News

PHOTOS: Jubilation as Oyedepo marks 70th birthday

Published

3 weeks ago

September 28, 2024

The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo’s 70th birthday celebration was a grand affair, bringing together prominent men and women of God, public officials, and other dignitaries from across Nigeria.

20240927_201709

Oyedepo was honoured at his church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State.

The impressive guest list included former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Pastor E. A Adeboye and Pastor Mrs Fola Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa of Church of God Mission International; Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Reverend Sam Aboyeji, Pastors David and Peace Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries, Pastors Paul and Becky Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Bishop FEB Idahosa, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Pastor Korede Komaiya, Pastor Yemi Davids, Pastor Sam Olubiyo, Pastor Shola Osunmakinde, Pastor Victor Abugo from Germany, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Pastor Jerry Eze, and Pastor Godman Akinlabi amongst others.

Photo credit: Therealchurchgist | X.com.

Also, Governors Abiodun Dapo of Ogun State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta were in attendance, along with Senator Gbenga Daniel and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

The Olomu of Omu Aran, High Chiefs of the Olota Of Ota, Professor Jerry Gana, members of the Senate, and House of Representatives were also present.

Pastor Adeboye and his wife extended heartfelt birthday wishes to Oyedepo, praising his dedication to the ministry and impact on countless lives and his role in expanding God’s Kingdom.

The Adeboyes also prayed for God’s continued grace and strength upon Oyedepo as he entered a new decade of service.

President Bola Tinubu also commended Oyedepo’s legacy in grooming leaders and his church’s significant contributions to education, health, and entrepreneurship.

He noted Oyedepo and his church’s remarkable impact on millions through educational and health institutions, as well as his entrepreneurial spirit which reawakened a new movement for growth in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Similarly, Abiodun described Oyedepo as a religious leader whose teachings have brought millions closer to God and fostered a spirit of empowerment and resilience

Idahosa, wife of the late Bishop Benson Idahosa, delivered a heartfelt tribute, thanking Oyedepo for his unwavering support over the years.

“Since my husband’s passing 26 years ago, Bishop Oyedepo has stood by me, my children, and our ministry. Your spiritual lineage is vast, and my children are among those you’ve guided with the word of faith,” she said.

Oyedepo received a Rolls Royce Cullinan and a generous donation of one billion naira from one of his sons towards feeding over 50,000 people at Canaanland during the celebration.

Credit: PUNCH

News

Impeachment Plot: Akpabio Cautions Nigerians To Disregard Media Report

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has admonished Nigerians to disregard stories of his planned impeachment, even as he described it as an illusion.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that an online publication, (Name withheld on Wednesday, published a story titled “DSS Takes Over National Assembly Amid Impeachment Speculations Against Senate President Akpabio”, which has since been republished by other media outlets.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of Senate, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh in a statement on Wednesday said the report was a figment of the reporters imagination.

He said: “Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishes to state without equivocation that the speculation and misinformation circulating about an alleged impeachment plot against him is the handiwork of fifth columnists who are perpetual merchants of misinformation and purveyors of mischief.

“As a Head of one of the Arms of government, the President of the Senate categorically denies these baseless claims and reaffirms his commitment to transformational leadership of the Senate particularly and effectively collaborates with the other arms of government. There is no crack in the Upper Chamber and no Senator or Caucus is plotting any impeachment against the President of the Senate. Every Senator is focused on raising the bar of Legislative Agenda and Nation building.

“The allegations are nothing but a desperate attempt to create division and discord among the esteemed senators. It’s unfortunate that some individuals would resort to spreading falsehoods to promote the invidious reins of their blackmail enterprise.

“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains focused on the implementation of the 10th Senate’s Legislative Agenda and working tirelessly to address the pressing National issues of growth and prosperity.

“The Senate President will not be distracted by these unfounded rumours and wants to assure the public that his commitment to Nigeria’s progress remains unwavering.

“We therefore urge the public to disregard these baseless claims and instead focus on the meaningful work being done by the Senate to improve the lives of all Nigerians”.

News

BREAKING! FG delegation in meeting with NLC, TUC

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal government delegation is currently meeting with the leaders of organised labour at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting is centred on the state of the nation, especially the petrol pricing system.

The meeting is taking place at the Secretary to the Office of the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.

At the meeting are Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, NSA; Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Labour Minister; and Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Others are the Information Minister, Petroleum Minister, State Minister of Gas, and representatives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited.

News

Reps Ask FG To Reverse Petrol Pump Price Hike, Cooking Gas Price

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…urge NNPCL, others to expedite repairs of refineries

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to reverse the recent Pump Price hike and take immediate steps to stabilise petrol and cooking gas prices through targeted interventions such as temporary price relief measures, tax reductions, or subsidies on LPG for low-income households.

The House also called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other relevant agencies to expedite the repair/maintenance of domestic refineries and increase local refining capacity as a stop-gap measure to reduce thedependence on imported refined petroleum products.

The lawmakers furtwhr urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement monetary policies that will mitigate the adverse effects of fuel price hikes on inflation, particularly with regards to essential goods and services.

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “Urgent need to suspend the increased cost of petrol and cooking gas in the country and provide a stop-gap”, moved by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda and 111 other lawmakers.

Debating the motion, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, said that Nigeria, as an oil-producing nation, has historically relied on petroleum products and cooking gas (LPG) as essential sources of energy for both domestic and industrial purposes.

He expressed concern that in recent months, the prices of petrol and cooking gas have skyrocketed and continue to so do, creating an unsustainable financial burden on ordinary Nigerians and exacerbating the cost of living:

According to Madaki, the removal of fuel subsidies, coupled with global oil price volatility and the depreciation of the Naira, has contributed significantly to the rising cost of petrol at the pump and cooking gas for households.

The motion reads: “Worried that the escalating fuel and gas prices are impacting the cost of transportation, food, essential goods and healthcare, further increasing inflation and pushing many families into deeper financial hardship.

“Further concerned that businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are struggling to manage their operational costs due to increased fuel prices, threatening economic stability and job security.

“Acknowledging that the Federal Government has previously announced plans to repair domestic refineries and boost local refining capacity to address some of these issues but has yet to deliver significant results in this regard;

“Mindful that the rising cost of petrol and cooking gas poses a significant threat to the livelihood of millions of Nigerians and unchecked inflationary pressure caused by the increased prices can lead to social unrest, increased poverty rates, and negative long-term economic effects; Also worried that unless urgent and pragmatic steps are taken to control the rising cost of petrol and cooking gas, the Nation will go into economic crisis leading to negative outcomes like increased crime rate and mortality rate.

The House unanimously adopted the motion urging the Federal Government to explore alternative energy sources and diversify the country’s energy mix to reduce reliance on petrol and gas, promoting renewable energy solutions that are more sustainable and affordable in the long term.

The lawmakers also encourage State Governments to adopt policies that alleviate the financial burden on their citizens, such as waiving taxes or levies on transportation and goods affected by high fuel costs.

The House further mandated its special adhoc committee investigating fuels price increase to investigate and report back within two week for further legislative action.