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Folarin Kehinde

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P/Harcourt Stand Still As Mercy Chinwo and Pastor Blessed Holds Traditional Wedding

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Porthacourt City is currently agog with excitement and jubilation as popular gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo and Pastor Blessed of Waterbrooks held their traditional wedding.

The singer has been anxiously counting down to her big day since she got engaged in June.

Recall that Mercy Chinwo stunned many when she announced her engagement to a Lagos Pastor, Pastor Blessed of Waterbrooks, where singer and actor Banky W also worship.

A delighted Mercy Chinwo shared the news online with a photoshoot of their moments together. She also captioned the photos with a heartwarming message.

She wrote: “I am blessed to be blessed with the blessed official. The thoughts of doing the next phase and the rest phase of my life with you makes the blessing more real… I love you Sweet”.

Ahead of her wedding, Mercy Chinwo hosted her friends to a beautiful themed bridal shower on Thursday, August 12th.

The singer beamed with joy as she enjoyed a fun time with her inner circles.

In a new update to her wedding festivities, the singer is currently shutting down Port Harcourt with her traditional wedding.

Port Harcourt city is on stand still for the gospel singer as she ties the knot traditionally with the love of her life.

The video making rounds showed the couple beaming with joy as they showed off their dancing skills.

There is no doubt that the couple is so in love as the atmosphere is filled with love, joy and happiness.

It would be recall Mercy Chinwo took the first step to forever with her fiance, Pastor Blessed.

Mercy Chinwo and her boo held their marriage introduction on July 18 in Port Harcourt.

Videos of the marriage ceremony which surfaced online showed the singer beaming with joy as she took the first leg to forever with her boo.

A few days after taking the first step to forever with a wedding introduction held in Port Harcourt, the couple sealed their union with a court wedding on August 4th.

Sharing photos from the beautiful moment, Mercy Chinwo gave thanks to God.

“To God be the Glory great things he has done. Forever to go with you, my sweet”.

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FCT Raids Criminal Hideouts, Arrests over 400

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The FCT Administration arrested 480 suspected criminals from uncompleted buildings and undeveloped plots of land in Maitama and Wuse II areas of the city on Friday.

Commander in charge of the task force that effected the arrests, Mr Bennett Igweh, said the suspects, mostly male, had turned green areas, undeveloped plots of land, and unoccupied houses into their haven for crime.

Igweh said the team would stop at nothing at ridding the city of criminal elements threatening the peace of the FCT.

He said the task force recovered police uniforms, mobile phones, loaded pistol, machetes and charms from the suspects.

“We arrested about 480 suspected criminals. We are going to take many of them to court.

“They live in unauthorised places in the FCT; they want to hide within the shanties and black spots in order to commit havoc in Abuja.

“We will do thorough profiling because we suspect that some of them are escapees from the Kuje Correctional Centre.

“We are starting from the city centre, and we will extend the arrests to other areas.

“The exercise will reach 21 satellite villages and towns from Kabusa to Gishiri to Waru and to Wasa and others,’’ Igweh said.

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After Claiming 35 for Four Continuous Years, Allwell Ademola Finally Celebrates 40 in Style

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Actress and singer, Allwell Ademola is marking her 40th birthday today, Tuesday August 9, 2022.

The excited celebrant took to her verified Instagram page where she shared lovely photos with prayerful captions.

Ademola via her posts noted that she had encountered pains in relationships, but she didn’t let that weigh her down.

She wrote: “Just like yesterday when the cry of a tiny creature was heard in my home, growth and development have taken place and I’m glad about that. From the cradle, I’ve learned to be grateful for life, family and now I’ve learned to number my days because it shows gratitude. I won’t be ungrateful for relationships that got me better. I am excited and grateful for life.. “

I wish myself Joy and love for my life every single day..

To remember the purpose in pain and become the greatest version of Myself. To express, entertain and lighten the load of living through laughter. And to not just survive my life, but LIVE my life, Consciously & Honourably, Amin Jesu.

Recall that the plus sized actress had in 2020 got many people talking when she celebrated her birthday, stating that she was 35 as she had in the past few years always celebrated her 35th birthday.

In an encounter with Sunday Scoop the entertainer said clocking 35 every year didn’t mean she was truly 35 years old.

