President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians not to lose faith in his administration.

In his 2016 Eid-El-Maulud message, the president said

“the reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us..”
Read Mr. Buhari’s full message:

Again the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us.

First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. The universal truths of the Prophet’s values remain unchanged.

Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, militancy, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity.

As we use the memorable occasion of this celebration to reflect on our current challenges, I urge you not to lose faith in the ability of this administration to make a difference in the lives of our people.

The reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together. We all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams.

As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties, and return our country to the path of prosperity.

The 2017 Budget proposals which I will lay before the National Assembly on Wednesday, will contain measures that we are confident will get the nation out of its economic woods.

As we celebrate and reflect, I wish all Nigerians a peaceful Eid-el-Maulud.
MUHAMMADU BUHARI
PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
DECEMBER 11, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to Gambia on Tuesday to meet with and persuade President Yahya Jammeh to hand power over to Adama Barrow, the president-elect.

According to BBC, Buhari will be joined by other West Africa leaders, in a bid to end the political crisis brewing in the West African country.

Jammeh lost the just-concluded election in the country, and conceded the elections to Barrow, a real estate mogul who has never held a political office.

“I’m calling you to wish you all the best, the Gambian people have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of Almighty Allah,” Jammeh had said at the time.

The December 1 vote saw Barrow win 222,708 votes (43.3%), while Jammeh polled 208,487 (39.6%).

Jammeh later turned round to reject the election result, saying: “After a thorough investigation, I have decided to reject the outcome of the recent election.

“I lament serious and unacceptable abnormalities which have reportedly transpired during the electoral process. I recommend fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission.”

John Mahama, Ghanaian president who just lost and conceded in the West African country, will also join the African leaders in persuading Jammeh to relinquish power.

Source: TheCable

Gov. Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has visited the state headquarters of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to inspect the 233 bags of Marijuana impounded by the agency following a raid on the residence of a suspected notorious drug peddler, Tagbo Igwebuike Nwafor, at Ululor.

Igwebuike who is still at large, was reported to have been in the business for long. His mother, Mrs. Caroline Nwafor, said to be an accomplice was apprehended by the agency during the raid. Gov. Ugwuanyi charged NDLEA to go after Igwebuike and his syndicate to ensure that they are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Two corpers have been decamped from the Ogun State NYSC Orientation camp after they were caught having sex.

Skills Acquisition classes were happening on Wednesday the 7th of December at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp.

Some corpers were being trained on how to enhance their writing and public speaking skills. Other were learning how to make beads. Others, make-up learning. There were the phone repairers, and a bunch of other skills acquisition classes.

Two corpers have been decamped from the Ogun State NYSC Orientation camp after they were caught having sex.

Skills Acquisition classes were happening on Wednesday the 7th of December at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp.

Some corpers were being trained on how to enhance their writing and public speaking skills. Other were learning how to make beads. Others, make-up learning. There were the phone repairers, and a bunch of other skills acquisition classes.

We imagine they probably decided to start their own skills acquisition class, considering many of those classes must have been very boring for them.

Unfortunately for them, the camp authorities didn’t think it was a great idea.

When a soldier caught them, pants down, sharing and interchanging skills, he marched them straight to the commandant’s office, and without even letting them speak, or explain themselves, they were decamped with immediate effect.

Decamping means that they have to re-apply for NYSC so they get to join the next batch in 2017.
All other camp activities remained normal, like soldiers telling female corpers they can help them with good posting if they have sex with them.

The entire decamping process was done under the radar, with no statement from the camp authorities regarding the matter.

Ace Christian dramatist and founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Mike Bamiloye has slammed men of God who are in the habit of inviting comedians to crack jokes during church events.

The respected gospel actor-cum-director said it was not funny at all for pastors to bring in comedians who end up mocking God, the Bible and the Holy Spirit in the name of cracking jokes.

