Igbo Women Assembly marks Mother Tongue Day, embarks on aggressive campaign to promote, sustain Igbo language, culture

Mother Tongue Day, observed February 21 of every years is devoted to promoting language of indigenous people of the world.

Most important was the prediction 10 years ago that Igbo language will go into extinction in 25 years’ time. No wonder Igbo Women Assembly has risen up to do everything possible to ensure that the infamous prediction fails woefully.

The group on February 21, 2023 gathered at Ajao Estate, to celebrate this year’s Mother Tongue Day, to harp on the significance of the day and also proffer solutions towards ensuring sustainability of the Igbo language and culture.

Chairperson of Igbo Women Assembly, Chief (Mrs) Nneka Chimezie, while speaking to the media said “February 21 every year, the United Nations celebrates Mother Tongue. It is called United Nations’ Mother Tongue Day. And we join the rest of the world to also celebrate our own language which is Igbo language.

“To celebrate it, we do call for press conference like this to also tell our brothers and sisters the need for us to promote our language especially in our homes, because even the United Nations has come out to say that in 25 years Igbo language will go into extinction, and it has been 10 years that prediction was made and from all indication and from our own investigation, it appears what they are saying is real because in most of our homes, many parents speak English language for their children and we tried to find out why,” Chimezie stated.

She decried a situation whereby a people have literally jettisoned their language for the foreign one. “Even we, we can speak our language and also speak English, so why do they think that their own language which is their own identity is not important for them to learn. I believe that your own language is even more important than any other language, no matter whatever you want to achieve with another language, your language is more important because wherever you are, if you feel threatened you go back home, so if you go back home, are you coming home with another person’s language, I don’t really understand it.

She tried to fathom out the reason people abandon their language. “From our findings we now understand that it is simply a misplaced priority, they just want to belong. So we are trying to tell them that there is nothing wrong with you teaching your child your language and then also learning English language. We all understand that English language is important because it is our lingua franca, our general language in Nigeria because we use it to communicate with other tribes that cannot understand our own language, otherwise, even, if you go to China, they study with their language, their technology, they develop with their own language. but sometimes the Igbos feel inferior, they think if you don’t speak English you are not educated, you are not wise, I don’t really know.”

She insisted that Igbo language is in no way inferior to the foreign languages “We want to make them understand that we don’t need to be inferior to anything, you owe nobody any explanation whatsoever why you are speaking your language.”

On what the group is doing in concrete terms to realize the objective of promoting Igbo language and culture, Lolo Chimezie said, “Well just as we are doing now, we call press conferences, we have also registered a school; we called it Igbo Women Assembly Igbo Language and Culture School, where we teach our children Igbo language and culture. It is not just the language, the culture also because, yes, the language gave birth to the culture and the rest of it, so when the language is going, the culture is also going. So we teach the language and the culture.

“And we want any Igbo Child irrespective of where he is born, where he lives to have access to this language. We have started with Lagos State, we have opened about seven schools right now, and before the end of this year, I think we are going to open like 10,” Chimezie disclosed.

She stated that the children are expected to pay a stipend to get registered, “It is not free as it were, we pay stipend so that we have to maintain the school, we don’t want it to run as charity. We want it to stand as a school. If you can take your child to the regular school and pay school fees, why not? And we are not forcing anybody, if you value the language, if you think it is something your children should have, you should be able to pay a little, we are not charging much because if we base it on charity, if the person sponsoring us stops sponsoring us the school will die, so we say you pay so that we can maintain the teachers. It is a registered school, it is an institution on its own; it is an annex of Igbo Women Assembly.”

Speaking enumerated the challenges being face by the group, to include sponsorship, “We want people that could help us, we want to build a secretariat, we want to train about 100 teachers, we don’t have much of Igbo teachers, so that we can have enough teachers, so we want people to come and sponsor. We want a secretariat and a school, where we will be lecturing, maybe people that do not have enough qualification to go to university, we can train them for elementary, we also need a bus for coordinators to move round to monitor the schools, these are some of the challenges.

Mazi Chigozie Bright Nnabuihe, who teaches Igbo language at the University of Lagos, on his part, stated that the relevance in the celebration of Mother Tongue Day is embedded in identity preservation. He said “The foremost culture that anyone has is his language, it is with the language you describe every other thing. And it is said by Socrates that one understands oneself best in his own language, and one expresses himself best in his own language. Whatever you taught the child in his own language, it will get internalized to the extent that, the child would be the child whom he is, and then he would be nurtured much better to mature as a better reasonable adult who would hardly deviate from the norm he was taught from childhood.

“Yes, you have people who are violent today, who taught them? You have those who have delight in killing, who taught them? By the time you teach a child, do not kill, do not steal, don’t do what your parents will not like, then they grow with some fear, and before you do things as you grow up, you will reason, how will my father see this, how will my mother feel when she hears this? Because you know that whatever happens, Igbo will tell you onye ije anaghi ato na’ma meaning a sojourner must surely go home, east or west, north or south, home is the best. So for one to know himself, for one to be well nurtured the language is of utmost importance,” Nnabuihe stated.

Ezenwaka John-Paul, a businessman and Chairman of Chairmen, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos Chapter who was also the chairman of the occasion described the initiative as wonderful “The initiative is a very wonderful one, for us we would always strive to make sure that the Igbo language didn’t go into extinction. I am impressed and that is why anytime they call me I will always try my best to come and support them in any way I can because they are doing a wonderful job.”

Advising his Igbo brothers and sisters especially those in Lagos concerning the language, Ezenwaka said, “Charity, they say, begins at home. Every Igbo person should make sure that every discussion, every conversation, especially in the house, people should go back to the basis, speak Igbo to your children, speak Igbo to your wife and those around you that are Igbos, and let us minimize this constant use of English language, it will go a long way.”

