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BRF At 55 : Greying Gracefully, Going on with Gusto

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By HAKEEM BELLO

In November 2010, in a tribute to Stephen J. Solarz, a former nine-term New York congressman, Douglas Martin wrote that he was a “torrent of activity” supporting it with a statement issued by the late lawmaker’s office that “during his first six months in Congress, he made 12 speeches on the House floor, co-sponsored 370 bills, held 11 news conferences, made 24 trips to his district and attended 99 events there, visited 23 subway stations, sent constituents 513,720 pieces of mail and took an 18-day tour of the Middle East.”

In October 2015, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, was honoured amongst seven distinguished personalities with an award named for Stephen J Solarz by the International Crisis Group.

From his eight-year tenure as the governor of Lagos State to his two-year-plus as Nigeria’s minister of Power, Works and Housing, our own BRF has, as the global conflict-prevention organisation acknowledged in conferring the honour on him, been a “relentless fighter for the improvement of people’s lives…”

Barely a month after the global recognition of BRF’s “commitment to resolving social, economic and security challenges in one of the world’s most challenging urban environments”, President Muhammadu Buhari tapped him to join him in tackling the nation’s multifarious infrastructural challenges.

Ever since, the three-in-one ministry has witnessed a “torrent of activity” towards the making life more meaningful for Nigerians of all strata.

Has he lived up to the recognition of the ICG and the confidence reposed in him by President Buhari to deliver?

His 55th birthday on 28 June affords us the opportunity to not only answer that question but also look at The Essential BRF.

For BRF, results rather than excuses should count towards measuring a leader’s gravitas. So, not for him any argument which suggests that , comparing an executive position with an appointive capacity within a complex federation such as Nigeria is like comparing apples with oranges. Not even if you illustrate with the now-common fiasco over the national budget as an example of a barrier to effective delivery of much-expected services to the people.

Any unbiased but informed observer would, unhesitantly, proffer that, within those constraints, and with the unwavering support from his principal, the minister has demonstrated unflinching commitment to reducing Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit to the barest minimum, one project at a time, across Nigeria’s 36 states.

One thing you can’t take away from BRF is his penchant for, to use a favourite word of his, dimensioning any problem, no matter how seemingly gargantuan. He is the master of drilling down. His staff at the ministry will attest to how, from the day of his inauguration, he has been engaging everyone in marathon consultations, sometimes into the night, to be able to put every problem in proper perspective and then ensuring that the job gets done – without any short-cut.

A DEVELOPMENT MATRIX

For him, nothing should be done superficially. Let’s take work on roads. He starts with the premise that good roads will help reflate and grow the nation’s economy, reduce travel time, cost of transportation of goods and services, and create jobs which will provide the economic means for the worker to live meaningfully. To achieve this, in the short term, would mean starting with roads which can be quickly completed to facilitate connectivity. This should further be guided by choosing first the roads which connect states together and bear the heaviest traffic such as the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and working the way across Nigeria gradually. By sticking religiously to, and developing this plan, enunciated with his team in the Ministry with necessary policy and budgetary support from the Cabinet led by the President and National Assembly, albeit, with all the “constituency complications,” Fashola has been delivering on his mandate.

On Power, Fashola believes that predictable supply achieved through incremental, stable, and, ultimately, uninterrupted supply of electricity, availability will be a critical and defining component of our economic renaissance, job creation, GDP growth and reduction of income inequalities. This has formed the basis of the Federal Government’s Roadmap to Power with the accompanying policies and plans like the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) aimed at strengthening the responsibility of the Ministry as a regulator through the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), so that the GenCos and DisCos can be held to their contracts with citizens; getting the support needed to complete stalled power projects in the generation, transmission and distribution value chains; and improving the liquidity in the sector.

Coming with a practical experience from Lagos, Fashola believes the construction of houses will complement the economic growth drive by direct and indirect jobs in the housing value chain from construction companies, to artisans, labourers, vendors and many more. The Federal Government’s housing project is currently going on in 34 States of the Federation which have provided the required suitable land for the programme, currently at its pilot stage and poised to address the issues of affordability, acceptability and climatic/cultural diversities which have been the bane of the previous housing programmes.

