Author: Chukwu Ikenna

The founder of Love World, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has criticised music gospel music ministers who departed their local assemblies after fame.

The cleric stated that the gospel music ministry should be dependent on the church, and would die if it stands alone.

According to Oyakhilome majority of those in gospel music ministry are cheating the church and using it for personal gain.

He argued that numerous singers who began their careers in church choirs have since sought worldly fame and wealth, exploiting their church ties for financial gains.

Oyakhilome suggested that these individuals are often driven by Satan’s influence, using their gifts for personal gain instead of serving the church.

He urged his followers to avoid supporting such artists, cautioning that doing so could lead them down a path to damnation.

The pastor stressed that genuine musical ministry should be grounded in the church, relying on it, rather than seeking success independently.

He said: “Probably in the last 40-50 years no one has cheated the church more than the music industry. What most of them has ever done was to use the church.

“And if you look at history, long before the years I mentioned, you will see many worldly singers that started in the church.

“They were in the choir leading praise. They ended up in the world. All they ever did was to use the church to make themselves popular. They either start a church with that opportunity or find a way to use that opportunity to make money. Satan enters into their mind to give them ideas how to leverage on the opportunity given to them in the house of God for financial reasons.

“I’ve told you don’t give them any chance anymore otherwise they’ll go to hell. Try to save them. Many of them who wouldn’t go to church. They don’t know the message, they are exposed to a poetic activity. Most of the things they write sinners can write them, they’ll just be nice.

“When you reprimand them, they’ll go and start another church, why with their popularity. But it’s only a matter of time. Those that gather with them are rebels like them.

“All the singers the Bible talked about were in the choir. No special singing ministry. It is a ministry that is dependent on the church. If it stands alone it dies.”

The Edo State Government has demolished the property of a suspected kidnapper, Oboh Odianosen, in Uromi, Esan North Local Government Area of the state.

The state’s Task Force against Kidnapping carried out the demolition on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, following Odianosen’s arrest and admission of involvement in the crime.

Speaking before the demolition, Odianosen admitted to participating in the abduction of a man in Ekpoma, stating that he and his gang of five took the victim into a forest in Uromi, where they held him for three days before his family paid N5 million for his release.

“My name is Odianosen Oboh. This is my house. My father started the building, but I completed it,” he explained.

“It was my friend, Epama, that I followed for the operation. We abducted a man from Ekpoma and moved him in a car that later broke down. I had to use my motorcycle to take him into the bush in Uromi, where we kept him for three days until his family paid the ransom.”

Odianosen said he used his N800,000 share to settle debts but blamed his friend for exposing him

“It was Epama who mentioned my name after he was arrested. Now, they are demolishing my father’s house because of N800,000. My family has no home, and my children are outside. Everyone should stay away from crime,” he lamented.

Speaking after the demolition, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, Paul Akhere, warned that the government would not relent in its crackdown on kidnappers.

“There is no peace for the wicked. Those still engaging in kidnapping should know that the government will not stop hunting them. Your time will come, and we will come for you. We will chase the kidnappers and continue to pull down their houses,” he said.

The Commander of the Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, confirmed that Odianosen and his gang had confessed to the crime, necessitating the enforcement of the law.

The demolition marks the fourth property brought down by the task force as part of the state’s renewed efforts to combat kidnapping.

Suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), has said that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, once made a suggestive comment about her waist movements.

She made the allegation in an interview with BBC, adding that Akpabio would “squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way”.

“We women, we know what it means when a man squeezes our hands in a suggestive way,” she added.

Natasha Akpoti told the BBC reporter: “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there.

“And Akpabio said ‘oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?

“There was another time he made a statement like ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist’.

“He makes such sexist statements.”

Asked how other senators react, Natasha Akpoti said: “And then they (other senators) all laughed.

“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa.

“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”

Recall that the Senate suspended Natasha Akpoti on March 6 for “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour” after an altercation with the Senate President over seating arrangements.

The suspension came barely 24 hours day after she submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio.

However, the Senate had insisted that Natasha Akpoti’s suspension had nothing to do with the petition.

At least 30 individuals have been injured by gunfire in a recent outbreak of violence between the communities of Ifon in Orolu local government and Ilobu in Irepodun council area, both located in Osun State.

Reports indicate that the conflict, rooted in a lingering land disagreement, has forced numerous residents, particularly women and children, to flee their homes.

