₦airaland Forum

joy4news:
Must all news come from Laolu before you believe it is true. Continue displaying your ignorance on public space because your candidate lost at the poll.

PrinceofLagos must be finding it hard to believe that Tinubu could actually clinch APC ticket after his support for Osinbajo. You can't blame him for being a kindergarten student of Nigeria's politics

The former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba was conspicuously absent at the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary following the possibility of monetisation of the process, according to a family source.

Nwajiuba was nowhere to be found when the 22 other aspirants of the party were delivering their manifestoes to delegates who had converged on the Eagle Square, Abuja, overnight.

Speaking on his absence, the ex-minister’s family in a statement issued by his brother, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, stated that he entered the race for the presidency with the belief that the ticket would be zoned to the South-East.

“Many friends are calling to find out why my brother, Dr. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba did not come out to address the APC convention.

“Simple: The understanding from the highest levels prior to his involvement, and considering his role in the founding of the APC, was that of consensus as was with the National Chairmanship a few months ago.

“With that understanding, the Presidential ticket was to come to the South, and the southeast.

“This has been the hope till the end of the negotiations.

“He (Nwajiuba), not wanting to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar, is convinced that what Nigeria needs now is no more of the same thing that has kept Nigeria at the low level it has been.

“Our challenges as a country cannot be addressed at the same energy level by which they were created,” the statement read.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/real-reason-nwajiuba-absconded-apc-presidential-primary-emerges/

In a dramatic disregard of President Muhammadu Buhari’s words to the ruling APC to ensure that the party’s presidential ticket should not go to the highest bidder, investigations by FG’s security agencies and anti-corruption agencies has revealed that former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has just delivered between $2m and $3m each to at least three Northern Governors this afternoon.

While it is still unclear what the Governors intend to do with the money, the three APC Governors targeted by the former Lagos Governor are those known to be active supporters of the Vice President.

Security agencies who are said to be on the trail of high-end cash movements by the some Presidential aspirants are now said to be awaiting further directives while continuing to monitor the situation.

Apart from the cash inducement aimed at the Northern supporters of the Vice President, who was said to have come tops in the Presidential Screening of the APC, there is also said to be the mobilization of some Islamic clerics mounting pressure on some Northern Governors to only support a Muslim presidential aspirants from the South.

Already some of the Northern Governors have solidly resisted these moves, but the former Lagos Governor who is said to have moved in millions of the foreign currency into Abuja via a State government owned jet, is determined to even give more cash to the Governors. A security source said “he had boasted few weeks ago that he is ready to spend almost $3B on becoming Nigeria’s next President waiting to see who can stop him.

Some of the Northern Governors are now rallying others to resist this latest move to trim the VP’S support among Northern Governors, according to a top APC source.

In his speech during the APC Convention, President Buhari had said “I wish to enjoin the incoming National Working Committee to as a matter of policy, promote internal democracy and always respect the wishes of the people. We must de-emphasize money politics, and not subject party primary and elections into public offices, to the highest bidder syndrome.”

https://www.thequesttimes.com/breaking-tinubu-lures-northern-governors-backing-osinbajo-with-2m-each/

*All eyes on his deputy, Osinbajo
*Muffled buzz on APC’s presidential running mate is now on
*Rufai, Bagudu, Zulum’s names floating as likely VP candidate

President Muhammadu Buhari would be meeting APC governors again today (Saturday) to discuss the emergence of the ruling party’s presidential flag-bearer in next year’s elections.

Impeccable sources said the meeting could not hold yesterday (Friday) when the President returned from a State visit to Spain and now rescheduled for this evening. But APC leaders and Presidential aspirants would also now be added to the guest list for the consultations which the President had spoke about earlier this week.

According to the President on Tuesday this week while meeting APC governors at the Presidential Villa, “I wish to assure you that the consultation process shall continue to ensure that all aspirants and stakeholders would be brought on board right through to the convention.

“This would also ensure that any anxiety occasioned by different factors are effectively brought under control and that our party emerges stronger”.

Source: https://www.thequesttimes.com/exclusive-buhari-set-to-unveil-his-choice-of-successor-today/

With the latest decision of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to allow ad-hoc delegates to elect the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, one of the foremost presidential aspirants may be on the verge of losing out in the race.

Disclosing the new development, Chairman of the Kebbi state Screening Appeals Committee and Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, said; “three delegates would be elected from each of the nation’s 774 local government areas and six Area Councils of the FCT, Abuja making 2,340 delegates in total”.

The refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act amendment bill that would have permitted statutory delegates to vote is a major determinant of the altercation of the voting strength of some States including Lagos.

[url]Sourcehttps://www.thequesttimes.com/tinubus-chances-get-slimmer-as-apc-adopts-new-delegates-template/[/url]:

The term "blasphemy" as defined in some religions or religion-based laws, is an insult that shows contempt, disrespect, or lack of reverence concerning a deity, a sacred object, or something considered inviolable. Hence, some religions consider blasphemy to be a religious crime.

Recently, a student of Shehu Shagari College Education, Sokoto, was stoned and burnt to death for allegedly “making blasphemous" comments against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

This followed an outburst by Nigerians who found her death unjustifiable and inhumane, leading to several arguments on social media between Christians and Muslims.

