Sunday 7 July 2013

“It is not rape”: How I had sex with a 15-year-old girl in church – Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze (PICTURED)

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Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze has blamed the devil for his alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl after ministering at the Calvary Army Ministry, Rumuoji Eneka in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers state.
He said he did not rape the girl explaining that what happened between them was consensual.
According to him, the young girl (names withheld) who came to him for deliverance started removing her dress but before he could restrain her he found himself on top of her having full-blown sex.
“But to my greatest surprise, I was surprised when I saw her pulling off her blouse and skirt. But, before I knew it, I had a carnal knowledge of her. That is the truth of the matter.”
His head suddenly dropped after the confession, then went up again; this time he said anybody could have fallen for it.

Nwabueze said he called ‘junior’ pastors in the church to pray for him when he realised he has sinned against God.
Nwabueze reportedly said he took a second look at the little girl who probably was still lying nude and waiting for a second round and what he saw pissed him off.
“She started laughing at me. She said ‘are you angry?’ I told her that I did not know she had hypnotised me. She said I should not bother,” the bishop said.
“I was so angry and annoyed that I called some of my pastors and made a confession, that I did not know what was happening.”
While trying to explain what led to the temptation, the bishop maintained that the pastor of the church where he went to preach set him up.
“We have different Colleges of Bishops. I am the Chairman of  the Communion of Bishops in Rivers State. Well, what actually happened was a set up. It was set-up by my enemies. I have so many people who are my enemies. The man in-charge of where I went to minister is my enemy. He is the person that set me up,” he stated.
“He invited me to his church for a programme, claiming  to be my friend. After the programme, he set me up because of  the tussle over the chairmanship of the communion.”
The police in Rivers state have advised Christians to be vigilant and ask the right question so as not to fall prey to dubious pastors.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of  Rivers SCID, Samuel Okaula, who paraded the bishop and a male nurse who allegedly facilitated the abortion, also said people should be conscious of worship centres. He said Nwabueze would be arraigned before the court to serve as a deterrent.
Reacting to the development, Executive Director, Institute of Human rights and Humanitarian Law, IHRHL, Ayankwee Nsirimovu, described the action of the bishop as unfortunate as  it was done by one in a position of spiritual trust.

Truth Of The Matter: Why Jesse Jagz and Brymo left Chocolate City – record label boss opens up


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Chocolate City record label boss, Audu Maikori has reportedly given the real reason signees, Jesse Jagz and Brymo, whose contract is yet to expire, left the label.
It was a shock when a few months ago, Jesse Jagz dramatically dropped out of the label that was like a family to him, soon afterwards, Brymo dropped out too.

According to 360nobs, Maikori explained that Jagz’ lyrical contents and music videos, made executives believe he was ‘promoting drugs and nicotine in his music videos’ which was completely contrary to company policies.
Audu goes on to explain about Jagz wanting absolute control over his business and feels the dude was trying to rise above his ‘height’.
On Brymo’s issue, Mr. Maikori says that the young artiste felt he wasn’t getting enough attention from his label because Ice Prince Zamani was getting it all.
The chairman claims the singer was just being too envious of the BET winner and wasn’t putting enough on the table to get the best he’d wished for. After all, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive”.

PHOTO: Tiwa, MAVIN first lady like you’ve NEVER seen her before

Tiwa Savage skirt suit

MAVIN first lady, Tiwa Savage was her ever sparkling self as she rocked a well-tailored Pantsuit to the Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant which took place yesterday at the Intercontinental Hotel, V.I, Lagos.
The singer wore a Christian Louboutin shoe to go with the outfit made by Bridget Awosika.
We simply can’t get enough of her beauty.

2face Idibia opens up on his wedding ring

 
 
In a recent interview with NET, 2face Idibia when asked "how does wearing the ring feel" said "O boy, you know how many times I don forget am  for my house? Dem go con carry am come meet me bros see your wedding ring. Sometimes I'm somewhere and I don't even think about it and then someone makes a comment about it and I realize i'm wearing it or not." I'm sure Annie wears hers all the time!

Ogun state governor turns ‘bus conductor’ for Jonathan (PHOTOS)




President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with a pledge that the N167 billion project would be completed in 48 months.

During his inauguration, the president rode in a motorised vehicle with the Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun acting as a make-shift ‘bus conductor’.

The governor was, however, not daunted by his task as he grinned widely while hanging on to his dear life the vehicle.

He inaugurated the project as thousands of road users were grounded for about three hours on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Abeokuta-Ore-Benin Expressway.

The President, who flew to the interchange in a Nigeria Air Force helicopter, was accompanied to the venue by the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

 Great job he did we must say.

PHOTOS : Banky W, Wizkid and friends have fun on the beach



For those of you that still doubt that Banky W and Wizkid are now back together, well, this is proof that they are now business associates again.

Over the weekend, the E.M.E boss and artistes joined by a few friends visited a beach here in Lagos to have FUN, they had a great time together. Oh, Lynxx was there too. Yes, I hear that Banky W is planning to get a Bugatti soon - you all know that very expensive car right? - he talks about it all the time!