“How can one person be clocking the same age for four continuous years? How can that be real? You obviously know it is a joke. If someone is celebrating the same age every year, you should know the person is just ‘catching a cruise.’

“The person is just trying to be funny and staying young. I am an entertainer; I am just trying to entertain people. Clocking 35 every year doesn’t mean I am 35. It is just a way of entertaining people. Also, next year, I am going to be celebrating another 35th year,” she said.

Baring her thoughts on why many marriages don’t last, she said, “It has always been like that since the days of our parents. We have seen people fall in and out of love.

Marriages break, people divorce, it’s like that everywhere. But first of all, I think we have so many millennial marriages and millennial children. I will blame it on education, to an extent. People are becoming ‘whiter’ than the whites.

In the Bible, it is said that the woman would give back in tears and the man will take care of his wife. That is how it has been.

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Blood Sisters Director, Biyi Bandele, is Dead

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Biyi Bandele, a Nigerian novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun and co-director of Blood Sisters, a Nigerian series, is dead.

This was made known in a statement released via his Facebook page by his daughter, Temi Bandele late Monday.

The statement read, “As Biyi’s Daughter, I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele.”

Praising her dad, Temi said, “Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father. He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.”

“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.”

“We wish everyone to please respect the privacy of hs family and friends as we grieve his loss.”

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How N4.3 billion Utako District Hospital “Rots Away” More than 17 Years After

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Kenny Folarin, Abuja

Without mincing words, the current health system in Nigeria and the yearly low budgetary allocation to the system is nothing but miserable.

This was clearly demonstrated during the COVID 19 pandemic which took the world by storm and Nigeria had to rely on imported vaccines despite large numbers of “brains” in the medical field that could salvage the situation.

The case of the Utako District Hospital outrightly exemplify the pitiable state of Nigeria’s health sector, the fact that the hospital is located in the Federal Capital Territory did not even bother present and past administration to complete the structure, rather Ministers in the FCT did not bat an eyelid on the issue.

The 220-bed hospital complex which has been standing in the district for more than 16 years currently in a deplorable state has several buildings at various stages of completion; among them are a two and three-storey buildings.

Several uncompleted structures within its walls have collapsed while the integrity of others still standing is uncertain.

While reptiles currently enjoy their abode in the building, farmers are not left behind but has taken advantage of the neglect to plant maize especially during the raining season.

Obviously, construction at the complex was suspended as the contractor has moved his equipment out of the construction site though some power generating sets have been left behind, Daily Trust reported in 2016.

The report further gathered that the construction and equipping of the hospital was awarded at the cost of over N4.3 billion to M/S PPC Medical Systems but the hospital is currently a shadow of itself.

Apart from the stench from water log and waste in the building which some people has turn as their resident and has been living there for years, it currently serve as a save haven for drug peddlers, rogues and hardened criminal, surprisingly, the hospital is not situated in a remote area but along the Obafemi Awolowo road, not far from the Arab junction in Utako.

While the Federal Capital Territory Administration remain aloof on the issue, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has lost direction in what should be done concerning the stench from the waste that always ooze out from the hospital and spread across the road to a manhole nearby.

The Abuja Municipal Area Council which is adjudged to be the richest council in the territory too is less concerned about the state of the hospital but would rather prefer to impose heavy permit on businesses and other private organizations without pity.

Notably, the administration is neither deterred by the health hazards that this poses to the public nor the security threat to lives and properties by criminals lurking in the hospital.

While the Nation continues to battle with her various and numerous challenges, the healthcare of her citizens still remain the most important for other sector to thrive on and should not be left in shambles like that of the Utako District Hospital, Abuja.

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Amb. Soni Abang Assured of APC Victory in Cross River

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Director General of the Campaign Organization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Cross River State, Ambassador Soni Abang, has stated categorically that he has the requisite experience and determination to match up with the very overwhelming popularity and great followership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu.

Amb. Soni Abang stated this in an exclusive interaction in Calabar when his views were sought on the possibilities or otherwise of the chances of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in 2023 general elections.

He stated that there is great certainty of the APC’s victory in the gubernatorial as well as the State and National Assembly elections as the party has lined up great candidates with unshakeable electoral value to lock horns with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and any other political parties that would rear their heads to confront the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State.

