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Prophet Ikuru apologises for defaming Dr Paul Enenche, wife

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A Lagos-based prophet, Godwin Ikuru, has issued a public apology for defaming and cyberbullying Dr Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and his wife, Dr Becky Enenche.

In a public apology published on a national daily, Ikuru expressed deep regret for his defamatory, abusive and hurtful comments directed at the couple, acknowledging that his words were not only misleading but also damaging and completely unacceptable.

Ikuru further admitted that his actions were fueled by malice, prejudice, and ignorance and that he violated the fundamental human rights of the Enenches, especially their right to personal dignity.

He acknowledged his ignorance of the law, noting that his actions amounted to cyberbullying, a crime punishable by imprisonment without an option of fine.

Ikuru reiterated that Dr Paul Enenche and his wife had never wronged him in any way and that the negative statements made in his videos were unfounded and untrue.

He commended the Enenches as respected servants of God and expressed deep regret for any distress or harm caused to them, their family, and their followers.

His apology reads below:
“I, Godwin Ikuru, wish to express my sincere apologies for my defamatory, abusive, and hurtful statements against Dr. Pastor Paul “Enenche and his dear wife, Dr. M. Becky Enenche. It has become clear to me that my words were not only misleading and fallacious, but also intense, hurtful, damaging, and completely unacceptable.

“I have also realized that my actions were motivated by malice, prejudice, hate, and ignorance. And being thus instigated by hate and bitterness, I acted in breach of their fundamental human rights, especially their right to personal dignity.

“I never knew that my actions amounted to cyberbullying, which is punishable with imprisonment without an option of fine, and this made me liable to imprisonment.

“A member of Dunamis International Gospel Centre invoked the provisions of this law, got me arrested, and charged me to court. Thus, I owe my freedom to the leniency of Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife for intervening in this case and tempering justice with mercy, as I acted in ignorance of the law.

“This should also serve as a deterrent to all those who engage in cyberbullying, especially against reputable and genuine men of God and fathers of faith in Nigeria, to desist from their nefarious acts or face the wrath of the law.

“I wish to reiterate the fact that Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, never offended me in any way, and that any negative statement I made against them in those unfortunate videos is unfounded and untrue. They are reputable servants of God, and I hold them in high esteem.

“I had caused great embarrassment through my actions, and I beg them to please accept my most humble and sincere apologies. I have fully realized the consequences of my actions, and I am committed to making all necessary amends.”

Nigerian Navy seizes boat with illicit substances, arrests suspects in Akwa Ibom

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According to the Nigerian Navy, three suspects were apprehended by its Operation Delta Sanity forces after they seized a huge wooden boat carrying 22,800 bottles of codeine, 125 sacks of industrial chemicals, and 820 tubes of pethidine in the general area of Bendoyo and Uta Uyata in Akwa Ibom State.

On Monday, a statement posted on its verified Facebook page revealed this information.

Read Also: RCCG pastor detained abroad for saying ‘ladies, Gentlemen’ — Adeboye

According to the statement, “On Monday, November 25, 2024, three suspects were apprehended by Forward Operating Base IBAKA while they were transporting 22,800 bottles of codeine, 125 bags of industrial chemicals, and 820 tubes of pethidine in a large wooden boat around Bendoyo and Uta Uyata general area, Akwa Ibom State.”

As a result, the suspects were turned up to members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Maritime Unit in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

Breaking: EFCC obtains court order for forfeiture of 150,500-square-meter estate

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The EFCC obtains a court judgment forfeiting to the federal government a 150,500 square meter estate that includes more than 700 homes (including duplexes and apartments).

According to reports, a high-ranking government person owns the estate.

Since the commission’s founding in 2002, this recovery has been the biggest one to date.
Details will be provided later.

Davido: My dad taught me not to question God

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Nigerian musician David Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido, has disclosed that his motivation to persevere in the face of adversity comes from his father’s teachings on faith in God.

Davido discussed his Christian upbringing and the influence of his father’s religious teachings on his life in a recent Rollingout podcast interview.