What used to be the standard question about how one man can cope with the leadership of three ministries comes less frequently in its monotony now because Fashola has continually demonstrated that tackling challenges is his second nature. Never mind that he has had to sleep less than the averagely-required hours and do unusual things – for instance in 2017 during an inspection of projects in the North East, he led the team to drive on the road by the dreaded Sambisa Forest in the thick of the night – whilst greying graciously but achieving results. By the way, Hamza Idris of the Daily Trust, who was on the trip, had asked him what gave him the courage to travel at that time, he answered as only a BRF would: “Well, I don’t think it is courage. I have a job to do and it has to be done well. If you are building and managing roads, you can’t manage them from slides, you can’t manage them remotely. You must at least see how good or bad those roads are. It gives a sense, either of urgency, enthusiasm, or a combination of both, to be able to really deal with it. The Ministry of Defence is aware that we are here, but the security arrangement is just precautionary. We have seen ordinary Nigerians travelling in their buses. I have seen the Taraba Mass Transit Services, Adamawa Express, Bauchi Express and others. So, life is going on and we just have a job to do.”

There is no better way to end this birthday tribute to this quintessential man who is extremely loyal to his principal, political party and his principles, than quoting his answer to another question on that North East inspection trip:    “I am never satisfied with anything I am involved in; I just keep going. It’s difficult to satisfy me, and if you ask me to assess myself, I would continue to push myself.”

·      Mr Bello is Special Adviser, Communications to the Hon.Minister.

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Hear what Bishop Wisdom Irabor said about Dr. Chris Okafor… The Generational Prophet of God

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Hear what Bishop Wisdom Irabor said about Dr. Chris Okafor... The Generational Prophet of God

…….IT IS WORLD DR CHRIS OKAFOR’S DAY: EIGHT BIRTHDAY NOTES TO THE GENERATIONAL PROPHET:

PLEASE TRY AND READ TO THE END:

HELP ME SAY A WORD OF PRAYERS TO HIM:

 

1. Happy Birthday to the man who is completely different from everything his enemies told you about him. My relationship with you made me know that, you can become a bad person relating with the person people think is good for you, you can also become a good person relating with the person people think is not good for you. I found God relating with you.

2. Happy birthday to the man whose financial gift to me, in two separate cheques, cleared the first year school fees of my both daughters in private university. The both school fees is about four point three million naira. You made me not to feel the pain of paying the first year for both of them. Apart from you and Pastor David ibiyeomie, No mentor or Senoir man has ever done anything for me.

3. Happy birthday to the man who taught me how to be a father and a friend with my assistant pastors. I came for training with your pastors, and I saw how you bonded with them as a friend and a brother to them, yet they honour and respect you as a father. Only few men can combine these two aspects with a balance. I saw them respect your authority and still confess their secret battles to you for you to help them overcome. Where I came from, you don’t tell anyone your secret battles as a pastor, you will become a public ridicule.

4. Happy birthday to the man who I followed a few weeks ago to see a mentor who came from Abuja for a program in Lagos, and in my presence you wrote a cheque of twenty million naira as a prophet offering to that mentor. Most people don’t know you even have more access to fathers in our family tree, than most of us that were raised in that family.

5. Happy Birthday to the man who practically lives a life of fasting and prayers daily. I came to do a three day training program, and you made me too, to fast and pray with you and the pastors for all three days. At a point, I said to myself, how I wish people know you personally and privately. You are a Christian to the core. I pray for my friends, May you not first meet the enemies of your helper before meeting your helper.

6. Happy birthday to the most quiet blessed man, I have ever seen. Your cathedral is about twenty five thousand seaters, with a crowd of people gathered inside every week, And many surrendering their lives to Christ every service day, you don’t talk about it, the headquarters has so many buildings, offices and event centres, you don’t talk about it, your lekki branch is over 50 plots of land, you don’t brag about it. You have over 400 branches home and abroad, you don’t brag about it. It was in your house last year, when I came for dinner with you, that I saw a brand new Royce Rolls and a brand new bullets proof Land cruiser jeep, that you have never talked about openly. Let’s not talk about your business investment in several sectors of life. The few that I know of. You are blessed, yet very quiet and humble.

Thank you for always allowing me to stay for free, in your ministry 5 star hotel, any time I visit Lagos. I still stayed there last month for free for five days. You save me so much sir.

