A married woman (name withheld), who lied to her husband that she was going to a funeral was found dead in a Catholic priest’s house. The woman is said to be a member of the Catholic Women’s league from St Maurice Catholic Church in Lusaka, Zambia. It was learnt that the Church has suspended the Priest, Father Abel Mwelwa and also forced him to pay for the funeral expenses of the deceased. Father Abel Mwelwa was said to have invited the married woman to the parish house on the night of Holy Thursday. Archbishop Alick Banda eventually suspended the clergyman as the judicial vicar of the Archdiocese of Lusaka moments after the occurrence became public. Father Mwelwa had ceased being the parish priest of Kaunda Square parish. An official memo from the church also stated. “I hereby wish to inform you that I have with immediate effect suspended the Rev. Ringford Abel Mwelwa from the priesthood indefinitely. With this suspension, he ceases to be Parish Priest for Kaunda Square Parish. “Secondly, the priest also ceases to be the Judicial Vicar of the Archbishop of Lusaka.” A part of the memo read. An unconfirmed source, however, said that the priest reportedly injected some substance into the deceased in an attempt to abort her pregnancy . The deceased’s family has asked the clergyman to pay for the funeral expenses. The woman’s family called on the police to investigate the real cause of her death.
Factional leader of the outlawed Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has personally killed his war commander Abu Fatimah, accusing him of betrayal.
Information had it that Shekau has quickly appointed Abu Muhammad to replace the slain Commander of War. It was gathered that two other senior Commanders were also eliminated by Shekau last week.. source: PRNigeria
The Office of the National Security Adviser has assured aviation stakeholders that no Nigerian airport is under any security threat.
The Officer explained that reports of a threat on the nation’s airports by some media in the country were not true because they got it from routine internal government correspondence, which is “a routine threat assessment to ensure preparedness of agencies and not meant for public dissemination.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication of the Security Adviser, Z.M Usman, said that in the period covered by the correspondence, threat analysis identified the need to advise Airports Management nationwide to upgrade existing security measures around the nation’s airports.
“Regrettably, the unauthorized release of this advisory is likely to raise fear among airport users at home and abroad.
“Accordingly, this statement is issued to reassure the public and all aviation stakeholders of the safety of our airports. The security and intelligence services will continue to monitor security threats and provide the assessment and timely advise required by Airports Managements to continuously upgrade security measures in the airports.
An aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has described the Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Father Ejike Mbaka as “author of confusion” and asked the Catholic Church to “defrock” him.
In a string of tweets today, April 29 reacting to Mbaka’s latest attack on Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Omokri wrote, “Father Mbaka is an author of confusion. Today, he is calling on General Muhammadu Buhari to “resign or be impeached”. In 2015, he told Nigerians that God told him Buhari was Nigeria’s saviour. If the Catholic Church doesn’t defrock this man, he will rubbish their name.
“A man of God should not speak from both sides of the mouth. How could God have told Mbaka that Buhari is the saviour in 2015, and now God is telling him another thing in 2021? This same man falsely accused then President Jonathan of attempting to assassinate him!”
Mbaka had earlier blessed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for championing the cause of his people and said God had asked him to withdraw his support for the President, Muhammadu Buhari and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and to prophesy against them.
The fiery priest had also caused controversy last year when he prophesied that then Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, would be removed by the Supreme Court and Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress would be made governor.
Mbaka had also prophesied that Buhari would defeat Jonathan and become President in 2015 and continued to support him at various times.
Only last week, Mbaka said that Buhari government had failed to protect lives in the country, describing the situation as devastating.
The Presidency has accused Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom of only seeing the problems of others and can’t see his own.
In a statement today, April 29, reacting to Governor’s attack on the President, the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the Presidency is disappointed and sad over Governor Ortom’s litany of accusations against the person of the President and his government, following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state.
Garba Shehu quoted Governor Ortom as saying that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country calls for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.
“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp. President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.
“The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom. President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.
“Those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.”
