₦airaland Forum

Wrong info .... Lol

My God this news finally come out....

AUGUST 24, 2013 BY GBENRO ADEOYE 1 COMMENT



Ajanaku’s Church. Inset: Ajanaku
The controversy surrounding the purported death of the General Overseer of the Christ Revival Victory Chapel International, Prophet Ireti Ajanaku, has taken a dramatic twist as his members are insisting that their spiritual leader is alive.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that this is also the family’s position, even though his family and some of his pastors had earlier reportedly announced his death to the landlords’ association around his residence at 15, Folarin Williams Close, Ikola-Odunsi in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Authority, Lagos. An evangelist, who had spoken as an authority in the church, but declined to give his name, told Saturday PUNCH on Wednesday that Ajanaku was alive.

He said, “There is still life in him and we are praying for his recovery. That’s all I can say. People are peddling rumours and saying so many bad things about the church, but those things are wrong.”

Ajanaku reportedly died on Saturday in his hometown, Gbongan, Osun State, after returning from a trip to South Africa. But the family is yet to make any public announcement on his death.

Residents of the area said they already suspect that he was never dead, but information on the true state of his condition is what they seem to be divided on. Some of the residents were of the opinion that Ajanaku was in a coma, while others said he must have been in a trance.

Although, Ajanaku’s wife, Joy, had not been seen in public since last weekend, it was learnt that she and some old members of the church had been holding vigils at the family’s residence since news of her husband’s death broke.

But a landlord on the street, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said Ajanaku might have been ‘back’ from the supposed coma or trance.

Speaking on Thursday morning, he said, “At the vigil they held from last night till this morning, we heard what sounded very much like Ajanaku’s voice leading the worship for the first time since the news that he was dead got to us. We were discussing it this morning and some of us believe that it must have been him.

“Although some of his family members and pastors came to tell us that he was dead on Sunday, we were not allowed into his compound and none of us has seen his body. It’s just what we were told and there is no proof so far that he’s dead.

“We heard that the family has again claimed that he’s not dead. So what we heard may be proof that he was sick or in a coma or in a trance. But one thing we’re sure of is that his body (Ajanaku) is still in the house.”

Also, some residents said there was drama on Ajanaku’s street on Monday night while a vigil was ongoing in his house. Eye witnesses said that some men in white attire and holding bells, who were suspected to be cultists, stormed Ajanaku’s residence singing and chanting.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said the suspected cultists, who were about 20 in number, arrived the street at 10pm on Monday and left around 2am, the next morning.

The source said, “The alawo (cultists) were not allowed inside Ajanaku’s compound. So they moved up and down the street, singing and chanting. They were all dressed in white and came with all the kits cultists normally wear and even had small bells in their hands which they rang as they sang. The cultists really disturbed our sleep that night as everybody was glued to the walls. We, residents, suspect that the pastor must have belonged to a cult group, otherwise those people would not have come as they did.”

Saturday PUNCH also observed a general disappointment among the residents, following Monday’s experience.

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said, “Most of us are still disappointed that a pastor would be involved with cultists. We believe that they came to perform a rite for one of their own.”

A church member, who also confirmed the incident, said he shunned Tuesday’s vigil at Ajanaku’s residence because of fear that the suspected cultists might be back to force their way into the house.

“I don’t want to be caught in the middle if the cultists decide to come back,” he said.

In the last few months, Ajanaku and his church had been mired in controversies which included a feud with his spiritual daughter and gospel singer, Tope Alabi; trouble with security operatives; a persistent skin problem and reports of highhandedness and misdeeds in church. His recent trip to South Africa was said to have been connected to either his trouble with the law or getting treatment for a kind of disease that causes skin pigmentation.

However, the evangelist who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, declined to comment on any of the issues, including the kind of illness Ajanaku had which required the members’ prayers.

He said, as he saw our correspondent off to the exit gate of the church, “That’s all I can tell you. You journalists have been writing all manner of lies about us. We are truly sorry but now, your presence will no longer be tolerated here.”

Investigation shows that Ajanaku, who was always referred to as ‘daddy’ by members of his congregation, commanded deep loyalty from them. Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the 40-year-old preacher largely enjoyed a mixed feeling of love and fear from members of his church.

