News
At last, RCCG suspends pastor whose wife threw lavish party after Wigwe’s death
By Francesca Hangeior
At last, the City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, following the extravagant birthday party of his wife shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc.
According to ChurchTimes, a top pastor of the church who did not want his name mentioned said the decision to suspend Iluyomade was in response to the public outcry against the party.
“It was not Pastor Adeboye that suspended him. The governing council decided to suspend him. I think it’s a decision in the right direction. Though some believe it is coming late.
“They needed to investigate some of the things people were saying against him and the church,” the source said.
His suspension according to sources in the church was done via a letter over the weekend.
He has since been replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 of the church.
Wigwe, who died on board a chopper in February, was a member of the Parish.
The late banker died alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
After his death, wife of the Parish Pastor, Dr Siju Iluyomade, held a lavish birthday that left tongues wagging.
Distinguished personalities rejoiced with the pastor’s wife at the party, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
Music Star Flavour Serenading Iluyomade’s wife at the controversial birthday party as some persons expressed displeasure that Iluyomade held such party weeks after the tragic deaths of a prominent member of the church alongside his wife and son.
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a social commentator, had written: “After all this charity and benovelence, the right thing and common sense dictate that it is offensive and not appropriate to throw a lavish party a week after the death of such a man whose tithe and benovelence sustained your husband’s ministry when his body is still cold. I wonder what Wigwe would be feeling in the spirit world after seeing such a carnival go on last night at the Eko Hotel Lagos, just a week after his death. This is a lesson for the living.”
There were several of such comments on social media but some persons had referred to them as mere distractions.
However, signs that the family of Wigwe disapproved of Ilumoyade wife’s action became public when The City of David Parish was skipped in Wigwe’s funeral programmes.
Usually, churches where deceased persons attended in their lifetime play key roles at their funeral ceremonies.
But the Wigwe family replaced City of David with another RCCG Parish in Lagos for the funeral service.
During one of the services organised for Wigwe, Ilumoyade paid glowing tributes to the deceased whom he described as God’s general.
He recalled how Wigwe spent about N500 million for God children’s great talent project and how he adopted a lot of children.
He said: “All through the night, I and Pastor Siju were talking to God. Wigwe was a man who had a heart for God. He served God. We were asking questions, who can we turn to but Jesus? I’m sure a lot of people have questions. I want to encourage you; Jesus is a burden bearer. He understands all things. Cast all your burdens to him.
“Wigwe did a lot of good work. He was an amazing servant of God. He had eternity in sight. The only things that follow us when we pass on, are our good works. His life has challenged us.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a pivotal meeting today to finalize arrangements for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) gathers momentum.
This meeting takes place amid escalating tensions over the party’s national secretaryship, a dispute that has deepened divisions within the PDP.
The crisis has intensified as the South-East zonal caucus has threatened to withdraw from the party unless their nominee, Sunday Ude-Okoye, is officially confirmed for the national secretary role.
At the heart of the conflict is the leadership tussle between Samuel Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye. Despite a general agreement among PDP governors to replace Anyanwu, who lost the 2023 Imo State governorship election, the matter remains unresolved.
However, a key PDP figure, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insists that Anyanwu should be allowed to complete his tenure. Wike has even threatened legal action, warning that any communication with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—including the notice for the NEC meeting scheduled for May 27—must bear Anyanwu’s signature.
The forthcoming NEC meeting, set for May 27, is viewed as a crucial opportunity to address the party’s internal challenges and lay the groundwork for the national convention slated for August.
To help mediate the crisis, PDP governors and stakeholders have formed a seven-member committee, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, tasked with finding a resolution.
Besides tackling the leadership dispute, today’s NWC meeting will also address ongoing security issues at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The secretariat has been repeatedly targeted by thugs amid the secretaryship conflict, raising safety concerns among staff, some of whom have requested that meetings be held offsite in the past.