As a keen observer, you will notice that in all of these arguments, there seems to be little or no attention to what the Bible says about blasphemy and its implications, which formed the basis for this expository.

Biblical perspective of blasphemy

According to Baker's Bible Dictionary, the biblical concept is very different. There is no Hebrew word equivalent to the English word "blasphemy,” and the Greek root blasphem- [blasfhmevw], which is used fifty-five (55) times in the New Testament, has a range of meanings. In both Testaments, the idea of blasphemy as something that offends the religious sensibilities of others is completely absent.

A seventeenth-century Scottish jurist epitomised blasphemy by calling it "treason against God.”

The concept of blasphemy has never remained fixed. It has ranged from the ancient Hebrew crime of cursing the ineffable name of God to irreverent statements that outrage the religious sensibilities of others. What is deemed blasphemous varies from society to society and may differ with time and place, but whatever is condemned as blasphemy is always regarded as an abuse of liberty and reveals what society cannot and will not tolerate.

Its origin in Christendom

Christendom's concept of blasphemy derived from the Mosaic injunction of Exodus 22:28, which declares, "You shall not revile God".

It will interest you to note that the precedent for punishing blasphemy as a crime can be found in Leviticus 24:16, where one who cursed the name of the Lord was put to death by stoning. None of the Old Testament references to the commission of blasphemy quotes the actual crime for fear of repeating it, according to an unsolicited report.

The Hebrew scriptures distinguished blasphemy from other offenses against religion, in contrast to the Septuagint (Old Testament). Where, for example, Greek usage showed a preference for blasphemy and used that term somewhat loosely, the Hebrew scriptures referred more precisely to "idolatry" or "sacrilege," as in Isaiah 66:3, or sometimes to "speaking anything against God", as in Daniel 3:29.

On the other hand, the term for "blasphemy" in the Hebrew scriptures is linqov, which means "to specify, enunciate, or pronounce distinctly"; but Leviticus 24:10–23 uses it in conjunction with qillel, which means "curse".

The word also connotes "to pierce [the name of God], rail, repudiate, derogate, speak disrespectfully, denounce, insult, and abuse".

The blasphemy of Rab-Shakeh in 2 Kings 18–19 shows the offense to mean speaking disrespectfully of God, doubting his powers, and comparing him to idols.

However, only cursing the personal name of the Lord merited the death penalty; for a lesser blasphemy, the punishment was probably ex-communication.

To curse was a far more serious offense than in our time. "God damn," a familiar curse, is today mere profanity; in the biblical sense, to curse meant uttering an imprecation in the name of God for the purpose of calling upon his power to perform an evil deed.

Although the Septuagint tends to use blasphemy as a broad term for any offenses against religion, with the exception of Ben Sira 3:16 no Greek-Jewish text uses the word or any form of it that is not God-centred.

Only God can be blasphemed in Jewish thought. And nowhere in Old Testament or Greek-Jewish sacred books is blasphemy a synonym for heresy.

Indeed, no equivalent for the concept of heresy exists in the pre-Christian era. Christianity, though greatly influenced by Greek-Jewish texts, would use the two terms blasphemy and heresy as equivalents and as more than a God-centred offense. Not until Christianity began did the meaning of blasphemy change.

Conclusion

Having highlighted the Biblical injunction of what blasphemy means, it is pertinent to know that the term blasphemy is an ancient treasonable felony in Christianity, but the law is no longer relevant today. The transition to grace through the sacrificial death of Christ has reconceptualised the ancient practice to what we have today as "Charis", that is, a given name derived from a Greek word meaning "grace, kindness, and life" (Ephesians 2:15). That means it is unscriptural for a believer (Christian in this stance) to stone a blasphemer as rightly stated by the Mosaic law, hence, it is an aberration of the teachings and gospel of Christ.

Arogbonlo Israel, a peace ambassador and solution journalist writes from Lagos.

*Picks his nomination form at APC nat’l secretariat

Ahead of the 2023 elections, Kogi governor and presidential hopeful, Yahaya Bello, has said “no less than 21 million Nigerians have registered and indicated their interest to elect him” if he emerged as the flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

He made the comment on Thursday while speaking shortly after picking his 2023 presidential election interest and nomination forms at the party headquarters in Abuja.

Quest Times understands Yahaya Bello is the first seating governor to collect the N100 million nomination form of the party.

“I want to thank Almighty Allah for giving me the grace to have the courage to want to serve our dear country (Nigeria) through our great party (APC). This is a historic moment.

“I want to thank Almighty Allah for giving me the grace to have the courage to want to serve our dear country (Nigeria) through our great party (APC). This is a historic moment.

“When I became governor, nobody gave me a chance but God gave me a chance. That same God is still alive to see me take over from president Muhammadu Buhari and build on his successes and achievements for this great nation,” he said.

He added; “Over 21 million Nigerians have registered and indicated willingness and interest to elect me if given the party campaign ticket. I can assure if I become the flag-bearer, all other political parties put together will not come half of the total votes I will gather in the 2023 presidential election as president and commander in chief of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

https://www.thequesttimes.com/over-21-million-nigerians-have-endorsed-me-as-president-yahaya-bello/

The family of the late 22-year-old Oluwabamise Anyawole, Wednesday, said her autopsy result would soon be out.

This is coming weeks after the family rejected a proposal by the Lagos State Government to allow its pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination on the deceased.

