclaimed for their passion, professionalism, and resilience in fulfilling the institution’s mission to provide exceptional service to its growing customer base”, the Unity Bank MD further stated.
In further acknowledgement, Kolawole stated: “At Unity Bank, our mission is clear — to make banking simple, accessible, and rewarding for every customer. ‘Mission Possible’ captures the spirit with which we approach every challenge and opportunity to serve; whether through our digital platforms, branch interactions, or customer support channels”.
Additionally, the Bank’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Elfrida Igebu, emphasised the significance of recognising and celebrating staff who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers.
“This year’s theme reminds us that what may seem challenging is always achievable with the right attitude, teamwork, and customer-first mindset. Our frontline teams embody this every day by demonstrating that at Unity Bank, service excellence is not just a goal, it is our mission,” Igebu said.
Throughout the week, Unity Bank organised activities across its branches and offices nationwide to reflect the Customer Service Week 2025, from customer appreciation engagements, Award of recognition for Staff, setting up festive ambience and decor, flamboyant service and cultural costumes donned by members to digital media activations.

Governor Mbah  Dumps PDP, To Officially Join APC Next Week

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Peter Mbah
Gov Peter Mbah

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is set to officially defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The defection is set to take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Enugu, the State Capital.

Mbah is expected to join the APC along with elected National and State Legislators, members of the State Executive, and Party Leaders from ward and Local Government levels across the State.

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. Emma Eneukwu, have inaugurated a Seven-Man Caretaker Committee for the Party in Enugu State.

The APC hinted that the ongoing efforts is targeted at strengthening the Party’s influence in the South East region.

The APC National Secretariat in Abuja confirmed this development, after the Seven Man Committee took the oath of office.

The newly inaugurated Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, further disclosed that the Governor and his appointees would officially be received into the party on October 14.

The APC National Working Committee (NWC) had, on Thursday, dissolved the Enugu State Working Committee (SWC) and appointed a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee the Party’s Affairs in the State.

With Mbah out, the PDP no longer has a hold on any State in the South-east, a Zone which was its stronghold.

LASG Dislodge Miscreants, Illegal Traders At Mende-Opebi Under-bridge

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mende-Opebi Under-bridge

By Akinwale Kasali

Following illegal activities of miscreants at the Mende-Opebi Underbridge, that has made the area insecure for passers-by, the Lagos State Government hs swung into action, dislodging them, as well as illegal traders in the area.

Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, in partnership with the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, made sure that the Underbridge which is a beehive of activities was cleared.

The operation, which began immediately after Thursday’s inspection visit to the site, is aimed at restoring order, cleanliness, and environmental sanity to the area.

According to LAWMA, the exercise involves the removal of all illegal shanties, makeshift structures, and accumulated waste deposits that had turned the underbridge corridor into an unsightly settlement and trading zone.

The agency reiterated that the cleanup forms part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained efforts to secure public infrastructure, enhance urban aesthetics, and prevent the return of squatters who had converted the underbelly of the bridge into residential and commercial spaces.

LAWMA appealed to residents and traders in the area to support the ongoing environmental renewal drive by refraining from illegal occupation of public spaces and ensuring proper waste disposal.

The agency assured that monitoring teams would remain on ground to ensure the area remains clean, safe, and compliant with environmental regulations.

Aba Partners Private Companies For Free Meters

By
Ayodele Oni
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Unistar Meters

By Ayodele Oni

The Managing Director, Aba Power Electric Company, Ugo Opiegbe,  has announced the resumption of its highly anticipated free mass metering rollout, aiming to achieve 100 percent metering coverage across its service area.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure fair billing for electricity consumers.

According to him, the project highlights that the metering and installation process is completely free, with no payment required for materials, wires, or any installation costs.

“Consumers are advised that no application is needed, as meters will be installed feeder by feeder, end to end, in a systematic rollout.

“This move is expected to address longstanding issues of estimated billing and improve transparency in electricity consumption.”

He further explained that Aba Power has emphasized the importance of engaging only licensed electricians for any related work and has warned against meter bypassing, labeling it a crime punishable by law.

“The initiative, which began in May 2024 with an estimated cost of N33 billion, is being implemented in partnership with four meter manufacturing firms.