A member of the church, who belonged to the Camera Team, Mr. Olabode Oderinde, confirmed that Joy told some key members of the church that Ajanaku was alive. Oderinde, who admitted that he had not seen Ajanaku since his return from abroad, warned of grave repercussions on people who peddle rumours or say negative things about his ‘daddy.’

He said, “Someone married to a great prophet is also a prophet. The wife (Joy) has told us that there is nothing wrong with ‘daddy’ and I believe her. It’s just that people don’t know my ‘daddy’; my ‘daddy’ can sleep for three days and not wake up. We have never seen him where he’s eating. So how can a great man like him just die like that?

“Daddy has warned us not to be carnally-minded or say anything negative about him. People saying all sorts of things about him don’t know what will befall them. One of my neighbours who said wrong things about him lost her child- the baby died instantly.

“Also, a church member who did the same, his child froze and it was ‘daddy’ who revived him. The boy became okay but for eight months, the man has not returned to the church.”

Ajanaku’s fair skin has also drawn criticisms from some members of the public, who claim that the church leader is applying bleaching creams to his skin.

Asked if there was any truth in the allegations or if Ajanaku’s recent trip to South Africa was indeed, connected to the treatment of a skin disease, Oderinde debunked both claims.

He said, “He didn’t bleach, don’t say such things about him. That’s how he is to his toe nails and nails are not bleached. His wife and children are also like that- they are all very fair in complexion.

“He doesn’t bleach and he can’t have a skin problem. How can a powerful man like that have a skin problem?”

When our correspondent visited Ajanakus’ residence on Wednesday, he was harassed for writing down some information on a sticker pasted outside the gate.

A suspected church member, who did not mention his name, threatened to get violent with our correspondent if he did not release the paper he had written the information on.

Arguments that the sticker was pasted outside the gate and meant for the public neither interested nor calmed the man.

The man later snatched the paper, while another lady who claimed to be Ajanaku’s daughter, tore off the part containing the information on the sticker.

She said, “There’s nothing wrong with my ‘daddy’. He is alive and well. So we don’t know where the rumour that he died came from. I’m his daughter; however, my name is not important.”

Saturday PUNCH later learnt that Ajanaku has two children of ages between five and seven with Joy, and another older girl in a previous union.

“All the church members call him ‘daddy’ and call each other, ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’. The one who spoke to you couldn’t have been his daughter. She’s older than his daughters,” a resident said.

In spite of claims by the church members that Ajanaku was hail and hearty, the ambience at his residence suggested otherwise. Investigation reveals that members of the church, including pastors throng the residence each day, milling about in and outside the compound.

Some landlords on the street said they had already begun move to reduce the number of people visiting the street daily by instructing the security guards to refuse entry to outsiders without genuine missions.

In addition to the vigils held at Ajanaku’s residence each night, prayer sessions have also been held at 5pm on specified days since the last weekend.

Residents of Koya Street, Off Oluwaga Road, Ipaja, where Ajanaku’s church is located, described Monday’s prayer session as ‘much.’

One of the residents, who identified himself as John, said he heard the congregation shouting ‘Do your miracle’ repeatedly.

Also, while Saturday PUNCH was on the church premises on Wednesday evening, while a prayer session was ongoing, prayer points circled around calling on God to “perform His wonders and do what He has promised to do.”

Interestingly, Oderinde said Ajanaku once told them during the church’s last anniversary programme that the press would soon look for him, for no fault of his.

He said, “My ‘daddy’ said that they would be ‘finding’ him all over the place and that he won’t have to pay for the publicity.”

However, there have been no public comments yet from the famous gospel singer, Tope Alabi, who was a member of Ajanaku’s church before the two fell out.

She was said to be on a musical tour of Canada with her husband as at the time of writing this report. Our correspondent’s Facebook message to Alabi for her reaction to Ajanaku’s purported death went unanswered.

Pls send to datallianceinc@yahoo.com

I have interest

A pregnant robbery accused, Alhaja Sherifat Ashabi Adeleke, has given birth to a baby boy in prison in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Sherifat was arrested recently by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Lagos Police Command, for her alleged roles in trans-border armed robbery operations.

The 35-year old suspect whose gang members usually operate from Cotonou, Republic of Benin, delivered her 3.7 kilogram baby at the police clinic recently

The paraga (local herb laced with alcohol) seller who was arraigned with other members of her gang at the Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, is now at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison Clinic with her new baby.

