CAN defends Apostle Suleman , slams Osinbajo’s ‘silence’
The Christian Association of Nigeria has vowed to defend the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Johnson Suleman, after operatives of the State Security Service tried to arrest him on Tuesday.
The group also criticised Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, saying he has failed to speak up against attacks on Christians.
Fiery Edo State-based preacher, Apostle Suleman, caused a stir by calling for the killing of Fulani herdsmen found near his church.
Speaking on January 2 at the church’s monthly Miracle and Fire Night Service in Auchi, Mr. Suleman said President Buhari’s “silence on the genocide in Southern Kaduna has continued to fuel mutual recriminations and distrust among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.”
Suleiman said he had been warned that Fulani herdsmen were planning to attack him, and urged his security guards to kill any herdsman found around his church.
An attempt by SSS operatives to arrest him on Tuesday, reportedly for making inciting comments, was thwarted by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose.
The preacher later explained that he was not targeting any Fulani herdsmen, but only those who may seek to kill him, saying that killing them would be in self-defence.
In its reaction to the development on Friday, the Christian umbrella body in Nigeria, CAN, described the planned arrest as “an attempt to turn Christians to refugees in their own country”.
“Apostle Suleman has become a refugee in Ekiti state as security operatives are said to be searching every nook and cranny of the state with a view to arresting him,” CAN said in a statement on Friday.
“If there is an urgent need to interrogate Apostle Suleman on any issue, it would only have been proper to extend a formal or informal invitation to him from the SSS rather than Gestapo approach used in the attempt to arrest him. It should be noted that under Nigerian Laws, he is presumed innocent until a court of law proves otherwise. Or have they extended the proposed obnoxious law that forbids religious preaching without the permission of the state governor down south too?
“Treating Ministers of God and our members as common criminals is unacceptable to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Enough is enough,” the association said in its statement signed by the special assistant on media and communication to the CAN President, Bayo Oladeji.
The association lamented the government’s failure to address the cases of blasphemy killings in northern parts of the country, citing repeated cases of released suspects, without further arrests by the security operatives.
“The Police have been releasing those who were arrested for the killing of our members in Kano and Kubwa (Abuja) while our leaders are being subjected to untold hardship for no just cause.
“It is high time the overzealous security agencies knew that Nigeria remains a secular state and any attempt to turn the country into a refugee camp for Christians will not be acceptable and will be resisted with every lawful means,” the statement said.
Silence not golden
CAN described the actions of the controversial pastor as a “mere expression of his fundamental right, which every Nigerian is entitled to”.
“The last time we checked, Sections 38-41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states clearly that every Nigerian is “entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
“The Constitution states unambiguously that ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’.
“Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests:
“Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit there …,” the statement said.
The association condemned the killings in southern Kaduna, describing it as genocide.
CAN accused Vice President Osinbajo not speaking up against attacks on Christians, saying his “studied silence is no longer golden.”
“It is high time the overzealous security agencies knew that Nigeria remains a secular state and any attempt to turn the country into a refugee camp for Christians will not be acceptable and will be resisted with every lawful means.
“We call on the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to intervene in all the clampdown on the Church in Nigeria after all, he is in the office primarily to represent the interest of the Christians and his studied silence is no longer golden,” it said.
Ayra Starr’s Mother Sparks Buzz with Confession About Her Mystery Crush
The mother of Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Ayra Starr has sent social media into a frenzy with a playful revelation about having a crush on someone who, humorously, calls her “mummy.” In a video that quickly went viral, she expressed her excitement about the possibility of meeting her crush at Ayra Starr’s upcoming show on Christmas Day.
Captioning the video, Ayra Starr’s mother wrote: “Wahala, my crush is calling me mummy. Anyways, we will meet at Ayra’s show on the 25th.” Her candid and lighthearted confession immediately captivated fans, sparking a wave of speculation about the identity of her mystery crush.
Many have taken to social media to guess the individual who has captured Ayra Starr’s mother’s affections. A popular theory among fans is that the crush might be none other than Don Jazzy, the renowned Nigerian music mogul and the boss of Ayra Starr’s record label, Mavin Records. However, Ayra’s mother kept the identity of her crush under wraps, leaving fans to wonder and eagerly anticipate any clues that might surface.