“The project has already proven to be a mutual benefit, with a reported increase in revenue by up to 15 percent due to improved billing accuracy.

“The free distribution of smart meters has also been praised for enhancing customer satisfaction, with many voluntarily paying their bills after seeing transparent consumption data.”

IPOB: Ex-Presidential Aide Says Kanu Must Be Punished, As Calls For His Release Intensify

By
James Orji
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Nnamdi Kanu in Court

Bashir Ahmad, a former a dide to late President Muhammadu Buhari says it will be wrong to release Indigenous People of Biafra,  IPOB strongman, Nnamdi Kanu, blaming him for many innocent lives lost across the south east of Nigeria.

Ahmad shared his view on his X handle on Thursday amid recent calls for the release of the IPOB secessionist leader, who has spent more than four years in the detention of the Department of State Services, DSS.

The magazine reported that Kanu, following his arrest in Kenya on 27 June 20212021 has been put on trial by the federal government on terrorism related allegations. On Tuesday, a federal high court in Abuja, adjourned his trial to October 16, even as some human rights bodies have called for this release.

For instance, Omoyele Sowore, a rights activist and Publisher of Sahara Reporters is leading a protest , on October 16 to Aso Villa , Nigeria’s Presidency  to demand the release of the IPOB leader, and has called on Nigerians to join.

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president has thrown his support for the protest, saying the IPOB leader deserves his freedom for the government.

“We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am.,” Sowore wrote on Wednesday.

Also, a government critics Mahdi Shehu , on Thursday, called on the federal government to release kanu, contending that it is wrong to continue to detain him when other secessionist leaders such as Gani Adams, Oodu People Congress, OPC leader and Sunday, who committed similar offence were set free.

Reacting, Ahmad said the IPOB leader should be made to face justice for allegedly instigating violence that led to the death of many people from the south east saying what Kanu allegedly offence “ left deep scars on our nation.”

According to him, those calling for Kanu’s release have betrayed the country and the innocent lives killed as a result of his alleged instigation of violence in the country.

“It is a grave betrayal to the innocent lives lost and the countless victims of IPOB’s brutality to call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. This is a man who deliberately incited violence, engineered killings and unleashed destruction across the South East and other parts of Nigeria. His actions tore families apart, destabilized communities and left deep scars on our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the magazine reported that Senator Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia state said during the week that the judiciary must be allowed to determine th fate of the IPOB leader.

The former governor spoke on Channels Television Politic Toady, amidst calls from not a few Nigerian s for political solutions to the embattled IPOB leader’s issue, particular following reports that he has fallen ill in DSS detention.

Kalu said: “I have discussed this issue with the President many times. But I cannot tell you what I discussed with him. It’s a privilege for me to have spoken to the President. What matters is that everyone wants a peaceful resolution,” he said.

The senator emphasized that he and other stakeholders are pursuing what he described as “backdoor diplomacy”, expressing confidence that a peaceful outcome could be achieved without politicizing the case.

“All of us are doing what I call backdoor diplomacy because of the utmost respect I have for the judiciary. We must not make Justice Nyako or any judge look like a fool by discussing this case publicly. Nigerians must respect the decisions of our courts.”

ADC To Tinubu: World Bank Report Is “A simple But Painful Story” Of What Nigerians Are Facing

By
James Orji
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Bolaji Abdullahi
Bolaji Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accept the recent verdict of the World Bank, to the effect that his government reforms has thrown close to 140 million Nigerians into deep poverty.

The president must accept the current situation in the country, and stop covering up the reality by churning out figures that do not reflect what Nigerians are facing, the ADC said on Thursday.

Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity made the remark on Thursday in a post he shared on X, saying the Tinubu’s administration is merely grandstanding, by churning out figures that all is currently well in the country.

Abdullahi was reacting to the Presidency’s reaction to the World Bank Wednesday’s reports, to the effect that 139 million Nigerians have been driven below the poverty lines since administration came to power, and introduced series of economic reforms.

Sunday Dare, a presidential spokesman had dismissed the World bank report, to the effect that the administration has grown raised the poverty figures from 81 million in 2019to 139 million in 2025, saying the report was not properly contextualized and unrealistic to the current situation in the country.