Bamiloye, in a statement, said such act should be discouraged and it is ungodly and uncalled for in the body of Christ.

He said,

“As per COMEDY in Church meetings and events. I want to address Christians – ALL denominations – this morning without prejudice!

“For a long while I have questioned the inclusion of comedy in church events. What do I question? The fact that the comedians brought in are allowed to make jokes of scriptures, the Blood of Jesus, speaking in tongues, the throne of grace etc.’ And we sit there laughing!

“What are we laughing at? What is funny? Mocking God and Christ and the Holy Spirit and the Word is funny?

“We hear of other religions where they are obsessed with protecting the image of their Leader and we gleefully allow people to mock our Leader Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and thereby indirectly mocking God!!! They look at us with disdain because we are bad ambassadors of our faith!

“Lukewarmness and cynicism has crept slowly into the life of Christians. We pull ourselves down publicly, abuse leaders of the gospel will glee, mock certain commandments of God. Yet, when we run into trouble who do we call upon???

“Bible has already stated that towards the end times there will be mockers of the gospel and preachers doing wrong. Why are you allowing yourself to be one of them?

“We come into Facebook and spew out curses and abuses – mock the commandments especially when it comes to forgiveness issues and honour of parents etc and we go to church and lift up hands and voices to who? He who we mock with disobedience? We quickly mouth monotonous words – God is in control! Amen! It is well! Praise God etc but do we honour him with our words and actions??? We are humans and not perfect but should we mock the core components of our faith?

“I was thinking of all this since Friday when a comedian was allowed in the stage at the experience to use a scripture in the Old Testament as foundation for his jokes! I laughed also but later felt badly convicted and I said I will speak out – then this morning I received the message below in my Whatsapp and I said – somebody feels the same way I do. It is long but worth reading.

“Those of us here who believe these jesters and comedians are desecrating the altar of God should rise and oppose this when they are brought to your church.

“Go meet the leadership in office and express your mind. Once we don’t create an atmosphere of seriousness and worship, what right do we have to expect the manifestation of God’s glory in our midst? Jesters and mockers can go to wedding receptions and wherever.

“Yet if you mock or despise holy things, you can still come under God’s judgment. They joke about the blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus, choruses etc. When they are in trouble and need the blood or the Name, how can it work for them?” Bamiloye asked.

The Church Leadership of Reigners Bible Church has provided details of the incident in which many people died after their church building collapsed.

In a press statement issued by Pastor Anietie Daniel, the Church’s resident Pastor described the incident as unfortunate.

The Church leadership also debunked rumours making rounds that the bishopric enthronment went ahead immediately after the building collapsed.

READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

“The very sad and unfortunate event of Saturday, December 10, 2016 as the congregation gathered for the enthronement service of Apostle Akan Weeks has no doubt been devastating for us to comprehend.

Reigners Bible Church is grateful to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel whose prompt intervention and mobilization of men, materials and resources, in addition to coordinating emergency rescue operations saved lives of so many who would have perished in the circumstance. All the persons, volunteers, security agencies, organizations, medical personnel and officials who rendered help and services to salvage the situation are highly appreciated and we pray God Almighty to reward you all.

We hereby also thank Governor Udom Emmanuel for equally undertaking the underwrite the medical expenses of those affected and recuperating in the hospitals.

Reigners Bible Church hereby unreservedly commiserates with families and loved ones of the departed saints who lost their precious lives in that incident, and holds them in ernest prayers for fortitude and courage to face this adversity. May the souls of the dead find repose in God until we meet on resurrection morning.

Reigners Bible Church has set up Intervention Committees that have gone round about 15 hospitals to visit with and pray for the wounded, while assisting in every possible way to ameliorate the hurt.

We are not unaware of rumours making the rounds, that, the Enthronement of Apostle Akan Weeks went ahead at another location following the tragic incident.. Reigners Bible Church hereby refutes and debunks this false, misleading and unfounded assumption and for the records declare that, the enthronement ceremony has been postponed indefinitely.