A prison source told our reporter that the mother and her child are doing very fine at the clinic where she’s currently receiving post-natal care.

Sherifat was arrested along with three other members of the gang, Mathew Ineke, Samsudeen Giwa and Gbenga Oyedele.

It was alleged that apart from robbing people of cash and other valuable items, the gang also snatch posh vehicles, especially Toyota and Honda brands in Lagos and other neighbouring southwestern states and ferry them across the border for sale.

The suspects were subsequently arraigned in court for armed robbery, possession of firearms, conspiracy among others.

Sherifat, the mother of four children including a twin and a 16-year old daughter from her first marriage, was said to have admitted participating in two robbery operations with the gang before their arrest.

She alleged that it was her new husband, Gbenga Oduoye, who introduced her to armed robbery, adding that he impregnated her and the new baby was his.

In her statement to the police, she allegedly narrated how she joined the robbery gang: “It was last year that I joined the gang. We are a five-man gang. Godogbo is our leader and he has up to three other gangs that he also leads.

“I have participated in two armed robbery operations. The first one was at Ore town (Ondo State in southwest Nigeria), where they (their victims) were selling recharge cards. I did not know how much recharge cards the gang snatched but I was given cards worth N100,000.

“The second operation was at Iyana-Ilogbo, where the gang leader gave four of us N20,000 to share and I got N5,000 only.”

She allegedly confessed to have been the one responsible for supplying arms and ammunition to members of her robbery gang.

Speaking further on her role in the operations she had participated in, she said: “I sell paraga and I am patronised mostly by bus drivers, conductors and touts. I usually supply locally made guns to the gang. I used to collect the guns from Alhaji Gani in Benin Republic.

“I hide the short guns in my hand bag to beat security anytime I am taking them to where my gang leader picks them up at Iyana-Ilogbo in Ogun State.

“My role when we want to rob or attack shops is that I will first go to a shop and pretend as if I want to buy something and as the shop keeper is trying to sell something to me, my gang members will strike and order the shop keeper at gun point to surrender all the money from the day’s sales.”

—Jamiu Yisa

Old News

Pls can you list the channels that i can see with this ECLINK X5 ? I have interest. Thanks

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick-off their quest for FIFA Confederation Cup glory tonight wearing an all white jersey against Tahitti.

Coordinator of the team, Emmanuel Attah disclosed that the Eagles had their first training session yesterday (Sunday) at 5.30pm local time (about 9.30pm in Nigeria).

He is optimistic the team will not only beat Tahiti tonight but also make it beyond the group inspite of the row over bonuses that almost derailed the team's preparations.

Meanwhile Nigeria's Ambassador to Brazil,Mohammed Suleiman welcomed the team to Belo Horizonte where they will play Tahiti tonight and enjoined the team to fly Nigeria's flag high.

He promised that the team will not be lacking support as they have mobilised Nigerians to come and support their team.

He prayed for the team and wished that it should be a Nigeria versus Brazil final.

[img][/img]

Kaymisola: MAVIN boss, Don Jazzy was recently at the Babcock University convocation accompanied by Asa Asika and his record label crew.
The super producer posted photos online receiving blessings from Chief Justice Phillips as his fans looked on.
Don Jazzy posted the photo with a caption: ”Blessing from Chief Justice Philips.”
He also posted another photo teasing Asika, Davido’s former manager with a caption: “@Asaasika why re u blushing?” See photo below:http://www.kemifilani.com/2013/06/mavin-boss-don-jazzy-receives-blessings.html

Thank you.

Myself2: [size=14pt] @ OP

Why did you not include the source,,,,

By the way,you culled it from KICKOFFNIGERIA.COM
http://www.kickoff.com/news/34845/five-things-from-kenya-vs-nigeria-world-cup-qualifier[/size]

Onazi - Lazio won't take EPL bids for him
Lazio have rejected offers from EPL clubs who wish to sign Nigeria youngster Ogenyi Onazi, according to media reports.

Midfielder Onazi has been making waves in Italy since he shone with the Lazio youth side in 2011, where he played 27 games and scoring 12 goals, and Everton were widely reported to be keen on signing him.