Bamise, who was kidnapped on February 26 in a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and later found dead, had since attracted public outcry with many Nigerians calling for the prosecution of all the perpetrators of the barbaric act.

In a bid to ascertain that Bamise gets justice, Quest Times reporter reached out to one of the members of the family who don’t want to be mentioned in print, to keep the public abreast on the latest update about the case.

According to the family source, the autopsy result conducted by the family pathologist will soon be made public.

The source also disclosed that the family is planning a candle night procession for the late fashion designer who is still in the morgue “pending when she gets the deserved justice”.

Quest Times earlier reported that the court hearing will be held on 9, 10, and 11 of May.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/family-gives-latest-update-on-bamises-death/

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has leapt to 71st position as the world’s richest person, having remained Africa’s richest person for the past eleven years, according to the latest data from Bloomberg’s Billionaires’ Index.

He was 97th in January this year meaning he moved 27 places in April.

From the list, Elon Musk (Twitter CEO) is currently the richest man in the world with total net worth of $257B followed by Jeff Bezos ($170B); Bernard Arnault ($136B), and Bill Gates ($127B), among others.

Aliko Dangote’s major source of wealth comes from his cement company, Dangote Cement, where he controls 86 per cent stake.

His wealth is now estimated to be worth over $20.4 billion, the data says.

He is the only African billionaire to make the 100 lists of the 500 richest people in the world.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/dangote-moves-27-places-in-april-to-clinch-71st-richest-man-in-the-world/

The 10-year-old girl of Chrisland Schools, whose sex video with a male colleague during a trip to Dubai surfaced recently, has tendered her unreserved apology.

In her post on Sunday, April 24, on Likee App, she stated: “I made a mistake, now I’m living with the consequences. I regret it, I really do. And I’m sorry.”

The pupil informed her followers on Likee that she would be going off from social media platform soon, to enable her fully recover from “this m*s”.

According to her posts: “We should not regret mistakes, we must learn from them.

“Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be a lesson that strenghtens the person you’ll become.”

Quest Times had earlier reported that pupils from the private school were in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to participate in the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/10-year-old-chrisland-schoolgirl-apologises-to-nigerians/

Bello Naadirah is a bright 2-year-old Nigerian-born girl with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss, which makes it difficult for her to hear sound.

Naadirah who has a twin brother was born on September 25 2019 at Balogun Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara capital city.

Speaking to Quest Times, Naadirah’s father, Mr Bello Abubakar narrated her daughter’s ordeal.

“My daughter Naadirah was given birth to with her twin brother on the 25th of September 2019 at Balogun Hospital, Ilorin.“We noticed at the early stage of her birth that she (Naadirah) wasn’t really responding to sound around her, especially when she’s sleeping and you have noise around her, she doesn’t get disturbed.

“I work outside Ilorin, but when I visit home I noticed all that was happening and my wife explained she also noticed and had taken her back to the hospital but the doctor explained that she was still a baby and that it might take time because her response rate was slow,” Mr Bello said.

He continued; “When she grew some months older, by this time her twin was responding to sound around but she wasn’t.

“At a point we decided to consult an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) specialist down here in Ilorin. He did some minor checks and advised we take her to BSA hearing and speech centre, Lagos for medical test.”

On the outcome of the test, he said; “She (Naadirah) was diagnosed with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss.”

Mr Bello noted the specialist further recommended amplification fittings, that is, Cochlear implantation and speech therapy programme for her to regain her hearing.

He also said Naadirah’s education has been badly affected as a result of her hearing deficiency, adding that “her performance has been hindered due to her inability to respond effectively”.

As it stands, the family has been able to raise close N2, 000 000 (2 Million Naira) out of the N7,800,000 (7.8 Million Naira) required for her cochlear implant through a GoFundMe campaign.

Mr Bello, therefore, seeks the support and assistance of well-meaning Nigerians, NGOs’ and the relevant government agencies to come to his aid to enable him finance the medical treatment of his daughter.

“I am soliciting for financial assistance to bring sound to life so my daughter can enjoy all the beautiful sounds of life like hearing her siblings’ laughter and her mum’s beautiful voice. An opportunity to live a normal life,” he appealed.

All donations should be forwarded to the following account details;

Account Name: Fashugba Bilqees Olajumoke; Account Number: 0067612100; Bank: Sterling; Phone Number: +2348032413902 (Dad).

https://www.thequesttimes.com/help-2-year-old-naadirah-needs-7m-to-regain-her-hearing/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was conspicuous in his absence, as First Lady Aisha Buhari hosted leading Presidential Aspirants across the political parties to dinner at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Recall that on April 21, the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Wife of the President, Aliyu Abdullahi, had confirmed the Iftar dinner at the behest of Mrs. Buhari.

Among those who had confirmed their attendance were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and former presidents of the Nigerian Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim and Bukola Saraki.

Others were the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike, his Ebonyi State counterpart Dave Umahi, that of Sokoto and Bauchi States Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed respectively, former Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, and Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

sinbajo, who declared to run for President on April 11, 2022, was however absent at the Iftar dinner which commenced at about 07:00 pm on the day.