 

NCP endorses Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rejects Peter Obi

National Conscience Party (NCP) has endorsed the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

This was made known in a Communique signed by Comrade Adebola Lateef (National Secretary); Pastor Peters Omoragbon (NDC South South); and Comrade Waheed Lawal (Acting National Chairman) after the Emergency Meeting of the National Coordinating Council of the party which was held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

The NCC in session said it has reviewed the qualifications of all the Presidential candidates based on capacity, competence, consistency and commitment to deliver and perform and unanimously concluded that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was more qualified than the remaining Presidential Candidates.

On the purported endorsement of Mr Peter Obi as NCP Preferred presidential candidate, the NCC in session rejected the endorsement as the Party leadership were not consulted by the former chairman of the Party, Mallam Tanko Yunusa in promoting that decision. It said “As a result, the NCP preferred presidential candidate is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we reject Peter Obi as the NCP candidate.”

The NCP’s National Coordinating Council disagreed with the argument that measures capacity for leadership on the basis of physical health and saw it as discrimination against people with disability or with one health challenge or the other. 

The group stated that history and records are replete of leaders with serious health conditions or disabilities that turned out to have performed well than those without, adding that the Nigerian Constitution provides for equality to aspire to any office in the land as along as one has not been adjudged of mental incapacity by competent medical professionals.

It also maintained that Competence is the ability to do the job, and said “Of all the four major presidential contenders, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood out by virtue of his track records as former governor and the leader of the largest political party today in Nigeria. He is a leader that is not tribalistic and run an all-inclusive government by surrounding himself with professionals and technocrats irrespective of tribe or religion and this is evident from verifiable testimonials all over the federation.”

Another issue that was considered was consistency. “Asiwaju Tinubu is the only one amongst the front-runners today that has remained in one Party and has not been oscillating from one party to the other out of desperation to run. On his slogan of emi lokan as considered by the NCC was not an act of an entitlement mentality to be made president by all means but that, as far as his party was/is concerned, it was his turn to run for the office of Presidency in Nigeria. Besides, he submitted to the Party primaries and was overwhelmingly elected by his party delegates.”

NCP also added to Tinubu’s credential by saying that Leadership comes with consistency, “Finally, to be committed requires that you stick to the ideals of the group you want to lead. You must be convinced before joining the group. Tinubu has remained committed to his group and ideals unlike the other three candidates. In view of the foregoing, the NCC in session unanimously adopted ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU as the NCP adopted Presidential Candidate for the 2023 General Elections.”

The group therefore directed that, “All the Leadership of the Party in the Zones and States of the Federation should go back and coordinate all our members to vote en masse for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Saturday 25 February, 2023.

SCOAN'S partners donate £10,000 to Turkey earthquake relief

Cyiacus Nnaji:

In keeping with its philanthropic mantra of assisting humanity irrespective of colour, tribe, religion, vocation, among others, Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) and its partner, Emmanuel TV have donated £10,000, about N9milion Naira as a relief support to the victims of recent earthquake that devastated some parts of Turkey and Syria.

The donation which was made public in a release by the church authority on Thursday, February 23, 2023, was intended to assist victims of the earthquake which occurred in that country.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake which occurred on February 6, 2023 shocked the world with its volume of destruction to lives and properties. This was followed by other devastating twin earthquakes which leaves thousands dead, injured and homeless. 

It was the 6th most deadly natural disaster this century after the 2005 tremor which killed about 73,000 in Pakistan. 

In Turkey, some 4.6 million children living in the Turkish provinces were badly hit by the disaster leaving the country in disarray of a gigantic humanitarian needs

The Turkish community groups living on the UK particularly in Hackney and Haringey Boroughs of North London have since mobilised themselves into raising donations and relief items to Turkey. Over 200,000 people were displaced and over 100,000 badly injured in the incident apart from over 70,000 lives lost in the disaster.

One of such groups is the LONDON ALEVI CULTURAL CENTRE and CEMEVI both working with other organisations to provide money and relief items.

It is through these acknowledged organizations  that the  SCOAN'S Emmanuel TV Partners Relief/ Charity donated ten thousand pounds  to help in resettling displaced people and giving  them a new lease of life.

Commenting on the earthquake, the SCOAN leader, Pastor Evelyn Joshua  who was visibly sad at the disaster described it as a "great humanitarian calamity" calling on all "true human beings to please partake in bringing relief to our fellow human beings now in critical life conditions as a result of these terrible earthquakes".

"God is love, we are His image and we must live and lead in love", she said adding:

"Every kindness you heartily show at this period of their needs illustrates clearly the place of love in human affairs as a tool of human relationships and good neighborliness".

Assuring that SCOAN would continue to sustain the lofty legacy of humanitarianism and altruism of its founder, Prophet TB Joshua, the Woman God said the foundation of the Church was Love as shown in the Commission's logo:  "Let Love Lead" for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour is love.

She praised the partners all over the world for their indefatigable spirit at always ready for render selfless services fellow human beings, praying that God's grace, mercy and favour would always speak for them at every moment of their needs. 

"Let us all continue in good works with concrete love for all around us with our light shining for people to glorify our Father in Heaven" she said. She said the exercise would be a continuous one as God ministers to the hearts of His children for an improved and better humanity.

Few days after Primate Ayodele’s warning, Turkey suffers another deadly earthquake (video)

God has given us prophets that he speaks to in order to warn us ahead of time against some of the things that may want to befall us, just like it happened in the days of old. Prophets are still much available in our generation doing the Lord’s work even though they are very few.

If there is someone everyone can vouch for as a true prophet, it is Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church whose prophecies have made impacts in every continent and nation of the world.

Some of the events that have happened in the world in the past and recently have been foretold by this Nigerian prophet. He is so confident about his prophecies that he publishes them annually in a prophecy book titled Warnings To The Nations so people can make references to them once they come to pass.

