The 21st Edition of Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service (ASHGS) was a huge success in spite of the terror alert, people turned out in their thousands to be blessed of the Lord.

Every aspect of the programme was a blessing but the climax was when the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye mounted the pulpit to declare God’s words.

However, the event which took place on November 10th and 11th had over five thousand vehicles parked at designated places allotted to them, however, some worshipers stubbornly parked opposite the The Redeemed Christian Church of God Keffi Camp.

The Regional Head of Security, who does not want his name on print said, the mission through the Continental Overseer had informed congregants through their pastors, that there is an allotted car park for worshipers.

“As the head of Security, I immediately informed the Provincial heads and the information went round the whole Abuja Family worshippers with an internal memo that cars should be parked at designated places.

“The event started on Thursday with Praise Night with limited vehicles to control but if Friday, which is the main day, we came prepared aside from the Redeemed Volunteers , Chaplains we have Nigeria Police, Army, Nigeria Civil Defense, FRSC, VIO , and DSS
who are readily available controlling vehicles to free the highway for motorists.

” The programme was a success except for a worship who alleged that his car was stolen, the Camp ground was the place designated for parking, however, some of the worshippers disobeyed the security order to park where they felt would be easy for them to pull out after the programme to avoid delay. All effort by our security personnel to stop them from parking there proved abortive.

“I was surprised to receive a call from one of the worshippers who alleged that his car was stolen during the event, i directed him to make an official report to the Police Division who are statutory by law to handle such a case, which he did. Immediately, I put a call to Goshen DPO to intimate her about the case and she said the man has come to log his complaint. We pray he recovers the car, but worshippers should always obey instructions, if he had obeyed the security officers, his car would have been saved”, he explained.

When contacted, the DPO Goshen‎ Police station, CSP Eunice Ogbudu said in every special duties, we always advise that people should park their cars at designated places, parking outside is risky.

According to her: ” I was in my office on Saturday morning at about 8am that one Mr Ogunjobi Tunde came that he car was stolen, I asked where? He said opposite RCCG Keffi Camp ground, I was embarrassed, because, myself and my officers were fully on ground and I was getting updates from them. Why don’t you park at the designated car park, he said that his where he used to park whenever he comes for the programme.

“The designated car parks inside the camp ground are big enough to take more than five thousand vehicles, but because they don’t want to wait any further that is why they park outside.

” I took down is complain, his details and the photocopy of his particulars and I sent it to the Commissioner of Police in Lafia.
I also relate to other Divisions to be on the look out for the said car during their patrol for possible recovery. For now, we are yet to receive any information about the car”, she said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up efforts to support the government-led response against the outbreak, which has already affected nine districts, including three complex urban environments. This is because the first doses of candidate vaccines against the Sudan ebolavirus are expected to arrive in Uganda in the coming days.

Three potential vaccines have been approved for deployment to Uganda for a clinical trial against the Sudan ebolavirus, one of the six species of the Ebolavirus genus, following evaluation by a WHO committee of outside experts. There are no licensed vaccines or therapies for the Sudan ebolavirus, in contrast to the Zaire ebolavirus, which has caused the majority of recent outbreaks.

The randomized trial’s objective is to assess candidate vaccinations that may be effective in order to help stop the current outbreak and protect communities that are at risk in the future.
The trial is the outcome of a coordinated effort by WHO, which included developers, academic institutions, nations that sponsored the development of the vaccine doses, regulatory agencies, other specialists, and the government of Uganda.

Supplies of one of the three candidate vaccines are expected to arrive in Uganda next week and the other two soon after. The trial protocol has been conditionally approved by WHO and Uganda and the final approvals are expected soon. Import permits for the vaccines is expected to be issued by the National Regulatory Authority soon. While the trial start date is not certain yet, WHO is working with the Ministry of Health and Makerere University, which is leading the trial to make sure everything is ready and the trial can begin once one vaccine has arrived and all the trial preparations are in place.The two other candidates will be added, as they become available.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said, “The start of vaccine trials will mark a pivotal moment towards the development of an effective tool against the virus behind the current Ebola outbreak in Uganda.”