Leading the pack of Presidential aspirants at the dinner were Tinubu, Umahi, Ngige and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

Also in attendance were Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna; former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barnabas Gemade; sacked lawmaker and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Delta called

On why Osinbajo didn’t honour the dinner invitation, a highly placed Aso Villa official tells Quest Times on condition of anonymity that the “vice president was away to Delta and Lagos. His wife was however at the dinner. A representative of the Osinbajo for President Campaign was also at the dinner.”

Quest Times has since confirmed that Osinbajo was in Delta State to honour an invitation from Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, who had just laid his father to rest at a newly built mausoleum.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/this-is-why-osinbajo-was-absent-at-aisha-buharis-iftar-dinner/

DontBullshitMe:
I don't think a first class in a useless theoretical course like Mass Communication deserves any praise IMO.

Like, he see STEM courses, he no do. Olódò oshi.

You can go and get yours if you think is easy. Always appreciate people, it won't take anything away from you.

Amid the ritual rites of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the subject of Abobaku, that is, the man that is expected to die with the king, has come to the fore again.

What is Abobaku?

The subject Abobaku is “a chieftaincy title in Yoruba land and it literarily means one who dies with the king,” according to Kehinde Ajayi and Falade Odunayo in the research paper titled “Abobaku: Human Sacrifice In Yoruba Rites of Kingship“.

“He is appointed as a chief from a particular family who has the right in the village or community.

“The Abobaku enjoys a great deal of privileges and luxury and in fact he is always with or close to the king and even eats whatever the king eats and drinks. One thing remains in all of his luxuries and enjoyments, he dies when the king dies.

“He is buried with the king in the same grave. He is aware of this and so enjoys it all while it lasts. It is worthy to note that this is closely attached to the burial rites of a king and that leads us to examine what the burial rites of a king look like in Yoruba land,” they opined.

The Abobaku and late Alaafin of Oyo

Late Oba Adeyemi had an Abobaku but the name has been changed (from Abobaku) to ‘Oloko ehin’, a palace source told BBC on Saturday.

The source added that in line with the ancient culture and tradition, the Oloko ehin (Abobaku) is supposed to die/be buried alongside Oba Adeyemi.

However, the culture has been changed. Instead of the Oloko ehin (Abobaku) to die/be buried alongside the late monarch, a special rite will be performed instead.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/alaafin-of-oyo-all-you-need-to-know-about-abobaku/

Josiah Vincent graduated top of his class in the Department of Mass Communication, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) formerly known as Kogi State University (KSU), with a first-class degree accumulating a 4.53 CGPA! Breaking a 23-year-old jinx in the history of the department.

He is the first-ever first-class graduate in the department as widely reported.

It will interest you to know that the story of Josiah Vincent is more special because despite being in relationship for some part of his programme, he did not allow his marital affairs to be a roadblock to his academic excellence but saw it as an opportunity to carve out a bright future for himself. He spoke to AROGBONLO ISRAEL in an exclusive interview with Quest Times.

QT: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Josiah: My name is Josiah Vincent. I was born in Ankpa, Kogi State but I have spent the better part of my life in Okura-Olafia, Dekina LGA. I am a fresh graduate of Mass Communication from Prince Abubakar Audu University, formerly Kogi State University, Anyigba.

QT: How has your educational journey been?
Josiah: My educational journey was, well (sighs), a normal one. There was nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Perhaps, it is important to mention that I never attended any “elite” schools or anything remotely close to that. I began my primary education in LGEA primary school, Ochi-Ofago, a remote village close to Okura. When we moved to Okura, I completed my primary education there and started and finished my secondary education at Community Secondary School, Okura-Olafia. The journey through these schools where I had my basic education taught me something. I did not have to learn everything in school. Most of the schools I attended had an utter lack of qualified personnel and it was not uncommon to see someone in senior secondary school who cannot read. But I learned to study outside school, and credit to that should go to my parents and older siblings.

QT: That sounds interesting. How do you feel as the first-ever first-class graduate in your department?
Josiah: I am completely humbled by the privilege. I have come to realise that every little effort counts in the achievement of anything you set out to achieve. This feat is not mine, it belongs to the entire department who taught me well, the lecturers who tirelessly worked to brew the knowledge I drank, the coursemates who encouraged and supported me when it seemed impossible and my true friends who were my compass. I am elated but humbled. I hope students from the department will do better than me in the near future.

QT: What inspired the feat?
Josiah: I would say the drive to succeed, to be the best, is ingrained in my siblings and I, carved into our very substance by the our parents, especially our father. From primary school, he has always wanted us to be the best and he accepted nothing less. Perhaps, that kindled that fire in me to succeed in the university. My friends also helped. The constant encouragement when it seemed I had lost faith in myself went a long way.

QT: Were you in any relationship while in school?
Josiah: (Smiles)… I know the expected answer to this question might be no. But I was in a relationship for some part of my programme. However, it did not sap me of the time and focus required. In fact, it did quite the opposite. Being in a relationship with a supportive person can actually be an asset rather than a distraction. The problem is that those kind of people are few.

QT: How were you able to balance it coupled with your academics?
Josiah: To be honest, it is not easy to do. But when you are with someone who reminds you to read, prepare for tests and do your assignments, it becomes easy. Like I said earlier, there are not many of those. Perhaps, it helped that there was an agreement that she wouldn’t be a distraction.

QT: What’s your next plan after graduation?
Josiah: To go a step further in my education, attain a higher degree.

