KICNEWS

Author: Chukwu Ikenna

  • ‘Become the change you want to see in Nigeria’, Oyedepo urges Nigerians

    ‘Become the change you want to see in Nigeria’, Oyedepo urges Nigerians

     

    Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, has urged Nigerians to become the change they crave for in Nigeria.

    Speaking at a recent church gathering, the cleric stressed that personal transformation is key to bringing about national change.

    According to Oyedepo, he prays to be alive when Nigeria will become debt free.

    He said: “The change we want to see, we must be that change first and then we’ll see that change. A great Nigeria is a cheap possibility. Lt’s begin from the beginning. Let’s begin from ourselves. Let’s be that change. Don’t make yourself a commodity to be bought. Be satisfied with Jesus.

    “I love this Nation with passion. I want to be alive to see a brand new Nation. I want to be alive to see a nation that is debt free and celebrate righteousness in all areas.”

     

  • “They can go to h£ll” Ribadu blasts Canada for denying military chiefs visa.

    “They can go to h£ll” Ribadu blasts Canada for denying military chiefs visa.

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has blasted Canada officials for denying visa to top Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

    Ribadu expressed his disapproval at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, Feb. 13.

    The NSA’s comment came after the Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that he and his team were invited to Canada for an event honouring war veterans, but he and about half of the delegation were denied visas.

    General Musa described the incident as “disappointing” but emphasised that it serves as a reminder for Nigeria to “stand strong as a nation” and not be taken for granted.

    He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”

    Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out about the incident.

    “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to h3ll,” Ribadu said.

    The NSA said that despite the disappointment, Nigeria is “peaceful and strong” and must work hard to overcome such challenges.

    Ribadu praised Gen. Musa for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against t£rrorism, b@nditry, and other security thre@ts in the country.

  • ‘We don cast, we admit’, MTN apologises to customers

    ‘We don cast, we admit’, MTN apologises to customers

     

    Telecom Company, MTN has issued a public apology to its customers in response to widespread dissatisfaction over a sudden 200% increase in the price of its popular 15GB data bundle.

    The price hike, which saw the cost of the 15GB weekly data plan surge from N2,000 to N6,000, caught many subscribers off guard and quickly sparked an outcry on social media.

    The backlash, which began on Wednesday, has drawn significant attention as users expressed their frustration over the steep increase in data costs.

    In an informal message via their social media handle, MTN, acknowledged the frustration of its customers.

    The post reads: “To our 150 digital bundle lovers, You dey vex. We know.

    “We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle.

    “We could share several reasons, and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.

    “In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die and we will never stop showing you how much. Let’s continue our relationship.”

     

  • I regret campaigning for Tinubu in 2023 – APC chieftain

    I regret campaigning for Tinubu in 2023 – APC chieftain

    Kano-based politician and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Abdulmajid Dan Bilki commander, has said he regrets campaigning for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election.

    In a telephone chat with Daily Trust, Commander said based on the performance indicators available to every Nigerian, President Tinubu has failed many Nigerians who voted for him in 2023.

    He explained that in his entire life, he had never regretted an action the way he is regretting campaigning for President Tinubu.

    “It pains me, but it is the truth and let the truth be told. I am an active member of APC, but I must admit that Nigeria’s administration under APC has failed Nigerians and as an individual who had dedicated his time and resources in convincing people to vote for the party, I want to state here that I am regretting my action,” he said.

    Commander also stated that as a representative of the masses, he has to seek for their forgiveness as what he had promised them from the APC-led government were not been delivered to them.

    He explained that Nigerians were suffering and their expectations from the APC government were not met.

    “Nigerians are hungry and angry. Their security not guaranteed and governance lopsided, they couldn’t afford two square meals per day,” he said.