Among the notable happenings in the world he predicted include Russia-Ukraine war, emergence of Covid-19, re-emergence of Ebola Virus in some parts of Africa, change in climatic condition, global economic crisis, removal of some world leaders, resignation of some presidents and world leaders, emergence of Rishi Sunak as UK prime minister, victory of Samuel Ruto in Kenya presidential election, crisis in Nigeria’s ruling party;APC, challenges of President Cyril Ramophosa of South Africa, coup in some African countries, coup attempt in Europe, the recent Earthquake in Turkey, to mention but a few.

Speaking about the Turkey Earthquake, Primate Ayodele in his prophecy for 2023 asked the world to pray against deadly disasters of this manner in the year. He also mentioned that so many will lose their lives in the Earthquake if it happens. Just as he warned, more than 44,000 lives have been lost already.

These were his words

“Let’s pray against nuclear attack and flooding in so many parts of the world. There will be a lot of climatic problems that will affect people’s lives. It will cause volcanoes, earth tremors, landslides, minor accidents, earthquakes and floods that will kill people severely. Let’s pray against shortages in goods and essential services. I foresee so many things will turn upside down in the world as there will be a lot of setbacks.’’

As a prophet who speaks whenever he hears from God, Primate Ayodele released another prophecy a day after the deadly Turkey earthquake and mentioned that another earthquake will happen if the world isn’t careful. He mentioned that the first one is a warning to an impending danger.

These were his words

‘’The Syria-Turkey earthquake is just a warning to an impending danger, it’s not yet over. For another one not to happen, the world has to be very careful. There will still be another earthquake, turmoil, volcano and so on. We have to be very prayerful against natural problems that will happen. Take it seriously, don’t joke with it, this is what we should be expecting’’.

As Primate Ayodele warned, news reports from Turkey have it that another earthquake has happened in Turkey, trapping several people. The number of victims is yet to be ascertained but it seems to be a deadly one with a magnitude of  6.4 and 5.8.

The world is indeed blessed with the ministry of Primate Elijah Ayodele, he speaks from the divine throne but it’s left for those involved in his warnings to listen.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW

https://www.tiktok.com/@primateayodele/video/7202461831510625541?_r=1&_t=8VvCbtQWgtq&fbclid=IwAR2W-zDYdIWwjo-iiEawK8KPo2Hr7VjxWZjAHtjPpA_ECf2lYL_MMDsJ9gI

 

One Billion Rising partners IRISE Nigeria, rises for freedom at King Chucks Schools, Altitude Schools on Valentine’s Day

One billion Rising, the biggest mass action to end violence against women and girls around the world in conjunction with IRISE Nigeria, has taken this year’s campaign for the freedom of the girl-child to the young people at King Chucks Schools and Altitude College all in Agor Palace, Lagos State, Nigeria.

The event which was held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 was also designed to celebrate the Valentine’s Day with the children of both schools.

With the theme, ‘Rise for Freedom’ the event was also meant to educate the children on the true meaning of Valentine and not the erroneous interpretation given to it, hence the immorality being perpetuated by the young ones on the Valentine’s Day.

The 2023 campaign spelt out its objectives which include rising to end violence against women and girls; freedom to bodily autonomy, freedom to live in immunocompromised body, rise for economic freedom, freedom for women and girls to leadership, dismantling patriarchy, end sex for grades, and end violence towards the earth.

The children were also tutored that they are academic friends and they should therefore, be their brothers and sisters’ keeper.

Omodele Ibitoye Ejeh, who is the One Billion Rising Coordinator in Nigeria and Executive Director, IRISE, an Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation, spoke on the reason for the occasion. She said “To create a new culture that promotes young people’s freedom from all forms of oppressions and exploitations is everyone’s responsibility. One Billion Rising organises big rising events/campaigns in Nigeria to call attention to violence and all forms of oppressions against girls, women and the marginalised persons. One Billion Rising in Nigeria works with Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation, IRISE and grassroots movements to reach women, girls, male allies and our local communities.”

Ejeh also hinted that the organisation will be taking its events to Kwara State in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, and will also carry out more physical and online events in the country.

Ejeh asked the question, what is one billion rising? She answered the question by saying “1 in 3 women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That’s One Billion Women and Girls. Every February, we rise – in countries across the world – to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face. We rise through dance to express joy and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.

“One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women and girls around the world. With coordinators and members in more than one hundred countries. OBR was born from the V-day movement founded by American writer V (Formerly Eve Ensler) author of the award winning play "Vagina Monologue.

“The campaign, which was launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than One Billion Women and Girls,”Ejeh stated.

Proprietor, Altitude Schools, Mrs Ramota Abass, an experience teacher, educationist, while addressing the students advised them not to indulge in anti-social and immoral activities in the name of Valentine’s Day. She urged them to be good boys and girls in all they do. “It is not a day for you to commit immoral activities, no, it is not a day to say, this is my boyfriend, I want to go and sleep with him, no. we want you to know that very well, it is a day to know that you are your brother’s keeper, you are your sister’s keeper, you are a good child. Don’t commit sin because you are celebrating valentine, be a good girl, be a good boy.

“Your parents, they all know that today we are going to do Valentine’s Day, they were so happy, so we want you to know that valentine does not mean that you will be sleeping with yourselves, being in a lonely place, as I used to tell you, you are all friends, academic friends, it is not a day to go to one corner to mess yourselves up, especially the girls. Girls rule the world, a girl with vision today becomes a successful woman tomorrow if you have a good vision. It is not a vision of how can I get a man to beg for food, how can I go to the bedroom, my brother will send me to church and I will go somewhere else, no, that should not be your vision. Your vision should be a vision of career, you can be an accountant, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, lecturer, all good things in life; they will be your portion. In Jesus name it will be your portion, and in Allah’s name it will be your portion,” Mrs Abass stated.

