celebrity radar - gossips

‘How T.B Joshua’s morning water saved us from Bristow Helicopter crash’

Published

10 years ago

October 27, 2015

Two survivors of the tragic incident that saw a Bristow helicopter crash into the lagoon in Oworonshoki, Lagos on Wednesday 12th August, 2015 have testified that it was ‘God’s hand’ that saved them from the unfortunate incident.

On Sunday 25th October, oil workers Chukwudi Onah and Dolu Ebiejuara appeared in the church of controversial Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua to thank God for preserving their lives in the disaster that led to six fatalities, including that of the pilot and co-pilot.
According to Onah, it was ‘Morning Water’ he had received at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations’ (SCOAN) that was instrumental to his survival. “I never leave it anywhere I am going. It’s always with me, along with my Anointing Sticker,” he explained to the congregation.
“On that fateful day, before I left my room, I prayed that God would take charge and thanked Him for mercies,” he continued, stating that he sprayed the ‘Morning Water’ upon himself.
According to Onah, there were no signs of trouble as the flight was going “very smoothly”. However, merely minutes away from arriving at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, tragedy struck.
“The chopper suddenly turned,” Onah vividly described. “Everybody became confused. We were shouting Jesus! The chopper was dangling up and down. I didn’t even know when it fell inside the water.”
As the Bristow Sikosky S76 C+ helicopter began descending steadily to the bottom of the lagoon, Onah was strapped heavily into his seatbelt and could not move. “I shouted, ‘God of TB Joshua – save me’ “, he recounted, adding that his lungs soon filled up with water.

According to the SEDCO oil worker, what transpired next can only be termed ‘supernatural’. Staring death in the face, confused and struggling to free himself, Onah said he heard a ‘voice’ speaking clearly to him.
“It’s just as you are hearing me now. The voice said, ‘Your seatbelt.’ I took my hand to the side of the seat belt and it became suddenly loose. The same voice came again and said, ‘Your lifejacket’. I took my hand to the side of the life-jacket and it suddenly inflated. It now carried me up from down to the top of the sea.”
Onah somberly recounted that the two passengers seated directly besides him were among the fatalities. “If not for Jesus, I would have died. I give the glory to Jesus Christ who saved my life,” he said, bringing out the ‘Anointing Sticker’ from his pocket that he had with him on the day of the ill-fated journey.
Dolu Ebiejuara similarly stated that he was a regular visitor to The SCOAN and had ministered ‘Morning Water’ before entering the helicopter that day. Recounting his experience, he said, “All that I saw was the helicopter take a sharp turn and then we were just plummeting down.”
Moments before the crash, Ebiejuara said that he lost consciousness. “All I could remember was that I saw myself swimming. There is no way I could have come out of the helicopter without removing my seat belt but I was not the one. I don’t even know how I came out under the water. I know it is God’s doing because there is God’s hand in the Morning Water.”
The duo both sustained injuries but have since recovered. They were accompanied by more than seventeen family members who came to share the testimony.
Intriguingly, T.B. Joshua himself was not present at the service, making it more than five months since he has been seen in public.

celebrity radar - gossips

BURATAI URGES ECOWAS UNITY, CALLS FOR RETURN OF SAHEL STATES AT VON FORUM

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Buratai Urges ACF to Lead Bold Northern Agenda, Boost Food Security at 25th Anniversary

BURATAI URGES ECOWAS UNITY, CALLS FOR RETURN OF SAHEL STATES AT VON FORUM

ABUJA – In a powerful appeal for regional stability, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai (rtd), has called on ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) to prioritize the return of the Association of Sahel States (AES) to ensure the survival of West African integration.

Speaking Thursday at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum 2026 in Abuja, Buratai warned that the region’s progress could become a “mirage” without the inclusion of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.

A Legacy of Sacrifice

Buratai Tasks Estate Valuers on Ethics, Tech Responsibility to Boost National Security

Buratai highlighted Nigeria’s historic role as the “unshakable anchor” of the sub-region. He pointed to Nigeria’s decades of leadership in ECOMOG missions across Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau as evidence of the nation’s commitment.

”Nigeria has sacrificed and invested in blood, treasure, and diplomacy to defend democracy,” Buratai stated. “Our stability is inseparable from the security of our neighbours.”

