How Apostle Omotosho Tope Joseph Predicted the Super Eagles’ Victory

Hours before the Super Eagles stepped onto the pitch for their crucial encounter today, a quiet but confident declaration had already been made by Apostle Omotosho Tope Joseph, setting the tone for what would later become a celebrated national victory.

According to members of his ministry, the respected cleric had earlier released a prophetic message expressing unwavering confidence in Nigeria’s triumph. During a brief prayer session, Apostle Omotosho reportedly spoke about “divine alignment, unusual strength, and a clear victory for Nigeria,” assuring congregants that the Super Eagles would not only perform well but would emerge victorious.

Eyewitnesses said the prophecy was delivered with calm certainty rather than hype. He emphasized that the match would be decided by discipline, unity, and a moment of inspired brilliance — words that many fans later connected to the team’s composed performance on the field.

As the match unfolded, events appeared to mirror the prophecy. The Super Eagles displayed confidence, tactical maturity, and resilience, overpowering their opponents and securing a convincing win that sent Nigerians into celebration at home and abroad.

Speaking after the match, close associates of the apostle noted that he consistently prays for Nigeria’s peace, unity, and success, particularly in moments when the nation needs encouragement. They stressed that the prophecy was never about personal recognition, but about inspiring hope and confidence in the country’s collective destiny.

As celebrations continue across the nation, today’s Super Eagles victory stands not only as a sporting achievement, but also as a moment many believers see as a fulfillment of faith spoken ahead of time — a reminder that, for some, victory is first won in the realm of prayer before it manifests on the field.

Obasa redeems N100, 000 cash promise to 500 secondary school students

For 500 students from public schools across Lagos’ six education districts, Christmas arrived early. During events marking his birthday in November, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, promised a cash gift of ₦100,000 to each student who attended to celebrate with him, sparking waves of excitement among them. Speaker Obasa has redeemed his promise, giving the students a December to remember.

Dr. (Mrs.) Sherifat Abiodun Adedoyin, a member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), announced the redemption of the cash gift. “Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has graciously redeemed his promise of ₦100,000 each for 500 students across Lagos State. This generous commitment was made during his recent birthday celebration on November 11, 2025, and it truly highlights his steadfast dedication to enhancing education and the well-being of children in Lagos State.”

Adedoyin stated further, “We deeply appreciate this wonderful gesture, which will significantly help meet the educational needs of the students and promote academic excellence. May this act of kindness continue to inspire hope and create a positive impact in our community.”

The ₦50 Million Educational Support, according to the Speaker, is an investment in the future of the public secondary school students, representing invaluable opportunities for education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.

Indeed, at the pre-birthday event, themed “The Youth: Striving to Greater Heights,” which brought together students from across the state, Speaker Obasa’s empowerment initiative turned a personal milestone into a defining moment for youth development in the state.

He also seized the opportunity to inspire and challenge the youth, reminding them that challenges harbour lots of opportunities and that it takes laser-like focus, perseverance, and a steadfast faith in God to pull through.

“This personal journey is not just my story; it is a message to every young person here and those watching across various platforms. It is a wake-up call- a call to rise, to believe in yourself, and pursue your dreams with passion and determination.

“The sky is not the limit; it is only the beginning when you choose to unlock your potential and embrace the opportunities that abound in our great nation.”

Speaker Obasa capped the day with the announcement of a structured mentorship program to pair young talents with seasoned professionals, which he described as a pathway to sustained growth and impact. “This isn’t just inspiration, it’s a pathway to greatness,” he affirmed.

THE BANDITS STRANGLEHOLD: HOW NIGERIA’S FAILURE TO SECURE ITS PEOPLE EMPOWERS TERRORISTS AND IMPLICATES THE STATE ITSELF.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

A Nation Held Hostage, When Criminals Dictate Terms of Survival, What Happens to Sovereignty?

On the bitter cusp of 2026, a grim reality has descended upon the heart of Nigeria’s middle belt (specifically Kwara State’s South Senatorial District) where armed bandits have not only asserted their dominance but brazenly dictated terms that should chill any sane observer to the bone. Over twenty-two innocent citizens are currently being held hostage across several rural communities and their captors have issued a chilling ultimatum: “PAY AN ASTRONOMICAL ₦400 MILLION, DELIVER FOOD, DRINKS AND OTHER SUPPLIES OR THE CAPTIVES WILL NOT WALK FREE.”

Think about that for a moment: criminals (self-styled bandits) establishing economic demands on behalf of human freedom, goods and the sustenance of desperate families. This is not rural barter or a local dispute. This is extortion on an industrial scale which is been carried out not by a sovereign power of state but by men with guns hiding in forests and hills.

A Crime Syndicate Operating in Broad Daylight.

The incident has left families, elders and local leaders in agonizing limbo. A traditional ruler, Oba Simeon Olanipekun of Ile-Ere district, his son and a Youth Corps member were among those seized in December 2025 and are still in captivity. Observers report that these criminals migrated from areas where security presences were stronger to communities with little or no military or police infrastructure, highlighting the glaring holes in Nigeria’s security architecture.

