Business
Ogboni confraternity are after my life for destroying shrine – Pastor cries out
A Lagos-based pastor and leader of Kingdom Fire Ministry International, Chukwudi Okoh, has called on the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate a threat letter purportedly written to him by some people who claimed to be members of the Ogboni Fraternity.
Okoh, who spoke with our reporter on Tuesday, said he had gone to his church auditorium in the Okokomaiko area of Lagos State on November 7 for a meeting with other church leaders when he saw the letter which he thought was a prayer request.
On opening the letter, the 52-year-old Ebonyi State indigene said he discovered that it was a threat to his life over his involvement in the destruction of traditional shrines and conversion of some idol worshippers to Christianity.
Our correspondent, who saw a copy of the letter, observed that it was signed by two unnamed persons who claimed to be ‘Secretary’ and ‘Akpino Grandmaster’ of the sect.
They claimed to be officials of the western headquarters of the group based in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The letter, dated November 3, read, “Dear Chukwudi Okoh; We the Aborigine Fraternity of Nigeria hereby warn you against character assassination. You are warned to desist from destroying our religion in the name of your confession; turning our members away from our ancestral traditional way of worship. We have sent out men to warn you on several occasions, but you (refused to) adhere to our warning.
“We have many reports against you (on) how you destroyed our temple and burnt our materials of worship (malicious damage) in Ogun, Kwara, Cross River states. All these reports will be used against you unless (you) leave us and our members alone. This is the last warning to you, or else you will run out of Nigeria. We know your house and your church; there will be no hiding place for you.”
The father of five, who said he had already reported to the PFN and CAN leadership in the Ojo area, said he believed some people were out to destroy him.
He said, “I went to church that day for a meeting when I saw the letter on the altar. I was with three of my subordinate pastors. I thought it was a prayer request and when I opened it, I saw it was a threat letter. I reported it to the PFN chairman and we prayed together over it. I also reported it to CAN.
“This is not the first time I will be getting such a threat. Sometime in September, a motorist waylaid me on the road with his car. He said I was disturbing his group and I should stop or else they would come for me. He then quickly drove off.”
Our reporter learnt that the cleric had reported the case at the Okokomaiko Police Station.
Okoh, during a chat with our correspondent, recalled destroying some shrines on the invitation of people who converted into the Christian faith during some of his evangelical outreaches.
He said, “I am a full time pastor and I have been in ministry for over 24 years. I have built churches in four different parts of Lagos, but they were demolished by the government. My present church location is our fifth and hopefully last building.
“I organise crusades with medical treatments for my host communities. There are times people confess to belonging to Ogboni Fraternity and they bring their materials and books for burning. I have done this many times in different parts of the country.
“There was a former Ogboni member that I converted. I can’t say I have any regrets because such is part of my calling,” he added.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach a representative of the sect to react to the letter were unsuccessful.
Telephone numbers of supposed leaders sighted by our correspondent on the group’s Facebook page did not connect despite repeated attempts.
The group’s website was also not accessible as of press time.
The Secretary of CAN, Lagos State, Akinadewo Israel, said he had yet to get a report of the incident from the CAN coordinator in the Ojo area.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, said investigations were ongoing.
He said, “We are working to get to the roots of the threat. We believe that with the security put in place by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, the people do not have the capacity to carry out any threat. Attempts by any group to attack a place of worship will be resisted.
“The CP, however, warns religious leaders to avoid hate speeches that may injure the feelings of other religious leaders which can lead to situations like this.”
NAPS COMMENDS OPAY DIGITAL SERVICES FOR ITS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) acknowledges and commends Opay Digital Services for its significant commitment to the educational advancement of Nigerian students through the Opay Scholarship Program.
The leadership of NAPS, under the stewardship of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has been actively engaged in discussions with Opay Digital Services to facilitate meaningful collaborations that benefit polytechnic students across Nigeria. These deliberations have now yielded a remarkable milestone as Opay Digital Services has entered into a strategic partnership with polytechnics across the nation. The scholarship initiative, which officially kicks off today at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout aimed at empowering polytechnic students for the next ten years.