The Path to Unity

The General urged ECOWAS to deepen its engagement with the African Union to bridge the current diplomatic rift with the AES nations. He emphasized that the collective security of West Africa depends on a unified front, noting that democracy and regional safety are “two sides of the same coin.”

”The unity of ECOWAS cannot be complete without Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic. Without unity, progress in the region may be a mirage,” Buratai cautioned.

Celebrating 51 Years of VON

The forum also served as a celebration of Voice of Nigeria’s 51st anniversary. Buratai lauded the broadcaster as a “Nigerian voice with an African heart,” praising its professionalism and pan-African vision.

He paid tribute to veteran journalists, including the late Mohammed Okorejor and retired director Ben Shamang, while commending the current Director General for revitalizing the agency.

The retired General concluded his message with a call to strengthen regional institutions, urging leaders to honor the legacy of ECOWAS through renewed cooperation and institutional integrity.

celebrity radar - gossips

GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA’S INFRASTRUCTURE

Published

2 days ago

April 9, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GOV. LAWAL WINS BON GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR FOR ZAMFARA’S INFRASTRUCTURE

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has awarded Governor Dauda Lawal the Infrastructure Governor of the Year honour for his administration’s giant strides in the Urban Renewal project across Zamfara.

The governor received the award at the second edition of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) held at the NAF conference centre, Abuja.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the BON acknowledged Zamfara state’s unprecedented and transformative achievements in infrastructure, recognising excellence beyond the broadcasting industry.

He added that Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River and Uba Sani of Kaduna, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, along with John Momoh, Shyngle Wigwe, Abubakar Jijiwa, and Sa’a Ibrahim, were among the prominent Nigerians honoured at the 2026 Nigeria Broadcasting Awards.

The statement read in parts, “The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, an umbrella body for public and private broadcasters in Nigeria, was established in 1973 to promote the interests of the broadcasting industry and ensure high standards in media practices.

“The organisation conducted a thorough months-long selection process aimed at recognising professional excellence and raising standards for media practice across Nigeria.

“The Awards Selection Committee was chaired by Dr Danladi Bako, former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The awards panel included veterans and representatives from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the NBC..

“The selection committee cited numerous reasons for awarding Governor Dauda Lawal, notably his significant progress across sectors, particularly for transforming Gusau into a modern State Capital.

“Zamfara has witnessed unprecedented achievements under Governor Dauda Lawal, including the historic construction of a modern International Airport in the State.

“Apart from urban renewal projects, as well as the construction and outfitting of General Hospitals, Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has built, refurbished, and equipped over 800 schools across the 14 local government areas of the State.

“This recognition by the highest broadcasting authority in Nigeria will motivate the governor to dedicate more effort to his mission to serve and rebuild Zamfara state.”

celebrity radar - gossips

Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

Published

5 days ago

April 5, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Beauty Meets Glamour as Olaide Ogunyemi Opens New Studio in Mushin

Popular Nollywood actress and professional makeup artiste, Olaide Ogunyemi Oluwayemisi aka Damilola, has expanded her footprint in the beauty industry with the grand opening of her new makeup studio in Lagos.

The talented thespian, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of @Dobc_makeovers_andmore, officially unveiled the ultra-modern beauty space last Thursday, April 2, 2026, in a colourful ceremony filled with glamour, fashion, and pageantry.

Strategically located at 101 Palm Avenue, right beside FitPlus and Sparklight Hospital in Mushin area of Lagos, the new studio is designed to offer top-notch beauty services, reflecting Ogunyemi’s commitment to excellence and professionalism in the ever-growing makeup industry.

The opening ceremony attracted friends, colleagues from the Nollywood industry, beauty enthusiasts, and well-wishers who came out in large numbers to celebrate the entrepreneur’s latest milestone. Guests were treated to a vibrant atmosphere that showcased creativity, style, and the evolving standards of the beauty business in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Ogunyemi expressed her excitement and gratitude, noting that the new studio represents years of hard work, dedication, and passion for her craft. She reaffirmed her commitment to delivering premium beauty services while empowering aspiring makeup artistes.

The launch of the studio further cements her reputation as a dynamic force, successfully blending her career in Nollywood with a thriving beauty brand.

With this latest development, Olaide Damilola Ogunyemi continues to inspire many young entrepreneurs, proving that talent, consistency, and vision remain key drivers of success in Nigeria’s creative and business landscape.