His debut for Lazio main team in 2012 only served to highlight his progress, and he has already clocked up 29 appearances ending on a high with the Coppa Italia victory over bitter city rivals Roma.

His performances have earned him quite a better profile with the Lazio faithful, while a superb run in the last African Cup of Nations culminated in the Super Eagles ending a 19-year wait for the continental crown.

It came as no surprise that clubs in the Premier League have been eyeing the youngster, but it appears, for the moment, that his contract until 2016 will be honoured, according to Tutto Mercato.

The 20-year-old central midfielder has also gained valuable European experience with his club, having turned out 11 times and also scored a goal in a 2-0 win against VfB Stuttgart in March.

KickOffNigeria.com editor Colin Udoh reflects on the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win against Kenya on Wednesday afternoon.

CHARACTER IS RETURNING
They looked lethargic in Calabar nearly three months ago, but this team showed they have ‘bouncebackability’. While they may not exactly have been flying in Nairobi, this was about grit, about character, about strength, and about getting the result. Hard to fault them on any of those scores.

THE EAGLES NEED YOBO
Stephen Keshi may have his issues with Joseph Yobo, but Mexico and now Kenya have shown that that defence not only needs shoring up but, even more importantly, leadership. For spells they were far from assured at best, and sometimes rickety at worst. Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo are fine young talents and will only get better with games together, where Yobo may be at the twilight of his career. But his leadership, direction and experience can only help them to that next level, even if he doesn't start. And what happens if, God forbid, one or both get injured? The quicker this rift is resolved, the better for us all.

MIKEL TOO
Against Mexico, the Super Eagles struggled for possession, especially in the latter stages, even against 10 men. It was in those latter stages against Kenya that Mikel's class shone through. His unhurried ability to keep the ball and pick a pass under pressure remains one of the Eagles’ more potent weapons. He may not look it, but Mikel is infinitely more dangerous than people think.

AHMED MUSA MUST LEARN HOW TO CROSS
I was at the stadium in Conakry for his first international game against Guinea, when he almost ran the Syli Stars out of breath. His one deficiency that day was his final ball, especially the crossed deliveries from deep. Against Kenya he almost had me tearing my hair out in frustration. Someone pointed out on Twitter that Musa’s crossing makes Tijani Babangida’s look like Finidi George. It’s hard to disagree. Can we get Finidi George to come work with Musa? Please?

KUDOS FOR KESHI: 16 NOT OUT
It’s 16 games unbeaten for the ‘Big Boss’. And that is not just empty stats. There is the African Nations Cup trophy to go with it. If he carries this unyielding spirit into the Confederation Cup, who knows … we might just see Nigeria in the final.

Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) picked Super Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi and Nnamdi Oduamadi for doping test after Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Kenya's Harambee Stars at the Kasarani Stadium, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

The duo were instrumental to the team's victory over the boastful Harambee Stars who played behind a full capacity stadium in Kasarani.

Varese winger, Nnamdi Oduamadi particularly was a thorn in the flesh of the Stars defence and was clear on goal at the restart but his shot from inside the box when one-on-one with goalkeeper Ochieng was blocked to safety.

Mikel Obi, who was the missing link in the Eagles 2-2 draw against Mexico, combined well with Ogenyi Onazi in the midfield for Nigeria in the second half to stand off pressures from Adel Amrouche's side.

CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa scored an 81st minute goal, to give the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 1-0 victory over Kenya.

With this result, the African champions now have eight points from four matches to lead Group F ahead of Malawi, who are on six points after they were held to a goalless draw in Blantyre also on Wednesday by third-placed Namibia.

Nigeria's next opponent in the World Cup qualifier will be against Namibia next Wednesday, while Malawi host Kenya in continuation of the qualifying tournament.

No

sam4xadams: Any station showing it

No

Bimfo: is SS showing this match?

gabon: hello,

I can give you an affordable service that is very cheap. between N6,500 to N10,000 monthly subcription.

send me your phone number so we discuss better on phone

07035588336

gaboninfotech@yahoo.com

Please can i use this your sim in Benin Republic ?

Afnex is showing it

Eko Atlantic: it should have been for Ashebe jor

Why Achebe now? But the man did not believe in anything about Nigeria.

Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi’s Totteham Hotspur of England move is back on track after the Africa Cup of Nations winner’s agent received the go-ahead order from the player’s right owners, MY PEOPLE FC to facilitate the former youth international’s move in the Summer.