See more  photos below:


Leave Tonto Dike, Go After Drug Barons – HURIWA Tells NDLEA

A non-governmental organization, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has reacted to the controversy trailing an alleged marijuana picture posted online by popular actress, Tonto Dike.

The actress had posted the picture on the social media, an act which drew the attention of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Its spokesman Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, in his reaction had said that “The law is clear and NDLEA has been very clear on the issue. No one is permitted to sell, use, cultivate or encourage the use of Indian hemp in Nigeria. The substance is one of the banned narcotics in the country.”

In a statement jointly issued by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National media Director, Miss. Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said the anti-drug agency was “chasing shadows by threatening to arrest a Nigerian citizen whose alleged ‘marijuana photograph’ does not constitute hard core judicial evidence but rather a social media contraption that may never stand credibility test in the competent court of law.”

HURIWA urged NDLEA not to waste taxpayers’ fund in pursuing a matter that is substantially irrelevant and lacks proof.

The Rights group tasked the agency to instead extend its dragnet and arrest high profile drug barons and peddlers rather than engage in ‘meaningless voyage of discovery’ and ‘attention seeking’ in the media which the Rights group described as ‘witch- hunting’ and an elaborate attempt to undermine the fundamental freedoms of the actress- Miss Tonto Dike who is now being framed up with a trumped up charge of posting ‘marijuana photograph’ on the social media.

It advised the NDLEA to concentrate on how to repair its public image damaged by the costly mistake it made during the arrest, detention and investigation of the popular Yoruba comedian Baba Suwe (the popular expensive faecis/excreta gamble by the NDLEA).”

Photo: 23-Year Old Man Weds Granny In Lagos

                                                       Indeed love is blind.....

Photos from Nigeria's first Garden and Flower show..

Didn't get a chance to attend the first ever Garden and Flower Show in Nigeria? It held at the Banquet Hall of Oriental Hotel Lagos and had flower lovers and enthusiasts in attendance. Exhibitors had flowers and potted plants for sale and ornaments to match. It was a lovely laid back, fun and classy evening hosted by WJSeries and the Garden and Flower Club of Nigeria.

See more photos from the event after the cut...


Veteran Horticulturist Aunty Beryl Ediale and Dele Balogun
 

Delores Odogwu, Oghogho Asemota and Sharon Momoh
Mrs Fadake Adepetun, Mr Shola Adepetun Vice President, The Garden and Flower Club of Nigeria, Mrs Amanda Balogun Secretary The Garden and Flower Club of Nigeria and Mrs Winihin Ayuli-Jemide
Oghogho Asemota, Catherine Bickersteth and Winihin Jemide
Mrs. Beatrice Agama, Amanda Balogun and other guests

Rihanna once again shades the heck out of Chris Brown

On Thursday, Chris Brown Tweeted a list of artists who appear on his new album X and Rihanna's  name was on the list. Chris should probably have checked with Rihanna before he Tweeted @her cos Rihanna was having none of that. The following day, she posted something on instagram. Check on it after the cut...



16yr old Nigerian Canadian girl produces track on Jay Z's new album

Jay Z picked a 16 year old Nigerian Canadian girl named Ebony Oshunrinde produced a track on his new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail.

Ebony, known also as Wondagurl, got the call from Jay Z after meeting one of his friends who passed her beat to the rap mogul. Ebony is credited as a producer in one of Jay Z's songs titled 'Crown' in the new album.

The 12th grader said “It’s a really good feeling. I want to show young people that they can do it.”. Read her inspiring story after the cut...


Her story is inspiring and impressive: after watching a video of Jay-Z and Timbaland working in the studio together at age 9, she began to download music software and teach herself how to use it by watching YouTube tutorials. "I wanted to do the exact same thing that [Jay-Z] did," she recently told the Star. When she was 14, she made it to the quarter-finals of Toronto's Battle of the Beatmakers. She won the title the following year, because she is incredible, and went on to sign an exclusive management deal with Black Box.
According to Ian Stanger, a representative with Black Box, "It’s amazing to see somebody with that much talent working as hard as she can to make the most of it at such a young age. It’s her work that people should be paying attention to, not the fact that’s she 16." 
And her work is exactly what people have started to pay attention to. Earlier this year, Oshunrinde sent the beat to her friend Travis Scott, a young rapper and producer. He happened to be in the studio with Jay-Z when he received it - and when he told her that the cut had made it to the album, she thought he was joking.
"Usually that kind of thing doesn't happen to 16-year-olds," she explains. No, Ebony, it usually does not.

22 year old Ezinne Akudo wins 2013 Miss Nigeria pageant


22 year old Ezinne Akudo beat 20 other contestants to emerge the 2013 Miss Nigeria at the contest that held yesterday at Intercontinental hotel, Lagos.

The law graduate of Abia State University went home with N3million a brand new car, and a trip to California. Congrats to her!

2015: APC Will Defeat PDP – El-Rufai



Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Sunday boosted that the All Progressives Congress would triumph over the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections, especially if the conduct of the polls would be free and fair.

