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Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

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Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

 

 

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has extended his benevolence to his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti state.

In an event held yesterday Friday, 26th Of April 2024, Primate Ayodele commemorated the planting of a new church in his hometown with another edition of his palliative market which has been held twice in his Lagos headquarters.

The unprecedented programme which started with a rally on Thursday, 25th of April 2024 witnessed thousands of Ikere-Ekiti indigenes in attendance including very important personalities like the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti,Oba Adejimi Alagbado, His chiefs, Ikere LG chairman, Hon Olu Adamolekun Egbejoda, nd Chairman lkere West LCDA, Hon Rufus Olorunfemi.

As it has always been done in his Lagos church where the man of God sold food items at ridiculous prices, Ikere-Ekiti also experienced the reality of Primate Ayodele’s palliative market as several people got a bag of rice for N15,000, beverages for N1,000, a carton of Indomie for N2,000, Groundnut oil for N3,000, Semovita for N3,000, Wheat for N3,000 and Beans for N3,000.

In addition, scholarships were given to students, grinding machines, sewing machines, dryers, to mention a few were given out to women in Ikere-Ekiti for free.

While speaking about the reason behind the largesse, Primate Ayodele explained that it was a result of divine instructions since the politicians that are supposed to provide succor for the people have failed to carry out their responsibilities.

He also stated that wants to correct the notion that men of God use tithes to flaunt their expensive lifestyle when in reality, He uses tithes and offerings including his personal funds to take care of widows and the less privileged.

‘’I expect some of our politicians to be involved in things that will bring succor to the people but they don’t seem to be concerned with the well-being of those they are supposed to be serving. God has laid it upon my heart to embark on this project to support ordinary people and that’s why we are doing this.’’

‘’We also want to correct the narration that men of God use tithes to buy exotic cars and flaunt their lifestyle. If there are clerics involved in such a shameless act, we are different. We make use of our tithes and offerings to take care of widows and less privileged without regard for their religion.’’

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele hailed the Ogaga of Ikere-Ekiti for gracing the programme with his presence while urging the local government chairmen to speak to the state government to develop Ikere-Ekiti.

‘’I have never seen any king like the Ogaga of Ikere-Ekiti. He is a monarch that exudes class; He is factual, honest, vibrant, and intelligent. We have never seen a king like Oba Adejimi Alagbado, Ikere-Ekiti is indeed blessed to have him.’’

‘’I also want to appeal to our local government chairman to speak to the governor to develop Ikere-Ekiti. We expect the government to love the people; they need to work on our roads and security. While we were young, we used to leave our doors open without any fear of theft but nowadays, it’s impossible. These are basic things the government should provide for the people.’’

In his speech, Oba Adejimi Alagbadon appreciated Primate Ayodele for remembering Ikere-Ekiti despite the fact that his ministry has taken him far and wide globally. He described the prophet as someone who has made his father proud.

The monarch marveled at the amount of money the prophet spent for the programme which was majorly for charity purposes. He further called on the people of Ikere-Ekiti to support the new church in a way to show gratitude to Primate Ayodele for his magnanimity towards them.

‘’We appreciate God for empowering Primate Elijah Ayodele and I want to congratulate the people of Ikere-Ekiti for a day like this. This is the beginning of a good thing in our town and we appreciate the son of the soil, Primate Ayodele who has also made his father proud on this day. We knew his father to be a good man and I congratulate myself on this feat.’’

‘’As I was seated here, I tried to calculate the amount of money this man of God has spent on feeding, scholarship, palliatives, and logistics; I can only pray that God continues to uplift him. He has become a cornerstone in the prophetic, he speaks to nations but he remembered his home town, Ikere-Ekiti, he remembered the widows and the needy, I pray God continues to elevate him.’’

‘’We were in Lagos in February to commission his church building and today, he has brought a church to Ikere-Ekiti too. I want the people of Ikere-Ekiti to support him because this is our church. He has done well for us and we should show gratitude by supporting him too.’’

 

Primate Ayodele Crashes Price Of Rice To N15,000, Awards Scholarship, Plants New Church In Ekiti

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TAIWO OYEKAN To Empower Lagos Island Vulnerable Residents With N20 Million

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*TAIWO OYEKAN To Empower Lagos Island Vulnerable Residents With N20 Million*

*• Nigeria Police Force To Receive Patrol Vehicle*

*• Others To Be Gifted Assorted Food Items, Filled Gas Cylinders*

In his continued effort to upscale the Standard of Living of Residents across Nigeria”s Premier Local Government Area, Hon. Prince TAIWO AJIBADE OYEKAN has concluded plans to gift Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000) to Widows, Elderly Locals, Physically Challenged Persons, Petty Traders, Artisans and Technicians.

In addition, The Deputy Leader of Lagos Island Local Government Legislative Arm will donate a Patrol Vehicle to the Nigeria Police Force to improve security architecture on the Island.

Hundreds Of Bags Of Rice and Filled Gas Cylinders will also be distributed.

According to Hon. Oyekan, the Socioeconomic Intervention Initiatives are designed to complement the efforts of the State and Federal Governments in Poverty Alleviation and Security of Lives and Property.