He President Buhari had always insisted that the strength of the country should derive from the people’s diversity in faith, culture, and traditions “and attempts to sharpen the divide between northern and southern Nigeria, between Muslims and Christians, and between communities that have coexisted for centuries should be frowned upon and resisted.
“As Nigerians, we accuse colonial rulers of the policy of divide and rule. Today, it is our own leaders who put region against region, religion against religion, ethnic group against ethnic group and community against community.
“The future of Benue State and indeed that of the entire country lies in harmony and the respect for law, order, and the constitution. It is the only way to achieve progress and development.”
Garba Shehu said that while the President will continue to keep security, police and the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in troubled parts of the country, the situation in the states will greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.
“Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national strategies programs in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development.
“This can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests. A government voted into office by the people, should treat the people as its masters and not as its servants.”
MTN Nigeria has announced the introduction of Remita, a leading electronic payment platform, for the management of all its post-paid invoicing, payment as well as service-and-expense reconciliation needs.
In a statement today, April 29 by its spokeperson, MTN said that with this development, enterprises and individuals on MTN’s post-paid billing system will now be able choose an invoice and amount to pay through any of the multiple payment channels available on Remita, receive a payment notification and an automatically updated transactions record with Nigeria’s largest mobile company.
The statement said that the new project was announced after integrating its system with Remita’s invoicing and payments solutions suite.
It said that the partnership will holistically transform the experience of post-paid customers of MTN Nigeria, enabling them consummate transactions in the most convenient way, achieve payment flexibility and maintain a record that is up-to-date and truly reflective of their payment status.
“With post-paid payments now to be made on Remita, customers can centrally view, pay and manage all their bills. They can also retrieve their invoices and complete payments for their total outstanding bills or selected invoices. They would also be able to enter a custom amount to be settled through a wide array of payment options available on Remita including card, internet banking, electronic wallet, USSD, bank transfer, phone number and registered Remita profile. Remita transactions can also be completed at any bank branch and agent locations nationwide.
“To enjoy Remita’s fast and reliable service for MTN post-paid bills, customers are to visit Remita website, remita.net, select ‘Bills and Purchases’, click ‘Pay MTN Bills’, enter their identification type (Invoice ID, Account ID or Service ID), and then proceed to pay through the option most seamless for them.”
In its announcement to customers, MTN confirmed that it had partnered with Remita for an easier payment experience and encouraged customers to call 216 or email ES.Service@mtn.com for more details on how to enjoy the service which would guarantee them a stress-free payment experience.”
Remita billing and payment system is the first and only one of its kind within Nigeria which offers such an impressive level of transparency, ease of use and instant service consummation for post-paid customers.
Speaking on the collaboration, David Okeme, Divisional Head, Vertical Markets and Payment Applications at SystemSpecs, providers of Remita, said: “with the increasing competition in every sector of the economy today, we at SystemSpecs are always exploring opportunities for collaboration, with the objective of improving customer experience across various levels of existence.
“Partnering to power the payment needs of MTN Nigeria’s post-paid customers is yet another step in this direction which aligns with our insatiable longing to add value through the provision of innovative payment technology.
Remita thrives on partnerships with other players within Africa’s financial ecosystem and has emerged a provider of robust payment infrastructure and solutions to telcos, fintechs, financial institutions as well as individuals, other organisations and governments.
MTN Nigeria provides wireless telecommunication services and offers roaming, Internet, bills payment, device financing, data management, SIM registration and other related services to individuals and corporate customers all over Nigeria.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has indicated interest in becoming a pastor after serving his second term in office as governor. Governor Abiodun’s first term in office will end in 2023.
Governor Abiodun, speaking at the 108th Nigeria Baptist Convention held at the Baptist International Conference Centre, Lufuwape Town, along Lagos-Ibadan highway, said that he loves reading, studying and sharing the the Bible.
“I may end up on the pulpit after I have served as governor for eight years.”