He spoke in Zaria, Kaduna State at an event organised by the Movement for Better Future.

El-Rufai, who is the APC Deputy National Secretary, also noted that the PDP had failed the nation with its unfulfilled promises.

He described President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as one that could not tackle the security challenges in the country.

El-Rufai, who added that the proposed six-year single term by the National Assembly was not feasible, noted that the country’s problems were beyond the proposed single term and the amendment of the constitution.

According to him, the country’s problems revolve around the operators.

He said, “I do not think 2015 is around the corner, it is two years from now. However, the APC is capable of kicking the PDP out of power. The PDP has ruled the country, and it has failed to live up to its promises. The PDP government has not provided us with basic outlets of security and prosperity.

“We believe that in a fair and free election, APC is going to defeat the PDP. All we are doing now is to come together, so that we can organise ourselves in order to put in place a system to protect our votes. We are taking this measure knowing that PDP does not win elections.

“Members of the party know how to write results that they want, and we have to think of a way to protect our votes. That is what we are working on.”

He added, “I think the impact of APC can be gauged from the performance of the states that are already being controlled by the parties that constitute APC.

“You cannot compare the performances of governors Rauf Aregbesola and Babatunde Fashola, for instance, with some of those PDP governors that only know how to get allocations and share. So we can be confident that Nigerians can see the difference between a performing government and one not doing anything.”

On the single six-year term for the president and governors, the former minister said, “I do not think six-year single term is feasible in this country. I do not think there is a difference between the six-year single term and the two terms of four years each. I do not think that is the issue. The constitution that we are operating is from the United State, and its operators have not bothered to change their constitution to a single term for their president.

“I do not know why we are changing our own. The problem of Nigeria is not the single term, it is not the constitution. It is the quality of people in public office.

“When you are not prepared for a job, you start preparing what to do when you get to the office. But if you are really prepared, the four-year period is enough for you to show that you can perform.”

Children Kill Mother Over Alleged Witchcraft



 There was confusion in Lampese Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, which shares a boundary with Kogi State, when two children of the same parents, identified as Omolayo Ojeifo(25) and her younger brother, Taiye (20) reportedly lured their mother identified as Mrs. Itowo Ojeifo to a farm road and killed her.

It was gathered that Omolayo has had a running battle with her mother, whom she accused of being the reason she had not prospered in life and also being a witch.

She was said to have apologised to her mother few days to the dastardly act and pleaded that she was misled into believing that her problems were caused by her, but unknown to the deceased, she was being tricked into her untimely death.

We were informed that the suspect, Omolayo, had last Wednesday, appealed to her mother to accompany her somewhere and despite her mother’s refusal that she was busy at home, she was able to convince her mother to follow her, as the deceased abandoned the cassava she was peeling and accompanied her, not knowing that her children had perfected plans to kill her.

She was said to have been led through a bush path to the farm and midway, the son brought out a machete, which he used in “cutting their mother.”

An eye witness, who was said to have been threatened by the suspects that he would be dealt with if he reports what he saw was said to have rushed back to the community, where he reported the incident, but before people could be mobilised to the scene, the woman had been killed by her children.

Confirming the incident yesterday, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Eguavoen, said the incident happened on July 3 and that it was the former husband of the deceased, Mr Sunday Itowo that made a formal report to the police on the incident.

He said the victims ran to Uzebba in Owan West Local Government Area but that the covert intelligence of the police led to their arrest.

“The case will soon be transferred to the state command for further investigation,” the police said.

The North Is Ready To Negotiate 2015 Presidency -Governor Aliyu



Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu
Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu

The Governor of Niger State and Chairman Northern States Governor’s Forum, Babangida Aliyu, on Sunday said the Northern part of the country would negotiate with those seeking to be elected as the nation’s president in a bid to safeguard the region’s interests.

He made the remark during the inauguration of the office complex for federal workers in Enagi, headquarters of Edati Local Government in Niger State, stressing that the North was prepared to follow whoever was elected president in 2015.

Aliyu denied advocating that only northern candidates should clinch the presidency, but stressed that the need for the promises made to the region were fulfilled.

He said, “Some people, very few of them, are holding nocturnal meetings, that they are telling President Goodluck Jonathan that they are only supporters of Jonathan. We are the supporters of the constitution of Nigeria. Whosoever gets the power, we are in support of him but we are saying this time around in 2015, we will negotiate.

“We will support whoever gets this power, but we will ask for the fulfillment of the promises to our people; that is all we are saying and some people want to cash in on this.”

He warned that the state would not accept the introduction of religion into its body polity.
He said, “Here in Niger, we do not play the politics of religion as such attitude would negate the development drive of the state and the country at large.”

Aliyu denied that the state government tampered with local government allocations.

He said, “The state government does not interfere with the allocation of funds to the council, as some of the councils had embarked on meaningful projects that touch lives of their people. Edati Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Isah Kantigi, has proved that by the projects executed today.”

The governor promised to embark on a tour of local governments beginning from August to inspect projects being executed by the councils in preparation for the LG elections in 2014.

