NIGERIA NEWS
Troops repel ISWAP attack on Mairari base in Borno
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully stopped an attack by ISWAP terrorists on a military base in Mairari, Borno State.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the terrorists tried to break into the Forward Operating Base using two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) on Friday night leading to a scuffle that continued into the early hours of Saturday.
However, the troops quickly spotted and destroyed the explosives before they could cause any serious damage or gain access to the base.
Uba said CCTV footage and observations from the field showed that several terrorists were killed during the attack, while others were injured. The surviving fighters were seen evacuating their dead and wounded as they fled the area.
After repelling the attack, troops from Sector 3, with support from the Theatre Command Quick Reaction Group, the Nigeria Police Crack Team and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), searched the surrounding area.
During the operation, the troops recovered weapons and other items left behind by the terrorists. These included AK-47 rifles, ammunition, hand grenades, motorcycles, communication devices, combat uniforms and medical supplies.
Uba said the two VBIEDs were destroyed by defensive fire from the troops, causing damage to parts of the road, but confirmed that the base was not breached.
He also said soldiers are currently carrying out aggressive patrols around Mairari to prevent another attack and to reassure residents of the military’s presence.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced N150,000 Christmas bonus for every civil servant in the state.
The governor explained that the gesture aligned with his administration’ s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants despite dwindling revenue accruing to the state in the past one year
Nwifuru announced the bonus on Sunday during a church service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki.
On the forthcoming local government election in the state, the governor made it clear that he has not anointed any candidate, promising a level playground for all the aspirants.
“As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail, the people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarter,” he said.
Nwifuru restated his directive to political appointees wishing to contest the local government election to resign in line with electoral guidelines.
“It is not my duty to pick you as chairman of your Local Government Area. If you are contesting for the chairmanship position in next year’s council’s election as an appointee, you must resign as stipulated by the law.”
Governor Nwifuru also dispelled rumours of lethargy in the construction of Vincent Agwu Nwankwo Flyover, a major project of his administration.
“You cannot find any state in Nigeria that is doing such flyover currently,” he said, explaining the construction rigours inherent in the project that is designed to give the state a facelift when completed.
He decried social media criticism of the project, maintaining that the administration is deliberately taking steps to ensure the state is seen as having advanced and modern infrastructure.
“We are doing it not because we have money, we are doing it because we want to sign our signature in the anals of history,” Nwifuru said.
A retired top intelligence officer of the National Intelligence Agency and former Nigerian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Sheikh Uthman AbdulAzeez, is dead.
AbdulAzeez passed away on Saturday night after a brief illness. He was 71.
The death of the Ilorin-born diplomat and former National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union was announced on Sunday by the incumbent IEDPU President, Alhaji AbdulMumin AbdulMalik.
AbdulMalik said, “With heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I announce the passing of a one time National President of the IEDPU, Amb. Sheikh Abdulazeez Uthman.
“We lost this servant of Allah to the cold hands of death after a brief illness on Saturday. He will be buried on Sunday (today).
“Please remember the family of the deceased in prayers during this traumatic period of the loss of their loved one. May Allah grant Amb. Sheikh Abdulazeez Uthman Al-Janat Firdaus.”
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the late ambassador as a man of great character whose life positively impacted his community.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor prayed Allah to forgive AbdulAzeez’s shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also expressed deep sadness over what he described as a “deeply painful and irreplaceable” loss.
Saraki described AbdulAzeez as a seasoned diplomat, distinguished intelligence expert, respected elder statesman, and pillar of unity.
“His life was marked by selfless service to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large,” Saraki said in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir.
He further stated, “May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus among the righteous.”
Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the death as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate and humanity.
In a condolence message signed by his Press Secretary, Dr Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir commiserated with the deceased’s family, IEDPU leadership and members, as well as friends and sympathisers.
Born on February 18, 1952, in Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulAzeez began his education at Native Authority Primary School, Bussa, where he obtained his First School Certificate in 1966.
He trained as a teacher at the then Ilorin Teachers College (now Sheikh Abdulkadir College) between 1967 and 1971.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Abdullahi Bayero College of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1977, a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Jos, and a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2002.