“I am passionate about uplifting the vulnerable in our communities and I will not relent. We must brighten the hope of the people and make the world a better place”. He said.

Recall that the Iconic Council Legislator had in March disbursed N10 Million and in May, N5 Million respectively to the Indigents and Small Scale Business Owners to promote local economy and Residents’ standard of Living.

In December 2023, A Utility Bus was presented to a Lagos Community Security Outfit (The Isale-Eko Community Security Team,
Folumo), an intervention geared towards promoting community Policing.

Hon. OYEKAN’s Action Plans were commended by Community Leaders, Party Chieftains and Stakeholders in the State.

The Date and Venue of the much-talked about MEGA PLUS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT will be announced soon.

… It’s About The People And Our Communities

… Determined To Do More For Betterment Of Humanity

*© PTO Media & Strategy Centre*

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Christmas In Delta: Organizers Announce Second Edition Of Africa’s Most Anticipated Event

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Christmas In Delta: Organizers Announce Second Edition Of Africa’s Most Anticipated Event

 

 

The organizers of “Christmas in Delta” have officially announced the second edition of the much-anticipated 45-day Christmas festival.

Set to take place in the oil-rich Delta State, the sequel of the inaugural edition of Christmas in Delta follows a highly successful inaugural edition celebrated in 2023, attracting about a million enthusiastic guests.

Scheduled to run from December 1, 2024, to January 14, 2025, the festival is expected to attract over one million visitors, promising a season of celebration, community, and unforgettable memories.

Organised by Omu Resort, a respected name in entertainment and event management known for creating immersive theme parks and unique experiences, this year’s festival is expected to further establish Delta State as a prime holiday destination in Nigeria

Synonymous with Christmas, this year’s festivities will begin with a grand Christmas light-up ceremony at Asaba’s Christmas Village, graced by the presence of Delta State Governor, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori. The event promises a rich mix of entertainment, culture, and commerce, with the potential to significantly contribute to Delta State’s economic growth.

Festival highlights include a friendly soccer match featuring Super Eagles players of Delta origin against Delta Nollywood stars, as well as the captivating “Asaba Art Exhibition”. Additional events lined up to delight attendees include an exhilarating Car Drifting Show featuring top drifters, the colorful “Warri City Carnival” on December 22, and an immersive “Warri Christmas Experience’, complete with the inspiring “Shekere Praise & Worship” on December 24. The festivities will culminate in a grand synchronized fireworks display, lighting up all local government areas in Delta State during the much-anticipated “Delta Fireworks Display Night”. Further excitement will be provided by a DJ Rave and the “Osubi End-of-Year Concert” to bring the celebration to a spectacular close.

Project Manager, Daniel Eguyenga, highlighted several exciting new attractions for this year’s edition. Among the fresh additions are car drifting exhibitions, thrilling bike displays, and a novelty soccer match, promising an even more engaging experience for all attendees.

Eguyenga also noted the expanded schedule of events in Warri, with “The Warri Experience” added as a new centerpiece. This includes a vibrant gospel concert and the inaugural “Warri Festival”, a celebration of the rich cultural diversity of the region. Combined with returning favorites, such as Africa’s tallest Christmas tree, these additions ensure an enchanting experience at “Christmas in Delta”.

Emmanuella Osakwe, a member of the “Christmas in Delta” organising committee, expressed similar excitement, assuring that the Delta festival will be a memorable event. “We’ve made every effort to ensure that guests will enjoy a wide array of exciting activities and experiences,” she shared.

With the upcoming “Christmas in Delta”, this festive season promises a dynamic blend of tradition, celebration, and community spirit for all in attendance.

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EFCC: AS THE NATION AWAITS THE SUPREME COURT By Tunde Nasir

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EFCC: AS THE NATION AWAITS THE SUPREME COURT

By Tunde Nasir

Since the new EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede assumed office about one year ago, the fight against corruption, financial and cyber crimes, has taken a new heightened and reinvigorated dimension to the admiration of those who are genuinely concerned about fighting the cankerworm of corruption that has bedeviled our nation almost to a standstill.

Ola Olukoyede, a Pastor, seems to be following the Biblical injunction, as he declared from the outset his intention to combat the evil of corruption vigorously as a means of fostering economic development of the nation.

Perhaps, following the promise of God in Joel 2:25: “I shall restore to you the years of the locust, the cankerworm and the caterpillar have eaten…”

However, knowing the certification, experience, prowess and international connection that Olukoyede was armed with and bringing into the office, it was not surprising that opposition to his appointment started as soon as his name was announced by President Tinubu on October 12, 2023 and his confirmation by the Senate on October 18, 2023. Those who did not object to Olukoyede’s previous appointments as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of EFCC and also as a Secretary to the Commission, suddenly turned around to say that he was not qualified to be appointed as chairman!

