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Senate Proposes Death Penalty For Kidnappers & A 5-Year Jail Term For “Randy Lecturers”

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The Senate yesterday, 5th may,2016 said it will pass a bill for a law to make kidnapping in Nigeria punishable by death.

The resolution followed the adoption of recommendations of the report of by the Joint Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence on the “unfortunate re-occurrence of kidnapping and hostage taking”.

The lawmakers held that capital punishment for the offence will serve as deterrent to potential offenders.

They urged state governments to enact laws that will aid the prosecution of kidnap suspects.

The senate also adopted the recommendation that funding of security agencies should be taken as a “priority” while efforts should be geared towards creating employment opportunities in the country.

It resolved that security agencies should embark on training and retraining of their personnel, and advocated increased information-sharing arrangement among the agencies to boost crime prevention.

Presenting the report earlier, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC Katsina South), said that kidnapping which started in some regions has become a nationwide menace.

He said that the security agencies know the mode of operation of the kidnappers but are usually hampered by lack of funds and equipment to combat them.

The report stated that there is undue rivalry among security agencies and that it has engendered lack of synergy in their operations.

The senators, however, held that kidnapping has remained prevalent because there is no appropriate punishment for offenders.

They condemned the payment of ransom to kidnappers, saying that it has encouraged and made the “business” profitable.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, said that Nigerians have encouraged kidnapping by panicking and paying ransom too quickly.

“We have encouraged this type of kidnapping because we panic and pay money; most times, our people are reluctant to delay or endure the inconvenience or the hardship and then they quickly negotiate. If we want to discourage this kind of kidnappings, the only way forward is to insist that you will not pay,” he said.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East) in his contribution said that kidnapping had continued to thrive because there was no form of deterrent.

He decried the attitude of security agencies that often go to sleep after kidnap victim’s release, saying that no serious effort was made apprehend and prosecute the culprits.

“One of the biggest problems we have is that we have no deterrent; we don’t put people on trial, we don’t publicise the trial so people can see the consequence of kidnapping. One reason why people are not scared of committing crime is the issue of drugs, when you are on drugs you don’t think, you don’t think of the consequences of your action at that time. We must do something to have few criminals and the only way to do that is to deal with the social issues; we need to deal with the drug problem. We need to publicise the trials and sentencing of criminals,” he said.

On his part, Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) recommended that kidnappers should be hanged or made to face firing squad.

In his remark, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, commended the committee for a job well-done and said that there was need for a more stringent law on kidnapping.

The Senate also passed a bill for first reading that prescribes five year jail term for randy lecturers. The bill also proposed a two year jail term for vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning if they fail to act within a week on complaints of sexual harassment made by students.

The bill sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Labour, Delta Central) and co-sponsored by 46 other senators read:

An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence of sexual harassment against a student if he/she has sexual intercourse with a student.
He or she shall be guilty if he has sexual intercourse with a student or demands for s*x from a student or a prospective student as a condition to study in an institution.
He or she shall be guilty if he has sexual intercourse with a student or demands for s*x from a student or a prospective student as a condition to the giving of a passing grade.
He or she shall be guilty if he solicits s*x from or makes sexual advances at a student when the sexual solicitation or sexual advances result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the student.
He or she shall be guilty if he directs or induces another person to commit any act of sexual harassment under this Act, or cooperates in the commission of sexual harassment by another person.
He or she shall be guilty if he grabs, hugs, rubs or strokes or touches or pinches the breasts or hair or lips or hips or buttocks or any other sensual part of the body of a student.
He or she shall be guilty if he displays, gives or sends by hand or courier or electronic or any other means naked or sexually explicit pictures or videos or s*x related objects to a student.
He or she shall be guilty if he whistles or winks at a student or screams or exclaims or jokes or makes sexually complimentary or uncomplimentary remarks about a student’s physique.

The bill said that the only exemption would be when the student is legally married to the lecturer before gaining admission to the school.

The bill also said that students who falsely accuse lecturers of sexual harassment should be sanctioned by the school and even face dismissal.