He also attended the then National War College, now National Defence College, Abuja, where he received two awards for outstanding performance.
AbdulAzeez served his National Youth Service Corps at the Advanced Teachers College, Sokoto, between 1977 and 1978, where he was retained as a lecturer and later became Head of the Geography Department.
In 1985, he joined the Federal Government as a pioneer staff of the National Intelligence Agency, rising to the top echelon of the service.
Between 2000 and 2001, he served as Director of Financial Crimes in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Drugs and Financial Crimes and was part of the team whose efforts led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He served Nigeria in various intelligence and diplomatic roles in Egypt, Angola, Liberia, and China.
AbdulAzeez was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to China in 2010. During his tenure, he hosted the launch of Nigeria’s satellite on December 21, 2011.
President Bola Tinubu is currently attending the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu, who chaired ECOWAS from July 2023 to July 2025 before handing over to President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, is in the meeting to discuss the recent coup attempt in the Benin Republic and other pressing issues.
At Sunday’s meeting, which began at 3:00 p.m. local time, leaders and representatives of ECOWAS member states are holding a “special debate on the future of the Community.”
Present at the summit are President Julius Bio (Sierra Leone, ECOWAS Chair), President Patrice Talon (Benin), José Maria Neves (Cabo Verde), Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Adama Barrow (The Gambia), John Mahama (Ghana), Umaro Embaló (Guinea-Bissau), Joseph Boakai (Liberia), Bassirou Faye (Senegal), and Faure Gnassingbé (Togo).
Mahama returned as Ghana’s president in January 2025, succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo.
The draft agenda indicates that the public opening ceremony featured welcome remarks by the host, a statement by ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Touray, and an opening statement by Chair Julius Bio.
UNOWAS Chief Leonardo Santos Simão and AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye are also scheduled to address the session before leaders move into a closed-door segment.
Items listed for consideration include the 2025 State of the Community report, updates from the Mediation and Security Council, a report on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and special reports on Guinea-Bissau, the situation in Benin, confirmation of a host state for the West African Health Organisation headquarters, and the transition in Guinea.
Sunday’s summit convenes after five turbulent years for West Africa, which saw coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022), and Niger (2023).
The developments also fractured the regional order, with the juntas in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announcing withdrawal from ECOWAS in early 2024.
The latest flashpoints include an attempted coup in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed instability in Guinea-Bissau, which former President Goodluck Jonathan described as a “ceremonial coup.”
Following the December 7 putsch attempt, President Tinubu, responding to requests from the Béninoise government, ordered the deployment of jets and troops to quell the attacks.
On December 9, the Senate approved Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to help restore calm and stability.
Benin’s foreign ministry said about 200 West African soldiers, mainly from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, are in the country to support the government. Officials note that Benin’s stability is closely linked to Nigeria’s economy.
Cotonou’s port is a major gateway for Nigerian-bound cargo, including vehicles and consumer goods, supporting a large re-export and informal trade ecosystem.
The Sèmè border crossing on the Lagos–Abidjan corridor is one of West Africa’s busiest for commuting and commerce.
Additionally, China’s 2,000-km Niger–Benin export pipeline transports Nigerien crude to the offshore terminal at Sèmè-Kpodji, an energy lifeline for landlocked Niger and a strategic asset on Benin’s coast.
At Sunday’s meeting, leaders are also expected to discuss tighter security cooperation, sanctions, and economic integration tools, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, to stabilise the bloc.
They will also review Dr Touray’s report and schedule the 69th Ordinary Session.
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By Daniel Tyokua
The permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, has said the achievements so far recorded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike have gone beyond roads and bridges.
He said the minister caters for human development through the strengthening of health insurance.
Adam stated this at a Free Medical Outreach and Sensitisation, organised by the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) in Garki Market, on Saturday, to commemorate the 2025 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.
He explained that Wike had ensured the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Health for All projects, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.8), which he noted, are drivers of the economy.