He said that because his father taught him to never doubt God, he has been able to go through challenging situations.

Read Also: RCCG pastor detained abroad for saying ‘ladies, Gentlemen’ — Adeboye

“My dad is an elder in the church, but he’s also quite successful. I grew up as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I went to a Christian university.

My dad helped me overcome many obstacles. Although I didn’t understand at first, I’ve since realized. I was upset. At times, I wondered, “Why do good people get bad things?” My father also informed me that you cannot doubt God.

“What do you mean you can’t question God?” I said. And then we had twins, my biggest album came out, and I received my first Grammy nominations a year later [after my son Ifeanyi passed away]. After that, it began to make sense. “Remember that God has your back, even though everyone faces different obstacles,” he stated.

RCCG pastor detained abroad for saying ‘ladies, Gentlemen’ — Adeboye

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Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has expressed regret for the detention of one of the church’s pastors overseas.

He claimed that the pastor was jailed for using the phrase “Ladies and gentlemen” when speaking to the audience at a program.

He said that because the statement did not include all of the genders that their culture recognized, it was discriminatory.

This was revealed by the pastor on Sunday at the RCCG’s Throne of Grace in Lagos State during the church’s monthly Thanksgiving ceremony.
“My father’s house” was the title of his sermon, which was aired to every parish in the church.

“The end is closer than you might imagine. This is a wake-up call because things are getting worse. For merely referring to a group of people as “ladies and gentlemen,” one of my pastors overseas was imprisoned.

He claimed that several individuals had accused him of discriminating, posing the question, “What about those who are neither ladies nor gentlemen?”
Another unsettling tale of a woman who called her dog her husband was also related by the clergyman.
He related how the woman said, “I took him to the vet before coming,” in response to a question concerning her husband. She calls her “husband” a dog, saying, “He doesn’t talk.”

Seeing these instances as indicators of the end times, Adeboye voiced alarm about the decline of moral norms around the world.

Read Also: 2027 Merger talks: Obi, Atiku’s stance to be revealed in due time

“Take this issue seriously, those of you who are already followers of Christ. Don’t allow anyone to undermine your position. God is sacred. Those still playing church—singing, clapping, and enjoying things without genuine commitment—remember, Jesus is coming back. The devil is trying to harvest you, but you must not allow him to. I want to see you in my Father’s house,” he noted.

Adeboye, known for talking about national issues and the dealings of the church especially about incorporating alien cultures into its branches across the world recently faulted men with braided hair and women sporting false eyelashes and heavy makeup.

Expressing his discontent with the trend among church workers, Adeboye made it clear that such styles will no longer be tolerated on RCCG altars.

In an address at the church’s 72nd annual convention held in August, his comments highlighted his disbelief at the rising trend of these fashion choices among church members.

This edition of the convention with the theme “Heaven” started Monday, August 5, and ended on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at The Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State (Lagos-Ibadan Way).

Kwankwaso urges Tinubu to follow Obasanjo, Jonathan’s example, withdraw tax reform bill

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For the sake of the country, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party’s (NNPP) 2023 presidential candidate, has urged President Bola Tinubu to follow in the footsteps of former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan and remove the contentious Tax Reform Bill from the National Assembly.

“In the interest of Nigerians, you should reevaluate your steadfast stance on the Tax Reform Bills so that the country will finally get out of it,” Kwankwaso stated.

“Tinubu should reconsider his stance on the Bill for the interest of Nigeria, just as former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan withdrew some critical bills in the interest of Nigerians,” Kwankwaso said Monday, making the appeal through his X handle.

Kwankwaso stated: “I believe that the moment is not right to revisit VAT or impose any new taxes at this time. Such actions would be foolish in light of the current economic difficulties that many Nigerians are suffering.

“Instead of placing further financial strain on the populace, the government should focus on helping and supporting them, especially during these difficult times.

Read Also: NIN agents protest in South West over outstanding payments

“I implore President Bola Tinubu to take the National Economic Council’s and other reputable experts’ advice seriously. The common good, not selfish or ego-driven interests, should drive decision-making.