Onazi who had played for Nigeria at the U-17 and U-20 youth levels, had been linked with a switch to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur in the driver’s seat to land him.

But the deal earlier thought to have been sealed in the January transfer window collapsed until the latest development.

Complete Sports reports that Onazi’s agent, a Nigerian, was in the country before the Nations Cup finals in South Africa to hold talks with founder and financier of MY PEOPLE FC, Pastor T.B. Joshua who has now sanctioned Onazi’s Lazio exit.

Armed with T.B. Joshua’s mandate to facilitate Onazi’s Tottenham move, the agent stormed Rome on Friday to parley Lazio President, Claudio Lotito on the player’s possible transfer in the summer.

Although Onazi is yet to see out his three year contract at the Serie A side, his likely exit will further be made easier given the fact that Pastor T.B. Joshua was said to have rejected Lazio’s 500,000 Euros transfer deal so that the player will not find it difficult any time he wants to leave.

EBONYI State police command, at the weekend, arrested a middle-aged man, Okechukwu Ogbonna (30), for allegedly beheading his father for reasons still being investigated.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sylvester Igbo, disclosed this in Abakaliki, the state capital, in an interactive forum with newsmen.

Igbo said the suspect, a farmer by profession, who hails from Isundiede in Izzzi Local Government Area of the state, was arrested, following a report received by the command on March 1, on the murder of his deceased father.

The PPRO said the suspect was said to have killed his father, Mr Ogbonna Okereke, a 60-year-old farmer, after he was reportedly told by a pastor that his late father was tampering with his destiny.

Igbo hinted that the suspect claimed that his father was not taking proper care of him, stating that the body of the deceased had been deposited in a nearby hospital for autopsy.

The police image maker said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations into the matter were completed.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/6546-man-arrested-for-beheading-own-father

Nigeria goalkeeper and vice-captain Vincent Enyeama has promised to let team captain Joseph Yobo lift the trophy if the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

Yobo has not been serious involved on the field since the centre-back partnership of Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo profited from his injury. And parallels have been drawn to 1994 when on-field captain Austin Eguavoen allowed team captain Stephen Keshi lift the trophy in Tunisia.

“You shouldn’t even be asking the question,” Enyeama said last night when asked if he would let Yobo lift the trophy.

“It is not even contestable. Joe (Yobo) is our captain and our leader. I’m just standing in for him. He has led us in a fantastic way even if he’s not bee playing.

“I’m just the stand-in captain and it is Joe who deserves that honour, not me.”

Meanwhile,Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has said that he will be anxiously waiting for results of tests on Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses after both limped out of last night’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final victory over Mali here in Durban.

Both players played key roles in the 4-0 win but they could not complete the game due to knocks.

“We’ll know about it tomorrow (today). They’ll have scans and be tested by the doctors tomorrow,” Keshi said moments after the match. “Hopefully, they the injuries are not bad because we need every player to be fit for the final.”

Very funny...

Security agencies have discovered that the spiritual leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Abubakar Shekau, who was wounded in a gun duel between soldiers of the Joint Task Force and members of his sect early this year, is hiding in Gao, a city in Northern Mali, receiving treatment from the Tuareg rebels.

Military Intelligence sources told Saturday Tribune on Friday that Shekau was ferried to Mali through porous routes in the vast Nigerian border with a neighbouring country in the north.

The source cited the discovery of Shekau’s hideout and the training base for Boko Haram sect members to unleash terror on Nigerians as a further justification of the action of the Federal Government to deploy 1,200 troops as well as Airforce fighter and transport aircraft to Mali to help flush out the Tuareg militants and their sponsors.

Shekau was said to have been shot at a checkpoint while he attempted to deceive operatives of the JTF by posing as a nomadic Fulani man who was returning from a journey.

A gunfight ensued when the vehicle carrying him and members of the sect approached a checkpoint and they discovered that the soldiers were waiting for him.

During the exchange of fire, Shekau and two other sect members with him escaped with gunshot wounds, while two other members of the sect were killed on the spot. About six AK-47 rifles were recovered from the vehicle.

