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To avert a major crisis, leaders must urgently roll out poverty alleviation plans – Prophet Ogundipe

Published

5 years ago

November 2, 2020

Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe is the founder and presiding pastor at the Genesis Global Church. In this interview with DADA JACKSON, he bares his mind on a number of topical issues including poverty in the land and the recent #EndSARS protest

What is your take on the recent #EndSARS protest against police brutality embarked upon by some Nigerian youths?

Thank you very much for this question. The decision of the youths to take to the streets to condemn the act of brutality by the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) was based on several years of pain and frustration. Many youths have experienced this act of brutality either directly or indirectly. I totally support the decision of the youth to engage the government with this peaceful protest. Our leaders owe us accountability and we should hold them responsible when they fail to deliver on their promises.

So it was a protest that you aligned with?

Absolutely

Would you say it succeeded largely because they had no arrowhead?

Yes, it really worked for them. I supported the fact that the protesters didn’t have a leader. We have seen different protests and strikes in this country that didn’t make any headway just because their leaders were allegedly compromised and bribed with huge amounts of money. But in the case of the #EndSARS protest, everybody was assumed to be the leader.

What is your reaction to the alleged shooting of the unarmed protesters in Lekki?

It’s really painful when the people meant to protect lives and properties are now the ones who take lives. I feel very pained seeing this happening in a democratic government. I strongly condemn the act, and I appeal to the leadership of our nation not to run our country like a military government but rather to run a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

How would you rate the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration?

I want to be very careful with my choice of words. But sincerely speaking, I will say that many Nigerians are not happy. People put in so much into making sure that this current government got elected into power with the expectation of a promised CHANGE. Unfortunately, things have refused to change and rather things are becoming very hard for the common man. To whom much is given, much is expected, and that’s why it’s looking like people are disappointed in this current government.

Would you say the administration has failed the people?

This administration has really failed the youth continually. Young Nigerians take their time to go to school, study hard just to make sure they graduate with good grades so as to be able to get a good job. But unfortunately, they roam around the streets without any job. As a young Nigerian, I feel pained seeing the level of unemployment and insecurity in our nation.

Did you at anytime foresee this happening?

The recent happenings have confirmed one of the prophecies I gave this year in one of our services. I said that if our leaders were not careful, the masses would start invading their premises to pack food items and other valuables. This goes a long way to show that the poverty situation in our country is alarming. Hardly will you find a family in Nigeria who can afford a good meal when it is needed. My major worry is that if something urgently is not done about the level of hunger and poverty in the land, people may turn violent and they could do much more than what we saw during the #EndSARS protest. I strongly agree with the school of thought who believes that if nothing is done quickly to ameliorate the suffering of the people, there will be a situation where the poor will be attacking the rich. A hungry man, they say, is an angry man. It may get to a level where some hungry/poor people will start to see the rich people within their environment as thieves who steal government money and then see them as the reason why they are poor and underprivileged. This could also make them see rich people as their enemies.

What do you make of the looting of warehouses where alleged COVID-19 palliatives were kept?

How on earth will the government deprive hungry people of palliatives that were supposed to help them suppress the effect of the hunger during the lockdown? I have heard several excuses given by governors and I feel quite disappointed hearing some of these excuses. The real time that people needed these items, they were kept away from them and so many people lived in terrible hunger and even some died during the lockdown due to the inability to get food; only to discover later that thousands of bags of palliatives were being kept in various warehouses across the nation. Our political elites need to address the people they govern; they should show empathy. They need to immediately start rolling out plans on poverty alleviation.

There is this controversy surrounding the visit of Ayinde Wasiu (Kwam1) to your church sometime ago. Could you shed some light on what actually transpired?

Two major things prompted that visit of Kwam1. I am a prophet who doesn’t discriminate against any religion and I say that all the time. Apart from the fact that I was born a Muslim, I have always learnt to see everyone as my brother. K1 visited our church to thank God in submission for what God is doing in the ministry.