“In previous outbreaks, we have seen how effective vaccines have averted the further spread of the virus, helping to quickly contain the epidemic. But it will take time to get trial results and for now the outbreak can be controlled without vaccines as we can see already with the slowing down of transmission in many of the affected districts.

Uganda declared an outbreak of Sudan ebolavirus on 20 September. As of 14 November 2022, there have been 141 confirmed and 22 probable cases (total of 163 cases) and 55 confirmed and 22 probable deaths (77 total deaths) reported. Nineteen health workers have been infected with the virus and seven have died.

On 11 November, the eastern Jinja district, which hosts Jinja city, became the third urban area—after the capital of Kampala and Masaka city—to detect the virus. Jinja, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, is home to some 300 000 people. While Jinja is now impacted by Ebola, the outbreak is slowing down in six districts, with two dropping from the follow-up list as they have reported no cases in over 42 days.

“The confirmation of Ebola cases in a new district is a concern and places a further strain on the control efforts. With their highly mobile residents and often crowded environments, cities favour the spread of the virus, but Uganda has progressively ramped up the response, keeping pace with the evolving situation. WHO and partners are helping to trace, find, test, care for people with the virus and work with communities,” Dr Moeti said. “But with the virus constantly on the move, we must press even harder to stay ahead.”

Dr Moeti is wrapping up a three-day mission to Uganda, where she met with health authorities, key partners and visited Kassanda and Mubende districts the initial epicentre of the outbreak.

In support of the outbreak response WHO has deployed 80 experts and supported health authorities
with the deployment of additional 150 experts, including over 60 epidemiologists. Due to the
infectious nature of the Sudan ebolavirus Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which include gowns, gloves, eye protection and medical masks are critical for provision of safe care to patients. WHO recently delivered 15 000 PPE to Uganda, which are enough to protect health workers caring for patients admitted in the current Ebola treatment units for 30 days. The Organization has helped train nearly 1000 health workers and village health team members in contact tracing, and another 1155 health workers in infection prevention and control in health facilities.

WHO has also launched a US$ 88.2 million appeal to fight the outbreak and support Ebola readiness in neighbouring countries. So far, only 20% of the funds has been received.

“Dedicated response teams are putting incredible efforts on the frontlines to safeguard communities and require robust support to effectively deliver on this crucial task. We must not fail them,” said
Dr Moeti. “Ebola’s disruptive force is most stark among communities whose lives have been upended and among families who have lost loved ones.”

The ongoing Sudan ebolavirus outbreak is Uganda’s fifth of its kind. Seven cases and four deaths were recorded in the country’s previous Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in 2012.

Dr Moeti spoke today during a press conference. She was joined by Lt. Col Dr Henry Kyobe Bossa, Incident Commander, Ebola outbreak, Ministry of Health, Uganda.

Also on hand from WHO to answer questions were Dr Yonas Tegegn, WHO Representative in Uganda, Dr
Patrick Otim, Incident Manager for the Uganda Ebola outbreak; Dr Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, Co-Lead Research and Development Blueprint for epidemics, Health Emergencies Programme; Dr Walter Fuller,
Technical Officer, Antimicrobial Resistance Programme; and Dr Cheick Diallo, Technical Officer,
Strategic Information.

Following his failure to clearly define the mandate of his Secretariat, the Mandate Secretary in charge of Area Council Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, has come under heavy fire from federal lawmakers.

Because of his inadequate defense of the Secretariat’s budget and his team’s lack of cooperation, the Secretary almost left the National Assembly after testifying before the FCT Senate Committee.

One of the Mandate Secretaries named by FCT Minister of State Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Dantsoho, was warned to respect the senate’s authority or risk being escorted out of the meeting.

The warning was directed at the Secretary following his continuous banters and distracting discussion during the briefing.

According to inside sources at the National Assembly, drama ensued when a member of the Committee interrogated Dantsoho on the mandate of his Secretariat, to which he said it was to buy luxury cars for graded chiefs.