The source noted that most of the weapons, including IEDS (Improvised Explosive Devices) recovered from Boko Haram members have been linked to those used during the Libyan uprising against the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Addressing troops shortly before being airlifted to Mali on Thursday in Kaduna, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Azubuike Ihejirika, spoke of the need for officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army to be extra-vigilant, as there are indications that some terrorists may have sneaked into the country.

Two Alpha jets, led by newly decorated Air Vice Marshal Tayo Oguntoyinbo, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport at about 4:25pm on Friday to Niamey, Niger Republic, from where they will launch the attack on the stronghold of the Malian Islamists Tuaregs.

Saturday Tribune gathered that part of the mission of the Nigerian troops deployed to Mali is also to fish out Shekau from his hideout in Gao, where he is currently receiving treatment, and bring him back to Nigeria to face trial for crimes against humanity.

модули joomla 2.5

Wasiu Ayinde ft Obesere.... end of the fight

DON'T DO DRUGS. LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE.
STAY AWAY FROM ALL THIS.
LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
LIVE LIFE THE FULLEST !!

Mrs killz: @op, u just showed how ignorant u r of d Word of God... Stop exposing ur ignorance!

And what concern @op with the news ?

Are you saying that pastors use juju?

Yes. Quote me: all of them use juju. How can a pastor touch somebody and he falls down? That one is juju at work. Our people are very foolish and ignorant. How can you touch somebody and he falls down? There is something behind this.

Today, we are in a world of falsehood. And if you look at what is happening, you wouldn’t blame the pastors, you would blame our law, which is lax. I said this because if some of these pastors that have been duping people had been brought to book, there would have been sanity. These pastors that are pushing people down, and are saying they are healing them, they should tell us the source of their power. If, as a pastor, you receive your power from Ifa, Ogun or Orunmila, and you are giving credit to another person, this means that you are a saboteur. You are in actual fact a murderer because you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Is it true, as some people have claimed, that some religious leaders often come to your headquarters here in Ibadan to consult you?

It is true. At times, they send their representatives. But I clearly remember that the General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, came to see me at our Lagos headquarters in Iju, Lagos, sometime in 1987. It is a public place, he was there, and people saw him. But he went back, never to come back to fulfill his promise to come for knowledge. And without knowledge, there is no way anybody can make it


http://sunnewsonline.com/new/specials/icon/guru-maharaj-jis-bombshell-quote-me-pastors-use-juju-to-hold-their-members/

geeez: Yes I agree with the OP and in addition Alao Akala will take over from Rochas Okorocha while Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka Tokyo will succeed Sullivan Chime after Peter Obi would have handed over to Abass Obesere

Very funny

JOHANNESBURG — Former South African leader Nelson Mandela will probably spend Christmas Day in a hospital because his doctors want to be satisfied his health has improved enough before sending him home, a South African media outlet reported Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said the physicians caring for Mandela had given no indication of an “imminent discharge” from a hospital in Pretoria, the capital, according to IOL, a South African news website.

“At this stage there is no update on his condition and his doctors have given no indication” about when Mandela could be discharged, IOL quoted Maharaj as saying Saturday. IOL is owned by Independent Newspapers, a national group that publishes 15 newspapers.

Mandela was hospitalized on Dec. 8. He was diagnosed with a lung infection and also had gallstone surgery; officials have said his condition has improved and that he was responding to treatment. President Jacob Zuma acknowledged several days ago that Mandela’s condition had been serious.

“They (the doctors) say there is no crisis, but add that they are in no hurry to send him home just yet until they are satisfied that he has made sufficient progress,” Maharaj said, according to IOL.

“We urge the public to continue supporting Madiba,” he said, using Mandela’s clan name, an affectionate term. Maharaj appealed for people to “understand that he is 94 years old and needs extraordinary care.”

The Sunday Times, a South African newspaper that is not part of the media group that owns IOL, also said Mandela was likely to spend Christmas in hospital care. It did not cite a source. The newspaper quoted Maharaj as saying that rumours of a rapid deterioration in Mandela’s health were “completely false and baseless.”

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu said he is praying for a prompt recovery for Mandela. Radio 702, a South African station, on Sunday broadcast an interview with Tutu in which he said he exchanged telephone text messages about Mandela with the anti-apartheid icon’s wife, Graca Machel.

Tutu and Mandela are Nobel laureates because of their role in the struggle against white minority rule. Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years and served one five-year term as president after he was elected in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.