About One billion rising global campaigns

2013: People across the world came together to express their outrage, to strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women

2014: One Billion Rising for Justice focused on the issue of justice for all survivors of gender violence, and highlighted the impunity that lives at the intersection of poverty, racism, war, the plunder of the environment, capitalism, imperialism, and patriarchy.

2015: Millions of activists in over 200 countries gathered to Rise for REVOLUTION, to change the paradigm, demand accountability, justice and systematic CHANGE

2016: The theme of Revolution continues with a call to focus on marginalized women and to bring national and international focus to their issues

2017: The call escalated to Rising in Solidarity against the exploitation of women and girls. In so many regions of the world, women are abused in multiple ways across layers of exploitation and oppression, among other campaigns.

This year, events are taking place now and will continue through 22 April, #EarthDay. OBR creative resistance events will take various forms including artistic Rising and climate initiatives; new songs/anthems, poetry, documentary films, online discussions, panels & events; training with men; allies, flash mobs, and marches and more. OBR coordinators launched the theme in their communities during #16DaysOfActivism.One Billion Rising events also take place beyond the campaign periods based on the country coordinators schedule of events.

Primate Ayodele presents SUV as Car Gift to Media Aide, Osho Oluwatosin on Birthday

The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has presented a brand new SUV jeep to his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin during the celebration of his birthday on Tuesday, 14th Of February, 2023.

The prophet who is known for his magnanimity counted his aide, Osho Oluwatosin worthy to be among the recipients of such a huge gift on his annual birthday celebration which has been tagged ‘Mother of all empowerment day’.

The recipient, Osho Oluwatosin when suddenly called out to receive his gift couldn’t hold back his joy; he immediately knelt before the man of God for surprising him with such a huge gift.

When he was asked to speak, Oluwatosin who was shaking following the surprise described Primate Ayodele as a father who has done so much for his journalism career. He went ahead to pray for the prophet while the crowd present at the event cheered him on.

‘’I don’t know what to say, I am lost for words because Primate Ayodele has done more than what I imagined. He has been more than a father to me and I appreciate him for accommodating me despite the fact that I had no experience as at the time I came to him. He has strengthened my journalism career so much and added honour to my name.’’

Apart from the car gift to his media aide, Primate Ayodele gave about 15 vehicles to his church members, more than N25 Million as empowerment to the press and church members, home appliances and food items to church members.

 

President Buhari does not mean well for Nigerians

By Pastor Peters Omoragbon

President Buhari has just announced the extension of the usage of the 200 Naira notes alongside the new notes for another 60 days from February 10th.

This means that the 500 and 1000 old notes remain illegal tender according to and in support of the CBN directive.

The people of Nigeria had expected the president to have been more empathetic and circumspect with his political intervention in view of the current legal implications. 

Recall that on February 8, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered the CBN to discontinue the implementation of the new policy pending the determination of the suit before it. The CBN has flouted that ruling with impunity.

Yesterday, the Apex court extended its injunction that all the old Naira notes remain legal tender until the case before it is  disposed of. With the president's pronouncement, this morning by approving the 200 Naira notes as legal tender and not the 500 and 1000 Naira notes, the President has further empowered the CBN to disobey the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Secondly, the president, as an executive branch of government, has failed to draw the line on the separation of powers and also disregarded the provisions of the constitution that all the rulings of the courts up to the Supreme Court must be obeyed by all Nigerians and institutions and governments in Nigeria.  President Buhari has further added not only to the confusion in the society by this parallel directive to that of the Supreme Court but also to the sufferings of the people.

The President cannot acknowledge the substantive suit before the Supreme Court, and instead of directing the CBN and the banks to obey the Apex Court ruling, but went further to make useless and nonsense the position of the Supreme Court. The president and his advisers by this act are working against its avowed stance for a free and fair election and respect for the rule of law.

You cannot introduce a policy targeting an insignificant number of the society to the detriment of the larger population as currently being experienced.  The policy implementation has failed, and the President should have owned up and hid under the window provided by the Supreme Court intervention to redeem itself.

Now, with his announcement this morning, there is going to be a fight between the judiciary and the executive branch of governments. What then happens if the Supreme Court decides to prosecute both the AGF and CBN Governor for contempt? What if the Supreme Court rules further that the old Naira notes remain legal tender and order that the government first obey its ruling before it can entertain any position of government at the court? Anyone who seeks equity must come with clean hands. So far, so good the Presidency and the CBN Governor have both their hands, not only dirty but very burnt.

It is the masses that will continue to suffer. Even with the reintroduction of the 200 Naira notes, it still does not solve the problem of the limit and rationing of the amount anyone can take from the bank. As a Nigerian, both the Presidency and the CBN Governor are acting a script with sinister motives, which is ominous to the fledgling democracy we are currently enjoying. President Buhari did not mean well for Nigeria.  Does he want to destroy the institution that brought him to power now that his tenure is over?!

Suspension of APC campaign in Lagos shows Sanwo-Olu listens to the yearnings of Lagosians, says Umenzekwe

Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) and member, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Chief Modestus Umenzekwe in this interview commends Sanwo-Olu for suspending APC campaign in Lagos for now, and slashing of fares across all transport channels, he also called for peaceful, free, fair and credible election in Nigeria.

Chief, election is approaching but it is like everything is under alarm, no need for control anymore in the land, how do you see events in the country today?

Nigeria is a country created by God, and the country was colonized by the British Government, we got amalgamated in 1914, got our Independence in 1960 and became a Republic in 1963. So what is happening, I would say, is a stage. When you have a new child, from zero year to one year, 2, 3, 4…and up the ladder, it passes through stages. And in the process of passing through those stages, there are bound to be crisis, either physical crisis, sociological crisis, as the case may be. So Nigeria was born in 1960 and it is passing through stages of development. That is how I see what is happening in the country. We are passing through stages of advanced development, just like America, Britain and all the super powers.