Kantigi said he had slashed the council overhead by 50 per cent to enable the council to fund the N260m projects, which include offices for federal staff deployed in the area, magistrate’s court and 15 kilometres road project.

Yobe Governor Shuts Down All Schools After Boko Haram Massacre


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Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has announced the immediate closure of all schools in the state to forestall further attacks on students by the Islamic terror group, Boko Haram, a day after militants killed more than 30 students in a school.

Mr. Gaidam said the decision was the best option for the government to protect the students from further attacks.

Armed insurgents stormed Government Secondary School, Mamudo in Potiskum local government area of Yobe state, assembled the students and opened fire at them, killing at least 24 of them and injuring several others.

The gunmen who also shot dead a teacher escaped without any arrest.

Mr. Gaidam had largely attributed the deaths to the shutdown of telecommunication in the state by security forces hunting the militants, saying it prevented people in distress from alerting the security operatives.

The governor, who visited the hospital where four other injured students were lying critically in bed, described the attack as wicked.

In a press statement issued by Abdullahi Bego, Governor Gaidam’s spokesman, shortly after visiting Potiskum General hospital, the governor directed that all secondary schools in the state be closed down from Monday 8th July 2013 until a new academic session begins in September.

“The measure is to allow the state government in collaboration with the Joint Security Task Force (JTF) and community leaders to evaluate and evolve better and additional strategies that would ensure the safety and security of students and their teachers,” the statement said.

The Governor called on the federal government and military authorities to order the restoration of GSM service across the state.

He said lack of GSM service has prevented patriotic citizens who have hitherto been collaborating with security agents from reporting suspicious movements in their neighborhoods.

President Jonathan Says Killers Of Yobe Students Will Go To Hell



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The killing of over 30 students and a teacher of the Government Secondary School in Mamudo village, five kilometers from Potiskum town, Yobe State, is “barbaric, horrific and wicked”, and the perpetrators will burn in hell, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

The attack occurred at about 3am on Saturday at the school’s boarding house where most of the victims were burned alive, while asleep.The attackers had invaded the school setting fire on the hostels while fleeing students were shot.Reports say some of the injured students remain in critical condition in a local hospital where they are being treated for various degrees of burns.

Speaking through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, the president while sympathising with the affected families said the war on terrorism was still on and his government will not be undermined by any group or persons.

Mr. Jonathan described the terrorists as cowards and assured that his administration was determined to end the menace of terror in the country.“The killing is barbaric, completely wicked. Anybody who will target innocent children for any kind of grief of emotional dysfunction will certainly go to hell,” Mr. Abati said.

“Mr. President wants to assure Nigerians that these kind of desperate Nigerians will be flushed out of the system.“Mr. President committed to the issue of the protection of lives and properties of all Nigerians and he wants to assure that the war against terrorists has been launched and will continue and the Nigerian government is determined to put an end to this menace.

“The President Sympathises with the families affected and he stands by them at this moment of grief. The killing is most unfortunate most regrettable and Mr. President wants to assure Nigerians that any attempt by any group to undermine this government will be resisted”, he said.

Abducted Corps Members In Rivers State Regain Freedom



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Reports reaching us has it that the 3 NYSC members recently kidnapped in Rivers state have been freed by their abductors.The corps members, Ogwuche Martins, Lijoka Richard and Nwachukwu Chinonye Esther who were abducted at their lodge in Ogonokom, Abua-Odual Local government council were released by their captors exactly two weeks after their kidnap.

Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims who pleaded anonymity detailed that he was surprised at the attack as it was never expected that such a thing could happen to them. He narrated that everything happened in a jiffy and the next minute, they found themselves on an unknown island.

According to him,”it happened after I went outside to ease myself. Few minutes later I heard a big bang on my door and some men came in with rifles. They then led me to the waterside where the boat was. They also took two other people and flew us to an unknown island.“We didn’t know weather we were still in Rivers state or not. Since that time till our release we were living in the bush. We never had our bath or washed our mouth. Though they didn’t torture us, they only threatened us to make
calls to those who could give them money to pay our ransom.”

Also speaking, another victim, who explained that they were robbed of their valuables which includes laptop, phones and some cash confirmed that they were not molested in any manner.“They pushed my door open, I knelt down immediately and started begging them please! They took my phones and my systems. They now took me with them to the waterside. They took us to an unknown destination. It took us over 2 hours to get to the island. So we didn’t know if we were still in Rivers state or not.

“On the island, there were 9 guys who change duty everyday. They threatened us in many ways but they never touched us or did anything to us. They consistently called our LI for negotiations which they started with 20 million naira.The corps members could not confirm if any ransom was finally paid for their release. They said resource persons and security operatives facilitated their release.

You will recall that some NYSC members were kidnapped in the early hours of saturday June 22nd, 2013 at Abua-Odual LGA in Rivers state. The Rivers state police command intensified search for the corps members according to the PPRO, Angela Agabe.

Beware! Placenta Buyers Are On The Prowl



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•Buy one for N1.5m

“Madam, I can help you raise money to pay your hospital bill, if you can give me your placenta.” This was the statement of a middle aged man identified as Segun who specialises in buying and selling of placenta.