But the ADC said the administration is just trying to cover up by releasing false images that all is well, stressing that the “World Bank numbers tell a simple but painful story” that more than half of the country’s population have been thrown into abject poverty.

The party said the administration should take practical steps to address what the World Bank said instead of mere sloganeering.

Abdullahi: “The African Democratic Congress has been studying the October 2025 World Bank Report, which states that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 81 million in 2019. That figure, representing 61 per cent of the population, is clear evidence that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have actually sent more Nigerians into abject poverty, contrary to the government’s performance propaganda and claims of progress.

“The World Bank numbers tell a simple but painful story: under the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s government, more Nigerians have fallen into poverty than at any other time in our history. In 2019, four out of 10 Nigerians were poor. Today, it is, at least, six out of 10.

“We recall that President Tinubu, in his recent Independence Day address to the nation, declared triumphantly that the worst is over while bandying statistics which have now been proven to be calculated whitewash to serve the government’s narrative of progress. However, what is important is the reality that those numbers were meant to hide. Behind President Tinubu’s shiny statistics are the grim realities of historic human suffering — families skipping meals, children dropping out of school, and households selling assets just to buy food and basic drugs to survive.

“Under the APC, nearly 30 million Nigerians have now joined the ranks of the ultra-poor — those who, even if they spend every naira they earn on food, still cannot afford enough calories to survive.

I “While the government celebrates record revenue collection and the illusion of economic stability, the World Bank’s data shows that Nigerians are actually growing poorer by the day. Food inflation has gone through the roof, with the price of a bag of rice multiplying five times in just four years. Poor families now spend roughly 70 percent of their income on food, leaving nothing for rent, school fees, or medicine.

“The so-called social safety nets that should protect the vulnerable have also collapsed. Coverage has fallen from 20 percent in 2019 to just six percent in 2025. The government’s support for the poorest citizens is almost non-existent, amounting to a mere 0.14 percent of GDP compared to a global average of 1.5 percent.

“What all this means is that Nigerians are worse off under the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s government. And contrary to the President’s claim, the worst is not over; instead, it appears that the worst has actually not arrived. Rather than continuing to dig in to defend its propaganda, the government should accept the unbiased verdict from its partner, the World Bank, and try to make amends before it is too late.

“To make matters worse, the government’s entire approach to poverty measurement now seems designed to flatter itself rather than to help the poor. Nigeria’s domestic poverty threshold, roughly N137,000 per month, or about $90, sits far below the global real-value benchmark. By using a deflated local measure, the government effectively undercounts millions of poor Nigerians.”

The ADC, the magazine reports, is the party adopted by key opposition figures in the country to contest the 2027 election against the ruling APC.

A Woman In Canterbury Cathedral: Wither Anglicanism?

By
The Source
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Steve Osuji and Dame Sarah Elizabeth Mullally

By Steve Osuji

A confounding quagmire: Oh what a troubling time for Anglicanism! What a confounding guagmire for the second largest Christian denomination in the world!

The auguries are at once so ominous and dark, that no one can possibly conjecture the end of it.

Yes, Anglicanism was always a child born out of contradictions, and strife even; but its current predicament will try the souls of this 500 years old denomination and its over 85 million members worldwide. But true adherents say God is merely working out His purposes.

A WOMAN IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL:
A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Britain, having secured the approval of the King, announced the nomination of Dame Sarah Elizabeth Mullally (nee Bowser) as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury Cathedral, England.

By this gesture, Dame Sarah, who’s currently the Bishop of London, becomes the head of the Church of England, Anglican Communion and also the ceremonial head of all Anglicans world-wide.

A retired Chief Nursing Officer of England,  it is remarkable that she’s the first woman to be so appointed in the annals of Anglicanism.

But the Anglican world is not rejoicing. In fact, her designation has brought widespread condemnation from Nigeria and a chunk of the Anglican family abbreviated as GAFCON.

Global Anglican Future Conference are the new Protestants, so to speak. They are the conservative Anglicans who insist on undiluted scriptures as held in the Bible. They uphold the true teachings of Christ and believe in the power of the holy spirit.

It is Gafcon members mainly in Africa, south America, Asia as well as a handful still left in North America and Western Europe who have risen in condemnation of the ascendance of 64 year-old Dame Sarah as archbishop of Canterbury.

