RCCG suspends pastor for throwing lavish party after Wigwe's death – Newstrends
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RCCG suspends pastor for throwing lavish party after Wigwe’s death

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Pastor Idowu Iluyomade

RCCG suspends pastor for throwing lavish party after Wigwe’s death

The City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, following the extravagant birthday party of his wife shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc.

According to ChurchTimes, a top pastor of the church who did not want his name mentioned said the decision to suspend Iluyomade was in response to the public outcry against the party.

“It was not Pastor Adeboye that suspended him. The governing council decided to suspend him. I think it’s a decision in the right direction. Though some believe it is coming late.”

“They needed to investigate some of the things people were saying against him and the church,” the source said.

His suspension according to sources in the church was done via a letter over the weekend.

He has since been replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 of the church.

Wigwe, who died on board a chopper in February, was a member of the Parish.

The late banker died alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

After his death, wife of the Parish Pastor, Dr Siju Iluyomade, held a lavish birthday that left tongues wagging.

Distinguished personalities rejoiced with the pastor’s wife at the party, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

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Some persons expressed displeasure that Iluyomade held such party weeks after the tragic deaths of a prominent member of the church alongside his wife and son.

Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a social commentator, had written: “After all this charity and benovelence, the right thing and common sense dictate that it is offensive and not appropriate to throw a lavish party a week after the death of such a man whose tithe and benovelence sustained your husband’s ministry when his body is still cold. I wonder what Wigwe would be feeling in the spirit world after seeing such a carnival go on last night at the Eko Hotel Lagos, just a week after his death. This is a lesson for the living.”

There were several of such comments on social media but some persons had referred to them as mere distractions.

However, signs that the family of Wigwe disapproved of Ilumoyade wife’s action became public when The City of David Parish was skipped in Wigwe’s funeral programmes.

Usually, churches where deceased persons attended in their lifetime play key roles at their funeral ceremonies.

But the Wigwe family replaced City of David with another RCCG Parish in Lagos for the funeral service.

Wigwe was God’s General – Iluyomade

During one of the services organised for Wigwe, Ilumoyade paid glowing tributes to the deceased whom he described as God’s general.

He recalled how Wigwe spent about N500 million for God children’s great talent project and how he adopted a lot of children.

He said: “All through the night, I and Pastor Siju were talking to God. Wigwe was a man who had a heart for God. He served God. We were asking questions, who can we turn to but Jesus? I’m sure a lot of people have questions. I want to encourage you; Jesus is a burden bearer. He understands all things. Cast all your burdens to him.

“Wigwe did a lot of good work. He was an amazing servant of God. He had eternity in sight. The only things that follow us when we pass on, are our good works. His life has challenged us.

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“I remember when we wanted to build a school at Makoko for the indigent students, and we needed to pay the teachers, feeds the students everyday. Wigwe came and said he wanted to partner with us, and together with his foundation – Herbert Wigwe Foundation, he partnered with City of David, we were able to build the Makoko school that endures till today.

“When we wanted to start God’s children’s great talent project, he partnered with us again. While we spent about N300million, he spent about N500million to raise talents. He had a heart for things of God.

“He loved children, he gave scholarships to children. He adopted a lot of children, took care of them. For years, he has been quietly paying for the stipend/salary of the City of David classical choir. It has been amazing, for years. Every month, he was paying them. At The Christmas concert, he funded them. He did a great work in this place. As he was doing here, he was doing it all over.

“He was a blessing to God and humanity. His life was profitable to all. I commiserate with the Chairman of the Building Fund, and his wife.

“Wigwe was the chairman of the finance committee with Pastor Siju and I remember when we wanted to start the fund raising. He took us to Eko Atlantic, he put a marquee there, he brought people from America to come and see, and in that event we raised about N600millon. One would have thought he would sit back; he kept going. He told me we’ll do it.

“When this place was ground zero, he paid five years rent for a branch when there was nothing just to assist, then later he said I’ll give you two branches one of the left, one on the right, and he paid five years each (ten years), nobody would support a greenfield, if you’re built, yes, you can go. One of his purposes was to assist us.

“When we needed to take finance from the bank, when the contractors left the site, he gave us the money. Herbert was supporting us. His wife was also supporting him. He’ll call his wife, bring N20m, bring N10m and she’ll support. He’ll call his friends too.

“About two weeks ago, when we went to meet him (Wigwe), we told him that project 2.4 we had paid over a billion in December, they told us to pay another one billion, we went back and forth, and I said okay, gather people, those that can redeem immediately and those that can pledge that can be sure to redeem in one year, that I will give one billion interest free just to help us to pay the bank. I’m sure his works will speak for him.

“Hebert comes to my house, office, and we pray. That’s why it is so difficult to understand the turn of events, but then again, God is sovereign. We thank God for Herbert’s life. God says, in all things, give thanks. We thank God for giving us Hebert and his wife. We pray to God to comfort his family. His life has challenged me.”

RCCG suspends pastor for throwing lavish party after Wigwe’s death

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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