It was part of a conversation between Segun and a woman, Mrs. Chidera Okereke who was recently delivered of a bouncing baby boy in a hospital located in Mafoluku area of Lagos State.

Investigations by Saturday Sun reveal that the trend which has been going on as secret deals between sellers and buyers is however assumed an alarming dimensionproportion with the audacity with which placenta collectors now approach pregnant women to sell their babies placenta upon delivery. Placenta is an organ which links the foetus to the mother in mammals for transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the foetus and waste products to the mother. Mrs. Okereke is one of those who has had an encounter with the evil merchants.

She told Saturday Sun that one of the collectors of the human part, Segun approached her with an offer to help her settle her hospital bill in exchange of her baby’s placenta. Narrating her experience, she said: “I was outside waiting for my husband who had gone to source for money to settle my bill, when a man who later introduced himself as Segun accosted me. He claimed that one of the nurses directed him to come and meet me that I was in need of money to settle my hospital bill.

It was then that he told me that he is a placenta collector and that he would pay as much as N500, 000. “I thought he was joking till he brought out his cheque book, it was at that point that I started shouting. He ran away before people started gathering around. He claimed that he is a regular visitor in the hospital and used to deal with nurses but in recent times, the families demand their placenta after delivery.”

Also narrating her own encounter with one of the placenta collectors on the prowl, a nurse, Patricia (surname withheld) who works in a hospital at Mafoluku area of Oshodi, claimed that she was actually offered N2.5million to supply placenta to a certain landlord who lives close to the hospital. She said: “He is popularly known as Baba Saheed and owns a house few blocks after the hospital. One day, he called me and asked me if he can buy placenta from the hospital.

He promised to pay N1.5million for each baby’s placenta; I was shocked because that was a lot of money. I told him that I was not interested and he increased it to N2.5million and I still refused. To convince me, he said that there were so many places he could get supply but decided to try me since so many women were giving birth in the hospital.

“On a second thought, I drew the attention of the doctor who invited him over. He threatened to arrest him but later relented when Baba Saheed prostrated and started begging for mercy. He claimed that he got the contract from a big company. Since then it is a matter of policy that every pregnant woman must go home with her baby’s placenta after delivery.

Although both cases point to a possible act of illegality, findings show that placenta is believed by some communities to have power over the lives of the baby or its parents. Many species of mammals consume their placentas. Human and animal placentas are also widely believed to be used as a source of extracts used as ingredients in various consumer products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hair care products, health tonics, and food products other than ritual consumption by the baby’s mother or family.

In China and Hongkong, the placenta is eaten, a practice known as placentophagy. It was also learnt that a company in Japan makes a drink called “Placenta Drink” which contains placenta. The company claims that “they use the placenta as raw material”, adding that the drink makes the body’s metabolism active. Medical practitioners who spoke with Saturday Sun said that due to the fear of those on the loose scouting for the human parts they now insist that mothers should go home with their placenta after delivery. Dr Jide Adeleke recalled that it took the grace of God for him to survive a particular scandal that nearly destroyed his hospital.

“I had a situation where one of the mothers after two days, came back to demand her placenta. She claimed that her mother in-law asked her to collect it back from us. Her argument was that it has been sold out to someone else. Our saving grace was that the spot where it was buried was still there and the placenta was exhumed. This is why in the labour ward it is boldly written, ‘remember to take your
placenta.’ Another Doctor, Steve Maduekwe claimed that they bury them at the request of the family.
“We normally advise our patients to go home with their placenta. It is a sacred thing and property of the woman who could either bury it or dry it up for storage. In others some would ask you to dispose of it. It is unfortunate and it is also true that it is in demand. I was once contacted by an individual who wants to use them to produce cosmetics.

He offered good money and I advised him to go and meet the women.” Mrs. Onolaja, who owns a maternity home in Orile, claimed that she had been confronted severally to supply placenta and paid huge sum of money. Onoloja who spoke to Saturday Sun on phone said, “I am a Christian that is why I will never be party to that act. I was once confronted by a man who claims to be a representative of a cosmetic company in Lagos.

He claimed that he wanted those placentas to produce hair cream. I refused despite the amount in question. I always insist that my patients should go with their placenta. This is so because I cannot vouch for my staff, they are the ones who will dispose of it. Their offer is always much and could be tempting.”

Another midwife who also owns a maternity home in Agege said that it is not a new thing but that most of the collectors approach them with the excuse that it is used to produce cosmetics. “I have referred several of them to the nursing mothers. They own the placenta and have the right to dispose of it as they wish. It is humanly possible that they use it for ritual.

That is why it is important that every mother should demand her placenta after birth. In my village each placenta is buried and a tree would be planted on it in remembrance of that birth.” Also a laboratory scientist, Professor Sam Sokunbi argued that those collectors could be using them medically as it is in popular demand. He said “every production company believes in result and considering the benefits that could be accrued in the use of placenta, anything can be offered to get the product especially from a human being.