However, Olukoyede has continued to soldier-on, delivering on his mandate, undeterred and undaunted. Within 12 months, a record 3,455 convictions were secured and monetary recoveries from October 2023
to September 2024 stood at
N248,750,049,365.52 (Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Millon, Forty- Nine Thousand, Three hundred and Sixty-Five Naira, Fifty-Two Kobo), $105,423,190.39 (One Hundred and Five Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Dollars, Thirty-Nine Cents) and £53,133.64 (Fifty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty- Three Pounds, Sixty-Four Pence); apart from recoveries in other foreign currencies.

On the Issue of corruption trials, Olukoyede revived or initiated court cases against high-profile politically-exposed persons, including former Ministers and Governors. Among the politically-exposed personalities who were hitherto considered untouchable and now on trial for corruption are former governors Yahaya Adoza Bello(Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), and Darius Dickson Ishaku (Taraba). Former Ministers Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye have been put on trial too.

Correspondingly, the Commission has faced the biggest ever campaign of calumny, blackmail, public protests by sponsored NGOs, simulated attacks in the media and well-oiled, sponsored litigations to undermine the operations of the Commission and its unrelenting Chairman.

Chief among the litigations against Commission is the lawsuit initiated at the Supreme Court by Kogi State Government challenging the establishment and constitutionality of the EFCC. The suit, according to the plaintiff, posited that the establishment of EFCC was an affront on principles of federalism.

About 15 other states reportedly joined Kogi State in the suit and asked that their grievances against the EFCC be consolidated. There have also been comments and actions for and against the court action instituted by Kogi State Government and its collaborating governors.

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has written to the National Assembly about constitutional issues related to anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and factors inhibiting the government’s objective of abolishing corruption, as stated in Section 13 of the Constitution.
In two separate letters to the Senate and House of Representatives, dated October 14, 2024, he said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was “an unlawful organisation that he believed was unconstitutionally established.”

However, in the contrary, respected lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), countered Agbakoba. Falana said: “For me, the ICPC and the EFCC like the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) have come to stay. What we should be demanding are measures to make these institutions autonomous and not under the control of any government,”

He added: “And the Supreme Court has maintained rather repeatedly concerning the EFCC and ICPC, that these are crime fighting bodies, and should not be under the control of the Federal Government. They are agencies to fight economic crimes in our country, to fight financial crimes in our country, to fight corruption in our country.”

However, with the controversy generated by the Kogi State’s suit against the EFCC and its discussion in the court of public opinion, some states who initially applied to join the suit have beaten a quick retreat, applying to the Supreme Court to withdraw from the suit. Among the states that have withdrawn are Jigawa, Anambra, Adamawa, Ebonyi and Benue states, who have separately filed motions before the Supreme Court, saying they are no longer interested.
In the case of Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia suspended the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bemsen Mnyim, for acting “unilaterally in joining the suit without the approval of his principal.”
The development came on the heels of the declaration by the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, that the state was neither aware nor part of the suit challenging the legality of EFCC.

In the case of Ogun State, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwashina Ogungbade denied ever initiating any case or being part of Kogi State’s suit against the EFCC.
Speaking to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogungbade wondered why some sections of the media continued to include Ogun state in the list of the states in court against the EFCC.

“We don’t have a suit against EFCC. We never filed any action against EFCC challenging its constitutionality. We already issued a statement to that effect clarifying that we never had any suit attacking the EFCC’s constitutionality and that we did not join the suit filed at the Supreme Court filed by some other states in that regard. So, I am surprised that some media outlets are still running reports that include and mention Ogun State as one of the states challenging the EFCC’s existence when that is not the case.“

According to the statement by Ogun State government, “the constitutionality of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) had since been determined by the Supreme Court, and Ogun State considers discussions on the issue closed.”

The Ogun State government stated that it had “no factual reason or recent development to reopen the question of the EFCC’s constitutionality.”
It added that “as a federating unit with law enforcement agencies of its own, it had no desire to undermine the Federal Government’s law and order objectives.”

One of the vociferous anti-corruption groups, the Vanguard for Credible Representation (VCR) has lauded those states that have withdrawn from the Kogi’s suit against EFCC at the Supreme Court. In a statement signed by VCR’s Head of Mission, Onche Ugbabe, the group said it was “heartwarming that some state governors were dissociating themselves from the suit and lending their support to the fight against corruption.”

The statement reads: “It is heartwarming that Governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal have publicly dissociated themselves from the suspicious move orchestrated by some state governments. We also commend the Governments of Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi states for heeding the voice of reason and withdrawing from the suit.”

The group hailed erudite lawyers like Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Kayode Oladele who have faulted the suit and its backers.
“It is highly gratifying that erudite lawyers like Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Hon. Kayode Oladele have publicly condemned the unpopular move, citing a plethora of judicial decisions of the Supreme Court on the legality of the anti-corruption agencies.

“It is in the light of this that all well-meaning individuals and institutions should lend their support to the war against corruption and not seek to thwart it by any scheme or schism,” the group said.

As the nation awaits the Supreme Court verdict, it is expected that more Governors will see reasons and withdraw like others who are not participating, or have withdrawn from the suit. As at now, there are more state governments that have distanced themselves from the suit than those who are before the Supreme Court. The bell ticks!

Tunde Nasiru, a Public Policy Advocate based in Abuja, sent this through [email protected]

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