In a statement a few  days after the announcement of Dame Sarah, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, described the decision to elevate Bishop Sarah as the Archbishop of Canterbury as “devastating”.

Ndukuba is probably the most influential Anglican leader in the world today overseeing a country of over 20 million worshippers, the single largest Anglican congregation worldwide.

Commenting further, Archbishop Ndukuba said: “This election is a further confirmation that the global Anglican world could no longer accept the leadership of the Church of England and that of the Archbishop of the Canterbury.

“As a member of the GAFCON family, the Church of Nigeria affirms the GAFCON position… and reaffirms our stance to uphold the authority of the Scriptures, our history, creeds, evangelism and holy Christian living, irrespective of the ongoing revisionist agenda, believing that our Lord Jesus Christ has built His church and “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).

LIBERALS VERSUS CONSERVATIVES:
The Church in Nigeria is distraught about this news and its Primate  has voiced it most  unequivocally. He thinks what happened in England is a “double jeopardy.”

First, in its insensitivity to the conviction of the majority of Anglicans who are unable to embrace the female headship of the Episcopate. And second, those who are disturbed that Bishop Mullally is a strong supporter of the same-sex marriage.

He recalled that in 2023, she voted to approve the blessing of homosexuals and she described the positive outcome of the process then as a moment of hope for the church.

From the Church of Uganda, headed by The Most Reverend Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, a letter to the flocked, dated October 3rd states plaintively: ” I am writing to share the sad news that the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The man in Uganda also spoke without equivocation about the stance of the Church in his country regarding this appointment:

“Make no mistake, this is a grievous decision at the highest levels of the Church of England to separate itself from the vast majority of global Anglican Communion,” Mugalu says in his letter.

BIRTH OF GAFCON:
From 2003, up to 2008, a deep gulf had opened in the  world body of the Anglican Communion as headed by the Bishop of Canterbury when openly gay (homosexuals) were installed as bishops. Incrementally they were allowed to receive the holy sacraments and to be ordained as priests.

Finally the church allowed same sex marriage. And eventually, the ordination of woman priest, appointment of woman bishop … and now, archbishop.

It led to the birth of GAFCON as the Church in Africa, led by Nigeria (headed then by Rt. Revd Peter Jasper Akinola, Archbishop and Primate) and others in the southern hemisphere opposed to the emerging non-theological teachings as something close to heresy.

In 2014, the church, led by Canterbury ratified not just the ordination of women as priests, but their installation as Bishops.

Canterbury, and most of Western Europe and North America, insist all of these new developments are in aid of love as professed by Christ.

THE WORD IS PLAIN:
They aver that as  Christians we should not judge. At least not based on an individual’s sexual preferences.

But the Word, as embodied in the Holy Bible is plain enough for all to understand. Where there seems to be the slightest obfuscation, proverbs and anecdotal stories are deployed to shed light.

Perhaps we shall have to jettison the Bible first so we may live and spiritual conduct affairs according to our human understanding.

But the conservatives argue that if God wanted same-sex conjugation, he would have made another man (Steve) to pair Adam in Eden and they would lay eggs to procreate. Or He would enact procreation by propagation.

But in His omniscience, God made an OPPOSITE SEX EVE: beautiful and  purpose-built for procreation and as help meet for Adam.

His work is plain and perfect.

If God wanted the female gender to robe and minister in the sanctorium it would have been exemplified in the Holy book.

But in fact, not all men are to be priests. There’s a reason some are set apart for this sacred duty. Why must Christianity succumb to gender politics or the whims of the world?

Why is Christianity yielding to the dictates of the world and not of the Word?

CARE AND CURE, NOT INDULGENT LOVE:
Today’s man would fervently seek to pervert the perfect work of his creator.

Perversion is but an affliction. You show love to the afflicted by proferring care and cure not by indulgence and normalising depravity.

God abhors same-sex cohabitation. The Bible in Old and New Testaments is replete with condemnations of such a most unnatural act. Not in one instance in the Scriptures does God show compassion or a hint of understanding to  what is clearly human failing and amoral living.

RETURN TO SODOM AND GOMORRAH:
God indeed, settled the matter in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19 …) giving a hint of what might become of humanity if such vile is allowed to linger in the human society and how man would be worse than animal and therefore, unworthy to live.