In as much as all is not well, but I see it as what we must go through to get to where we are going. Don’t forget that the Israelites passed through stages before they were liberated from Pharaoh to the Promise Land. And you know it took about 400 years. So certain things that are happening, we relate them to the Holy Bible, if possible the Holy Quran, because these books work hand in hand, but in most cases human beings out of personal or selfish interests misinterpret them. So Nigeria is passing through a stage of transition in development, in advancement, that is the way I look at it. And somebody must make mistake somewhere, then somebody must be somewhere to correct it in order to move forward. So we shall agree to agree and agree to disagree. That is the only way, it is not a one way something, that is the only way we can move forward.

There is this allegation that thugs loyal to APC are planning attacks on non-indigenes loyal to other parties, have you heard or read about it?

Where? I am not a Lagosian, but nobody has ever attacked me. My friends are not Lagosians and nobody has ever attacked them. All our businesses are intact, nobody has ever attacked them. You see, I don’t want to believe that. Irrespective of party affiliation, I don’t want to believe that PDP will attack non-indigenes in Lagos, that Labour will attack non-indigenes, that APC will attack non-indigenes, no, I don’t believe that, but you see, in every society, there are bound to be Judases, you have hoodlums who capitalize on every mass movement to cause mayhem. So if such a thing is happening, I would say it is hoodlum, in as much as I am not preempting the police investigation, but that is my believe, but we have to wait the outcome of the police investigation because I learnt that whatever that has happened in Lagos the police will investigate it, and it is their work to investigate, I am not an investigator, I am only a Nigerian, a public analyst so to say, and who feels through the press I would contribute to nation-building, so the issue of attack on any political party  is neither here nor there, to me it is dead on arrival.

Your take on suspension of APC rally in Lagos, and its likely impact on the party faithful

You see, we are passing the crisis stage so to say, it is proper that at some point in time you pause a bit to x-ray the situation to know what is happening in order to know where to make amend, and any responsible government is expected to do that. That we are doing campaign in Lagos should not stop the governor from governance. So what he did, as he is campaigning, he is still listening to the yearnings of the people, so for me I congratulate Sanwo-Olu for saying, let this power be now, let this campaign for power be now, let me go back and look at it in line with the yearnings of the people, because it is God that gives power, he didn’t pay God to put him there. Therefore, when God is talking through the people, he is bound to listen and that is what he has done.

He appears to be saying, Campaign hold on, let me go back to the drawing board and know how to solve the problems of my people, people that depend on me, people that look up to me as their governor. That shows that he has listening ear; that shows that he will go far. And look at it, he went further to slash the BRT fare and that of other transport channels in Lagos State, that shows that he has ears on ground; that shows that the man is determined to make the poor masses feel or have sense of belonging, that shows that he is sympathetic, and I congratulate him. Whenever he sees that the situation has improved, he can continue on his campaign and I believe it is a walkover for him. Come to think of it there is no money, he is not even finding it easy to move, it is affecting him too, that he is a governor doesn’t mean that he is rich, he is only there as a coordinator of ideas and plans, he is there to harness, he is not the richest man, he is not there because he is rich, he is there because people trust him, he can manage our affairs, and that is why he has to look back. So I congratulate him for taking that step, and I congratulate APC in Lagos for doing that. I believe, God willing, he will return to that seat to succeed himself by May 29, 2023.

Slashing of fare of all transport channels in Lagos at this election time, do you think it is not politically motivated?

Why? He didn’t do it when there was no crisis, it is during this crisis that he did it. So it has nothing to do with vote, but to ameliorate the sufferings of the people within this time we have naira design and financial crises so that people can move. What is going to give him vote is the work he has done in Lagos, it has nothing to do with votes, as far as I am concerned. It is governance, he feels the pulse of the people, feel their pains, because as a government if you don’t feel the pain of your people, then you are dead on arrival.

Your take on the currency design and the Supreme Court intervention.

How appropriate are they?

First of all, let me remind you that at some point in time some pressmen came to this office when this idea was muted. For me, so far it is done in line with fiscal policy, there is no problem, let us do it in such a way that there will be no crisis and people will not suffer. Absolutely okay, fine, currency redesign, it happens once in a while in every country all over the world, this is not the first, second, and this will not  be the last time. Countries at some point in time redesign their currencies to checkmate certain things, it is a good policy. But then, the implementation is not all that perfect. So we need an improved style of implementation so there won’t be crisis, and that is why I want to congratulate the President and the Council of States’ meeting to say, push out new notes or recirculate the old ones, that shows there are elders in this country, because in Igbo land they say okenye anaghi ano nu’lo eghu amuo n’ogbu (an elder will not be in the house and the goat delivers in tethers.) that is what they have done. The president in his own wisdom was fast enough to call the meeting, this thing is giving problem, what do we do? That is the work of the council of states where all the governors, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, some ministers, former presidents and Head of States. They were available to give wise counsels. I congratulate them for their timely intervention.

Again I must extol the virtues of the Supreme Court that made an order that these notes should go pari-passu with the new ones until the determination of the substantive case for which I congratulate the Federal Government, more especially the minister of Justice; that is Malami, for coming out to say that we must obey the court order.

Because the news everywhere is that they don’t obey court order, and he made the statement that the order must be obeyed. So it is a welcome development. And I want to appeal to the CBN Governor, no matter the situation, he is my brother, let him look inward, I won’t throw him away. Let him look inwards and make serious amendment in this implementation strategies so that this country does not boil, we have heard enough crisis, we have had enough disturbances in this country.

Do you think President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu are best of friends viewed against what is happening in APC now?