The NWC is expected to consider restructuring the security arrangements to enhance protection. The recent endorsement of acting national secretary Setonji Koshoedo by 83 PDP administrative staff underscores the urgency of resolving these matters.
Sources within the party, speaking to Daily Trust, say the NWC is committed to ensuring the NEC meeting proceeds as planned despite attempts by some factions to obstruct it.
“One faction is still working to block the NEC meeting, but the NWC is focused on getting the process started and making sure the meeting happens,” one source said.
The source added, “Security concerns are also high on the agenda. The secretariat has been invaded multiple times during the secretaryship dispute. Staff safety remains a serious issue — at one point, even the Board of Trustees had to hold meetings outside the secretariat. The NWC aims to implement a comprehensive security overhaul.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
As of Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the exchange rate for the US Dollar to the Nigerian Naira on the Lagos Parallel Market (commonly referred to as the black market) stands at ₦1,625 for buying and ₦1,630 for selling.
This information is based on data obtained from reliable sources within the Bureau De Change (BDC) community.
It is important to emphasize that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not endorse or recognize the black market. The apex bank has consistently advised individuals and businesses seeking foreign exchange to make use of official channels by contacting their respective commercial banks.
USD to NGN (Black Market) Exchange Rate
Buying Rate ₦1,625
Selling Rate ₦1,630
Official CBN Dollar to Naira Rate – May 14, 2025
USD to NGN (CBN Rate) Rate
Highest Rate ₦1,600
Lowest Rate ₦1,595
Please keep in mind that the rates listed here are subject to market fluctuations and may vary depending on the location, time of transaction, and volume of currency exchanged.
Exchange rates are constantly changing due to market dynamics. This article provides indicative rates and should not be considered as financial advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date rates, consult with your bank or a licensed Bureau De Change operator.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The family of Nnamdi Kanu has again demanded an outright ban of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN from coverage of Kanu’s trial on alleged terrorism related crimes over alleged biased reportage.
In the alternative, the aggrieved family asked the court to permit live streaming of trial proceedings to guarantee fairness, transparency and accountability.
A statement signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu for the Kanu Family, expressed the family “deep concern and outrage over what it called the continuous shameless manipulation of court proceedings by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the ongoing trial of their son and brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
“It is now beyond question that NAN has abandoned any pretense of professional journalism. They have become the unofficial megaphone of the State Security Services (SSS) and the prosecuting authority, spreading one-sided propaganda, while deliberately ignoring crucial courtroom developments that dismantle the Government’s case.
“Today’s distortion is a case in point. Instead of reporting on the damning cross-examination of government witness PW-BBB—who embarrassingly admitted that no investigation report exists to support the charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, NAN chose to publish a useless story about a death certificate.
This document has zero evidentiary relevance, and its tendering was clearly a diversionary tactic to cover up the implosion of the prosecution’s case.
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“We find it unacceptable and improper that NAN is given exclusive access to report court proceedings—particularly when their reports serve only to mislead the public and undermine judicial transparency.
“We therefore call on Justice James Omotosho to immediately ban the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from further courtroom access in this matter for repeated, unethical conduct and biased reporting;
” In the alternative, the court should permit live streaming of the trial proceedings to guarantee fairness, transparency, and accountability.
“Furthermore, we reject the spin being spread regarding DSS allegedly denying Kanu Agabi SAN access to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
What occurred in court today was a moment of statesmanship by Kanu Agabi SAN—a respected legal elder, former Senator, Attorney-General, and Minister of Justice—who chose not to expose the DSS’s misconduct openly to save the court and its officers from scandal. His restraint should not be misrepresented by a discredited press agency.
“This trial is not just about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—it is a test of the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary, the independence of the media, and the rule of law in a democracy. Continued distortion of proceedings can only serve to deepen national division and erode public trust.
The eyes of the world are on Nigeria. Let justice be done—openly and without propaganda” the family said.
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