QT: Your advise to your predecessors looking after you for a success career.
Josiah: Nothing is impossible. This is one truth which should serve as a platform for their efforts. When you are determined to succeed at something, nothing should hold you back. Your educational background is not an excuse to fail. You can come from the poorest schools and still do well for yourself. Secondly, to succeed, you have to surround yourself with good friends, friends who understand your vision and support it. They should also be friends who have ambition of their own. Like the Bible says, “iron will sharpen iron”. Finally, rely on God in all you do. Subject all your effort to his endorsement and you are bound for success.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/meet-the-1st-first-class-graduate-of-mass-comm-in-kogi-varsity-since-1999/

Nigerians on Saturday woke up to the news that the paramount ruler, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has joined his ancestors at 83 after ruling the Oyo empire for 52 years.

Late Oba Adeyemi was pronounced dead at the Afe Babalola Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

Though there has not been any official statement yet from the palace and the Oyo State Government, the news of his death remains unofficial.

Here are some interesting facts you probably don’t know about the late Oyo monarch;

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938, into the Alowolodu Royal House.
He contested with 10 other people for the position of the Alaafin. The contest started in 1968 and did not end until 1970. That was around the time of the Nigerian Civil War. He was declared the winner three times but the government initially rejected the ruling of the Oyomesi on all three occasions. The Oyomesi advises the Alaafin and is the highest decision-making body in the kingdom.
He is the first Alaafin of Oyo to have married an Igbo woman or going outside the Yoruba land to get a wife.
He was a boxer and was a champion in those days (he still has his punching bag in the courtyard till his last days on earth) and his favourite meals were amala (yam flour), iyan (pounded yam), abula soup, and ogi (pap).
Oba Adeyemi was removed as permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State on May 3, 2011, by the then governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
He was the first Yoruba monarch to become the Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
In 1990, President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.
Oba Adeyemi was the 44th Alaafin of Oyo.
He was the longest-serving Alaafin ever, having reigned for 52 years.
He was survived by 13 wives and more than 20 grown-up children with several grandchildren, among others.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/alaafin-some-interesting-facts-about-the-late-longest-serving-monarch/

Following the heightened security situation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday lamented that some individuals were frustrating his government efforts.

Buhari, in a 1-minute video posted on his verified Facebook page, lamented over the incessant attacks of bandits in the country, especially in the North Western part of Nigeria.

“Those terrorists are destroying their communities. This situation is frustrating government efforts to tackle this problem,” he said.

President Buhari called on traditional, religious leaders and other key stakeholders to “reactivate long-existing method of gathering information about social movements in their communities” in order to salvage the situation.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/even-buhari-laments-over-insecurity-says-bandits-frustrating-his-efforts/

Ahead of the 2023 elections, the presidential bid of Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has received major boosts with the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Royal Highness, Oba Lekan Balogun, saying he is going to become president.

Osinbajo was in the state on Friday 22 April to meet statutory delegates and key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

During before proceeding to the Kola Diasi Civic Centre, Ibadan, the Vice President’s entourage made a visit to prominent traditional rulers including the Olubadan of Ibadan at his palace.

In receiving the Vice President, the paramount ruler said he is sincerely praying for Osinbajo to become the next president of the country.

The outspoken traditional ruler said “Very soon, hopefully, in God’s name, you will be president of Nigeria

“Like we watch ourselves, God watches us too. What we think about ourselves is what He thinks about us.

“Vice President Osinbajo, you are a wonderful human being. You’re a wonderful person. May Allah grant you access to what you desire. May Allah support you,” the monarch said.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/2023-you-will-be-president-olubadan-of-ibadan-tells-osinbajo/

The President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Arogungbogunmi, Pastor Henry Ojo, said God told him that only two of the aspirants who have disclosed their intentions so far have the love of the country at heart.

He equally urged Nigerians to shun ethnic and religious sentiments by allowing a man after God’s heart to emerge as president in 2023 instead of voting blindly for someone with self-serving intentions.

He gave the advice on Wednesday at a briefing on what he called ‘Shedding light on the mind of God to Nigerians’ in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Daily Independent reported.

Pastor Ojo said that “Of all the presidential aspirants that have indicated their interest to contest in the 2023 election, God told me that only two can steer the ship of the nation. The first person is from the South-West while the second person is from the South-South. One of the two personalities is Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo while the second person is Nyesom Wike.”

https://www.thequesttimes.com/2023-cleric-reveals-two-presidential-aspirants-that-mean-well-for-nigeria/

The ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, held its first National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, after its much-anticipated National Convention, conducted last month, where the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was dissolved and new leadership was sworn in by the President.

The President is joined by his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, other members of the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and state governors.

On reason the APC national leader Bola Tinubu was absent at the NEC meeting, Tunde Rahman, who is a media aide to the presidential hopeful, in a chat with Punch said the APC constitution does not grant Tinubu permission to attend the meeting.

Continue reading>>>https://www.thequesttimes.com/see-why-tinubu-was-absent-at-apc-nec-meeting/

In a bid to redeem its organisation’s reputation, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling, Abubakar Suleiman, has apologised to Nigerians over the bank’s comparison of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the rise of Agege bread shared on its social media page and subscribers’ mails.

Quest Times earlier reported the commercial bank in its Easter message, shared a post with the quote, ‘Like Agege Bread, He Rose’ which met serious bashing on social media by many Christians.