I didn’t invite kwam1 to our church; he was the one who said publicly at a function that he would love to pay a visit to the Genesis Global Church to appreciate God for the great things He is doing in the church. And when he reached out to me on this intention, I obliged.

Secondly, I remember that when I was a little boy, each time my mum saw Wasiu Ayinde on the TV, she would lay her hands on the TV to pray for him and she would also lay her hands on me to say my own Wasiu too (because my Muslim name is Wasiu) would be great. So, when Kwam1 offered to come, I saw it as an opportunity to tell our mothers in the church that their prayers over their children would always come to pass.

In our church, we believe in transition and not tradition. The world is evolving and we should be flexible enough to accommodate new practices that are different from the old doctrines.

People say you’re generous to a fault. What do you want to achieve with this?

Let me say it without mincing words. I had a very humble background and this has informed my high passion to give. Each time I remember how we struggled to survive, I always try to make sure I put smile on the faces of people struggling. My philosophy is that giving is living. I am only privileged and everything that God has given to me is for me to be a blessing to others.

What do you make of pastors who preach only prosperity at the detriment if salvation?

Prosperity Gospel is part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and it’s a major part of our existence. Where I have a problem with it is when people deemphasize other parts of the Bible just because they want to manipulate members to give or they want to attract members to their church. I must say that prosperity is good and I preach prosperity too but it should not be used as a means for manipulation.

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MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

Published

12 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies in Nigeria to ensure maximum protection for candidates and officials participating in the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations scheduled to begin on April 16, 2026.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Islamic human rights organisation stressed the need for heightened security measures across all examination centres nationwide, citing growing insecurity in several parts of the country.

The statement, signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to collaborate effectively in safeguarding candidates and examination personnel throughout the examination period.

According to the group, the appeal became necessary due to rising security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry, communal tensions, and violent attacks have continued to threaten public safety.

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MURIC specifically raised concerns about states such as Plateau, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kwara, warning that some of these areas remain vulnerable to attacks and mass abductions, particularly targeting young students and examination candidates.

The organisation warned that candidates travelling to and from examination centres could be at risk in volatile locations and called for “special attention” to ensure their safety before, during, and after the examinations.

It further urged security agencies to remain vigilant, noting that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” and emphasised the need for proactive intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms to prevent any disruption of the exercise.

MURIC also highlighted the importance of securing examination venues themselves, stressing that any attack on candidates or officials would have far-reaching consequences on education and national development.

The group reiterated its commitment to advocating for peaceful coexistence and safety for all citizens, especially young Nigerians pursuing education.

The JAMB examination, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is a critical gateway for admission into tertiary institutions across the country, with hundreds of thousands of candidates expected to participate nationwide.

Security agencies are yet to issue a formal response to the appeal, but authorities have previously assured Nigerians of adequate protection during national examinations and other major public exercises.

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

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Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

Published

12 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

A French court in Paris has found cement manufacturer Lafarge guilty of financing armed extremist groups during the Syrian civil war, in a landmark ruling that could reshape global standards on corporate responsibility in conflict zones.

The court ruled that the company’s Syrian subsidiary made payments to armed groups, including ISIS and the Nusra Front, between 2013 and 2014, in a bid to keep its cement plant in northern Syria operational during intense fighting.

The judgment also convicted eight former Lafarge employees, including senior executives, for authorising and facilitating the transactions, marking one of the most significant cases of terrorism financing in corporate operations ever handled in France.

According to the court, the payments amounted to approximately $6.5 million, allegedly used to secure safe passage for staff, maintain supply routes, and purchase materials from areas controlled by armed factions.

Presiding judge Isabelle Prévost-Desprez said the arrangement effectively created a “commercial relationship with armed groups,” stressing that economic survival was prioritised over legal and ethical obligations in a war environment.

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The case focused on Lafarge’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria, acquired in 2008 and operating shortly before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Investigators told the court that funds were also used to ensure the movement of employees through territories controlled by militant groups.

