Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom condemns in strong terms, the assault on END SARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
The Governor describes as unfortunate and unacceptable,
the killing of innocent and unarmed young Nigerians who came out holding the National Flag and reciting the country’s Anthem while calling for positive changes.
He stresses that democracy guarantees the right of citizens to express themselves against unfavorable policies of government, and states that security operatives owe the people the duty of ensuring that such protests are peaceful.
Victim of Lekki Massacre been carried.
Governor Ortom says visiting the END SARS protesters with violence is not a solution to the agitations, and urges the Federal Government to toe the path of dialogue and address the concerns of Nigerians as echoed by the protesting youths.
He calls for thorough investigation into the shooting that led to the death of some of the protesters, to fish out perpetrators of the heinous crime, for prosecution.
The Governor also advises the END SARS protesters to remain peaceful and not allow miscreants to hijack their noble march towards a better Nigeria.
Reports reaching InsideBenue reveals that some gunmen have on Sunday attacked a Benue Link passenger bus, abducting not fewer than 10 passengers.
The incident occured around Olanyega community along Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, the fully loaded bus was on its way to Makurdi from Onitsha before it was hijacked on the Benue road.
“Four passengers were released as at yesterday night (Sunday) after the army gave the abductors a hot chase. It was a fully loaded bus (with 15 occupants). The bus was returning from Onitsha to Makurdi,” Tachia told newsmen.
Mr Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transport who confirmed the development to newsmen in Makurdi said information are sketchy.
The Makurdi Zonal Centre of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said among the passengers abducted was a staff of the organisation.
According to the report, the kidnappers demanded N60 million, but reduced the demand to N16 million as ransom before their victims gain freedom.
The operation which lasted over 30 minutes, according to locals, occurred at 2:30pm on Sunday, leaving motorists plying that section of the highway helpless.
A local chief in the area, who escaped being caught up in the attack, narrated that the spot – Olanyega/Okpudu – where the incident happened on the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Enugu Expressway had over time become unsafe for commuters.
Recall that similar incident involving two buses of the transport company a fortnight ago around Ajaokuta in Kogi State. 28 people were kidnapped.
Tachia however added that eight of the 10 Lagos-bound passengers abducted in Kogi axis had been released remaining two victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.
Following the nomination of Nollywood actor and son of the late Pastor Odukoya, Jimmy Odukoya as successor of his popular father by the Board of Trustees of Fountain of Life Church on Sunday, a social media influencer, Barr. Jov Tersoo took to his Facebook page to congratulate the new overseer. But his post with different reactions from his readers:
Tersoo writes: Congratulations to Jimmy Odukoya. This is why some people keep referring to Pentecostal churches as family empires. Also a reason why no one want to serve under another person as a pastor. No matter how good and faithful you are, the general overseer’s son is prepared to take the lead when the father is gone. May his reign be great.
Below are some of the reactions:
✍ Idoko Noah Sanni commented “The hair style if not natural dada (dread) and you still remain in the church you need check up,we thank God for orthodox background”
✍ Tertindi Teeter writes: “Thanks be to God Almighty who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”
✍ Ololade Paul writes: “With this kind of hair style? This is not how we met Christianity!”
✍ Usha Humphrey writes: “He looks like a superstar”
✍ Walter Ogar writes: “Joel Osteen took over from his father John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church and has surpassed all expectations. Just listen to God, what is he saying?”
✍ Ishaya Danladi writes: “The founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God followed a path that most overseers dread to take. He made someone not even related to him to take over the helm of affairs before his departure. Most presidents and founders of modern pentecostal churches start their work with the view that it is a family business.”
✍ Aondona Manta write: “Jov, Who was the leader of the Jerusalem council of elders, or if we must put it in today’s parlance, the Chairman of the Board in Jesus’ ministry after his death and resurrection?”
✍ Sammie Adoche writes: “Until you know the circumstances surrounding his nomination it’s wrong to call any church a family business. Jimmy is not someone who will normally want to take up such mantle but if it’s God’s what will he do.”
✍ Ayodele Yemitope writes “I feel that’s subjective… It’s not all churches that get another person that’s not a family member that ends up more Successful and it’s not all churches that has the son or family of the founder take over that becomes a Success. What matters is if God is leading in that direction. Jimmy has been a Pastor in TFL for a while now long before the Dad’s death. But for the Dreads that seems kind off out of place to many. Every other things is okay from man’s point of view from God side that’s for those that have heard in line. The real deal is when the Latter House Surpass the Former”
✍ Dommie Kay writes “Any man that can go sit in the salon, washing, conditioning drying and braiding, as in braiding his hair should be feared, e get why. Even women don’t enjoy the experience, we only enjoy it for the beauty of the outcome.”
Jimmy, a Nollywood actor and musician who featured prominently Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie as Oba Ade was announced to the church on Sunday as his father’s successor.
According to a member of the BoT, Pastor Rotimi Okpaise, the late Taiwo Odukoya confided in the board of trustees (BoT) members about the succession plan before his demise.
Late Pastor Odukoya
Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board..
Jimmy will be formally installed on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
The former Senior pastor and founder died on August 7, Odukoya, in the United States of America aged 67.
24 countries have qualified for prestigious continental Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cote D’Ivoire next year. All 24 countries will justle for the golden cup.
The tournament will feature 12 former AFCON champions with Nigeria, a three-time champion not left out.
From the West coast of the continent, we have the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, current champion Senegal, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea and others.
East Africa has Tanzania returning for a second finals after a brave showing in the qualifiers.
From the Northern coast of African, we have seven-time champions Egypt, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
The tournament will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, after it was postponed from it’s original June, 2023 date.