Serah Oyindamola Joshua, the first daughter of famous Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua, was one of the 3,277 who were called to the Bar on December 15th and 16th, having successfully completed the September 2015 Bar Final Examinations at the Nigerian Law School.

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Serah revealed that she will also be called to the bar in New York in January, having passed final examinations in November.

“I’m grateful to God, my family and friends, who have been of help to me. I am humbled and privileged to have succeeded. I am very happy,” Serah told The Guardian.

“I am privileged and fortunate to be the daughter of such a humble and great man of God called TB Joshua. He is someone I look up to because my father is a man of God and he has been able to guide me every time I need him. I am too happy, so humbled to be his daughter. He has been a good guide. Thus, I can’t afford to disappoint him and God, because to whom much is given, much is expected.”

How does she react to comments about her father? She says, “He is a true example of humility. I have seen so many character traits in him that are worthy to emulate. As a father, he is the best father anybody can pray to have.

I am not just saying that because he is my father; this is just the truth. Also, it’s not what I think about him or what people think about him that counts but what God says about him.”

She adds, “That’s why I said he is a true man of God and it’s not what people say that counts but what God says. Everybody has the right to air his or her opinion but God’s opinion counts most.”

What was his reaction to her success story? “He was very happy and proud of me. I am always happy whenever he is proud of me. He has given me so much and I feel I have a lot to offer and can’t afford to disappoint him.”

Was there any special gift or words of encouragement he gave her as a child? “Life is an experience,” she exclaims. “I know my dad and he is a living example of how to be humble and devoted to God.”

The name TB Joshua has opened doors for her but not as many would think. “When people know that I am his daughter, they are always surprised and that spurs me on to work harder and achieve what I want. To every glory is a story to tell.” She adds, “He is the best dad I could ever wish for. I am so grateful to God.”

On how her friends relate to her and whether they expect her to introduce them to him for prayers, she has this to say: “Yes, many are surprised, and some even want me to introduce them to him for prayers.”

What’s next for Serah? “I will also be called to bar in New York in January. I passed the final examinations in November and I’m getting set for the January date in New York Supreme Court.”

Challenges growing up? The young lady, who attended Ronik International School, Ejigbo, Lagos State, and later, the London School of Economic (LSE), where she did her law degree before earning a master’s in New York University (NYU) Law School, explains, “We all have challenges, but with what my father has taught me, I see challenges as stepping stone to greater heights. Also, challenges are not personal because God is involved in seeing you through. Every stumbling block is a lesson to move higher in life.”

Is she her daddy or mummy’s pet? She expresses surprises, saying, “I am daddy’s pet, because I admire him a lot and the best is yet to come.”

Her younger sister, Promise Joshua, who attended the occasion in Abuja, Nigeria, added: “By God’s grace, we are following his (T.B. Joshua’s) path and seeing results.

My sister, who is just 22, and her ability to have combined the New York and Nigerian bar exams is a testimony to the disciplined upbringing our father gave us.

She has been a role model and I am following her footsteps.” Promise is currently studying Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Source: The Guardian, Nigeria

A 26-year-old Kenyan woman, Ruth Gakii, who was severely brutalised by her husband who works with the United nations, has called on the world body to make sure she gets justice, reports Capital News.

Speaking from a hospital bed at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Hurlingham, Gakii called for the world body to ‘come out and condemn’ the violence she alleges was meted out by her Papua New Guinea partner and father of her three-year-old son.

Gakii accused the man, identified as Alphonse, of having repeatedly assaulted her even when she was pregnant, complicating it and forcing her to undergo a caesarean section.

She claims that the man, with whom she’s embroiled is a custody battle, kicked and punched her without provocation, when he dropped her son off at her Jacaranda Gardens residence.

“He accused me of being disrespectful when I moved to change my son out of his wet clothes.
I reported the incident to the Kiambiu Police the same day but as far as I know, he remains a free man with my son in his custody.

He once slapped me in front of my mother because he didn’t find the meat the house help had cooked tender enough.
When the neighbours came to my aid on the day he beat me, he said he paid the rent and so could do as he pleased in his house. That’s not a man who’s afraid of the law.

I am not going to give up my son. I gave birth to him. Alphonse once even offered me Sh2 million for him and I refused,” Gakii narrated.

https://youtu.be/FikriDm6e_k

A commercial motorcyclist simply identified as Ishaya slumped and died while on a queue at the NNPC petrol station in Kubwa, Abuja yesterday December 17th.

Eyewitnesses say the father of two had been standing for hours and it was almost about to get to his turn to buy fuel when he slumped.

It is believed he slumped due to exhaustion. He was rushed to the Kubwa General Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Court sitting in Ogba on Friday convicted six traffic offenders arrested by the convoy of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in Ijora-Olopa area of the State on December 16, 2015, while driving against traffic.

Those arrested and convicted include Mrs. Adejoke Elemoro, Mr. Ogunlana Olatunji, Mr. Ganiyu Ayokuleyin, Mr. Ogunade Segun, Mr. Akinlabi Ahmed and Mr. Sunday Uzebor.

Trial Magistrate, Mobolaji Tanimola of Court 16 in Ogba, convicted the motorists after they pleaded guilty to a one-count charge bordering on the offence filed against them by the government. Magistrate Tanimola specifically ordered the traffic offenders to forfeit their vehicles which included four cars, one motorcycle and a tricycle to the government.

The convicts had pleaded guilty to the one-count charge accusing them of driving against traffic contrary to and punishable under Section 7 (b) of the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012.

In her judgment, Magistrate Tanimola ordered the forfeiture of the vehicles to government and a payment of N50, 000 each as an option of fine to a six-month imprisonment for driving against on-coming traffic, contrary to the laws of the State.

Both motorcyclists and a tricyclist arrested along with the motorists were ordered to forfeit their motorcycles and a tricycle to government together with the payment of N5, 000 and N30, 000 respectively as an option of fine to a one-month imprisonment each according to the laws of the State.

The Magistrate held that the decision of the Court would go a long way to serve as a deterrent to other motorists who have cultivated the bad habit of contravening the Lagos State Traffic Laws, 2012.

ADEBAYO TAOFIQ
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER LAGOS STATE TASK FORCE
DECEMBER 18, 2015