You see when people talk out of box they are bound to make mistakes. They are two parallel individuals that were brought together by politics and a different political party emerged. President Muhammadu Buhari by his training is not supposed to talk too much, as a seasoned revered General in the army. You can’t take it away from him, so he is trained to hold so many things in his chest, but you know, these democracy and politics have made him to be talking even when he is not supposed to talk as a soldier and people misunderstand him for that. Then Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a technocrat, and a businessman, an accountant for that matter, if I am not mistaking. He is bound to talk, and two of them came together politically. In as much as I have not discussed with any of them, either as a group or as individual, but for someone to assume that they are not best of friends, I think it is a misinterpretation of their relationship. And any person moving with that notion is playing with fire as far as I am concerned. Look at the primary we had, at no particular time did Buhari interfere, if you listened to El Rufai’s interview on how they selected Tinubu,  you can agree with me that the relationship is very very cordial. But one thing is that Buhari doesn’t  want to offend so many of his close friends, those that came to him when he was in need, he wanted to have a level playing ground, with any of them so that he can lie down and sleep, and that is what exhibited at the Primary. And what I am saying now is being backed up by what Governor El Rufai said in his interview when they were trying to select Buhar’s successor. And I want to use this opportunity to congratulate El Rufai for being bold enough to explain things to us, those of us out there. So the relationship to me is very cordial, and robust. Buhari made it clear, campaign should not pull you away from governance, you don’t expect Buhari to be everywhere, otherwise why did he accept to be the chairman of the presidential campaign council and the wife Aisha is the co-chairperson of the women wing? Okay look at the outings they have had, on Tuesday they will be in Imo State, two of them were in Nasarawa, they were in Kogi, they were in Katsina, and they were in Sokoto, I was in Katsina, I was in Sokoto to witness what is going on, and you see President Buhari making punchy statements, dropping bombshell to tell Nigerians that his successor is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what else do you want him to do? Then Asiwaju on his part, is a political giant, he has the will, he has the power, he has the capacity. He has the knowledge, all over him is politics; his brain is politics, his speech is politics, his knows when to cut his onions, and he is bold enough to speak his mind at any point in time. That is what is playing out.

The election is days away, do you think that the APC candidate has shown capacity to ascend the apex position in the land?

The answer is yes, and will continue to be yes, and will be yes even when he is sworn in. He has campaigned more than any other presidential candidates, and that also brings me to the issue of his health, which I warned people seriously. That was what they did when Buhari was coming in, but Buhari is completing his eight years; working majestically, very lanky, smooth, handsome man. Look at Asiwaju, the day he came to Anambra, from Anambra he moved to Bayelsa, the same day. You see him traversing the nook and cranny of this nation, talking, campaigning; talking sense, making pronouncements, yesterday or so he proffered solution to the CBN governor on how to handle the currency issue so that we don’t run into crisis. So he has the knowledge, the experience, the capacity, to handle this country, and I believe God will help him to achieve that. He may not be the best but you assess somebody from what he has done before, people say why using Lagos, yes, we must use Lagos because Lagos is mini Nigeria, if Lagos fails, this country has failed, so if Tinubu was able to change the narrative in Lagos, to build men in this country, across the six geopolitical zones, I mean, what are we talking about? Jealousy will not stop that, backbiting, blackmail will not stop that, it is only God can stop him. From what he has done in this country, building human beings, whatever you are doing in the whole world, you must build human beings, Asiwaju has built human beings, notable people, across this country. Let him go there, let him go and perform. In the bible they say, Zerubabel made the foundation he will complete, so Asiwaju made the foundation of the democracy we are enjoying today, let him now go and cement it, and make sure it is permanent, so that when he goes we can’t go back to military era.

On the issue of fuel crisis in Nigeria which has climaxed under this administration, what do you think government can do to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses?

I think in 1974 there was fuel crisis; fuel crisis has been coming and going, I am not saying that it is good, but it has been coming and going, and this administration is trying their best to make sure that it is solved, what we need is patience, in as much as I condemn it in its entirety, but let’s give government sometimes, I think something is already being done to ameliorate it.

Peter Obi and Atiku could be said to be the major opposition to Tinubu as at now, what magic do you think Tinubu can do to upstage these formidable two?

Well let me first of all congratulate my dear brother, His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi, his participation in this presidential race is a welcome development, he has done well and he is doing well, that has led all the political contenders to be on their toes, he is a great man, and I like him for that. But then, I think that the battle is tough, it is a serious battle, and nobody; nobody should even underrate him, from what is going on, nobody. If anybody makes the mistake of underrating him, that person is playing with fire. Nobody should also underrate the former Vice President, the Turaki of Adamawa, so the battle is tight, but from all indications, the way I am seeing this thing, hearing from people that are analyzing the campaign movement and all that, Tinubu has an edge, and I think and believe he will win.

But I keep warning that we must be on our toes, we must work harder, because the narrative has changed, the tempo changed, the tempo is too high. Why are you talking about Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, are you underrating Kwankwaso, what do you think he is doing? He is a force to reckon with. So our party must step up very well, which we are already doing, so many strategies are on ground, but let nobody underrate each other.

Is your party also banking on power of incumbency?

You see the power of incumbency has nothing to do with election, because the power of incumbency didn’t play out in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Jonathan. It is your good work. We are banking on infrastructure done by APC, and the experience Tinubu is bringing to bear into the system, judging from his record in Lagos which is a mini-Nigeria, infrastructure, IGR development. You see, you can’t run away from human development, whatever you are doing try to develop human beings, and he has been able to do that without tribal sentiment. He has it above every other Nigerian now, in politics, including myself talking, he doesn’t segregate, whether a Christian, a Moslem, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, it doesn’t matter, so far as you are a human being in Nigerian and has opportunity to meet with him, he will make you to be somebody, and those people are still with him, so he has a lot of material around him to win this election.

But like I am saying he can’t just go and sit down, it is not done in politics, somebody that is going for an examination must read, so what he is doing now is he is reading harder to maintain his position as number one, to maintain his position as a political colossus, as a human developer, as a free thinker, as a juggernaut in politics, as jagaban; so this campaign is that he is reading, and other people are campaigning also that means they are reading to make sure they surpass him, so if he relax without reading because he has read before, they will surpass him. So that is what he is doing, he is reading harder in order to maintain that position.