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Akintunde Ogundare Records Another Feat, Graduates with Distinction from University of Guelph-Humber

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Akintunde Ogundare Bags Distinction in Canada, Extends Academic Excellence Streak

 

A Nigerian scholar, Akintunde Ogundare, has once again demonstrated his commitment to academic excellence by graduating with Distinction from the University of Guelph-Humber, Canada, adding another prestigious qualification to an already impressive educational record.

Ogundare earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Community Social Services with Distinction, a feat that underscores years of dedication, resilience and an unwavering pursuit of knowledge.

 

The convocation ceremony is slated for June 15, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre, North Building, Etobicoke, Ontario, where family members, friends and associates are expected to celebrate the milestone.

The latest achievement extends Ogundare’s remarkable streak of academic success across institutions in Nigeria and Canada.
Before obtaining his latest degree, he graduated with Distinction from George Brown College, Canada, where he earned a Diploma in Social Service Work. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Second Class Upper Division from Joseph Ayo Babalola University and a Higher National Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning with Upper Credit from Lagos State Polytechnic.

 

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Ogundare is also known for his commitment to humanitarian service and community development. He serves as Secretary of the Allmen Progressive Association, where he has played an active role in promoting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of members and supporting community-based causes. Associates describe him as a selfless leader whose passion for humanity and dedication to service have earned him widespread respect.

 

Colleagues and admirers have described Ogundare as a lifelong learner whose determination to excel has remained consistent despite the challenges of balancing academic pursuits with personal and professional responsibilities.

 

His achievements have also been hailed as an inspiration to young Nigerians seeking opportunities for academic and professional advancement, proving that discipline, perseverance and continuous self-development can yield exceptional results.

 

As he joins the graduating Class of 2026, Ogundare’s story stands as a testament to the value of hard work and the transformative power of education, reinforcing the belief that excellence is built through consistency and dedication.

 

The latest distinction not only adds another feather to his cap but also cements his reputation as a scholar and community leader committed to lifelong learning, humanitarian service and the advancement of society.

 

Ogundare Records Another Feat, Graduates with Distinction from University of Guelph-Humber

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The Unfinished Conversation: Five Years of Missing T.B. Joshua BY FEMI OYEWALE

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The Unfinished Conversation: Five Years of Missing T.B. Joshua BY FEMI OYEWALE

 

 

 

 

​”In life we meet to part, we part to meet, but parting is the sweetest sorrow.”

 

 

​Five years have vanished like a vapor, yet the echoes of his voice remain as vivid as a morning sunrise. June 5th marks the anniversary of the transition of a man who was not merely a global religious icon, but a father, a mentor, and a beacon of profound simplicity in a complex world. As I pen this, I find myself still navigating the shores of denial. How does one write a tribute to a man whose influence was as vast as the oceans, yet whose heart remained as humble as the desert sands?

 

 

 

The Last Assignment

 

​Time truly flies, but some moments are frozen in the amber of memory. I recall with poignant nostalgia that I was among the final few with whom he spoke before stepping out for his last assignment on the pulpit on June 5,2021. Unknown to many, we shared an uncommon bond—a father-son relationship that stood the test of time.

 

 

 

​Just an hour before that glorious, final ministration, my phone rang. We discussed the fulfillment of prophecies and my planned assignment to South Africa, an assignment he promised to single-handedly finance. By God’s grace, I have traveled the globe, and ninety percent of those journeys were bankrolled by him. Before ending the call, he spoke with finality: “Femi, go and watch it.” I never knew it was a parting shot. I never knew those words would be the threshold of eternity. Perhaps that is why, despite being part of his burial media committee, I lacked the courage to write until today.

 

 

 

 

 

From Fear to Faith: The Beginning

 

​My journey to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) was written in the stars of fate. Then a reporter for Encomium Weekly, under the tutelage of the legendary Mr. Kunle Bakare, I was recommended to handle media work for a “prominent client.” When the name “T.B. Joshua” was mentioned, my heart sank.