7. Happy birthday to a prophet who is a balanced teacher and a good preacher. I remember joining your service after one of the training programs I came for. From the beginning to the end, there was no prophecy. I told you after the service, we know you as a prophet, why will you do service and there is no prophecy? You said to me, To have a balanced church, you must know how to combine the word, prayers and prophecies. So that nothing is lacking. Today is a teaching and prayer service. If I call for prophetic service, you won’t know this is the man that just finished teaching.

8. Happy birthday to the man who bought a massive duplex for his Resident Pastor, few minutes drive to his own house in the same estate he lives. They both live in the same estate in lagos. According to him, this man has left all to follow me, if I don’t do this for him, it means unbelievers who do it in the secular world are better than me. On my last visit to lagos, the private driver attached to me showed me the house on our way to see him at home. To confirm what the pastor himself already told me.

Thank you for being there for me and several others.

I love you sincerely and genuinely.

You are my Brother for life.

Happy birthday sir.

Your Bro.
Bishop Irabor Wisdom Robinson.

From all of us at ANSWERS ASSEMBLY WARRI DELTA STATE NIGERIA.

 

Hear what Bishop Wisdom Irabor said about Dr. Chris Okafor... The Generational Prophet of God

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Sexual Allegations: Dr. Chris Okafor’s Image Remains Unblemished

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Sexual Allegations: Dr. Chris Okafor’s Image Remains Unblemished ...Doris Ogala’s Attempts Have Failed, and Will Continue to Fail By Christopher David

Sexual Allegations: Dr. Chris Okafor’s Image Remains Unblemished

…Doris Ogala’s Attempts Have Failed, and Will Continue to Fail

By Christopher David

For some times now I have been contemplating the sexual allegations made by Doris Ogala against Dr Chris Okafor, a Man of God from the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City. This is an allegation that continues to elicit heated debates in Nigeria’s media landscape, with social media platforms being a major hub for these discussions. The media frenzy has raised substantial dust, resulting in confusion about the direction of our society. Without a doubt, the media has devoted considerable attention to Doris, an actress whose fame had waned.

However, much more is required to bring the entire situation to a logical conclusion. For various reasons, I have refrained from responding to alleviate the already damaging media frenzy that could exacerbate Doris Ogala’s false and malicious allegations against the anointed man of God

To say the least, it is equally important to educate the public, church members, and online followers, thereby preventing Doris’s numerous false statements from tarnishing the reputation of the man of God. It is currently unnecessary to recount the numerous false statements made by Doris, who has been utilizing her social media platform to make spurious claims against Dr. Chris Okafor, a respected spiritual leader, by falsely alleging to have had a sexual relationship with him, despite the fact that a substantial amount of information has already been made public on this topic; nonetheless, the truth must ultimately be revealed.

Let’s examine the allegation in question. The actress in question claims to have had a sexual encounter with the religious leader, but where exactly did this occur? Was it at his residence, which is consistently staffed by over 15 domestic workers and security personnel, or did it happen in a hotel room? How credible is this assertion?. Throughout my brief life experience, I have developed an understanding of the considerable obstacles that must be overcome to gain entry into this respected man of God’s inner sanctum, or even to cultivate intimate connections or relationships, which are exclusively permissible within the bounds of matrimony

Does it not defy sound judgment that a ‘Jezebel’ known as Doris Ogala previously found to have deceived other men of God would engage in a sexual relationship with Dr. Chris Okafor and display no apparent guilt, addressing him as “My father in the Lord” while worship in his church some years back. Indeed, I lack the requisite grammatical proficiency to substantiate the alleged sexual intercourse that this lady claimed and ranted about on her social media page; rather, I regard it as a malicious allegation, completely unfounded and emanating from a deceitful and evil-minded source, as manifest in the incoherence of such allegations.

I do not intend to diminish the value of social media, particularly its potential to reach a broad audience; however, many Nigerians engage with social media content on an emotional and sentimental level. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc., do not function as courts of law; hence, grievances must be addressed through the appropriate legal channels, encompassing both criminal and civil proceedings.