Dantsoho, who instantly went blank, told the Committee that his Secretariat is responsible for the purchase of luxurious cars for graded chiefs and building or upgrading of palaces of graded chiefs in various chiefdoms in the territory.

According to him; “Our mandate is to buy cars for our graded chiefs and we also build palaces for them”.

Dissatisfacted with his response, the visibly angry senator described the Secretary as a disappointment in the service of humanity.

“This man who are you? You are a disappointment in the service of humanity”, the lawmakers fired back at him.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that it took the intervention of the Senate Committee chairman on FCT, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, who came in midway to salvage the situation on behalf for the Secretariat.

As the nation fights to empower its teeming youths, Ejezie Emeka Rollas (MON), the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has emphasized the organization’s willingness to locate and nurture young talents scattered in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps around the country.

This was said by the AGN’s leader during a press conference with reporters held in Abuja’s Banquet Hall on the sidelines of the recently observed National Day for Internally Displaced Persons.

At the occasion, which was attended by heavyweights in the creative sector, he claimed President Muhammadu Buhari created the Born Talent Hunt Show and Talent to Enterprise, which are meant to draw IDPs and other underrepresented groups.

According to Rollas, the AGN, umbrella body of Nollyood actors, is ready to work with relevant bodies towards ensuring that young talented IDPs are discovered, developed and offered space in the motion picture industry.

He said: “ It is sad that as the nation is battling with the increasing rate of displaced persons due to insecurity and communal crisis in some parts of the country, the ravaging floods in some parts of the country have added to the number .

“Therefore, everyone needs to play a part, and that is why we commend the relevant government agencies who are playing one role or the other to salvage the situation, especially the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

“We understand that a good number of this displaced persons are talented and passionate young Nigerians, and as a guild, the AGN is willing to play a part in the empowerment of these people.”

Rollas explained that AGN was already making consultations and stakeholders engagement geared towards offering platforms for the talented but deprived young Nigerians to strive.

He said one of such engagements was the recent working visit the guild paid to the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons(NCFRM), Alhaja Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim in Abuja.
According to him, “the visit was in support of the Commission’s strategic partnership with major CSOs, NGOs and CBOs to bring entertainment development to internally displaced persons especially at the grassroots.”

The visit was in company of Dr. Fran Ibezim, Managing Director of Abuja Film village and Mrs. Noni Okocha, CEO, ‘I am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative,’ alongside AGN’s Director of Communications , Monalisa Chinda-Coker who represented the president, among other top thespians.

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Tinubu/Shettima is receiving new backing from Clerics.

A group operating under the banner of the 19 Northern States Movement for Kashim Shettima vowed to cast 20 million ballots in favour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president, and Senator Kashim Shettima, who is Tinubu’s running mate, in the upcoming 2023 elections.

As they arrived in Kaduna, Christian clerics from the 19 Northern states delivered a letter to Senator Shettima outlining their expectations should he win, assuring him of their support.

DG 19 Northern States Movement For Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, in his response to the turn out of the clerics, said that initially, the group was bent on delivering 16 million votes for APC in the presidential elections next year, but with the overwhelming support from the Christian clerics, he is vowing to deliver nothing short of 20 million votes.

“I am excited about the love Christians have for Tinubu/Shettima.

“We promised that we were going to deliver 16m votes across 19 Northern states, with support of Christians from 19 Northern states, because of key role, we are now going to give Tinubu 20m votes across 19 Northern states,” he said.

He promised to deliver the letter presented to him by the cleric from the 19 Northern states to Senator Kashim Shettima, assuring them that they would get a positive feedback.

Earlier, the cleric who were mainly youth, were of the opinion that the APC joint ticket of Tinubu/Shettima will reset Nigeria for progress and unity.

Bishop Monday Yaknat in a welcome address, said that the church is not against APC, and is also not fighting APC.

“As ministers of the gospel, we are father’s, we belong to everybody. If APC comes to us, we pray with them, if any other party comes to us, we pray with them. We will present a letter to Shettima and assure him that we will stand behind him, we will support him and if God gives him victory, he should remember that,” he said.

Bishop Monday Yaknat who is the Executive Director of Hope For Handicap Persons Foundation, thanked those that attended.