Though the bank on its social media handles had apologised for the blunder, many still find its apology offensive as it seems they were not remorseful about their mistake considering the tone used in disseminating the message.

Reacting, the bank’s CEO, Abubakar Suleiman in a statement signed Monday, wrote;

“Our dear Customer,

“I trust that this meets you well.

“On behalf of the Management and Staff of Sterling Bank PLC, I write to tender our unreserved apology to you and members of our nation’s Christian community for our Easter message email of 17 April 2022.

“The content of the infographic and the message it contained was insensitive and failed to consider the very sober nature of the event being commemorated, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“While the message had no malicious intent, there is no place for content that fails to fully account for the feelings of billions of people all over the world. Our honest intent was to join our millions of customers in Nigeria and worldwide in celebrating this solemn event, but our execution fell short on this occasion.

“Our policies are clear on what constitutes acceptable customer communication, and this message should not have been released to our customers.

“On this occasion, our editorial processes fell short of our policy standards.

“As a responsible institution, we immediately withdrew the offensive material and initiated a review of the circumstances that led to this failure. We will further sensitise our workforce to ensure this unfortunate lapse in judgment never repeats itself.

“We thank you for your continued trust in us and apologise again for this unfortunate incident.”

https://www.thequesttimes.com/just-in-sterling-bank-ceo-suleiman-apologises-over-controversial-easter-message/

The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, has reacted to the viral Easter message of Sterling Bank comparing the biblical Christ with Agege Bread.

Quest Times earlier reported that Sterling Bank in an email forwarded to its customers over the weekend, wrote; “Like Agege Bread, He (Jesus) arose!”

Following this, some netizens who found the message offensive took to social media to blast the commercial bank over its insensitive post. Though the bank has apologised but many still find their apology as “unacceptable and irresponsible” considering the tone of the message.

Reacting, the APCON through a statement signed Monday, by its Registrar/Chief Executive, Olalekan Fadolapo, described the message as a “distasteful advertisement”.

According to him, “the distasteful advertisement was neither submitted nor approved for exposure by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), the statutory Panel charged with the responsibility of ensuring that advertisements conform with the prevailing laws of the federation as well as with the code of ethics of Advertising in Nigeria”.

The agency, therefore, assured of its plan of sanctioning the bank for the exposure of such an offensive advertisement.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/apcon-to-sanction-sterling-bank-for-comparing-christ-with-agege-bread/

Sterling Bank in a viral Easter message on Sunday had compared the resurrection of the biblical Christ with Agege bread, a development that stirred reactions from their followers on social media.

In an email forwarded to its customers over the weekend, Sterling Bank wrote;

“Like Agege Bread, He (Jesus) arose!”

Reacting, some netizens who found the message offensive took to social media to blast the commercial bank over its insensitive post.

In its response, Sterling Bank tendered an apology which many described as “unacceptable and irresponsible PR”.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/apology-not-accepted-nigerians-roast-sterling-bank-over-easter-blunder/

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has said neither Vice President Yemi Osinbajo nor his party’s leader Bola Tinubu, would become Nigeria’s president come 2023.

Primate Ayodele made the assertion during an interview with Tribune on Sunday.

According to him, “Many of these people (politicians) running up and down, that they want to rule Nigeria, do not really love this country”.

Speaking on the recent happening in the ruling All Progressive Congress, the cleric said; “We have said it before that Tinubu’s boys would betray him. This has come to pass.

“Has Yemi Osinbajo done what no one has ever done before?

“He has declared his intention to run to be Nigeria’s president in the forthcoming election.

“Is his (Osinbajo) intention a sin? Is it a sin to tell the world what he wants?

“He has not committed any sin. What he has done is right.”

“The major thing is that nemesis has caught up with Tinubu.

“This will affect Tinubu so much that Tinubu will not be president of this country.

“Let the presidency be given to Tinubu free of charge, Nigeria will sink under him; Nigeria will be destroyed under Tinubu.

“The damages done on Nigeria under Buhari will worsen with Tinubu as president. I do not hate Tinubu.

“On my selfish part, I want Tinubu as president. But when God says no, who am I to say yes?”

“So Osinbajo has done nothing wrong that is against the wish of God.

“The point is that Osinbajo too cannot be president. Let more people come out and let’s see who the cap fits.

“Neither Tinubu nor Osinbajo can be president,” Primate Ayodele opined.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/primate-ayodele-neither-tinubu-nor-osinbajo-can-be-president/

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has sacked his Commissioner for Health, Saka Audu over alleged misappropriation of funds, Quest Times can authoritatively report.

According to sources who spoke to Quest Times Saturday, the Yahaya Bello-led government did not want the sack of the embattled commissioner pronounced based on undisclosed reasons.

“Government does not want to make it (the sack) public. There has not been any official statement to that effect yet. Though he (Dr Audu) was suspended, it is still a rumour that he was sacked until it is communicated through the appropriate channel,” a source close to the Kogi State Government told Quest Times reporter on phone.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/exclusive-yahaya-bello-fires-weeping-commissioner-for-health/

Linet Chepkorir, ordinarily referred to as ‘Toto’, the youngest candidate eyeing the UDA ticket in the race for Bomet woman representative seat, has emerged victorious after defeating ten other contestants to clinch the UDA ticket.