There is precedent for the withdrawal of these bills. Both Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan have taken similar actions in our democratic history, withdrawing important measures for the good of the country. I think the same strategy should be used today.

“To sum up, I humbly ask President Tinubu to change his mind about these bills and make sure that the opinions of the vast majority of Nigerians are respected and heard throughout this process.”

Police deny involvement of officers in fuel scooping from fallen tanker

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A widely shared video on social media purporting to show uniformed officers in camouflage removing petroleum from the wreckage of a tanker accident has been rejected by the Nigeria Police Force.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced this on Monday through X.

The people in the video are not Nigeria Police Force officers, the police said.
They are uniformed officers from a nearby francophone nation instead, and their camouflage outfits are strikingly similar to those of the Nigerian police.

According to the statement: “The Nigeria Police Force was recently tarnished by the revelation of a widely shared viral video that shows uniformed officers in camouflage collecting petrol from the wreckage of a tanker accident. It is important to make clear that the people in the video are not Nigeria Police Force officers.

Read Also: 2027 Merger talks: Obi, Atiku’s stance to be revealed in due time

Their camouflage clothes are similar to those of the Nigeria Police, and they are uniformed officers from a neighboring francophone country.

The statement claims that the officers in the video were speaking French instead of English or any Nigerian language.

“The officers who were apprehended were conversing in French rather than English or a Nigerian language.”

In an effort to damage the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force, the police vehemently denounced the dissemination of such false information and unconfirmed material.

NIN agents protest in South West over outstanding payments

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Protests have been started by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)-employed National Identification Number (NIN) agents in the South-West geopolitical zone over the purported nonpayment of a two-year commission.
Speaking to reporters in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Agents’ spokesperson, Mr. Taiwo Odebunmi, claimed that their members had experienced extreme adversity.

Speaking on behalf of more than 120 NIN agents in South West who were purportedly hired by NIMC, Odebunmi urged President Bola Tinubu to step in.

He stated that NIRSAL Microfinance Bank’s (MFB) AGSMEIS lending program was used to finance the purchase of enrollment devices and licenses.

He clarified that a loan of ₦4,109,485.72 was given to each NIN agent in exchange for a monthly commission. According to him, NIMC allegedly paid commissions in April and May of 2021 before ceasing to do so.

Each agent was expected to receive $1 for each enrollment, Odebunmi continued. In addition, he insisted that NIMC revalidate their license, which the commission had purportedly revoked after they had paid for it.

Under the condition that the monthly commissions received by NIMC be transferred into our NIRSAL MFB repayment accounts in order to offset the loan, each agent was given a loan of ₦4,109,485.72.

But following the initial two months of payment by NIMC in April and May of 2021, the Commission’s payment ceased, and we did not receive any money from June to December of the same year.

Read Also: 2027 Merger talks: Obi, Atiku’s stance to be revealed in due time

For our members, this resulted in a great deal of loss and misery. However, this backlog was paid in March 2022, and when the moratorium ended in February 2022, deductions were made for loan repayment based on this backlog, according to Odebunmi.

Since then, commissions on completed enrollments have been owed to NIMC’s members. Since NIRSAL MFB has started the GSI Recovery procedure on agents with the help of the Central Bank of Nigeria, this nonpayment of commission has caused us a lot of problems.

Additionally, through a fraudulent revalidation process, NIMC revoked our licenses in 2023. Despite the fact that our contract is for five years, these licenses were revoked after being paid for with this loan.

According to Leadership, Odebunmi stated, “We are now pleading with the federal government and its pertinent agencies to act quickly in order to ensure the payment of the outstanding commission of $1 per enrollment and revalidation of our operation license.”

2027 Merger talks: Obi, Atiku’s stance to be revealed in due time

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Abdulrasheed Shehu, an assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has stated that a merger or coalition with the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is still possible.
After their Saturday meeting in Yola, Atiku and Peter Obi reportedly revived discussions over the prospect of both running for president in 2027.
Obi delivered the keynote address at the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), which Atiku controls.