“I know most Christians don’t want to hear the name APC, but the fact is that some of us must be there.

” DG did not give me one Naira, but he has assured us that all of us would be carried along. He assured us that after the programme, 20 bishops will be picked and handed over to Shettima.

“We are not doing this as politicians, we are doing this as a Church. We are not saying everybody must vote APC, but I am assuring you that some of us will vote APC, including my humble self.

” For those of you coming here for the first time, we have ministers group that is involved in politics. We are insisting pastors should be involved in politics. If you feel you are interested, you can join our group, we don’t only do politics, we encourage and help ourselves, especially those that are just starting.

Earlier in a corporate prayer session anchored by Bishop Sam Alaku from Gospel Ambassadors Outreach Ministry, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, he said that they were there to honour the call of the DG 19 Northern States Movement For Kashim Shettima.

He said, ” This movement we believe is the only group that will bring the unity in the 19 Northern States based on the love and passion they have. We therefore, encourage our Christian faithful to support the Vice Presidential candidate of Shettima and Tinubu.

“I believe as followers of Christ and church workers, their aim has been achieved and we promise to give him the support, if elected president,” he said.

The group with its motto, “Empowering Northern Organisations, declared this at the Bajju Town Hall in Kaduna metropolis, where Christian cleric from different denominations were present, as well as other faithful.

The meeting was started with a praise worship session, were several popular songs were chorused.

By Laide Akinboade

Worried by continued negligence, Nigerian youths has proposed 35% affirmative participation in governance.

Rotimi Olawale the Executive Director Youthhub Africa, stated this at Governance Agenda for an Inclusive Nigeria (GAIN) Validation Meeting, on Tuesday, in Abuja, he lamented that despite the fact that most voters are youths, there are only few candidates that are below 45 years old.

He condemned the amount pegged at nomination forms by the two major political parties that was above the reach of youths and for youths to be part of decision making in Nigeria, there must be a fair opportunity given to them.

“We youths of Nigeria, want a rich and progressive nation where our rights and freedoms are fully realized. As majority of voters in Nigeria, we 40 million strong and ready to make our voices heard. We have the ability to radically alter the trajectory of our nation because our intelligence, creativity, and skill. Our future is at stake , we can’t afford to pur our objectives and interests on the back burner any longer .

“We will no longer be persuaded by handouts or sit at the sidelines while others make choices that affect our lives.

“The youths of Nigeria, as key contributors to and beneficiaries of development, are eager to see the next Government of Nigeria devote themselves entirely to implementing the youth agenda .

“As a result, we urge the incoming government at the state and national level to hasten the realization of goals identified by young people.

“I think when we look at the political structure of Nigeria and how expensive it is to buy nomination forms, for political parties in Nigeria.

“It is becoming more tougher for young people to find political space in the polity, for example, look at the two major political parties in Nigeria, and how much they sold their nomination forms, it was very expensive, we discovered many youths cannot afford to buy the nomination forms.

“We are hoping that the new administration will, both at national and state level, sign executive order that at least 35% of youths would be given political appointments, we want to see them as Ministers, Commissioners, special advisers, members of different boards, Director Generals etc. on assumption of office”.

On how they intend to achieve this, he said,
“The way we will go about this is by advocacy, we will be speaking with political parties, presidential candidates, gobernitorial candidates, etc. and we are going to ensure they understand what the youths have to offer to Nigeria”.

He lamented, “Many youths are not happy about the situation in Nigeria, so they are leaving the country in large numbers. If you speak to 10 educated youths in Nigeria, 8 want to leave for greener pastures, these are people that are contributing to the socio economic development of Nigeria. Those that should be part of solving Nigeria’s challenges are leaving the country and that is why we are advocating for meaningful participation in our political space”.

Charles Asiegu, senior analyst nextar group, he noted that most of the youths are voters instead of being candidates and this is not acceptable.

Adding that discussion is already ongoing about this even if it cannot be changed, the new administration should give youths 35% affirmative.

He said there is no going back on advocacy in order to achieve the 35% participation of youths in government.