In the predawn hours of Friday, assailants torched multiple homes and businesses, escalating the destruction in the area.

Sources reveal that prior to this latest incident, tensions had already been simmering, with locals from both towns engaging in skirmishes across villages and contested territories.

Social media clips shared by a group identifying as the Concerned Youth of Ifon Osun, Orolu Kingdom, expressed their frustration: “We can’t keep looking and be watching Olobu & Ilobu people’s burning our shops and houses in the midnight any longer.

“We, the Youth of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, call on the state Government of Osun to hasten their steps and actions to short things out , we have been patiently enduring the brutal attacks and destructive behavior of Ilobu hoodlums for far too long.

“Our peace-loving and law-abiding king, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooiye III, Olufon of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, has been calming our youths and advising restraint, despite the ongoing aggression from Ilobu.

“However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to remain passive while our ancestral properties and farmlands are being destroyed and our people are being harmed.”

In contrast, Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, refuted claims that his community initiated the violence.

He countered: “Since Tuesday, they have been attacking our people on their farmland like Agbere Onireke and Opapa. They attacked a chief with an attempt to kidnap him but he was rescued by farmers around.

On Wednesday, they went to a farm at Gbere to attack on Nureni and Oseni Saluwudeen, burnt down two motorcycles which will reported at the police station in Ilobu.

“Yesterday, in the evening they went to a place called Oke-Ekutu, they destroyed all the houses and set one on fire. They went to Akipanroro, Ganga and Oke-Ayepe, they started burning and shooting our people. Mostly children and women were caught in this attack, they caught us unawares.

“Our children and women are displaced now, we are extracting bullets in the palace through local means, they have brought about 30 to palace for us to remove the bullets in their body, they are still bringing more. Children and women are mostly affected.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel and resources to Rivers State following the State of Emergency declared in the State by President Bola Tinubu.

The deployment of officers is aimed at strengthening security, safeguarding lives and property, and protecting critical infrastructure across the state.

This was made known via a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, March 20.

The statement confirms that the operation is being carried out in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The statement reads: “On 18th March, 2025, a state of emergency was declared in Rivers state by the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Prior to this declaration, the Nigeria police force has been monitoring the imminent threats to public order and safety in river state, receiving and sharing intelligence with other security agencies

“The series of events that cumulated into this declaration were direct consequences of the political crisis that has engulfed the state in the last 22 months. These events have clearly made out a case of a state that has reached a tripping point, necessitating a timely intervention to avert a total breakdown of law and order in Rivers State which could have broader implications for National Security.

“In response, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel and resources to Rivers State. This effort, undertaken in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, is intended to bolster security, protect lives and property, and secure critical infrastructure in the state

“The Nigeria Police Force emphasizes that aggrieved Individuals retain the right to seek legal redress through the appropriate judicial channels. Consequently, any attempt to exploit the situation through unlawful gatherings, protests, or activities to disrupt public peace will be met with the full force of the law. Citizens are urged to remain law-abiding, comply with all legal directives, and continue their daily activities without fear.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining peace and security. Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities that may compromise public safety.

“Individuals or groups with criminal intent are hereby warned to stay away from Rivers State. Security forces are fully prepared to take decisive action against any threats to the peace and stability of the state.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has shared that he will only marry his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, when they both experience the perfect moment, the ‘click’ that feels right.

The 40-year-old football star has been in a relationship with the 31-year-old Spanish model since 2016.

Together, they share two daughters, Alana, 7, and Bella, 2. Georgina is also the stepmother to Ronaldo’s three other children: Cristiano Jr., and twins Eva and Mateo.

While the couple has never publicly confirmed an engagement, Georgina’s friends have often asked when the two will finally tie the knot.

However, Ronaldo made it clear that he is waiting for that special moment to take their relationship to the next level.

In an interview for her Netflix reality show ‘I Am Georgina’, the model told how she has been teased by friends over when she will get married.

She said: “They’re always joking about the wedding. ‘When is the wedding?’ Since Jennifer Lopez’s song ‘The Ring Or When’ came out, they started singing it to me. And well, this is not up to me.

However, Ronaldo emphasised that he will marry Georgina when they experience “that click” — meaning when the timing feels right and everything in their lives aligns perfectly.

He said: “I always tell her, ‘when we get that click.’ Like everything with our life, and she knows what I’m talking about.

“It could be in a year or it could be in six months or it could be in a month. I’m 1000% sure that it’ll happen.”