  • EFCC arraigns man for refusing to accept naira 

    EFCC arraigns man for refusing to accept naira 

     

    The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned one Precious Chimaobi Uzondu on a two-count charge bordering on alleged refusal to accept naira as a legal tender before the Federal High Court sitting in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

    One of the counts read: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 as a means of payment for a purchase of a Carter diamond bracelet with serial number (12345678) and you thereby lcommitted an offence contrary to Section 20 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

    The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

    Following his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Hannatu U. KofarNaisa, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional centre.

  • Govt seals shrine linked to Yahoo plus 

    Govt seals shrine linked to Yahoo plus 

     

    The Anambra State government has sealed a shrine in Umuofor village,Ojika in Ihiala Local Government Area allegedly used by Ekene Igboegbueze to make people rich through supernatural means.

    The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakai who disclosed this when he led men of Operation Udo Ga-Achi to the shrine, explained that the government sealed the place on account of complaints it received from the people of Okija about the illegal business of Igboegbueze and online video where Mr Ekene said that he does Oke ite, Yahoo Plus, Awele for people which is contrary to Anambra State Homeland Security Laws.

    He further said that state government has also sealed all the properties acquired by the suspect with the proceeds of the illegal business and all the items seen in the shrine will undergo foreinsic test and the outcome will determine what government will do with him.

    On his part, the Director of Operation, Agunechemba Security Outfit, Mr Chinenye Ihenko lamented that the activities of fake native doctors and pastors are promoting get rich quick syndrome in the state and cautioned the youths to desist from patronising them as they are deceitful.

    : FB/ABSRADIOTELEVISION

     

  • Lara George criticises churches for underpaying local gospel artists

    Lara George criticises churches for underpaying local gospel artists

     

    US-based Nigerian gospel singer Lara George has criticised churches that refuse to fairly compensate local gospel artists for their performances.

    Taking to social media, George criticized the double standard in many churches, highlighting how they readily pay large sums to bring in foreign artists while local talent is often left unpaid or underpaid.

    She challenged her followers to reflect on the disparity, asking how they would feel if they learned that their favorite international gospel artist charged $100,000 for a performance at a church event.

    George also questioned the lavish lifestyles of some pastors, asking if their wealth came from the sale of their books and CDs, or from tithes and offerings from their congregation.

    She wrote on Facebook: “If you found out that your favorite non-Naija Gospel artiste charges $100k USD to sing songs of praise and worship, would they appear less spiritual to you because they do so? Or did you all think that they sing for free?

    “If you discovered that many of your favorite ‘pulpit persons’ who act as though paying the Naija artiste is an unthinkable thing, are actually paying the non-Naija artiste those so-called ‘high sums of money’, would your view of the ‘pulpit person’ change?

    “Have you ever asked whether it is the ‘pulpit-person’s’ tapes and cds that are affording them the lavish lifestyles they live with private jets here and there? Or is that lifestyle from tithes and offerings????

    “A Gospel artiste is indeed a professional. A professional artiste. Is there such a thing as a professional pastor?

    “Dear ‘pastor’, What’s your source of livelihood exactly? If we stop the tithes and offerings, will that ministry also retire??? I can’t stand either bullies or hypocrisy!”

     

  • JUST IN: National grid collapses again

    JUST IN: National grid collapses again

     

    The national grid experienced another system collapse, throwing many Nigerians into darkness.

    According to report, the grid lost power generation some minutes after 11 on Wednesday morning.

    The spokesperson of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Ndidi Mbah, has yet to respond to a message sent to her by our correspondent as she said she was at a function.

    However, sources in some power generation companies confirmed to our correspondent that there was a general grid disturbance on Wednesday morning.

    Most power plants on the grid lost generation when the incident occurred.

    At 11 am, hourly power generation was 4064 megawatts but this dropped to 1,203MW at 12 pm and 0.00MW at 1 pm.

    This is about the first time the grid will collapse in 2025 after it experienced a line tripping in January.

    In 2024, the grid collapsed 12 and over 100 times in 10 years.

    On its X handle on Wednesday, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the development.

    “Dear Valued Customer, We regret to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 11:34 am today causing a power outage across our franchise areas.

    “While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to fully restore electricity as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” the post reads.