Your message to Nigerians

My message to Nigerians is, yes we are passing through hard time, God knows we are passing through hard time, Christians and Moslems alike should be on their knees to pray for free, fair and credible election, to pray for peaceful election, so that all of us will be alive to witness the swearing in of a new president come 29^th May, 2023, they should eschew violence, unnecessary blackmail, hate speech, hatred, jealousy, and all those things that do not please God, then above all make use of your PVC wisely so that you will express your opinion through the polls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primate Ayodele gives out cars, buses, tricycles, others to celebrate birthday

Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has given out five cars, five tricycles, five buses and more than N25 Million naira empowerment package to journalists, widows, needy, students to celebrate his birthday.

The massive event which was held on Tuesday, 14th Of 

February 2023 at his Lagos church was also to mark the end of the prophet’s 17-day appreciation and philanthropic activities which started on Sunday, 29th Of January 2023.

The event had in attendance the president of the Nigeria football federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau who declared the event opened, the chairman of the National drug and law enforcement agency (NDLEA), General Marwa, popular gospel musician, Yinka Alaseyori who serenade the crowd with her angelic melody, comedian Ayo Ajewole AKA Woli Agba who had the audience filled with laughter, popular nollywood actors and actresses, to mention a few. 

Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, while declaring the event open described Primate Ayodele as a true friend who has shown support for the football federation. He explained the circumstances that led to his meeting with the man of God, stating that Primate Ayodele played a huge role in his emergence as the NFF president.

‘’One journalist sent me a video of Primate Ayodele during a press conference speaking about the election in NFF. He mentioned some of the contestants and said finally to him, the person that will become the president is Ibrahim Gusau. The journalist was surprised because I am not a Christian and didn’t know the prophet as I don’t even stay in Lagos. Consistently, he stood on his word whenever he gives prophecies concerning football and to God be the glory, the election came and I won. I felt I should find time to appreciate the man of God for his support. He visited me in Abuja, we spoke and ate together so there is no way he will have an occasion like this and I will not be there, it means I don’t appreciate God. We will continually ask for your prayers and will not disappoint you.’’

Also, the NDLEA chairman, General Buba Marwa who sent a representative expressed his surprise at the many gifts shared by Primate Ayodele while noting that the man of God will be the first to show practical love on Valentine’s Day despite the scarcity crisis in the country. He therefore asked the man of God to organize programmes that will allow the NDLEA support.

‘’General Buba Marwa is very interested in working with you and he has asked me to say it publicly that you should set a motion, programmes that will make the NDLEA join you. This programme on a day like this when everyone is showing love especially at a time like this when there is scarcity, we need to appreciate Primate Ayodele for showing practical love, I have been hearing happy valentine’s day since morning but this is the first practical one I am seeing.’’

The height of the event was when three church members and two journalists including an editor with The Sun Newspaper and the prophet’s media aide, Osho Oluwatosin were called out for a car gift.

One of the recipients who is the youth president of the church, Monday Sunday couldn’t hold back tears from his eyes when Primate Ayodele called his name. The man of God mentioned that he has been dedicated to the church’s service and has given his best whenever it is necessary.

Also, the two accountants of the church who were recipients couldn’t hide his joy when Primate Ayodele announced their names. The prophet who rewards good deeds appreciated them for being transparent and trustworthy over the years.

The media aide, Osho Oluwatosin obviously didn’t expect to receive a car gift from the prophet. He was visibly shaking when he was called upon to receive his car gift from Primate Ayodele.

Also, other dedicated church members were given tricycles and mini-buses for their support to the church.

Apart from these, a cheque of N200,000 was presented each to 11 journalists to empower them for supporting the man of God over the years. Primate Ayodele in his philanthropic attitude promised to pay the sum of N350,000 for one of the empowered journalists who has issues with his sight.

Furthermore, the widows and less privileged were not forgotten in the largesse. Several of them were given food items, accommodation fee, grinding machines, home appliances, to mention but a few.

The youths were also not left out as about 23 students were given scholarships to study in tertiary institutions. To show his generosity further, the man of God presented cheques to some churches to purchase landed properties.

In recognition and appreciation of his impact in the society, the Theatre arts and motion pictures practitioners (TAMPAN) led by famous Nollywood actor, Owolabi Ajasa made Primate Ayodele their grand patron and spiritual father.

It is worthy of note that Primate Ayodele has always done massive empowerment to celebrate his birthdays on every 14th of February. In previous years, journalists and church members have been given cars, tricycles, scholarships, to mention a few.

 

Celebrating Primate Elijah Ayodele: The Prophet I am close to from afar

From Lungu Zulu, Zambia:

I have never met him, never spoken to him in any way but my relationship with Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church is really intimate.

You may be wondering how it is possible to be close to someone you haven’t met or someone who doesn’t even know you, it all depends on what the person does and the value such person adds to your life and beliefs.

I gave up on prophets in 2017 due to the bad eggs in the ministry. I have seen self-acclaimed prophets in my country making prophetic declarations about some subjects and changing it later on due to the circumstances on ground during the period. Some of them would predict the winner of an election only to change it a few hours to the election after seeing the direction of things. I used to follow them but withdrew my attention because I realized they were just looking for attention.

I first read about Primate Elijah Ayodele in 2018 when Nigeria was preparing for a presidential election slated for 2019. We read so much about Nigeria in our country and there was never a day I won’t see the prophecy of Primate Ayodele. He accurately prophesied the winner of the election and went ahead to reveal what will happen in his administration; something I have never experienced in Zambia all my life. How can you name the winner of an election that has not been held and still reveal what will happen in his administration? It’s strange.

