News
Finally, Adeboye speaks on Herbert Wigwe
…as fmr VP Osinbajo pours encomiums on him
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has hailed the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, for his philanthropy and dedication to the gospel.
Adeboye said this on Thursday at the combined Service of Songs for Wigwe, his wife, Doreen and their son, Chizi, which held at the RCCG Resurrection Parish, Lekki, Lagos.
The trio died in a helicopter crash in the United States of America early February alongside a former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Reading an excerpt of Adeboye’s condolence message at the service was the Pastor in charge of Region 11 of RCCG and Head of the Blessed Family, Pastor Charles Pande, who gave the word of exhortation.
Adeboye’s message partly read, “Dr Wigwe was not only an accomplished professional but a fine gentleman, possessing a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities and business acumen. His dedication to philanthropy, nation-building, advocacy for children’s literacy and love for the arts made him a remarkable individual.
“More importantly, his commitment to the Christian faith and active involvement in spreading the gospel were exemplary. We share in your profound grief during his challenging time. The void left by Dr Herbert will be felt and his absence deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Paying tribute to the deceased banking whiz, the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, recalled that Wigwe never asked him for a favour throughout his eight years in office.
He said, “I have known him for so many years. I’m not even sure how many years. While I was in office for the entire eight, Herbert called me practically every other month, just to say, ‘How are you doing?’ never asking for a favour. But two months before I left office, he called me and said he needed to see me. So, I thought, he must have some issue and he came with a notebook. I was very surprised because Herbert never comes with a notebook and he said that he wanted to know what my plans were after I left office. I laughed over it and he insisted and took note very diligently of everything that I said I wanted to do. Thereafter he visited me no less than three times before I left office.
“The Thursday before he died, he called me on Tuesday and said he was going to come see me in Abuja on Thursday and he did. We spent about three hours reviewing practically everything, the university, the philanthropy (initiatives) he was involved in, everything.”
Speaking further, Osinbajo said that the deceased was one who walked the talk when it comes to friendship
“I don’t think any event in recent times for me in particular has made it clear how important friendships and relationships are. Herbert was one who walked the talk of brotherhood and friendship,” he said.
Consoling the bereaved children, the former VP said, “No amount of words can heal your hearts but that you are not alone in your grief. This tragedy has troubled so many, both young and old. A deep dark cloud hangs over our hearts.
“This event has confronted me and many of us with our own mortality. One thing I will like you to know especially, the children. The manner of death is not as important to God; John was beheaded, Stephen was stoned to death, Elisha died of an ailment. What is important to God is the difference between dying and perishing.”
After the series of events in Lagos, activities will move to Rivers State for the Christian Wake-Keeping Friday at Wigwe University, Isiokpo, followed by a Combined Funeral Service on Saturday at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo and then a private interment ceremony. The final event is the outing service on Sunday at RCCG, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo.
Some dignitaries at the service of songs include billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede; Senior Pastor of This Present House, Tony Rapu; lead pastor of the Trinity House Church, Lagos, Ituah Ighodalo; Senior Pastor of the House On The Rock church, Paul Adefarasin and his wife, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin and a former Access Bank chairman, Dr Dere Awosika, among others.
News
Just in: Tinubu exposes those behind deadly stampedes
President Bola Tinubu has accused organisers for the deadly stampedes that occurred during the distribution of relief materials in three states.
Recall in the past week, chaotic scenes in Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja led to the deaths of over 60 people, including children, as crowds scrambled for food items.
During a Presidential Media Chat on Monday, Tinubu described the events as a critical failure in planning and execution.
Condolences to those who lost a family member, but it is good to give. I have been giving out food stuff, commodities, etc. in Bourdillon.
“I am an organized person and that’s why I have been giving people food for the past 25 years and no incident has happened.
“Let this tragedy not affect us”, the Nigerian leader said.
The president also said he has no plans to reduce his cabinet or sack more ministers.
For the controversial tax reform bills, he said it has come to stay.
He also revealed he has no regrets removing fuel subsidy.
He declared utmost confidence in his security chiefs saying over the past decades, wanton killings has reduced drastically.
News
Tinubu To Hold Maiden Presidential Media Chat Tonight
President Bola Tinubu will hold first presidential chat since assuming office on Monday night.
Accoding to a statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the chat will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on the stations of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast.
“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
“All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast,” the statement.
News
‘Putin waiting to meet me as soon as possible’ to end Ukraine war – Trump
The US President-elect took to the stage AmFest in Phoenix to talk about his contact with the Russian leader.
He told the crowd: “President Putin has said he want to meet with me as soon as possible.”
Trump went on to brand the war “horrible” and stated it needed to end. It is not known whether or not this meeting will take place in person. His comments at the event in the US come as Putin met with another world leader.
Putin held talks in the Kremlin today (December 22) with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Fico arrived in Russia on a “working visit” and met with Putin one-on-one. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s RIA agency that the talks would focus on “the international situation” and Russian natural gas deliveries.
Visits and phone calls from European leaders to Putin have been rare since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, although Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban visited Russia in July. Orban’s visit drew condemnation from Kyiv and European leaders.Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. The Slovakian PM returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country’s military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.
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