The former Ambassador to Mali stated emphatically that as Director General of Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s Campaign Organization, he has absolutely no fear of losing the elections considering the formidable candidature of the APC gubernatorial candidate, adding that broad based Directorates will be formed across all strata of the APC and that the campaign structure will be different from earlier ones ever formed in the state. These directorates,he stated will include Finance/Mobilization, Research and Diaspora, among many others.

He also said that presently, the Campaign Organization is working with over 100 academicians from various disciplines in line with the urgent need of the ruling party ahead of the elections.

Chief Soni Abang, who was also a former State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for 7 years noted with incredible glee that the opposition People’s Democratic Party is coming into the elections with a very heavy moral baggage which is hanging conspicuously on its neck.

This baggage, he noted, is the insistence of the opposition PDP on producing a governorship candidate from the Central Senatorial District when the doctrine of equity, natural justice, fair play and brotherliness dictates otherwise. He totally condemned a situation where people have become too greedy for political power and have in the process, thrown away sterling political expedience for personal gains.

The Director General drew attention to the unwritten rule which governs power equations in Cross River State whereby all the senatorial districts in the state take turns to produce the governor without any rancour, adding that it was only natural that the Number One Seat be occupied by the Southern Senatorial District from May, 2023, having gone round all the districts.

He stated that His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, has ably and equitably distributed political appointments to cover all strata of the Cross River society and the APC would rely on these appointees as able hands to win the elections.

Adding that having assumed the image of a truly progressive party, its policies and programmes will permeate every nook and cranny of the state for better democratic results.

He praised the political sagacity of His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade, for taking the state into national reckoning and assured all and sundry that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state will not take anything for granted, adding that the party cannot afford to throw away the goodwill of the people.

On the introduction of more modern technology into the gamut of the electioneering process in Nigeria, Ambassador Soni Abang also noted that it is a good development as the outcome of the elections will reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people, urging all eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voters Card which remains a portent political weapon.

He further declared that the introduction of BVAS by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a welcome development as it has the potential of making votes count and diminishing public apathy in Nigerian elections.

Chief Soni Abang categorically stated that Cross River State is work in progress and that under an APC led administration in 2023 the progressive process will be consolidated, the great human and agricultural potentials of the state will be further enhanced for more productivity.

He also reiterated that all associations wishing to identify with the Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu’s gubernatorial ambition has been seamlessly registered at the Party Headquarters in Calabar to enable them to join in the canvassing and solicitization for votes.

He assured the people of the state that all their interests and expectations will be met and that as the party begins the campaigns proper in September, no stone will be left unturned to ensure an all round APC victory in the state.

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Kizz Daniel “Arrested” in Tanzania

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Singer Kizz Daniel has been arrested in Tanzania for failure to show up at a concert he was billed to perform.

Vado was scheduled to perform at Warehouse, Old Nextdoor Arena in Tanzania on Sunday but never showed up, enraging the fans already geared up to be thrilled by the “Buga” hitmaker.

A viral video captured the angry fans fuming and destroying properties in the arena after being stood up by Kizz Daniel.

In another video, the 28-year-old singer was seen being led into a truck by the Tanzanian police.

While the singer was being led away, an angry fan could be heard saying: “Kizz Daniel, you’ll go in for it. He’ll cause damage to this country. He must go in for it.”

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RCCG Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Perfect Jubilee Convention

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) has announced its Perfect Jubilee Convention as part of the ways to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

This year’s convention is said to symbolize a major landmark in the church’s epochal and divinely-orchestrated history.

Speaking during a press conference to announce activities to mark its 70th Anniversary Celebration at Emmanuel Park, Redemption Camp, Joseph Obayemi, the continental overseer, North Africa Continent said, “RCCG was divinely revealed to our late Founder and General Superintendent, Josiah Akindayomi, in the year 1952. His obedience, zeal, trust in God and commitment to prayer and the word of God truthfully watered the mustard seed that God planted 70 years ago into a behemoth and colossal kingdom vehicle the world is seeing today.”

Obayemi said over the last 70 years, the Redeemed Christian Church of God has taken the gospel of the Kingdom of God to more than 197 nations and territories of the world with millions of souls saved and has been committed to human capital development.

He added that the church has equally impacted lives, communities and nations through our various social impact and investment programmes.