This scholarship program is designed to alleviate financial burdens that hinder students from pursuing higher education, aligning with NAPS’ commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and student empowerment. The initiative will provide financial support to deserving students, ensuring that economic constraints do not hinder their academic and professional growth.
Key Benefits of the Opay Scholarship Program:
Access to quality education and financial assistance for students with demonstrated need.
Promotion of inclusivity by ensuring equal opportunities for all eligible students.
Enhancement of employability and future career success for scholarship recipients.
Encouragement of academic excellence and holistic student development.
Reduction of financial burdens associated with tuition fees and educational expenses.
Support for students in their career aspirations through funding for internships, research opportunities, and professional development activities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in a tertiary institution.
Open to students from all departments and academic levels.
Must have an active Opay account.
Scholarship Structure:
Each beneficiary will receive ₦300,000 per academic session.
20 students from each tertiary institution will be selected.
The scholarship will be extended to institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
During a stakeholder meeting at Kwara State Polytechnic, NAPS President, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, commended Opay Digital Services for its leadership in the fintech sector and its dedication to student welfare. He also urged the Federal Government to support Opay’s initiative, as it aligns with the government’s Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy. Additionally, he called on other fintech companies to emulate Opay’s commitment to education.
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic also lauded the initiative and encouraged Opay to consider further investments in student development, including projects such as Opay Farm, Opay ICT Center, Opay Library, and Opay Sports Festival, among others.
Mr. Itoro, the Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Opay Digital Services, expressed his appreciation for the positive reception and collaboration from NAPS and polytechnic institutions nationwide, affirming Opay’s commitment to supporting Nigerian students.
NAPS remains dedicated to fostering impactful initiatives that elevate the educational and professional prospects of polytechnic students nationwide. We urge all students to remain engaged and supportive while rejecting misinformation or deceptive promises from external influences.
Our commitment remains unwavering—until all polytechnic students in Nigeria stand out in all aspects, Aluta Continua!
Co-Signed:
Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide
National President, NAPS
Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim
Public Relations Officer, NAPS
LASUSTECH Mass COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT EARNS FULL ARCON ACCREDITATION
Lagos, Nigeria – The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has granted the Department of Mass Communication at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) a five-year full accreditation to run advertising-related courses. This milestone achievement is a testament to the department’s commitment to excellence and its positioning for global competitiveness.
The accreditation exercise, conducted in January 2025, underscores the department’s adherence to industry standards and best practices. With this accreditation, students of the department will no longer need to write the ARCON professional examination before applying for membership in the noble council.
According to Dr. Steven Anu’ Adesemoye, Head of Department, Mass Communication, “This accreditation is a significant milestone for us, and we’re thrilled to have met ARCON’s rigorous standards. Our students will greatly benefit from this, as they’ll have a competitive edge in the industry.”
The department’s accreditation status places it at a greater advantage in marketing communication training, providing students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for the ever-dynamic media and communication workspace.
“As we continue to reculture and position ourselves for global competitiveness, this accreditation serves as a validation of our efforts,” said Adesemoye.
“We’re committed to providing our students with a world-class education that equips them for success”
The department is open to mutual collaborations, seeking to leverage partnerships with industry stakeholders to enhance its curriculum and provide students with practical, real-world experience.
“We’re excited to collaborate with industry partners to further enrich our curriculum and provide our students with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the industry,” added Dr. Adesemoye.
With this accreditation, LASUSTECH’s Mass Communication Department solidifies its position as a leading institution for media and communication education in Nigeria, offering students a globally recognised qualification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities.
The Dean, College of Applied Social Sciences (CASS), Professor Olamuyiwa Olamade felicitate the department for the academic feat, “The College extends heartfelt congratulations to the Department of Mass Communication and expresses its gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for meeting our accreditation requirements, leading to this significant achievement.”
Public Relations and Advertising, Unit,
Department, Mass Communication
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