Following her heroics, Toto turned the tables on very seasoned women politicians.

She won with 53,934 votes, followed by Eunice Benson 27,711, Stacey Chepkemoi 26,808, Beatrice Tonui 20,495, Cecilia Mutai 16,644, Susan Koech 12,410 and Brenda Chepngetich 11,901.


Toto shot to fame during an aspirants’ meeting at Deputy President William Ruto’s Karen residence in early 2021.

She was clad in a yellow pullover and a cap and her photo went viral on social media.

She later got a major boost during Ruto’s rally at Bomet Green stadium when she was recognised and given the opportunity to address the crowd.

Since then, Chepkorir continued to enjoy overwhelming support from across the county and especially from the youth.

Linet Toto is number one on Twitter trends as at the time of filing this report.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/toto-meet-24-year-old-kenyan-lady-who-is-trending-on-twitter/

The National Hospital, Abuja, has said the report of the autopsy conducted on the body of late Nigerian gospel singer cum lead chorister of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Osinachi Nwachukwu, will only be released to the police.

Recall the 42-year-old artiste died on Friday after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Earlier, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said an autopsy test was being conducted on the remains of late gospel artiste, who allegedly died as a result of domestic violence.

The Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Jeff Momoh, in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, said the report of the autopsy would be released to the Nigeria Police.

“The report is going to the people who made the request, it won’t be disclosed to the public at all,” Momoh said, refusing to talk more.

Quest Times understands the police made a request for the post-mortem examination, hence, prompted the decision of the national hospital.

The legal perspective
Autopsy reports made pursuant to law are public records which must be made available for public inspection and examination unless exempted by special act.

If not exempted from disclosure by special act, an autopsy report may be kept confidential only to the extent necessary to ensure that a criminal investigation would not be significantly impeded and enable violators of the criminal laws to escape detection and apprehension.

Documents or records made confidential by statute do not lose such status upon receipt by the medical examiner.

But the question is, why should the autopsy be made confidential when the case at hand is a subject of public scrutiny?

https://www.thequesttimes.com/osinachi-why-autopsy-wont-be-made-public/

As the 2023 election year draws closer and more presidential hopefuls continue to declare their interests, there is no gainsaying that the two leading APC aspirants, that is, Bola Tinubu and Yemi Osinbajo have become talking points in the hearts of Nigerians who crave good leadership, especially amid the raging storm confronting the country.

Going by the velocity of those clamouring for a Southern presidency, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the leading contenders in the ruling APC, but the question of who the gods would smile on between the duo has been a recurring decimal among political commentators.

X-raying the two contenders will enable us to understand their aspirations and plans for the country, and by extension consider their antecedents and vision for a better Nigeria.

One cannot deny the fact that the duo both boast of a wealth of experience in the annals of Nigeria’s political history. As far as politics is concerned, experience is not just the best teacher but learning in the process is what makes us good students of history. This the duo has demonstrated in their capacities as leaders.

Tinubu’s declaration

On Monday, January 10, 2022, Tinubu made his much-anticipated declaration to contest for the office of the president come 2023. This came shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, a few days after President Buhari declared in a televised interview that he would not openly declare the identity of his successor over fear that the person might be “eliminated”.

The impression in most quarters was that the President was referring to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is believed to be Buhari’s anointed candidate. However, dissenting opinions suggest Mr President’s favourite is not too far from one of the members of his cabinet who will be made known sooner rather than later.

A key point in Tinubu’s declaration is the fact that he claimed his intention to become Nigeria’s president is a “lifelong ambition”, a statement that some political analysts faulted on the grounds of being overzealous and ambitious in his quest for “political gains” as against the zest for patriotism and love for the common man.

“He is a democrat. He didn’t ask me to stop, he didn’t ask me not to attempt and pursue my ambition. It is a lifelong ambition. You are running a democratic dispensation and you must adopt the principles and values and virtues of democracy,” Tinubu had said when asked how the President responded to his declaration.

The big question now is, “Why should ambition be prioritised above love for Nigerians clamouring for good governance?”. There is more to the statement than meets the eyes.

Since his declaration, the political atmosphere in the country has been heating up at an incredible pace, leading to direct confrontation on social media platforms between his supporters and various groups rooting for the Vice President at any slight provocation.

These developments signal the beginning of a war before a battle that will determine how the ruling party goes in and comes out of its national convention and beyond.

Going forward, Primate Ayodele, who is fondly called ‘prophet of doom’, said “an imminent political doom awaits Tinubu ahead of the party’s primaries, which seems to be tilting towards favouring an anointed candidate, as clearly seen in the just concluded national convention, where the president, through his benevolence, randomly picked those appointed into the National Working Committee.”

With so many factors before him, Tinubu’s formal entry into the race has presented to him a challenge that seems daunting even for most technocrats, especially at a time like this in the history of the country when most Nigerians are calling for a younger and vibrant head to steer the affairs of the country.

Osinbajo’s long-awaited declaration

Monday, April 11 saw the long-awaited declaration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the Number One seat in the country. Prior to this time, many groups among other well-meaning Nigerians, have been calling the professor, popularly called “star-boy”, to join the presidential race. As some unpopular opinions suggest, the VP might have been consulting widely and taking his time before making one of the hardest decisions in his journey to greatness.