We cannot pretend that there are no evil men in the world but the truth remains that there is demand for placenta in Nigeria among the production companies. All they need to do is to enlighten Nigerians so that they can willingly offer their placenta for a certain price. We live in a world which believes so much in spirituality.”

Son’s Controversial Wedding: Pastor Kumuyi Offers To Resign



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 Pastor William Kumuyi offered to resign as General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church following the controversy that trailed the wedding of his second son, John.

John Kumuyi and his wife, Love had engaged in acts, which negated the church’s tradition during their wedding held in Jamaica on June 15, 2013. Love, who is a daughter of the National Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Jamaica, Pastor Augustine Odih, was dressed in a fitted stylish wedding gown with transparent short sleeves. She also wore makeup, jewelry and carried a bouquet of flowers. The couple cruised in a limousine and had a huge wedding cake.

The misdemeanor, which attracted widespread criticisms, had earned the newlyweds suspension from church activities despite showing remorse and tendering an apology to the church, blaming their misconduct on the fact that both of them had resided abroad for so long.

Sunday Sun gathered that the practice in the Deeper Christian Life Ministry is that if members’ children misbehave, both the children and their parents get punished on the grounds that it’s the parents’ failing in their responsibilities that made the children to err. Although the children involved in the Jamaican wedding infraction are adults, the leadership of the church regarded their action as a strong breach of its tradition, and immediately removed the bride’s father, from his position as National Overseer in Jamaica.

To demonstrate that there is no double standard in the church, it was further learnt that Pastor Kumuyi, at the meeting held by the leadership of the church on the matter, offered to resign as

General Superintendent, but was prevailed upon not to.
According to the Sunday Sun source, the General Superintendent did not take kindly to the couple’s behaviour and, unlike Eli in the Bible who did not discipline his sons and incurred the wrath of God, Pastor Kumuyi had ensured that the offenders were sanctioned.

Meanwhile, the suspension of John and his wife from church activities has provoked mixed reactions from notable church leaders and other Nigerians.

Outspoken Pastor and the General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare who was once a member of the church condemned the punishment meted out by the church, describing it as wicked. Said Pastor Bakare: “I personally did not see what they have done wrong. A man is entitled to his own authority in his own home.1st Peter Chapter 3. A wife should dress to please the husband and not the members of the church or public. It’s sheer wickedness to the couple, they should leave them to enjoy their honeymoon. They should not squeeze them to the modus operandi of a particular organization. I did not see anything wrong in the wedding. The bride was not naked or dressed inappropriately and the groom didn’t. Esther the queen was beautifully dressed in the bible to gain the king’s attention. They should not make mountain out of a molehill. I was in the Deeper Life Bible Church for five years and nobody compelled me to dress the way I dressed. My wife was with me in the church though we weren’t married then. She wears earrings and dresses nicely. All this talk about this couple should stop.”

In the same vein, a leader of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Osun State and General Overseer of the Royal Family Life Ministry, Pastor Sam Segun-Progress described the suspension of John Kumuyi and his wife from the church as a wrong decision taken by the leadership as capable of sending wrong signals about Christianity to the public, especially non-Christians.

He said: “dressing in any way does not affect the faith of any individual. Putting on earrings and making up do not by any way mean sinful acts. It’s not against Christian faith to dress the way the woman dressed. But it was actually against the doctrine of Deeper Life Bible Church, and since the church is not the Kingdom of God, the couple should be allowed to do that which pleases them and their belief.”

According to him, the Bible states clearly that, “there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus,” adding, “for any church leader to condemn a member contravenes the standard of the scripture, which is the symbol of our Christian faith. The doctrine of any church has nothing to do with the kingdom of God. Every individual should be allowed to do that which pleases his faith,” he added.

The Osogbo-based Christian leader who noted that the church should be a rehabilitation centre, said “I would have appreciated it better if this affected couple were just disciplined within the church and were not suspended,” saying that the suspension of the two notable members of the church was capable of sending them out of the church and Christianity totally.”

According to him, “all I can deduce from what happened in the Deeper Life Bible Church is hypocrisy and this is not too good for our churches and the church leaders. I will urge the leadership of Deeper Life Bible Church to read the book of Exodus and see what God says about hypocrisy. The development in the church was a bad omen for the body of Christ and did not portray the church well before the public, especially the non-Christians.”

The Pentecostal preacher maintained that, “It is the wish of God that everybody comes to repentance. Jesus Christ during his eventful ministry on earth did not send anybody away. Even sinners ate with him and he did not condemn them. Why should we now suspend people and send them out of the church for an act which was merely against the doctrine of the church and which no one can prove was against the kingdom of God? Is any Church the kingdom of God? Or can anyone assume the position of God?”

He urged Christian leaders to live above hypocrisy and allow the spirit of God to direct them in their dealings with fellow human beings, even as he called for genuine acts, saying, “God cannot be mocked and God cannot be deceived by anyone.” He counseled Nigerian leaders to learn from the development in the church and serve with genuine hearts, saying the country needs genuine and purpose-driven leaders in a time like this.

Corroborating the views of Pastor Progress, a leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Osun State, Apostle Durodola Michael expressed worry about the development in the Deeper Life Bible Church and declared that the decision of the leadership of the church was not only harsh but contradicts Christian faith, which he said places premium on repentance.