 

 

 

 

Having cut my journalistic teeth under titans like Mr. Femi Adeshina and Mr. Dele Alake, I had heard the tales, stories of monsters, of shape-shifters, of dark magic. As I drove to Ikotun, I recited every Psalm I could muster and texted my parents my destination, unsure if I would return. I arrived expecting a beast; I was introduced to a brother. I met a man so profoundly simple, so devastatingly ordinary in his humility, that if not for his presence on Emmanuel TV, I would have sworn I was meeting an impostor. That was the day the fear died, and a lifelong relationship began.

 

 

The Man Behind the Mantle

 

​I am not here to validate a legend; I am here to honor a human. I have been privileged to stand in his office, his personal room, his private altar, and his prayer house. What did I find? Not a demigod, but a man who lived for others.

 

 

 

 

 

​A Heart of Forgiveness: Like the father in Luke 15, no matter the depth of the offense, a sincere “I am sorry” was all it took to be welcomed back into his fold.

 

 

​The Weight of Misunderstanding: I remember the pain of the building collapse. He asked me, with tears that shattered my heart, “Femi, can you believe they said I used these people for rituals?” That was the first time I saw the iron man break.

 

 

​A Channel of Healing: I recall a man brought to the prayer line who had previously declared, “Even if T.B. Joshua is the devil, if he can take this pain away, I am ready.” The moment those words left his lips, the Prophet walked over, touched him, and the healing was instantaneous.

 

 

​He was a comedian, a teacher, a preacher, and above all, a man who loved his family and his ministry with every fiber of his being. If most clergy possessed even half the global influence he wielded, they would have long ago become arrogant demigods. T.B. Joshua remained, to his last breath, a servant.

 

The Unfinished Conversation: Five Years of Missing T.B. Joshua BY FEMI OYEWALE

 

​A Legacy Enduring

 

​It has been five years, yet it feels like yesterday. Many of those who cast stones in the shadows often came seeking his light in secret. Today, as we remember him, I see that legacy thriving. Prophetess Evelyn Joshua is truly holding the torch, preserving the foundation with grace and strength.

 

 

​Good morning, Prophet T.B. Joshua. You live on in the lives you changed, the doors you opened, and the heart of your many disciples who will never forget the man who taught them that true greatness is found in the simplicity of love.

 

 

​”He was a man globally misunderstood, yet a man whose name alone opened doors globally. He lived for others, and in doing so, he became immortal.”

 

SCOAN HOLDS FIRST THANKSGIVING CHURCH SERVICE ON SUNDAY.

 

 

 

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Let’s build a future where access to healthcare is strengthened…….Oba Odugbemi

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Let’s build a future where access to healthcare is strengthened…….Oba Odugbemi

 

A call has gone to every stakeholder in the health sector to build a future where access to healthcare is guaranteed and strengthened.

The Onilisa of Lisa Kingdom, Oba Oladele Odugbemi make the call in Lisa while donating a Sanitary Sterilisation Box to the Lisa health centre.

Oba Odugbemi said that the donation became necessary in order to further strengthen the capacity of the health centre for the benefits of the people.

The royal father stressed that his foundation, Oladele Odugbemi foundation would continue to make meaningful impacts in community healthcare aimed at complementing the efforts of government in healthcare delivery system.

He pointed out that the foundation reflects its unwavering commitment to promoting quality healthcare services, enhancing hygiene standards and supporting health institutions with essential tools that contribute to safer and healthier communities.

According to the monarch, all stakeholders in the health sector should work hand-in- hand with government to take healthcare to the doorsteps of the masses as government cannot do it alone, hence health is wealth.

Oba Odugbemi also charged the governments at all levels to declare a state of emergency in the health sector so that every Nigerian can have smooth access to healthcare delivery system in the interest of the country and for the benefits of the masses.

The monarch therefore said that the foundation would continue to care for the people through empowerment by ensuring that masses have good and quality health condition.

The Sanitary Sterilisation Box was presented by the Foundation Director, Hajia Suliat Odugbemi – Tinuosho to the Matron of Lisa Community Health Centre, Mrs Temitope Nofisat Sanni who received it on behalf of the health centre.

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