Although both politicians’ spokespersons denied that the invitation had any political implications, social media was abuzz, particularly after Atiku shared a video of his breakfast meeting with Peter Obi at his Yola home.

However, there are suggestions that the conference was part of preparations for the 2027 presidential contest, as the problems between the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) show no signs of abating.

Read Also:Guinea football match clashes leave dozens dead

An X user, Theo Agada, stated, “Repeat the 2019 ticket and vow to complete one term. Then watch the Nigerians do their thing.”

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the LP’s Lagos State governorship candidate in the last election, quoted Atiku’s tweet and commented, “We must form a united opposition to end this T-pain remix that we are all featuring in,” referring to the country’s current difficulty.

Doyin Okupe, who previously served as Peter Obi’s campaign director but recently shifted allegiance to President Bola Tinubu, presented a contrasting perspective in a post on his X Twitter.

He remarked, “The politically naive, uninformed, or intolerant have always attacked me when I say that politics is a game, not a religion. There are no permanent friends or enemies—only permanent interests! Expect some interesting days ahead. We now shift from consumption to absorption. “End of discussion!”

However, speaking with Daily Trust, Abdulrasheed Shehu confirmed that Peter Obi and Atiku did not discuss the 2027 election or a merger at their meeting on Saturday.

He stated that the two lawmakers would disclose their positions on potential mergers at the proper time.

He stated, “There was no conversation about 2027. He just welcomed Obi to Yola and shared breakfast with him before accompanying him to AUN, where Obi delivered a remarkable presentation. But, as you may be aware, Oga (Atiku) initiated the demand for a coalition of opposition leaders following the 2023 general elections in order to defeat the APC in the next election. When the time comes, their viewpoint will be made clear.”

Guinea football match clashes leave dozens dead

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Hospital sources informed AFP of images of mass devastation at a football game in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, when fan conflicts claimed dozens of lives on Sunday.

“The hospital has bodies arranged in a line as far as the eye can see. Others are sprawled out on the corridor floors. Because he was not authorized to speak to the media, one doctor stated, “The morgue is full,” under the condition of anonymity.

“There are about 100 dead,” he added, adding that the local morgue and hospital were overflowing with bodies. “Dozens of dead” were reported by another physician.
Images of commotion in the street outside the match and multiple bodies on the ground were captured in social media videos that AFP was unable to confirm right away.

According to witnesses, angry protesters also damaged and burned the N’Zerekore police station.

It all began when the referee made a contentious call. After then, fans stormed the field, a witness told AFP, requesting that his identity be kept anonymous for security reasons.

According to local media, the game was a part of a tournament held in honor of Mamadi Doumbouya, the head of Guinea’s junta, who established himself as president after seizing power in a coup in 2021.

These competitions have become widespread in the West African country as political alliances are formed and Doumbouya considers a possible candidacy for president in the upcoming election.

An extended period of transition

President Alpha Conde had appointed the then-colonel to lead an elite squad that was supposed to defend the head of state from such coups, but Doumbouya overthrew him in September 2021 and took power by force.

He has now stated that he will not return power to a civilian government by the end of 2024, despite his vow to do so under pressure from other countries.

The military officer “exceptionally” rose through the ranks, first becoming a lieutenant general in January and then an army general last month.

Doumbouya has been in charge of a continuous crackdown on dissent, which has resulted in the detention, legal proceedings, or exile of numerous opposition figures.

Read Also: Insecurity: Former defence Chief alls for overhaul of Nigeria’s security system

No junta member was allowed to run in either municipal or national elections, according to a “transitional charter” that the junta drafted shortly after the coup.

However, Doumbouya’s supporters have recently stated that they will support him in the upcoming presidential election.

Authorities announced at the end of September that 2025 will see elections aimed at reestablishing constitutional order.

Even with its abundance of natural resources, Guinea is nevertheless a poor country.

Authoritarian regimes have dominated it for many years.

Since 2020, a number of officers, including Doumbouya and other military leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have taken control of West Africa.

About 200,000 people live in N’Zerekore, the southeast Guinean region where the conflicts occurred.