Reigners Bible Church will cooperate with the State Government which has ordered an inquiry into the collapse of the structure and hereby appeals for calm, patience and intercession from the people of God in these difficult and trying times.

Finally, we thank the countless friends, well wishers and men of goodwill who have called, visited and prayed for the church for their show of solidarity, support and encouragement which has tremendously buoyed our hope to stay strong in the face of this most severe adversity.

We reiterate our uncompromising faith in God and unflinching trust in Him as the Living Redeemer of his people.”

Here are pictures of the Collapsed Akwa-Ibom Church, The Reigners Bible Church during construction. According to iksmoore who shared the photos, he said:

I have taken a closer look at the roof trusses of the collapsed building and i cannot but agree that there is a failure in the conceptual design analysis. The loads were not distributed uniformly and there was no support at the center hence the collapse of the roof.Authorities concern should step in immediately to avert reoccurrence.

A fake embassy that had issued mainly Trinidad and Tobago visas has been discovered by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

According to PUNCH, the fake embassy, located at Golden Point Hotels and Suites on Duduyemi Street in Ejigbo, Lagos, had defrauded several individuals in the past and issuing fake visas.

The RRS said two Chinese – Liu Honyang, 47; Sun Xinai, 49 – and two Nigerians – Oriyomi Olawale, 47 and Desmond Chinedu, 25 – were arrested during the raid.

According to an RRS source, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, directed the squad to launch the operation after some of the victims had reported to the police.

“Some RRS policemen had lodged in the hotel for nine days, watching and monitoring the activities of the suspects before their eventual arrest,” the source said.

According to one of the victims, Adekunle Adefuye, one Dorcas Sylva introduced him to the fraudsters.

“She (Dorcas) is a daughter to my brother’s pastor in Abeokuta, Ogun State. I told her about my intention and zeal to travel to the United States. She told me to come to Lagos that she could procure the American visa for me. On getting to Lagos, she took me to the Chinese and I was advised to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. They said I would secure employment with at least $3,000 salary. I paid a total sum of N1.3m in installment for the process, including visa processing and flight fare,” Adefuye said.

“I was arrested with another Nigerian (after getting into Trinidad and Tobago with fake visas). We spent two days with the police. They treated us like criminals trying to enter the country illegally. We were deported on October 22, 2016, and arrived in Nigeria the following day,” he added.

“I was fortunate to escape being jailed in Trinidad and Tobago for coming into the country with fake documents. They beat me up and starved me for two days. I was lucky to have been deported,” another victim, Rasheed Ololade, who paid N1.3m added.

“I was introduced to them by one man, Mr. Oscar. They promised to secure the visa for me within two weeks,” said Friday Owah, who paid N600,000 to the fraudsters before their arrest.

Lukmon Odeyemi, who said he is a footballer, told the police that he parted with N125,000.

The main suspect, Sun Xinai, said he was unaware that a stamped visa for Trinidad and Tobago was no longer tenable in the country.

A letter signed by Garth Lamsee, the acting High Commissioner at Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commission said that the embassy does not know Xinai and that the mission does not use the service of agents.

The letter, which is a response to a letter from RRS and dated December 7, 2016, read in part:

…the mission can categorically confirm that the individual Sun Xinai, who is claiming to be an agent of this mission, is unknown to us.

Furthermore, this mission does not use the services of an agent in any capacity whatsoever and has never done so in the past either.

With regard to the authenticity of the attached visas, the mission can also categorically confirm that those visas were not issued at this High Commission and are clearly fraudulent.

SP Dolapo Badmos, the Lagos Police PRO said that the Command has launched a manhunt for the agents, adding that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police had launched a manhunt for other agents of the fake embassy.

“Members of the public should be wary of visa agents. Anyone who wishes to travel out of the country should direct their applications to the embassies,” she added.