The ruling has been described by legal experts as a historic precedent in corporate terrorism financing law, as it is among the first instances in France where a multinational company has been convicted for directly funding armed extremist organisations.

The court also examined Lafarge’s operational structure following its 2015 merger into Holcim, which has not yet issued a detailed response to the ruling.

Prosecutors had earlier sought financial penalties and asset confiscation, but the court has yet to announce the final sentence and full penalties in the case.

The verdict follows related proceedings in the United States, where Lafarge previously admitted that its Syrian subsidiary made improper payments to armed groups and agreed to a large financial settlement in a separate investigation.

Analysts say the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for multinational companies operating in high-risk conflict zones, forcing stronger compliance systems, stricter oversight, and tighter controls to prevent indirect funding of armed groups.

The case is widely seen as a turning point in global corporate accountability, highlighting the legal risks companies face when continuing operations in war-torn regions where militant groups exert territorial control.

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

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Tinubu Declares End to “Broken Revenue System”, Unveils New Economic Reforms

Published

13 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Declares End to “Broken Revenue System”, Unveils New Economic Reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has entered a new phase of economic transformation, insisting that the country will no longer operate a “broken, inefficient and unfair revenue system” as his administration intensifies fiscal and tax reforms.

Tinubu made the remarks in Abuja during the commissioning of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters, where he reaffirmed that ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s tax system, improving revenue generation, and restoring public confidence in governance.

He described the reforms as a “covenant with Nigerians,” stressing that they are not political rhetoric but a deliberate effort to rebuild the country’s economic foundations and ensure long-term stability.

According to him, Nigeria is gradually transitioning “from uncertainty to renewed hope” through structural reforms designed to improve efficiency, fairness, and transparency in revenue administration.

The President emphasized that no country can achieve sustainable development with a weak fiscal structure, adding that his administration deliberately embarked on overhauling the system to eliminate leakages, improve compliance, and ensure that national revenue is effectively deployed for development.

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“No nation achieves lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system,” Tinubu said, adding that government must earn public trust through a fair and transparent tax structure.

He noted that the reforms are focused on simplifying tax processes, reducing distortions, and creating a more investment-friendly environment that encourages both local and foreign investors.

Tinubu also highlighted early signs of progress, pointing to improvements in fiscal stability, stronger reserves, and increased investor confidence as indicators that the reforms are beginning to yield results.

He attributed these gains to what he called “deliberate policy choices and national discipline,” insisting that the government remains committed to long-term structural changes rather than short-term economic fixes.

The President described the newly commissioned NRS headquarters as a symbol of institutional renewal and administrative efficiency, noting that it represents more than just a physical structure.

“This building is more than concrete and steel. It is a symbol of professionalism, transparency, efficiency and service delivery,” he said.

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Tinubu also tasked the Nigerian Revenue Service with evolving beyond revenue collection into a trust-building institution that reflects accountability and fairness in its operations. He stressed that taxpayers must see clear value for their contributions through improved public services and national development.

“The Nigerian Revenue Service must not only collect revenue, it must build trust,” he said, adding that institutions must demonstrate integrity and responsiveness to citizens.

He further acknowledged the challenges associated with economic reforms, noting that while such policies may cause short-term hardship, they are necessary for long-term prosperity and national stability.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of ongoing reforms, saying sustainable development requires shared sacrifice and collective commitment.

The President also reiterated that Nigeria’s future depends on deliberate policy choices and strong institutions capable of driving inclusive growth and global competitiveness.

“We have chosen reform, we have chosen discipline, we have chosen progress,” he said. “We will stay the course until the promise of Nigeria is matched by the performance of its institutions.”

The commissioning of the NRS headquarters marks a key milestone in the federal government’s broader economic reforms in Nigeria, particularly in tax administration and public finance management, as authorities push to diversify revenue sources beyond oil dependence.