The permanent secretary, said the FHIS, through the collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was able to revalidate and enrol 69,512 new beneficiaries with valid NIN, out of which over 33,000 were new enrolments of vulnerable persons, thereby surpassing the target for the year 2025 by over 8,000 additional enrolments as at November, 2025.
He expressed happiness that by this figure, the FHIS has again surpassed the annual Ministerial deliverables enrolment target of 25,000 enrolment per annum of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
According to him, “Like I told you, we have exceeded our target last year, and we have exceeded it this year. So, this is part of our enlightenment. This is part of our drive.
“I am immensely glad to mention here that the FHIS has again surpassed the annual Ministerial deliverables enrolment target (25,000 enrolment per annum) of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
“I can tell you for free that under the FHIS, almost every fortnight, there is a sensitisation going on, either in a motor park, in a school, in a business area, or in the offices, where we call formal businesses like banks, teaching hospitals, other tertiary and secondary hospitals.
“And I think the Honourable minister needs to be commended because as of last year and this year, we have even paid our outstanding, far even before the target deadline was surpassed.
“It is not only roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, the human development is also being catered for through the health insurance to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health for all, which of course is a driver of the economy.”
He explained that the essence of the UHC Day is to raise awareness about the importance of strong resilient health systems that provide quality healthcare without financial hardship, adding that the event demonstrates commitment to bringing healthcare directly to our communities.
He explained further that the Free Medical Outreach and Sensitisation, which is holding simultaneously in the six area councils of the FCT, would focus on screening for some common non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, treatment of common minor ailments to promote early detection and access early intervention, as well enrolment in health insurance.
In her remarks, the acting director, FHIS, Dr. Salamatu Belgore, said FHIS staff took the message directly into the market through sensitisation walk to reflects the belief that health insurance conversations must leave office spaces and meet the people where they live and work.
Belgore noted that health insurance is not a luxury, but a shield against financial shock, adding that through the FHIS, traders, artisans, families, and vulnerable persons can access quality healthcare without selling goods, borrowing money, or delaying treatment.
She explained that the theme for this year’s commemoration, ‘Unaffordable Health Costs? We’re Sick of it!’, is not only direct but honest, as it reflects the daily struggles of our people.
NIGERIA NEWS
Gambian Man ‘Deported’ from Nigeria Rages as He Shares His Side of Story: “Dehumanising Experience”
- A young man of Gambian and Senegalese descent has spoken out on social media after being deported from Nigeria
- In a video shared via his official Instagram account, he narrated his experience at the airport and expressed his pain over the way he was allegedly treated
- The man further reiterated publicly that he has decided never to set foot in Nigeria again, if he can avoid it
A young man of Gambian and Senegalese heritage shared an emotional video online after he was ‘deported’ from Nigeria.
In an emotional video, he described the experience as the most dehumanising and humiliating ordeal ever.
Gambian man claims he was deported from Nigeria.
Photo credit: @Mohamet Mbaye/Instagram.
Source: Instagram
Gambian man laments being deported from Nigeria
In a video posted via his official Instagram account, Mohamet Mbaye explained what transpired at the airport when he got to Nigeria.
He lamented that the situation left him heartbroken, particularly because of his love for the country and its people.
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Mohamet said on getting to the airport, questions were raised about his visa status, which he thought had already been handled by the individual who invited him.
According to him, problems arose because the relevant system was reportedly unavailable, leaving officials unable to confirm any updates.
He said he was required to submit an application at the airport and received confirmation that it had gone through, which led him to believe the issue would be resolved upon arrival.
However, he said the situation got bad afer he landed. He was informed that his visa had not yet been approved and was told that the same technical issues prevented officers from verifying his status.
Gambian man expresses anger, says he was mistreated and deported from Nigeria.
Photo credit: @Mohamet Mbaye/Instagram.
Source: Instagram
He recounted being taken to an office and allegedly left without guidance after one official ended his shift.
During that time, he claimed he received no information and was left alone without food or water.
He further alleged that attempts to seek clarification were futile. On one occasion, he said he approached another officer outside the office but was ignored until a third party intervened.