One bullet point to take from his Martin Luther King-like speech is the fact that Osinbajo mentioned revolutionising and transforming Nigeria if elected President in the 2023 elections.

“I now most solemnly and respectfully seek the support of fellow Nigerians everywhere in this land, and the diaspora, young and old, male and female, in the great and exciting journey that we have ahead of us.

“We will work together, establish by the grace of God, the Nigeria of our dreams in a few short years. We will build on the foundation laid by our predecessors.

“We will need to move, with much speed, intentionality, and perseverance, towards the vision of a prosperous, stable, and secure nation,” he says in his formal declaration speech.

By contrast, there is one key message between Tinubu’s “lifelong ambition” and Osinbajo’s “Nigerian dream”. It is an analogy between zest for power and love for the nation; it is an analogy between self and selfless service. As a Nigerian, the ball is in your court to choose between a leader who values personal interest above national interest or a leader who sees national interest above personal gain. 2023 is the right time to choose the right leader that will achieve the Nigeria of our dream. Your PVC is your voice!

Arogbonlo Israel is a political communicator and good governance advocate, writes from Lagos.

The investigation panel set up by the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, has cleared the Director of Finance and Account Ministry of justice Luka Kadmi of wrongdoing since “the payment was done with necessary approval from the approving authority”.

This was contained in a memo seen by Quest Times Tuesday, and signed by Mr Anamekwe C.N Director, Treasury Inspectorate on behalf of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“That the allegation bordering on money in “Ghana must go” bags Bureau De Change etc could not be substantiated with facts by the petitioner and the team considered it null and void,” the memo partly read.

The panel also justified Mr Luka action in the expenditure as all the expenditures incurred by the ministry in November-December 2021 were in the appropriation act of 2021, that no payment was made in the ministry without the approval of the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary.

The panel also unraveled that, the payment made through the account of the project accountant, was due to the fact that, the beneficiaries were not on the GIFMIS Employee payable module whose payment to such Individuals could be possible only through an intermediary.

All the payment vouchers were prepared according to the provision of Financial Regulation i.e the PV’s were checked and entered into the vote book and checked by the Internal Audit.

The panel advised that the petitioner should always verify facts before writing on matters relating to government expenditure and should be made to be aware of the consequence of wrong whistleblowing.

The panel further advised the federal ministry of justice to ensure compliance with all necessary rules/guidelines regarding government expenditure to avoid complacency.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/agf-clears-malamis-ministry-of-justice-dfa-kadmi-of-n104m-fraud/

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has polled only eleven percent of the votes in a presidential poll conducted on Twitter despite boasting of clinching the party’s ticket come 2023.

Bello, who spoke in Abuja last weekend, while responding to a question at the Second GYB Annual Seminar for Political and Crime Correspondents and Editors, reiterated that all indicators point to the fact that he stood in the best position to win the 2023 election for the APC.

“To answer your question, whether I am scared of other contestants for the presidency. You mentioned Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others. I will say No; I am not scared of anybody in the contest for the APC presidential ticket.

“Tinubu and others are the founding members of the APC, but foundation is not enough. I will defeat all the other aspirants because I have all it takes to be a champion. My performance in Kogi State will speak for me,” he noted.

But in a Twitter poll conducted by TheCable on Monday, April 11, Yahaya Bello, polled 11.8% out of 23,013 total votes cast by the respondents.

The poll, which has now been ended by the online newspaper, featured other APC aspirants who all scored higher than the Kogi governor.

For instance, the minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi polled 28.4%; APC national leader Bola Tinubu polled 20.1%, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had the highest number of votes (39.8%).

https://www.thequesttimes.com/sorry-yahaya-bello-comes-last-in-thecable-presidential-poll/

Founder of Dunamis International Gospel Center, Pastor Paul Enenche has advised married couple following the death of gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu.

There have been reports that Osinachi was allegedly killed by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. She was said to be a victim of constant domestic violence.

Speaking in a video, Enenche, who did not mention the name of the deceased and her husband, was referring to men killing their wives in marriage.

See video>>>https://www.thequesttimes.com/killer-marriage-is-nonsense-marriage-pastor-enenche-breaks-silence/

Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late popular gospel artiste, Osinachi, has been nabbed by the Nigeria Police over the death of his wife.

The gospel music artiste, who died on Friday after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, became a growing sensation on social media after her colleagues at the Dunamis International Headquarters, Abuja, accused her husband of beating her.

A popular singer, Frank Edwards, in a live Instagram video, alleged that Osinachi’s husband abused her on several occasions.

Quest Times had earlier report that Osinachi was allegedly killed by her husband following claims by the deceased’s elder sister, identified simply as Favour Made, who also alleged that her sister was treated badly by her husband before her untimely death.

Another gospel artiste, Asu Ekiye, called for the arrest of her husband.

“If what I hear about domestic abuse is anything to go by, then I hereby endorse the call for the arrest of the husband of Osinachi immediately for questioning,” he said.

Following calls for the arrest of Osinachi’s husband, a police source on Sunday, April 10, said Peter confirmed the arrest of Peter.

“A young man who claimed to be a relative of the late woman came to report the matter at the station and the police went to arrest him at his residence,” the source told PUNCH.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/osinachi-police-arrest-husband-of-popular-gospel-singer/