Men of Sodom, (young and old), had become so depraved they would seek to rape even angels of God (Gen. 19:5). This  provoked God exceedingly that he invoked a final obliteration of Sodom and Gomorrah,  deploying a raging inferno.

S and G was a sample of Armageddon, it was a  divine statement on the matter of homosexuality unbridled evil.

The fume of sin and depravity wafted up from S and G to the point that the host of the heavens almost got choked. God had to act with precision and alacrity to cleanse His lost creation by fire.

This issue can’t be plainer than this. It’s either you believe or you don’t. It’s either you are in Sodom and Gomorrah or you are out.

It’s either you are a Christian or you are not. God is not complicated.

Why did God not show love to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah?

CAN GAFCON LEAD THE REVIVAL?:
Can the church under GAFCON stand firm, insist on the undiluted word of God and lead the revival?

Or would it cave in to a dying church in Canterbury.

The great Church of England, the bastion of  Christianity, is already a shadow of itself.

According to reports, though baptismal records may show membership of over ten million, barely one million members are in church every Sunday.

As it stands, it seems only a matter of time before the C o E becomes extinct, a mere historical record. Unless of course there’s a major revival or reformation as it was known in the days of yore.

GAFCON must be poised to lead the revival. GAFCON, if led by the spirit, must boldly step up and, re-evangelise the West, reclaiming the abandoned churches, refreshing the lost souls and presenting the word in its pristine form, in truth and spirit and love.

Not indulging perversion and human depravity, but with love that promotes care and cure and comfort for the sick of the mind.#

Osuji was editor with The Guardian and THISDAY, among others. He is also a Knight of St. Christopher

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“Mr President Has Cast A Warm Blanket Over Me, Pulled Me Back From The Harshness Of Yesterday’s Cold” – Pardoned Farouk Lawan

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Farouk Lawan with Bola Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

“I lie prostrate, utterly humble in my heart and entire being, grateful for the mercy which Allah (SWT), through Mr  President and my country have shown me”

Former House of Representatives Member, Farouk Lawan, who served a five-year jail term for bribery, but was granted full Presidential Pardon on Thursday, October 9, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu, has thanked the President, profusely, for giving him a new lease of life.

“Mr President has cast a warm blanket over me, pulling me back from the harshness of yesterday’s cold”,  he wrote in an emotional post on his Facebook page.

Lawan is one of the 175 persons granted Presidential prerogative of mercy approved by the Council of State which sat on Thursday, on President Tinubu’s  recommendation.

In a statement Thursday night after his pardon was made public, a humbled Lawan took to his Facebook page to thank President Tinubu.

He wrote: “To a fatherly, compassionate, and decisive political leader, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, God and history shall remember you.

“Mr President has cast a warm blanket over me, pulling me back from the harshness of yesterday’s cold. A day like this is not for a long treatise.

“I lie prostrate, utterly humbled in my heart and entire being, grateful for the mercy which Allah  (SWT), through Mr President and my country have shown me.”

The road to jail began for the former House of Representatives Member, Bagwa/Shanano Federal Constituency, Kano, when he was accused by businessman, Femi Otedola, of demanding the sum of three million US Dollars from him to remove his former company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, from the list of companies allegedly involved in the Petrol subsidy scam in 2012.

Lawan was the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee set up to probe the alleged fraud.

Nobody can forget the video of Lawan, in a native attire, babaringa,  hiding wads of Dollar notes underneath his cap. He never knew it was a string operation between Otedola and Security Agencies when he took part of the money from the businessman.

Lawan, on arrest, was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC on a seven count charge of bribery which was reduced to three.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court convicted him on all three charges and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on June 22, 2021.

He appealed his conviction. And, in February 2022, a Court of Appeal, discharged him of two out of the three charges, and reduced his jail term to five years.

Lawan appealed to the Supreme Court, which sustained the Court of Appeal’s ruling in January 2024.

After his five-year jail term, he was released in October 2024.

On the day he was released, Lawan stepped out from prison, wearing a babariga, slid into the driving seat of a high profile SUV, and drove off.

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, President Tinubu renewed his hope, and granted him full presidential pardon. “My hope is renewed” a grateful Lawan exclaimed.

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