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Even then, he felt he was spoken to dismissively and instructed to leave without any explanation, a situation he said made him feel disrespected.
In the video, he expressed pain over having to speak publicly about the matter, noting that he rarely criticised people or places online.
He stressed that he was not seeking special treatment or exemption from immigration rules, but believed he deserved fairness and basic human dignity.
In his words:
“I don’t think I will ever step forward in Nigeria again for the rest of my life if I can avoid it. I just got deported from Nigeria, and it was the most dehumanising, humiliating experience ever in my life. And it wasn’t just because I was getting deported, but it’s because of how I was treated. And it’s absolutely breaking my heart that I have to make this video because if you know me, you know my love for Nigerians really goes deep, bro. Like, a country that doesn’t get the flowers that are rightfully earned and deserved is Nigeria. Listen, I’m obsessed with Nigerians, to an unhealthy level. Like, I love Nigerians so much, the creativity, the tenacity, the drive.
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Nigerian man who works night shift at warehouse in UK shares emotional video at workplace
“As I got to the airport, they were asking me like, “What’s my visa?” I’m like, “Oh, the person that invited me, like, took care of it.” But it’s because the system in Nigeria was down, they didn’t get any update or anything of that sort, so I had to make an application at the airport, and I got the confirmation that the application was submitted. So, I thought that once I get to Nigeria, I would get the approval, at all, at least there’s something that I can, like, you know, figure out out there. But that wasn’t the case. I got to Nigeria, and they were like, “Oh, your visa’s still not approved, but the system is down, we can’t even check it.””I was taken to an office, and I was talking to this one guy, and his shift ended, and he left, and I was there by myself, nobody was giving me information, nothing. I was hungry, thirsty, nothing, bro. I even got outside one time, trying to speak to somebody, and this, the guy, ignored me, to the point where somebody had to look at him and be like, “Yo, uh, respond to him.” And he was like, “What do you want?” Like, he was like, “Just go back over there.” I’m just like, that was so disrespectful. I was legit just trying to get an update on what was happening.”I am truly heartbroken and embarrassed to have to make this video. I don’t take this lightly. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I never come online to speak ill of anyone or anything, especially knowing the level of influence I can have on people. I try to be very careful with the information I share, so making this video was not an easy decision. I understand how it can reflect on an entire country. By all means deport me if you have to, I wasn’t asking for the laws to be bent but all I was asking for was fairness, or at the very least, some dignity in how I was being treated. Some people didn’t even have to scan their passports like everyone else, I will cover this in the next video.”
Read also
Woman in the UK reportedly calls police on her husband after he uncovered their child’s true paternity
Reactions as man reportedly gets deported from Nigeria
Nigerians had different things to say in the comments section.
Avionchaser said:
“Sorry you had to go through this bro but dont let your interactions with a few individuals change your plans to visit Nigeria. Go back once everything is sorted and sure you ll have a better time incha Allah everything happens for a reason.”
Charlieoutfits_ said:
“So sorry man.”
Labkaylah said:
“So sad !”
Ugomozie said:
“Mannnnn Im sorry you had to experience this bro. I wish you called me. It would have been dealt with immediately.”
Jae_deen said:
“I was held for like 3 hours bro super traumatic and leaving I got into mad beef with them. So sorry to hear this fam.”
Nyahyul_d added:
“Sorry you experienced that mo! Hopefully something gets sorted out for you.”
See the post below:
UK-based man gets wife deported
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a lady narrated how a Nigerian man based in the UK had his wife deported after she allegedly abused him.
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According to the lady, the man, who works as a carer, had sponsored his wife’s relocation to the country.
Source: Legit.ng
A faction within the Accord Party has conducted its own primary, resulting in the emergence of Mr. Clement Bamigbola as its candidate for the Osun State governorship election coming up in 2026.
DAILY POST reports that this development comes just four days after Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the party’s flagbearer in a separate exercise.
Earlier in the week, under the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem, the party had held a primary that produced Adeleke, who just defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the candidate.
However, a segment of the party rejected that outcome, arguing that Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem is not the legally recognized national chairman of the Accord Party.
