RECESSION: Kumuyi, Udom foresee hope for Nigeria

GENERAL Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi and the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Emmanuel Udom last Sunday assured Nigerians that the current harsh economic situation would soon abate. Kumuyi Speaking at a special Sunday service at the church’s International Bible Training Centre, Ayobo, a suburb of Lagos the twosome foresee hope despite the prevailing economic challenges. In a brief remark to the large crowd of worshippers, the Akwa Ibom State governor who extolled the virtues of the man of God, expressed hope that the nation would soon get over its present economic hardship. Despite the challenges facing the nation, Gov. Udom counselled Nigerians to appreciate that there must be a wilderness before the Promised Land, stressing that the nation had been sustained despite the challenges due to the prayers of Christian leaders and their followers. Udom challenged Nigerians to live righteously as any nation that must make progress must have its root in righteousness, saying that “it is righteousness that exalts a nation.” The governor said the things of God could not be gotten through short cut, stressing that Nigerians must embrace humility and repent of their sins so that God could take them to the Promised Land. Stressing the point to diversify the economy, Mr. Udom said over dependence on oil has not helped the nation and “I think the current economic situation calls for a rethink so that we can now walk the talk of diversification of our economy. “I just want to let you know that there’s no developed nation in the world today that cannot feed its citizens. If I can draw my analogy, you could see that God did not actually move to do anything until He found something for man to eat (Adam) in the Garden of Eden. So you could see the same is being followed by all developed nations. I just believe as at today we Nigerians will go back. There’s so much we can get out of the land,” he emphasised. Drawing further analogy from creation story, the governor main-tained that these are the days of the fruits of the lthI, adding “and when you are talking land, the first thing that comes to mind is agriculture. Anything we want to discuss today as far as the country is, our first step of development must be the fact that we should be able to feed our citizens.” “I also believe that Akwa Ibom State is the most blessed states on planet earth in terms of climate, soil condition and anything you can think of. I have a whole lot of women who have never seen fertiliser since they were born but they plant cassava and harvest seriously. “Plantain in my area is one of the best you can find in the whole world. The cocoa flavour from my land and from my climate is the best flavour you can taste anywhere. That’s why I say I behave like Moses. This is the time for execution,” he noted. On corruption, Udom said Nigerians must correct the notion that all those in government were corrupt, stressing that if corruption must be tackled in the nation, it must begin from individuals through attitudinal change. Also speaking, Pastor Kumuyi said Nigerians needed hope to make progress and that once there is hope and focus, the nation would get to its desired destination. He also stressed the need for attitudinal change for things to get better in the country, adding that this change would begin with a step at a time and with a clear focus on where “we are heading, Nigeria will be better.” Reminded that most Nigerians desire to hear his voice on the spate of killings of Christians in the North, Pastor Kumuyi had this to say: “Well I don’t know where those people are living that you said have not heard my voice. I just came back from FCT, from Benue, from Niger, from Kogi, from Nasarawa, from Plateau, from Adamawa, from Gombe, from Bauchi, from Taraba, and I’m on my way to Kaduna now. “And thousands of people gather together. I met with governors and deputy governors and executives; we spoke about things, mapping out ways forward. So I don’t know where those people are living that they have not heard my voice. Those who want to hear are hearing and you are hearing too,” he stated. Earlier in a sermon titled: “The renewed life of a rapturable saint,” Kumuyi charged Christians to shun all forms of covetousness, fornicat-ion, uncleaness, idolatry, among others and embrace righteousness and holiness of heart. If we are born again, we will set our affection on the things above,” he said, adding that godliness and righteousness should be the priority of every Christian.

Nigerian music industry to mark “No Music Day”

The Nigerian music industry has stepped up plans to mark the annual ‘No Music Day’ across Nigeria, next month. Themed “The Monetisation of Musical Content in the Digital Space” the event is a day the music industry has dedicated to bring the attention of the Nigerian nation to the widespread infringement of the rights of songwriters, composers, performers, music publishers, record labels and other stakeholders in the music industry. Okoroji Speaking on the theme of this year’s event, Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji  said “Every year, in marking ‘No Music Day’, our objective has been to engage the Nigerian people and the various governments on the potential contributions of Nigerian music to the socio-economic development of the Nigerian nation and the necessity to fully deploy the substantial comparative advantage which our nation possesses in this area so as to provide hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs to the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths. I have no doubt that if the right environment is created in Nigeria, the enormous creative energy exhibited by our young people will be released to the amazement of the world” he said. 

4,395 couples ready for Kano’s mass-wedding

No fewer than 4,395 prospective couples wishing to participate in the Kano State Government’s mass wedding have so far registered for the programme. The state government had directed the Hisba Board to register all interested prospective couples in the state. Dr Abba Sufi, the Director-General of the board, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Saturday. Sufi said of the number, 3,117 couples were registered by Hisba offices in 41 local government areas of the state, while the remaining 1, 278 couples were registered at the state headquarters of the board in Kano. “As I am talking to you now, 4,395 prospective couples indicated interest to participate in the programme. He said as soon as the remaining three local government areas submitted their list, the board would write a comprehensive report to the government for necessary action. Sufi, who was giving update on the registration exercise, reaffirmed the commitment of the government toward ensuring the success of the programme. “The government is committed to the programme hence its decision to continue with the programme. “The registration is still open to all interested persons as the exercise is still ongoing,” Sufi said. The registration for the prospective couples began simultaneously across the 44 local government areas of the state on Aug. 8.