As the excitement for Ayra Starr’s Christmas Day show builds, fans are eagerly awaiting the event, with many now watching closely to see if Ayra’s mother’s cheeky prediction about meeting her crush will indeed come true.
Stay tuned for updates and watch the video below as the mystery continues to unfold!
Self-Anointed Financial Guru, Geh Geh, Celebrates the Launch of His Luxury Hotel
Popular financial influencer and self-proclaimed guru, Geh Geh, has officially opened the doors to his new hotel, marking another milestone in his ever-evolving career. The hotel, a modern and tastefully furnished establishment, was unveiled on December 22nd amidst a wave of excitement from his followers and supporters.
Taking to his X page a few days prior to the launch, Geh Geh teased his fans with the announcement, hinting at the grand opening. True to his word, the influencer shared clips from the event, including a moment where his pastor prayed over the establishment during its official dedication.
The event was attended by friends, family, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate his achievement. Online reactions, however, have been a mix of admiration, skepticism, and humor as netizens took to social media to share their thoughts on Geh Geh’s latest accomplishment.
Social Media Reactions
The news of Geh Geh’s hotel opening has sparked lively conversations across social platforms. Some users congratulated him on his success, while others questioned the legitimacy of his wealth and mocked the idea of a pastor blessing a hotel.
@BIG🌍 AP❣️: “Finally, Geh Geh don get the congratulations 🎉 way him dey find since lol 🤣🤣 Congratulations 🎉 Opueh Presido.”
@ucheuch2 MMM: “Geh Geh no get hotel.”
@Quency baby 🫂🥹: “Dem open hotel, pastor dey pray 🤦♀️.”
@Elbulletin: “So this guy gets money?”
@Boy alone💜🧎♂️🧎♂️☹️: “Omo, wait oh, na Geh Geh really get am? Omo, if na him, I go start worship Geh Geh online oh 😞.”
@Babatunde Phillip: “Imagine a pastor attending the opening ceremony of a hotel where Geh Geh said girls go cryyyy.”
@user97174499693224: “So pastor dey pray for hotel opening 😂😂😂.”
@ABIODUN__🌴💙🚬: “I dey cryyyyyyy now, if to say I know, I for worship Geh Geh online 😭😂.”
While the reactions may vary, one thing is clear: Geh Geh knows how to command attention. As he steps into the hospitality business, all eyes will be on him to see if the financial guru can translate his influence into success in this new venture.
Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight championship titles and cemented his place in boxing history with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their rematch on Saturday night.
The judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor across the board, marking his second consecutive win over Fury. This victory extended Usyk’s flawless professional record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to a career already highlighted by Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight championship.
A Masterclass Performance
Usyk, 37, showcased his signature precision and relentless pace, repeatedly catching Fury with clean left hooks and dominating the latter stages of the fight. Fury, at 6ft 9in (206cm) and weighing a career-high 281 pounds, attempted to impose his physicality but was unable to break Usyk’s composure.
The fight, held in Saudi Arabia, saw Usyk wearing traditional Cossack attire during his entrance, while Fury entered the arena dressed in a festive Santa-inspired robe to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
The early rounds were competitive, with Fury landing powerful jabs and body shots. However, Usyk’s endurance and tactical brilliance began to shine in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian landed sharp combinations and dictated the tempo, including a stunning uppercut in the final round that left little doubt about the outcome.
“I thought I’ve won both fights,” Fury said post-match, sporting a bruised right eye. “But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”
A Legacy Sealed
Usyk’s victory solidified his standing as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Already the first undisputed heavyweight of the four-belt era, Usyk joins the ranks of legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson.
The bout, reported to have a prize purse of $190 million, also underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Usyk, who served briefly as a soldier during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, celebrated his victory by hoisting a symbolic sabre belonging to Ukrainian nationalist hero Ivan Mazepa.
Fury’s Uncertain Future
The defeat leaves Fury’s future in doubt. Once unbeaten across 35 fights, Fury now stands at 34-2-1. His attempt to reclaim glory after a brief retirement in 2022 has been marred by back-to-back losses to Usyk.
Usyk, on the other hand, continues to add to his already remarkable resume, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his technical skill, resilience, and determination. As the heavyweight division looks ahead, Usyk’s reign appears unshakable, and his place among boxing’s all-time greats is firmly secured.
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