He said “the leadership of the church should have forgiven the couple who after realizing their mistakes tendered an unreserved apology to them. Christianity teaches us forgiveness and one of the tenets of the Christian faith is forgiveness. The couple after apologizing to the leadership of the church needed not be punished again if the church will follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
According to him, “the only area where I noticed that the church leadership erred was their lack of forgiving spirit. It was reported that the couple apologized and that should have been the end if the church would go by the teaching of Christ. The action of the church was capable of sending the couple out of the church system.”

He noted that the doctrinal practice of the church might not stand the test of time considering developments in the world and the expansion in the church, especially its location in most western countries now.

“The church cannot continue with its practice. I don’t think the practice can last. Before now, it was a sin for members of the church to have televisions in their houses, but today they don’t only have them, but the General Superintendent of the church even ministers via the television to his members and others across the world. So, such practice can’t last.

For Mr Tony Okafor, Chairman, Law Students Forum, Anambra State, “the world has grown beyond a period when somebody will hold one to the traditions of one’s father. People should be allowed to exercise their freedom without any form of chains or handcuff. It’s natural that after parental tutelage, the child should be allowed to exercise his or her right upon growing up.

“The constitution of this country is very clear that everyone has freedom of religion; it is a fundamental right that cannot be derogated by anybody, including parents. So I think Kumuyi and his church should allow the young couple exercise this rights as enshrined under Section 38 of the Nigeria Constitution.

The lesson for the leadership of the church is that there is a limit within which you can put people in a cage and expect them to be quiet all the time.”

Apostle Lawrence Achudume of Victory Life Bible Church, Abeokuta said the development reveals that some things some churches are holding on to are no longer relevant. He said “I was once in the Deeper Life many years ago. I know some of them are no longer practicable in the 21st century. For the son of General Superintendent who was raised in Pastor Kumuyi’s house and the girl in question who is the daughter of another General Superintendent of the church in Jamaica, to come and negate the rules shows that something is wrong with the doctrines they are enforcing. The couple can’t claim to be ignorant of the doctrines of their father’s church. The couple can’t claim that they have not seen how those who have married before them in the church did. The lesson I want the leadership of the church to learn from this is that they should not go ahead preaching or forcing things their children or congregation can’t follow. The world is changing.”

“The suspension itself on a global society is an infringement on their fundamental human rights. The couple has apologized openly; why the suspension? Will the suspension rewind or cancel the wedding if the church had been silent on it? The couple deliberately wanted to do what they did, and they have done it. By their pedigree, they knew the rule and they deliberately broke the rule. It’s also a lesson to Nigerian parents. We should not be too rigid or harsh on our children; we should give them an element of freedom, because time is changing from the time we were born.”

Founder of the Odua People’s Congress, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun also asked that the couple be left alone. “People should allow the young couple to live their lives the way they want it. In a wedding ceremony, a couple is free to do whatever they want to do. It’s their day of joy. Their outfits should be what they want to wear and not what the public expects them to put on. Whether the wedding is flamboyant or not depends on the bride and the groom. In the first wedding of Christianity, there was eating and drinking, as a matter of fact, when the wine was exhausted, they requested for more to satisfy the guests.”

Mrs. Stella Awoh, a lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology said that judgment should be left to God. “Leave Judgment to God,” adding, however that the bride could have conformed to church rules.

“Kumuyi must have his reasons for allowing it. Remember that the church members now watch TV unlike before. Let us leave judgment to God. But that girl could have conformed to the tradition of the church. Head covering is a must in Deeper Life Church and as long as that is the tradition of the church and it’s biblical to cover the head, the girl could have covered her hair on her wedding day, although God answers prayers whether the head is covered or not,” Awoh said.
While many condemned the church’s action, others, on the other hand argued that the church was right in punishing the couple.

According to Rev. Joseph Olusegun Awusinu of Hosanna Mission of Christ Ministry International, Abeokuta, Ogun State, “where there is no law, there is no sin, once they have rules and regulations in the church, by way of their doctrine, the couple ought to have obeyed them. Once they have gone against it, they needed to be punished. So to me, the suspension is in order. It’s to serve as a deterrent to other members of the church who may want to go the way the couple had gone. My appeal is that the leadership of the church should not allow the suspension to last long. I agree that civilization may have eroded some of the doctrines of the church, but I think anyone or group who does not want to respect the doctrines can take their exit. But once you decide to stay in a church, you must respect their rules and regulations to the letter.”

To Mr. Biodun Ogunleye of the Anglican Church Communion, Abeokuta, what the leadership of the Deeper Life Church did was to tell the world that they practice what they preach. “To me, I think the son or daughter of a pastor or Imam should practice what his or her father or mother preaches. Once their doctrines negate what they did, they should be punished, at least to tell the world that being the son or daughter of an influential person does not matter. It’s a lesson to our children too that we must always respect the wishes of our parents and leaders.”