In a new development on Sunday, approximately 300 delegates representing the Accord Party from various parts of Osun State gathered at Regina Suite, Osogbo, to conduct a fresh primary.
Through a voice vote by the delegates, Bamigbola was chosen as the factional candidate. Following the voting, Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, Chairman of the Primary Committee, officially declared him as the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
President Bola Tinubu is absent as ECOWAS leaders convened in Abuja on Sunday to discuss regional security challenges, including the recent coup attempt in the Republic of Benin.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 68th ordinary session of the ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government held at the State House Conference Centre.
The meeting marks the first time Shettima would head Nigeria’s delegation at an ECOWAS summit held on home soil while the president remained in the country.
Tinubu, who chaired ECOWAS from July 2023 to July 2025 before handing over to Julius Bio, president of Sierra Leone, delegated Shettima to represent Nigeria at the session.
No official reason was given for Tinubu’s absence from the summit.
The meeting, which began at about 3:00 pm, featured a “special debate on the future of the Community”, according to the draft agenda.
Bio, the current ECOWAS chair, presided over the session.
Other leaders present included Patrice Talon of Benin, José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, John Mahama of Ghana, Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Faye of Senegal, and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by the host country, a statement by Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS commission, and an address by Bio.
Leonardo Santos Simão, head of UNOWAS, and Bankole Adeoye, African Union commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, were also scheduled to speak.
Items listed for deliberation include the 2025 state of the community report and updates from the mediation and security council.
Leaders are also considering reports on the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme, the situation in Benin, and political developments in Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.
The summit comes after an attempted coup in Benin Republic on December 7, 2025, and renewed instability in parts of the sub-region.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to cancel the memorandum of understanding between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP).
The forum said the agreement threatens Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national security.
In an open letter to the Federal Government, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, the elders described the MoU as “dangerous”.
Abubakar Jika Jiddere, spokesperson of the NEF, said the deal could expose Nigeria’s sensitive tax and economic data to foreign interests.
He said the agreement was not a technical partnership but “an unprotected gateway into the heart of Nigeria’s tax infrastructure”.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. This deal threatens our economic sovereignty, national security and dignity as an independent African nation,” the elders said.
The NEF warned that granting a foreign government access to Nigeria’s tax data could expose the country to economic espionage, mass surveillance, and geopolitical blackmail.
The forum recalled France’s history of economic domination in parts of Africa, urging Nigeria not to repeat the mistakes of other countries.
“Wherever French influence has taken root, African countries have paid a heavy price. Nigeria must not walk into the same trap with open eyes,” the elders added.
The elders said the agreement comes amid worsening insecurity, pressure on the naira, rising unemployment, and increased foreign interest in Nigeria’s digital space.
“The FIRS–France deal is not aid. It is an entry — entry into our economic bloodstream,” the statement said.
The NEF criticised what it described as legislative lapses, saying data-sovereignty safeguards could have stopped the agreement before it was signed.
It also faulted the neglect of Nigeria’s local technology ecosystem, saying Nigerian firms are capable of managing the country’s tax infrastructure.
The forum warned against replacing colonialism with what it called “digital colonialism” disguised as cooperation.
The NEF demanded the immediate termination of the MoU and insisted that Nigeria’s tax data must remain fully under Nigerian control.
It said only Nigerian-owned technology firms should manage tax systems.
The forum also called for the passage of data-sovereignty laws before the Nigeria Revenue Service begins operations in January 2026 and demanded a total ban on foreign processing or storage of Nigeria’s tax data.
“The Northern Elders Forum will resist this deal with every moral, civic and constitutional tool available. This is no longer a policy issue. It is a matter of national survival,” the elders noted.
Lagos is widely regarded as Nigeria’s nightlife capital, a city where entertainment, culture, and business intersect after dark.
From Victoria Island to Lekki and across the mainland, nightclubs have evolved beyond weekend hangout spots into serious commercial ventures that shape trends, influence music, and drive lifestyle spending.