The degradation of individuals, organisations, homes, governments and institutions on social media is a worrisome trend. Some social media crusaders exploit this phenomenon as a publicity stunt. Additionally, does Doris Ogala possess evidence to corroborate the purported sexual allegation? This, in most cases, remains obscure to the general public

Regarding Delilah and the satanic angel Doris and her accomplices, reports emerged that Doris made claims on social media last year about Dr. Chris Okafor owing her money. According to her, the money was given to her by an unidentified individual through him. However, a prompt response questioned the logic of an unnamed individual choosing to pay for her services through Pastor Chris, rather than directly to her. This exchange has sparked allegations of dishonesty against Doris Ogala, an actress whose career has experienced a decline. Does Doris realize she may be being manipulated as a social media stooge? Where are her online supporters, who are supposed to be cheering her on and providing encouragement on social media?

I guess the infamous actress is totally broke and out of her mind, thinking she can use the same tricks used on some men of God in the past to extort Dr. Chris Okafor, fondly called the ‘Oracle’. Guess Doris might have forgotten Dr. Chris Okafor’s petition and the ongoing court case against her, which is still before the honorable Court of law?

If I may inquire, have her Instagram and Facebook followers taken her seriously again, given the numerous unsubstantiated claims?. I would advise against aligning oneself with individuals who refer to Doris’ recent allegation as a challenge to the Church, although it may appear that way. However, it seems that Doris is navigating a precarious path. The onus is on her to promptly rectify the situation, as her actions have been widely criticized by supporters of Liberation City, both in Nigeria and globally. Doris Ogala’s recent allegations have left many speechless, wondering if she was intentionally trying to tarnish the reputation of the great prophet of God

As she transitioned from “Okafor owes me a huge amount and I’m ready to collect my money” to “we had sexual intercourse together”, it appears she may require medical attention because nobody in their right mind would continue to fabricate lies in a similar manner, showing reasons why she was separated from her marriage due to childlessness four years ago with her Igbo partner.

In conclusion, Doris Ogala appears to necessitate professional intervention, as it seems she may be experiencing memory loss or repercussions from past conflicts. I doubt whether Doris Ogala can circumvent consequences this time, no as her actions may have serious repercussions.

Watch for part 2, which will reveal men of God against whom she has previously made false accusations.
Church members submit anonymous writings against the evil plotter lady known as Doris Ogala.

 

Written by
Christopher David
Austria

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Again! Fuji Star, Saheed Osupa Prevents Portable Re-Arrest in Kwara On New Petition (See Full Details)

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Again! Fuji Star, Saheed Osupa Prevents Portable Re-Arrest in Kwara On New Petition (See Full Details)

Again! Fuji Star, Saheed Osupa Prevents Portable Re-Arrest in Kwara On New Petition (See Full Details)

Nigeria fuji icon, Saheed Akorede popularly known as Osupa, on Tuesday prevented the re-arrest of Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable after another petition surfaced against him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that legendary Fuji musician discontinued his case against Portable on Tuesday following an appeal by prominent Nigerians to settle the matter out of court.

 

In a new development, Mr Yemi George, Managing Director of Starwood Hotels Ilorin, told NAN on Tuesday that Osupa prevailed on him not to re-arrest Portable after collecting the sum of N6.3m for a show that he did not perform.

Again! Fuji Star, Saheed Osupa Prevents Portable Re-Arrest in Kwara On New Petition (See Full Details)
“I have obtained every necessary documents to re-arrest him today in order to refund my money but out of respect for the legendary fuji musician (Osupa) , he prevailed on me not to.

“My company, Starwood Hotels O2 Arena in collaboration with the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) put an event together for Portable to perform but he never did” George said.

According to a document obtained by NAN, titled Petition for fraudulent and obtaining by false pretense the sum of N6.3m, the petitioners said they entered agreement with Portable on July 22, 2024, which he never respected.

According to the petition, Portable was paid N6.3m to perform at the ‘Kwara Tampan Fiesta’ on September 29, 2024, but failed to appear on stage at the agreed-upon time.

Despite arriving over 16 hours late, he allegedly sneaked out of his hotel lodging without fulfilling his promise to perform.

The petitioners claim that Portable’s actions caused significant financial loss and distress, and they are seeking a thorough investigation, prosecution, and restitution of the N6,300,000 allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.

The petition was signed by Chief Olu Amusan, Governor, TAMPAN and Ayodele Demokun on behalf of Starwogd Hotels 02 Arena

NAN recalls that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kwara command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, had in a statement on Sunday confirmed the arrest of Portable following a petition received from Osupa.

The petition borders on serious allegations which includes criminal defamation, threat to life, incitement, character assassination, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and the use of abusive and insulting words.

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