The General Superintendent, Voice of Freedom Ministry, Benin, Edo State, Abraham Chigbundu in his reaction said, “the truth of the matter is, if you accept to be part, you should follow the tradition of the place. What they did violates the tradition of the church, not the Bible.

“They should have known that their conduct would upset the church. The two have tried to make a statement that it’s not this outward appearance. Nobody condemned the limousine. There is likelihood more of this will occur. Moderation does not mean you’re a moron.

“For the suspension, the Church is right in keeping its tradition. In summary, (1) They should have obeyed the church rules. (2) The Church is right to have suspended them and (3) They are making a statement by saying change the rule. The leaders should look into it and see how they can correct it.”

In his reaction, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, said the action of John and his wife is regrettable, especially as both are children of top-ranking leaders of the church. He also commended the church for sanctioning the duo and said such caution would as well serve as indirect caution on the rest of the church. He also advised that people should not view the decision of the church as unnecessary vilification, adding that since both culprits are adults coming from the first families of the church, they have no excuse for failing to comply with the rules and tradition of their church. His words:

“The Deeper Life Church has a long reputation for simplicity – no earrings, no makeup, perming of hair or artificial hair and all that. The church has no room, whatsoever, for flamboyancy, either in dressing or any other thing about life. So, the couple’s action was a complete sell-out and very discouraging attitude. And I encourage the leadership of the church to take further action towards returning to the basics of the church’s tradition of simplicity, modesty and decency. It’s good they were cautioned because, I believe, the suspension is geared towards instilling discipline in the church.
Deeper Life has long been known for modesty and decency. What John Kumuyi and his bride did was almost opposite of what Deeper Life preaches and the action has given the church a bad impression. So, whatever action the church has taken against the duo was simply a caution and a reminder that people should be very cautious about the way they dress and their general lifestyle.

“So, I think Pastor Kumuyi allowed the axe to fall on his son,because he realizes that leadership, at all levels, must be by example. People must be careful and endeavor not to fall into the temptation of handling church’s funds as personal affair. There should be overall discipline in the church because the church belongs to God, not man. Even the issue of makeup and other issues raised, are all against the teachings of Deeper Life that we all know. And that was why the couple had to apologize to the church,”

To the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),Oyo State, Pastor Ayo Olabisi, the Deeper Life Church deserves commendation for the action it took against the couple. Olabisi commended the Deeper Life Church committee for the suspension of the couple, saying “There should be discipline in the house of God. That is how it should be. Where there is discipline, you can’t just be behaving the way you like. I wholeheartedly support it.”

Also, a member of Deeper Life Church in Ibadan who craved anonymity said she doesn’t understand
why John was suspended when his father who is the General Superintendent of the church was said to be at the wedding. “At least, he should have told them if they didn’t know that the mode of dressing of the wife is against Deeper Life doctrine.”

An elder in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Samuel Odekunle also commended the church for the couple’s suspension adding that CAC doctrine is also against such reckless dressing, though according to him, some CAC members are also guilty of the same offence. “Sometimes, you will not be able to differentiate a Christian home from a non-Christian home by the way some people dress during their wedding.”

A leading motivational speaker and Senior Pastor, Destiny Life Christian Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Pastor Tony Banks in his reaction said the couple should have known that they cannot dress outside the standards set by the church as long as they remain members.
He also argued that it is high time the church jettisoned some of its doctrines, which actually hinder spiritual growth and progress.
“First of all, it is imperative to say that Dr. W.F. Kumuyi is a sincere, great and anointed servant of God. However, when it comes to doctrinal and life issues, no one is infallible.
“The bride and groom, who are members of Deeper Life should and are expected to obey the rules and codes of conduct of the ministry, since they are members of the church. They can dress up as they want from the day they withdraw their membership of the church.

“However, the leadership should, henceforth, learn to amend some of the church’s puritanical doctrines that are inimical to Christian growth and progress.”

Speaking in the same vein, Pastor Funwei, who attends the Deeper Life Church, said, “the church stands on holiness. We are not sentimental concerning issues like that, whoever is found wanting must be disciplined no matter the title he or she is holding. We so much believe that in heaven, title does not matter but the righteousness and how you obey God will definitely count on that day.

Pastor Leo Nwokoji, a member of Deeper Life Church said the action is not a condemnation, but a form of discipline, saying that there are standards and everyone upholds such standards. Anyone that defaulted should be disciplined, he said, adding that there is no immunity in God’s kingdom.

Emeka Ejim who is the Provincial Youth President, Anglican Youth Fellowship, Enugu Province, said “…the bride and groom are both living outside the country where culture, ways of dressing, etc are not given any attention. The modus in the Western world as regards to church tradition is that you should come to God the way you are… gays, lesbians, don’t cover your hair etc…so I blame them for not conforming to their church’s doctrine on outward appearance…if they had wanted the ‘oyibo way of wedding’ it’s simple, go to the church that suits your taste, more so that the leader of the Deeper Life, Pastor Kumuyi is directly involved. Also the counseling section that prepared them for the wedding has a question to answer. Were they rightly informed of the church’s norms? If yes, then it’s an act of disobedience to the church authority.