  • Ban valentine celebration in Nigeria – Bishop tells FG

    Ban valentine celebration in Nigeria – Bishop tells FG

    General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission, Ikeja, Lagos State, Bishop Charles Ighele, on Wednesday called for a ban on the celebration of Valentine’s Day in Nigeria.

    Ighele made the called in an interview with Newsmen in Lagos, against the backdrop of illicit sexual abuse attached to the day by some people.

    He said that the day had been misconstrued to the promotion of romantic relationships, rather than its original promotion of aid to the needy and humanitarian works.

    He described it as a deception from the devil to impose a universal day of immorality on planet earth.

    According to him, unfortunately, many boys, girls and married people have bought into this lie about love in disregard to the agape love described in the bible.

    ”The day is associated with a romantic demon known as cupid. This demon is one of the rulers of the darkness of this world as found in Ephesians 6 verses 11 and 12.

    ”Cupid is the Roman name for the Greek god of love known as Eros. The English word erotic has its root in Eros.

    ”The dictionary defines the word erotic as relating to or tendency to arouse sexual desire or excitement.

    ”The celebration of the day inspires sexual feelings on people and spread sexual entertainment in order to further institutionalise sex.”

    The cleric added that ”cupid” influenced humans to set aside Feb. 14, as a special day for people do whatever they want to do with sex and the perversion of true love.

    “The Bible tells us that ‘God is love’, and it is very certain that God will not want His type of love celebrated this way,’’ he said.

    Ighele therefore urged authorities to proscribe the celebration of the day because of its bad influence on youths.

    He noted that it was the duty of the government and other non-state actors, such as the church, school and family to unite to promote cultures of social redeeming values.

    He added that the ban on the celebration would redeem people from destruction.

    NAN reports that Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on Feb. 14.

    The Day originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine, but has become a significant cultural and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

    Although Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday, it is considered a significant cultural and religious celebration of romance in the Catholic Church.

    In spite of its popularity in countries all over the world, there are some countries, where Valentine’s Day is not celebrated, most of them owing to religious beliefs

  • I got my teacher pregnant, i made the first move – Teenage Boy insists after teacher’s arrest

    I got my teacher pregnant, i made the first move – Teenage Boy insists after teacher’s arrest

     

    A teenage boy who got his New Jersey teacher pregnant when he was 13 and she was 28, has insisted he instigated the relationship.

    The boy, who DailyMail is not naming, said in an extraordinary exclusive interview that he doesn’t want Laura Caron, 34, to face trial and is standing by her.

    Former college basketball player Caron is awaiting trial and potentially facing 10 years in prison on charges she r@ped the boy, who moved in with her when he was just 11.

    But the boy in question, who is now 19 years old, insists he doesn’t feel like a victim, loves Caron with all his heart, and is hoping they can be a family soon.

    Prosecutors say she preyed on the youngster and subjected him to years of abuse before allegedly having his child in 2019.

    It was gathered that the pair kept the romance secret, and Caron supposedly told friends at a baby shower that the father was ‘out of the picture’.

    The relationship only emerged years later when the boy’s father saw a photograph of Caron’s then-toddler daughter and noted the uncanny resemblance with his son.

    Now Caron, if convicted, could be facing a decade behind bars on aggravated sexual assault in a case that has sent shockwaves through the school and local community.

    In an interview with DailyMail, the boy said she shouldn’t be jailed and insists he was ‘wasn’t groomed’ by Coran.

    ‘They need to drop all charges. I wasn’t groomed or raped or manipulated by her. She never initiated anything,’ he told DailyMail

    ‘I started everything. If it was up to me she wouldn’t have been in jail. It’s been six or seven years. I’m 19 about to be 20.’

    The teen rejected any suggestion the alleged abuse happened when he was 11, calling the allegations ‘crazy’.

    Caron declined to comment on the sordid allegations as she left a bail hearing in Cape May, New Jersey, on January 21.

    Caron is scheduled back in court on February 25 for another hearing.