The Federal Government has introduced a new electronic visa system that will allow applicants to get a Nigerian visa within 48 hours.

This is to simplify the visa acquisition process and ensuring more people coming into the country.

The newly introduced E-visa process that was proposed as the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year December has been officially approved.

According to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the policy aims to attract more visitors by making the process faster and easily accessible.

“The quest to improve Nigeria’s visa acquisition process led to the review and submission of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024 to Mr. President, which he graciously approved. This is why, since last December, the Minister of Creative Economy will tell you that we have witnessed a significant increase in people coming into Nigeria,” Minister of interior said .

The new E-visa system is set to replace the current visa-on-arrival process. With this development, applicants will no longer be required to visit visa application centers for biometric data collection before traveling to Nigeria.

“The E-visa means you will get your visa within 48 hours. We are simplifying the process to ensure more people can come to Nigeria. The era of going to visa application centers for biometrics will soon be eradicated,” He also said.

In addition to easing the visa process, the government is also strengthening border security. Officials revealed that approximately 60% of Nigeria’s 2,400 km land border is now being actively monitored through enhanced surveillance system.

The Federal Government has assured that further improvements to the visa process will take place in the coming weeks. The new system is expected to increase the number of foreign guests.

Operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have raided shops in Woji, Mile 3 and Mile 1 markets in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, uncovering large quantities of counterfeit rice.

According to reports, over 120 fake bags of rice were seized from more than ten shops

Upon discovering the counterfeit rice, the agency warned that rebagged rice often comes from questionable sources and may be treated with harmful chemicals to enhance its appearance.

Images and videos on the X handle of the agency, on Thursday, March 20 read: “NAFDAC in collaboration with producers of Big Bull Rice, has raided shops in Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets in Port Harcourt, uncovering large-scale sales of counterfeit Big Bull Rice.

“A shop on the YKC axis of Woji was identified as a distribution point for the fake rice.

“Inside, officials discovered large quantities of empty counterfeit Big Bull Rice bags along with other rice brands such as Cap Rice, Stallion Rice, Tomato Rice, and Mama Pride. A salesgirl, identified as Ogechi Okafor, was apprehended at the scene.

“Other items recovered from the shop included sewing and sealing machines, a generator, a stove, thread, and several bags of already rebagged rice.

“Pharm. Emmanuel Onogwu, NAFDAC’s Rivers State Coordinator, highlighted key features that distinguish the original Big Bull Rice

“From counterfeit versions, including a distinct shiny ribbon across the threaded top, superior bag quality, and an authentic logo.

“He warned that rebagged rice often comes from questionable sources and may be treated with harmful chemicals to enhance its appearance.

“In total, over 120 fake bags of rice were seized from more than ten shops and transported to the NAFDAC Zonal Office for further investigation.”

Barely 24 hours after a CNG-laden tanker crashed near Karu Bridge, a fertiliser-laden truck has toppled at the same spot along the Abuja-Keffi expressway.

Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs at the FCT Emergency Management Department, confirmed the accident, disclosing that the truck collided with a Hijet and a dump truck. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

Isa urged motorists to exercise caution on the busy route as the Federal Road Safety Corps works to clear the affected vehicles and prevent further traffic congestion.

Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, has expressed his belief that the Super Eagles will succeed in tomorrow’s match, but admits the Amavubi might be difficult opponents.

He revealed the plan of the Nigerian team ahead of their clash with Rwanda while speaking in an interview with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Nigeria faces an uphill battle to turn around their underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign as they aim for a spot in the 2026 tournament.

With just three points from their last four matches—one loss and three draws—the team finds itself in a precarious position.

To secure a place in the FIFA World Cup, they will need to win their final qualifying match.

Disclosing the team’s plan, Lookman said: “Now, the team is looking forward to Friday’s game, the first game. We’re looking to go out there and to work hard and to impose ourselves on the game and have a good time.

“We know Rwanda is a good team, we know about their quality, but at the end of the day, we need to be focusing on ourselves and try to bring the game to them, to fight together for the win.

“Everybody knows the level of the players that we have here. It’s an incredible group of players, and most importantly, they’re good people. Everyone has the same objective – to want to win, and that’s very important.

“The group is together, very tight-knit, so that’s the winning formula. Everybody’s positive, we’ve had two good training sessions. So we’re looking forward to putting out a great performance.”