Flood destroys 120 houses, farms in Jigawa

Flood have destroyed 120 houses and washed away farms and other valuables worth million of naira in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa.

Rep. Sai’du Yusif (APC-Jahun/Miga) made the figure known to newsmen after visiting the victims to sympathise with them.

Yusuf said the report received from the victims, indicated that about 120 houses, foodstuffs and other valuables were destroyed by flood.

The lawmaker, accompanied by Chief Whip, Rep. Alhasan Doguwa and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) official, said he came to sympathise with the victims.

Yusuf said he came in company of Alasan, who represented the Speaker, Rep Yakubu Dogara, to assess the level of damages caused by the flood for appropriate action.

The chief whip donated N500,000 to the victims to assuage their sufferings.

Yusuf declined comments on his donation, saying “it is between me and God’’.

But NAN learnt that he had donated cash, 50 sacks of maize, 50 bundles of wrappers and 60 bundles of brocade popularly known as “Shadda” to the victims.

He pledged to move a motion of urgent national importance when he return to the house to find lasting solution to the flood that had been ravaging the council annually.

After 3 kids in 3 years, I needed a break – Mercy Johnson-Okojie

Curvy cum busty Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, has revealed how much it was worth to create time out of her extremely busy career schedule to go on holiday with her husband in the United States for  approximately three weeks. Shortly after her return to her home country, the pretty mother of three spoke to Potpourri on the importance of taking time out to go on vacations. “We went to spend time together, three kids, three years, its fun; it’s awesome. In marriage, it’s necessary to have time to reminisce, plan and talk” she said excitedly Responding to why she’s already working barely a week after her return from the United States with her husband, she responded; “It’s not about the money, as a person I combine my marriage, my kids, my work together. I’ve done that for the past five years. My kids are on holidays now, so it’s a better time for me to work before they get back to school; it’s actually a better timing. Like I always say, it’s not about the money but the passion I have for my work.”

PDP years of leadership in Edo was a waste- Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo said contrary to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) position, the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Edo had shown that the state was viable. Oshiomhole, who stated this at rallies in Ameddokhian, Egbele, Uzea and Ivue, near Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo on Saturday, noted that the PDP was never interested in the development of the state. He alleged the PDP made people believe that the state was a pure civil service state, and as such, had no money. “PDP years of leadership in Edo was a waste. They told us that there is no money in Edo and they failed to build schools, construct roads, build hospitals and they even laid off workers. “But with our efforts this past seven years, we have shown that Edo is a viable state. “This is evident in the schools and hospitals we have built, the roads we have constructed, and water we have provided across the state. “It is for this reason that we are bold to ask for continuity. The continuity I am asking is that the work APC has started must be completed,” he said. Oshiomhole said his administration’s development strides across the state and Edo Central particularly, surpassed what an indigene of Esan land could not do, even when they held sway as leadership of the PDP at both state and national level. “Instead of developing this place, they only bring to you, every four years, N2,000 for you to vote for them. They again abandoned you only to resurface four years later for another deceit. “To me, this is disservice to you. This tells you that they never mean well for you. They only try to buy you to gain power in order for them to enrich themselves,” he said. At the rally, Mr Godwin Obaseki, APC flagbearer, said what Oshiomhole’s administration had done was to lay foundation to take the state to the next level. “The process of rebuilding Edo started with Oshiomhole’s government. Our work now is to take the state to the next level, to an enviable height that we all desire it to be. “Apart from continuing with the roads construction, building of schools and hospitals, provision

of water and many others, our focus will be on human capital development. “We want to be able to ensure that youths that constitute about 60 percent of the state’s population are either engaged productively or learn a trade. Our women will also be empowered,” he added. On his part, the state chairman of the party, Mr Anselm Ojezua appealed for support from the people of the senatorial district. Meanwhile, the clan head of Uzea Kingdom, in Esan North East council, Solomon Iluobe, has endorsed the candidacy of the APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki. The Onojie of Uzea, made the declaration when the APC candidate paid a visit to his palace when Obaseki’s campaign stopped over at Uzea. According to the monarch, “What we are waiting for is your swearing in; you are already the governor of Edo State. “I have seen the handwork of the APC and the development they brought to my domain. Though the work is yet to be completed, I know you will do more as the next governor. “I am assuring you; you don’t have a problem here in Uzea. As you leave, I will call my people to make sure you don’t lose any one vote in Uzea.”

Akiolu begs Nigerians, Niger Delta Avengers to give peace a chance

Lagos monarch, Oba Riliwan Akiolu I, on Saturday urged Nigerians to be patient in spite of the hard times in the country, assuring them that all will be well. “I am confident that the economy of the country, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, will change for good because our president is focused,’’ Akiolu told newsmen in his palace. The royal father, who spoke during the celebration of the Isese Festival in Isale Eko area of Lagos Island, said that the present hardship was a prelude to a better tomorrow. “Let us cooperate with the government. Do not take laws into your hands and always inform the security agencies wherever there are criminal activities,’’ Akiolu said. He appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to stop bombing oil facilities and put their grievances on the table for the government to address. “I want to use this medium to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers to give peace a chance. “I agree to some extent with them that certain things have to be done for them, but they just have to give peace a chance and things will work for them. “They should stop and put their grievances on the table and the government will address it. It is not too late to mend, “ Akiolu said. On the festival, Akiolu said it was an inherited custom and tradition which he does not joke with. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Isese festival featured diverse cultural activities to enhance interaction and promote harmony in the state and the country at large. Numerous Lagosians joined in the celebration of the festival, dancing and singing to various deities. (NAN)