Governor Abiodun said that if Nigerians could follow the instructions of God in their daily activities, the country would not find itself in its current predicaments.
He however asked Nigerians not to lose hope, saying: “all we need is the fear of God.”
The management of Eastern Palm University, Ogboko has announced the closure of the institution with immediate effect.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tola Badejo, who briefed journalists today, April 28 in Owerri, said that the management took the decision following the ownership tussle between former governor Rochas Okorocha and the state government.
The state government seized the university from the ex-governor in February. In a public announcement, the government said the state’s fund was used to build the institution.
But Okorocha had continued to deny any wrongdoing during his tenure as governor of the state.
The vice-chancellor said the decision to close the university was taken to safeguard the lives of the students and staff of the institution.
“The recent visit by the Imo State Commissioner for Education ordering the students to leave the premises was unsettling for the institution. The recent removal of the university’s entrance billboard by the Imo State Government and its replacement with the proposed renamed K. O Mbadiwe university by the government-aided armed policemen is simply one action too many.
“Antics and actions by the Imo State government have disrupted the academic activities of the institution and have stirred an air of panic and discomfort in a place that is designed to bring a sense of purpose to the young bright minds within its walls.
“The decision to shut down was made upon the heels of the recent and incessant harassment by the Imo State Government and its total disregard for the court judgment of the state High court on this matter.
“All students and parents are urged to contact the registrar’s office in order to gain better insight and support during this period. Creating a healthy and conducive environment for learning is key to our operations at Eastern Palm University and as such a parameter we cannot trade.”
Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed optimism that insecurity challenges facing Nigeria won’t consume the country.
The former President, who spoke today, April 28, at the 108th Nigeria Baptist Convention, held at the Baptist International Conference Centre, Lufuwape Town, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, said that he remained an “incurable optimist” about a better Nigeria, despite the rising security challenges.
He said that there would be light at the end of the tunnel despite the spate of killings and abductions,
“You know, I’m an incurable optimist about a number of things, but particularly about Nigeria. “Epon agbo wa n fi ni, koni ja (the situation may be threatening, we won’t be consumed). There will be light at the end of the tunnel).”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has warned that Nigeria may be heading to worse situation than what it is going through now if the elites don’t speak out against the evil in the land.
“If we keep quiet, if we say nothing and hope that things will just normalize, we may be wrong. And we may find ourselves heading for something much worse than we are seeing today. “If the political elite does not speak up, if we don’t see anything wrong in what is going on, if we allow it to continue to slide, we will endanger ourselves and endanger the future of our country.” Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from the Southeast, particularly chieftains and members from Anambra State, insisted: “we cannot afford a war in this country…it is the political elite that will determine what will take place.”
The Vice President stressed that every conflict is a result of elite failure, “the elite failure to speak up and tell the truth to their communities. That is the cause of every one of these civil conflicts. “So, I would urge that we speak up. I would urge that we stand for something. Sometimes it’s dangerous to stand for something. But the greater danger of course, is to keep quiet.” Professor Osinbajo cautioned that “the thing about the kinds of conflicts in these parts of the world is that it is usually a war without end. Everyone who thinks that they have some money stored up somewhere is wrong, you will eventually run out. he recalled a personal experience in Somalia in the 90s when he went there to work with the United Nations, saying that he saw a Supreme Court Justice whom he had known before queuing up for food in the aftermath of civil conflicts in the country. “Everyone who thinks they can go and hide somewhere, you won’t even find a place. In the end, everyone will suffer. Parents, children, young people, old people, will suffer.” On the forthcoming primaries for the governorship election in Anambra State, the Vice President said that a fair process or fairness of justice will be fundamental in ensuring victory for the party at the polls. Professor Osinbajo said that to be fair and just is not the responsibility for spirits, but the responsibility for men and women of the party, especially the leadership. Party chieftains present at the meeting included former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Minister of State for Mines & Steel Development, Uche Ogah, Minister of State for Labour & Productivity, other party leaders and members from the Southeast, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, among others.
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