Behind the flashing lights, celebrity appearances, and packed dance floors are a group of entrepreneurs who have turned nightlife into a thriving industry.
The owners of popular clubs in Lagos are not just party hosts; they are brand builders, investors, and tastemakers who understand the city’s ever-changing social pulse.
By combining premium locations, carefully curated music, strong security, and strategic marketing, these operators have created venues that attract high-spending patrons, influencers, and entertainers from across Nigeria and beyond.
Many of these clubs now function as cultural hubs, hosting album listening parties, fashion events, and exclusive after-parties that extend their influence far beyond the night economy.
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7. Uyi Ogbebor-Vaniti Lagos
Sir Uyi, born Uyi Ogbebor, is a leading figure in Nigeria’s hospitality and nightlife industry, known for creating some of the country’s most high-profile entertainment venues. As the founder and CEO of HWP Group, he oversees a portfolio that includes Moscow Underground, Hustle & Bustle, Whiskey Mistress, Magic City, and, most recently, Vaniti Lagos, a nightclub quickly earning recognition as one of Africa’s premier nightlife destinations.
Launched in 2023 at Victoria Island, Vaniti Lagos combines luxury, spacious design, and a vibrant atmosphere, featuring a carefully curated music selection and a bar stocked with premium cocktails, wines, and spirits. Since opening, it has drawn attention for both its exclusivity and energetic weekend crowds.
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7. Uyi Ogbebor-Vaniti Lagos
Sylvester Idowu in Warri
President of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), The Church of the Living God, Felix Ekundayo Adedokun, has appealed to leaders at all levels to rule in truth and with the fear of God.
He attributed the growing incidents of killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes across Nigeria to clear signs of failed leadership and moral decay
Adedokun, at a press conference Sunday on the forthcoming GKS Feast of Tabernacles celebration slated for Warri, maintained that bad leadership was one of the major causes of the spiralling cases of violence across the country.
According to him, “Nigerians are facing an existential crisis by way of kidnappings, killings, demand for ransom, the burning of houses, lootings, destruction of farmlands, rape and others. Undeniably, these are acts of satan the devil who according to Job 1: 7; 1 Peter 5: 8 ‘going to and fro the earth seeking who to devour’. The devil’s preoccupation is to steal and to kill and to destroy.
“We exhort leaders at all levels to do things in the fear of God in that they must give account of themselves to God some day. The Bible says ‘He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (Rom.14: 12; 2 Samuel 23: 2, 3)’. Proverbs 14: 34 says ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people’.”
Speaking on the Feast of Tabernacles, Adedokun said it was the only feast ordained by God that Jesus Christ partook while alive for the blessing of His people.
He disclosed that the Feast of Tabernacles scheduled to hold in Salem City, Warri, from December 14 to 21 was instituted by God as a celebration of liberation, joy and gratitude, and a period for the expounding of God’s word, citing Leviticus 23:33–43 and Deuteronomy 31:10–13.
The GKS President said the observance of the feast was a prophetic command, referring to Zechariah 14:16–19, which states that all nations must keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
He stated that the festival was a compulsory act of worship for God’s people today.
He explained that the feast was now celebrated “antitypically,”as Christians now observe the spirit and not the letters of the law (2 Corinthians 3: 6, 17) adding: “As such, worshippers no longer need to gather in Jerusalem nor offer animal sacrifices because Jesus Christ has become the perfect sacrifice for all believers.”
Highlighting this year’s programme, he said that the week long celebration will feature public lectures, solemn assemblies, street processions, songs, sermons and a Christian Music Festival involving more than 15 choral groups, adding that it will climax with the Last and Great Day Holy Convocation, where he will deliver an address titled “Passing the Time of Our Sojourning Here in Fear.”
Adedokun urged Nigerians to embrace righteousness, peace and love for their neighbours, noting that these virtues were the only way the nation can enjoy divine mercy and relief from worsening conditions.
He urged all mankind to seek God’s Kingdom, which alone offers true hope for suffering humanity, and appealed to journalists to continue supporting the truth for the benefit of society.
He prayed for God’s blessing and protection upon all who promote righteousness.