society
LEKKI TOLL PLAZA: CNN FACES TEST OF INTEGRITY BY SAMUEL OMOJOYE
Later at a press briefing, apparently after having some intel, the Governor announced that there were no fatalities. Note also that the army had already tweeted “fake news” earlier in the day when the social media was awash with videos of soldiers in an armoured tank, shooting sporadically in a direction and scores of videos of bodies with body parts littering the ground had been spread as victims of Lekki massacre.
A certain DJ Switch has released several videos, one LIVE, in which she claims that the military were killing protesters and that a lot of people had died and they were trying to remove a bullet from one person’s leg. She was relaying these events, but not showing a single footage of the most important videos, A. Of dead bodies, B. Of the soldiers shooting at people, C. Of blood stain on the floor, D. Of the process/procedure when the bullet was removed, E. When soldiers were carrying the bodies, F. When DJ Switch and her people were carrying bodies and dumping them in front of the soldiers (as she claimed). Rather, she was verbalising the narrative she wanted to drive even though that was not what was happening. Then her second video showed her talking to a friend and, all of a sudden, she started running and asking imaginary people to bend down and hold their flags. His friend on then said “daaaamn” after which he covered his face as if he had just witnessed something gruesome. That, no doubt, was mere acting and a bad one at that. DJ Switch gave an impression that the army or police were still shooting protesters at Lekki even in the morning. Then she said “they shot all night”. Then she did another video where she apologised for not being online for some time. She then proceeded to reminisce about the fateful night and, at that point, she started to address the issue of numbers.
Now let’s go to the facts. Till today, there are no relatives who have come forward that their family members are missing. A woman in London claimed her son was killed at the Lekki Toll Plaza, but it turned out that she was lying. He died in a motorcycle accident. Also pictures that were touted as victims of the Lekki massacre turned out to be pictures of people who had died in separate circumstances – one from a bike accident and the other a stab wound victim. Those found in the hospitals who got injured from Lekki were as a result of stampede, and the injuries ranged from broken bones, cuts, bruises and slash wounds. No record of death as a result of gunshot wounds from the Army’s weapons, but the social media was awash with people in hospital, who claimed that they were shot by soldiers at the toll plaza.
In reality, there was chaos in nearby Ajah-Badore where gangs were fighting. Some policemen and many innocent citizens died. To make matters worse, because of the lie by DJ Switch about a massacre, a lot of angry protesters came out of their homes and in their bid to retaliate by killing police officers or burning police stations, many people got shot by policemen and a lot of lives were lost. DJ Switch, who was seemingly defiant in the eyes of death, now suddenly disappeared, rather than bring her evidence to the commission of enquiry to help this investigation. Now she’s trying to seek asylum under the guise of running for her life, but when she was confronted with gunshots by the army, she didn’t run away? Isn’t that a cue to show that this woman is an anarchist or a pathological liar? She was probably trying to trend or perhaps there is a more sinister angle into this.
Regarding the shameful way some media houses covered this story, NBC has to keep an eye on such media houses, who have a responsibility to show that they are worthy of their licences. Many of them showed unverified social media footages as “live”, thereby misleading the audience. One newspaper wrote a piece titled “Sanwo-Olu finally admits inviting the military”. At no time did Governor Sanwo-Olu deny inviting the military. He said the military does not take orders from him. It was his interview with Becky Anderson on CNN (days after speaking with the BBC where he confirmed that he sought military help, following the anarchy that had seized many parts of the state) that people saw and decided the governor “finally admitted”. I suppose this is the same report that the army read for them to have said they were not happy the Governor denied inviting them.
CNN, unprofessionally, did a package in which it attached social media videos to what could have been an educational piece of journalism. A satellite image showed the army leaving their base in two pick-up vans. It showed them fire into the sky, but sadly the unverified social media videos attached to that package ruined it. It reeks of prejudice and bias. CNN is desperate to show that the Nigerian government massacred young people and, sadly, they neglected their ethos. There was an image of an old man in native attire covered in blood. That man must have a relative somewhere. Did the soldiers take his body away? If he is dead, who was he? He must have friends or family members.
One important question to ask is why the satellite image which showed the army drive to the toll gate couldn’t show the army picking up bodies or dropping them somewhere. There should be an image showing people on the floor, dead as a result of a massacre. Some observers have said that the Federal Government should not have confronted CNN. I disagree. What Nigeria has done through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is within its rights. CNN has a duty to investigate its reports thoroughly and present such reports with facts and figures, not mere eyewitness accounts and doubtful social media videos that have failed the simple test of integrity. CNN must substantiate its claims, not repeating the offence.
Omojoye wrote in from Palmgroove, Lagos.
society
NAPS Demands Reversal of Bill That Prioritizes University Degrees for Local Government Chairmen
society
VINEYARD Christian Ministries Inc Set for Historic 37th Anniversary Celebration with “From Glory to Glory”
*VINEYARD Christian Ministries Inc Set for Historic 37th Anniversary Celebration with “From Glory to Glory”
The Vineyard Christian Ministries INC, Aka “The Glorious Church”, is preparing for a momentous celebration of its 37th Anniversary alongside its annual “From Glory to Glory” program. The five-day spiritual event will take place from Wednesday, April 2nd to Sunday, April 6th, 2025, at the ministry’s international headquarters located at 34/36 Osolo Way, Off International Airport Road in Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.
Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni, the presiding cleric and General Overseer, revealed in an exclusive interview that this year’s celebration will feature an extraordinary gathering of anointed ministers. “We are bringing forth men that God has powerfully used throughout the years, spiritual giants including Pastor Fred Obetoh, Rev. Toyin Kehinde, Bishop Femi Soneye, Bishop Felix Ogadeji, and numerous other mighty men of God,” the Archbishop declared with great anticipation.
The conference promises to be a transformative experience, with Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni emphasizing that attendees should expect “Raw manifestations of God through miracles, prophetic words, and anointed praise.” He further explained that while celebrating the ministry’s anniversary remains central, the event primarily serves as a special thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness throughout these 37 years and it’s a journey of His Grace. Reiterating that Thursday 3rd of April is billed as the date of the Anniversary as a remembrance where the ministry was given birth to, so 3rd April will be Grace as a celebrated day of the Anniversary.
The meticulously planned program includes a Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday to commemorate God’s faithfulness, followed by a Miracles and Deliverance Night on Thursday for supernatural healings and breakthroughs. Friday will feature a Prophetic Impartation Service for destiny-changing prophecies, while Saturday is dedicated to a Praise Extravaganza with top gospel ministers. The week will culminate with a Grand Finale Service on Sunday, marking the conclusion of this spiritual journey.
Since its establishment in 1988, VINEYARD Christian Ministries Inc has grown from humble beginnings to become a multinational ministry with branches across Nigeria and several African nations. Under Archbishop John Alagbala Adebayo Osa-Oni’s visionary leadership, the ministry has significantly impacted communities through various initiatives including free skill acquisition centers, educational scholarship programs, medical outreach services, and prison ministry efforts.
As anticipation builds for this landmark event, church members and well-wishers nationwide have taken to social media to share testimonies of the ministry’s impact, using the hashtag #GloriousChurchAt37.
The church administration has made comprehensive preparations to accommodate the expected large turnout, including overflow facilities and special arrangements for out-of-town visitors, with security and traffic management plans in place to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees.
“This Anniversary represents more than a celebration – it’s a divine appointment that will redefine destinies,” Archbishop Osa-Oni affirmed, extending an open invitation to all seeking spiritual transformation. “Come expecting, for God is prepared to do something extraordinary.”
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