As part of the activities earmarked for celebrating the anniversary, Obayemi said the authority of the mission has put together Jubilee Walk which will take place around the world on the 31st of July 2022; seven prayer huts have been created for people who desire secluded places to pray at different locations on the Campground during the convention; free training in technology and digital education to empower thousands of people and 70,000 people will be trained within the period of one year.

Other activities to mark the occasion, he said will include different sporting competitions, free feeding for millions of people, among others.

“As we expect millions of people at the Redemption Camp during the 7-day period of this year’s Convention, adequate security has been provided and there will be free flow of traffic within the Campground with the help of RCCG Traffic squad.

Importantly, hostel accommodation will be provided to so many of our volunteer workers and many that require elaborate accommodations should request with various accommodation chalets on the camp. The Convention will be transmitted live on all RCCG channels including Dove Television, RTM and all social media channels,” he said.

Obayemi stressed that to RCCG as a mission, Jubilee represents a year of harvest of souls into the kingdom of our God, deliverance of many from captivity and turning many slaves into kings and priests through the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ. “God has helped us to carry out these through our numerous outreaches across the world earlier in the year – and we are just starting.

“As a mission with commitment to the development of our nation of origin, Nigeria, Jubilee is a season where we see God liberating our nation from the many challenges the nation is currently facing – we are confident that indeed, Nigeria will become the delight of all nations,” he added.

He affirmed RCCG’s commitment to global peace and the prosperity of nations, families and individuals.

“Our belief is that this year of Jubilee will mark a total turn around for the world economically and in many other ramifications. God will be asserting His authority as the sovereign owner and ruler of all nations,” Obayemi added.

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After Spending over 100 Days in Kidnappers Den, Freed abductee Pledged Support for Buhari

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

One of the released abductees from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Hassan Usman, has maintained that he is still a strong supporter of the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Before his release on July 25, Usman, a lawyer and his wife, Amina were among the passengers abducted during the attack on March 28, 2022.

Usman, who spent over 100 days in captivity was among the kidnap victims seen in a viral video where they were tortured by the terrorists.

Speaking with ICIR, Usman admitted that though he was still a supporter of Buhari, his administration has scored “below average” in terms of security.

He said, “I am still a strong supporter of Buhari but in terms of security, I can score this government below average.

Because one of their major responsibilities is to see that the lives and property of citizens are being guaranteed by the government.

“But as it is now, I can say that the government has failed woefully in that area. Despite the huge resources allocated for security in Nigeria, there is nothing to write home about.”

Speaking about his experience, Usman said, “It has been a bitter experience I must say. Since when we were captured, we had to walk long miles for almost three days before we reached a camp where we were detained for close to four months and being there is a bitter experience actually.”

“Because since we arrived at that camp, we have been sleeping on bare ground for most of the time. Come rain, come sunshine, we have been there. Mosquitoes and reptiles and snakes were biting us for a very long time.

“We have killed more than 10 snakes and some other reptiles like scorpions or what have you.”

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Abiodun Rigged 2019 Election – Amosun

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has said the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, won the 2019 election through rigging.

Amosun spoke on Friday in Abeokuta while speaking after receiving an award from the Abeokuta Club to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the association.

The former governor had thrown his weight behind Adekunle Akinlade who contested on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement against Abiodun who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Akinlade was defeated by Abiodun with a margin of 19,517 votes.

Abiodun polled 241,670 votes to defeat Akinlade who had 222,153 votes.

Amosun stated that the 2019 governorship election in the state was rigged to favour the incumbent governor.

He added that he had moved on because those who orchestrated the rigging had apologised to him.

Amosun said, “During the last election, thank God, Chief Osoba is here, I have said it, we won convincingly. They rigged, rigged, and ended up with 19,000.

“Some of them came to apologise to me. I can be mentioning names. We won that election. But I have moved on.

“We did our work. We will continue to do what we have to do. God will be with all of us.”

Speaking later in an interview with newsmen, Amosun declared that he was not in support of Abiodun’s administration, saying he must be removed.

He also assured his supporters that the nextline of action would soon be made public.

“Well, I am happy. When you are in a place and they are telling you that you have done the work of four or five governors altogether. I feel elated. I am happy that they appreciated our little efforts.

“Just wait, very soon, you will hear where we are going next. Clearly, you know my stand, and my stand is my stand. I am not supporting this administration that is there now. He must be removed,” he said.

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