This called my attention to the man of God and I started listening to him more, although it wasn’t like I believed him then, I just wanted to see the result of his prophecy just to clear my doubts. The election came and President Muhammadu Buhari emerged in 2019. Since 2019 till now, I don’t think there is anything Primate Ayodele said Buhari will experience in his administration that has not happened. The man of God talked about increase in kidnapping, economic hardship, increase in prices of commodities, increase in crime rate and many others; they have all happened.

Apart from speaking about his country alone, another fascinating thing about Primate Ayodele is his prophecies concerning every country in the world. I have never seen this man in any country or with any president so I wonder how he gets information about these countries. This is definitely not a product of flesh and blood but divinity.

Ever since 2018, I have been following Primate Ayodele so much on the internet, I must give special kudos to the media team of his church because they always intimate me unconsciously about his activities, it’s a really rare opportunity. I read a few weeks back that he embarked on a 17-day appreciation and philanthropic programme which I have been following since the start. He has been to schools, police stations, visited the aged and sick in their houses, given financial support to church members to cushion the effect of the hardship in Nigeria.

Sincerely, the only prophets that can be compared to Primate Ayodele are the prophets of old; the ones we read about in the holy bible. The likes of Prophet Elijah, Prophet Elisha, Prophet Moses, Prophet Isiah, Prophet Ezekiel and many others. They were prophets who stood as watchmen for nations just as Primate Ayodele has been acting since the inception of his prophetic ministry. He is not an ‘albacradabra’ prophet that performs magic, He is a true prophet inside-out.

I learnt his birthday is tomorrow Tuesday, 14th Of February, 2023 and surely, I may not be able to forgive myself if I don’t celebrate Primate Elijah Ayodele whose prophetic ministry stands out among others.

 

 

Omoragbon lambasts church leaders for politicising the pulpit, lists criteria for electing next President

Pastor Peters Omoragbon, former governorship candidate in Edo State under the National Conscience Party (NCP) has lambasted church leaders who politicise the pulpit.

He also called on Nigerians to vote a person of track record and competence and not health.

Pastor Omoragbon took the stance during a media chat in Lagos on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

He took a swipe at Pastors who reduce the electorates to just Christians and Moslems in Nigeria saying it is not doing justice to the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution. “Reducing the electorates to just Christians and Moslems in Nigeria is not doing justice to the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended, which proclaimed Nigeria a Secular State! Actions like that are already setting the grounds for a non-level playing ground for all the candidates. That is rigging before election.” 

Omoragbon advised men of God to desist from partisanship or resign from the pulpit and join as a candidate in the elections. This he said would ensure free, fair and credible elections. “My advice for a free and fair election is first to advice my fellow pastors and general overseers of churches to desist from their partisanship and attempt to influence their members on whom to vote for. Civic education yes, but political indoctrination is akin to manipulation and that is the spirit of witchcraft. That is scriptural.

“When you begin to campaign openly for a particular candidate out of over 30 candidates, you are no more a Pastor but a politician. Resign or take a leave of absence from the pulpit and be a candidate,” he stated.

Omoragbon listed what he called the four ‘C’ criteria which should form the fulcrum for electing the next President; they include Capacity, competence, consistency and commitment.

Speaking on what made up capacity, he said “I laugh when I hear people measure capacity only on the basis of physical health to the point of mocking them. It shows the paucity of their intelligence and how petty they can be, that is discrimination. Today in developed world, people with disabilities run for offices and are elected. Even those recovering from some health conditions. Last year, the Democratic Senatorial candidate in Pennsylvania had a major stroke few months before election, still recuperating whilst campaigning and yet won the Senate seat for the Democrats. Angela Merkel of Germany had some form of Parkinson’s disorder, yet she was one of the best Prime Ministers of Germany. Theresa May of UK suffered from Diabetes, Ronald Reagan suffered from Colon Cancer and Skin Cancer. President John F. Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s disease around the age of 30. At the time, his doctor gave him less than a year to live. But he died 15 years later not from the disease, but from the bullets of his assassin.”

On how to discover who is most competent among the four major contenders for the presidency, he said “As a Pastor, I learnt that three ways you evaluate the ‘Presence’ of God in a Church-your personal testimony since you started attending, the testimonies of members and that of the Church Pastor. All three must flow together. So amongst the four major candidates, who had the most personal testimonial of achievements, evidence of/from people they have impacted who have come out publicly to vouch for them and the states they have all governed.

“Competence is the ability to do the job. How do you know who can, if you do not look at their track records. All the four front runners today for Presidents have been public officers, they are all Past Elected Governors. So look at their state track records in terms of both human and infrastructural development, compare and contrast. I do not believe in sentiments when it comes to service, Omoragbon said.

“Consistency. Anyone who junkets from one party to the other just to become a President is not The President to me, he is unstable and cannot be trusted. To lead means you are married to those you want to lead. That is for better and for worse till death do you part.  Leadership comes with consistency.

Omoragbon now asked, amongst the four, who has remained consistently in one political ideological camp?

He spoke on commitment. He said “To be committed requires you stick to the ideals of the group you want to lead. You must be convinced before joining them. It’s like the faith. Either as a Christian or Muslim. Before I gave my life to Christ, I was a Pagan, but when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour, I became committed to the Faith. Nothing till I die will make me change that faith. So when you are committed you are Passionate. If you are Passionate you are prepared to die just to advance and promote the cause of your group. Of the four candidates, who has been so committed to his Party? If you see what I saw with the above analysis, you already know who can be entrusted to replace Buhari. I cannot say who is corrupt or more corrupt-but then where is that Nigerian that is not corrupt? Who in the whole world is a Saint today?

He therefore advised Nigerians to vote their conscience. “To the citizens of Nigeria, please, vote your conscience. Do not vote by popularity or influenced by the social media campaigners or your Pastors or GOs. Look at all the candidates, anyone that appealed to you most, please, vote him or her. Even if he does not win, your conscience will be at peace. After voting, do not leave the polling unit until the votes are counted and recorded.”