Local communities such as Adanla, Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire (places once known for farming, trade and family life) are now theaters of terror. These kidnappers are no longer isolated marauders; they are organized, emboldened and adaptive, shifting operations to areas of least resistance and most vulnerability.

The Systemic Failure of the Security State.

Where, one must ask with righteous fury, is the Nigerian government while this unraveling disaster continues? How can a nation that claims sovereignty and constitutional duty to protect lives and property sit idle while armed bandits determine ransom for human freedom?

This is not an anomaly. This is not a rare incident. Nigeria is experiencing a nationwide epidemic of insecurity, from schoolchildren abducted in the Northwest to communities ravaged by bandits and terrorists demanding multimillion-naira ransoms.

According to research, between July 2022 and June 2023 alone, 3,620 kidnapping incidents across the country resulted in ransom demands totaling at least ₦5 billion, with verified payouts in the hundreds of millions. This demonstrates not only the scale of the problem but the systemic normalization of ransom as a revenue stream for criminals.

Let that sink in: criminal enterprises are effectively shaping economic transactions that should be under the sovereign domain of the state. It is a reality that no responsible government should tolerate and YET HERE WE ARE.

The Brutal Logic of Kidnap for Ransom.

These kidnappings are not isolated blips; they erode the very fabric of society. Land becomes unsafe. Farms lie fallow. Education grinds to a halt. Markets shrink. Life itself becomes a negotiable commodity.

The terrains where these bands operate (dense forests, hills, and porous borders) indeed give these criminals a tactical advantage. This is not just geography; it is a reflection of governance abandonment. When the state abandons its highways, villages and forests to lawlessness, it is no wonder that bandits fill the vacuum.

Professor Alex Egwu, a renowned Nigerian security expert, once stated:

“Security is the cornerstone of every functioning society. Without it, livelihoods wither, economies fail and the social contract between the people and the state collapses.”

Today, that collapse is evident in the cries of Kwara families who have watched their loved ones taken with impunity, while the state appears still.

The Myth of Government Commitment.

Officials from both the federal government and the Kwara State Government have spoken of efforts to deploy forest guards, engage in joint patrols and coordinate security agencies. While these statements sound reassuring on paper, they have done little to dislodge the terror networks or bring victims home.

Critics argue that these measures are toothless gestures, designed more for public relations than decisive action. Lieutenant-General Chukwuma Okeke (Rtd.), a former military strategist, warned:

“When security strategies are reactive instead of proactive and lack sustained intelligence and local engagement, they become ceremonial instead of effective.”

And that is precisely what we are witnessing: a ceremonial response to a crisis that requires strategic, coordinated military and civil action.

The Question of Complicity.

As the ransom demands grow larger and the captors bolder, a troubling question emerges: Has the Nigerian government implicitly tolerated banditry? At what point does tolerance become complicity? When criminals can call the shots, demand ransom, and flaunt their activities without fear of immediate arrest or neutralization, is the state still governing?

Some analysts argue that military and political neglect, corruption and internal fractures within Nigerian security agencies have created an environment where kidnappers operate with confidence. This is not mere speculation, it is the observable consequence of decades of underinvestment in security, poor leadership and political distractions.

The Human Toll and National Impact.

The impact of this insecurity moves beyond Kwara. Farmers abandon crops. Children fear school. Entire towns warn travellers away. Insurance markets collapse. Investments dry up. Confidence in public institutions plummets.

As economist Dr. Funmi Olajide once observed:

“Insecurity is not just a security issue, it is an economic and social catastrophe that stifles growth and destroys potential.”

Nigeria (a nation with vast human and natural resources) should be feeding not only itself but exporting to the world. Instead, it imports food it could grow, as farmers are too afraid to till their lands due to bandit threats. The ransom economy feeds criminal networks and starves legitimate economic growth.

The Time for Half-Measures Has Passed.

Where on Earth does a government sit still and allow common bandits to make demands on its people as though they were sovereign powers? The Nigerian state must be reminded (forcefully) that security is not optional but foundational.

The Nigerian Constitution’s first obligation is the safety and security of its citizens. To allow bandits to hold communities for ransom is to abdicate that responsibility.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“The first duty of government is to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people.”

TODAY, THAT DUTY STANDS UNFULFILLED IN KWARA AND ACROSS NIGERIA.

Summative Insight: A Nation at a Crossroads.

Nigeria is at a crossroads. It can continue with reactive, minimal interventions that yield negligible results and or it can confront this crisis head-on with strategic military action, robust community intelligence networks, genuine political will and zero tolerance for ransom economies.

The people of Kwara deserve more than platitudes. They deserve action. They deserve a state that secures its borders, protects its citizens and confronts criminality wherever it lurks and without hesitation, without equivocation, without delay.

The world is watching. Nigeria itself cannot afford to look away any longer.