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To avert a major crisis, leaders must urgently roll out poverty alleviation plans – Prophet Ogundipe
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.
News
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
The Oyo State Police Command has successfully rescued four passengers abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in the early hours of March 5, 2026, following a swift and coordinated security operation. The incident occurred when armed hoodlums emerged from nearby bushland and blocked a commercial bus, forcefully taking four passengers into the surrounding forests.
Upon receiving reports of the abduction, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officers in Igbeti and Kishi, alongside tactical units and security stakeholders, to deploy all operational resources for a rescue mission.
A joint security team comprising Oyo Police operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, and other local security agencies conducted intensive bush combing operations in the forests surrounding the area. The sustained operation forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims and flee, allowing the authorities to rescue all four passengers unharmed. The victims have since been reunited with their families.
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The police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, commended the professionalism and bravery of the combined security forces, highlighting that collaboration among security agencies is vital to ensuring safety across the state. The command also appreciated the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde for promptly mobilizing resources and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for strategic guidance in the ongoing fight against crime.
Investigations and intelligence-led operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice. Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to support security efforts.
The incident underscores the continued commitment of the Oyo State Police and security agencies to protect travellers on vulnerable highways, particularly areas with increased reports of highway abductions and criminal activity. Patrols and security presence along the Igbeti–Kishi corridor and other vulnerable routes have been intensified to prevent future attacks.
Oyo Police Free Four Kidnapped Passengers on Igbeti–Kishi Road
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BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)
BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the posting of 65 Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners to diplomatic missions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy and international engagement.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that the list comprises 31 non-career diplomats and 34 career ambassadors whose appointments were earlier confirmed by the Senate.
The newly posted envoys include prominent politicians, retired military officers and seasoned diplomats tasked with representing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests abroad.
Among the notable postings, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, has been posted to Qatar, while former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode will serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has been deployed to Mexico City, while former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has been assigned to Spain.
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Businessman and senator Jimoh Ibrahim will serve as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
According to the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already begun securing diplomatic approval, known as agrément, from host countries. The United Kingdom has granted agrément for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, while France has approved the posting of Ayo Oke.
President Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately begin the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and high commissioners, after which they will proceed to their respective missions once final approvals are secured.
The appointments are part of the administration’s broader effort to reinvigorate Nigeria’s diplomatic missions, attract foreign investment, strengthen bilateral relations and expand trade and security cooperation globally.
Non-Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners
| S/N | Name | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senator Grace Bent | Lome, Togo |
| 2 | Senator Ita Enang | South Africa |
| 3 | Victor Ikpeazu | Spain |
| 4 | Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu | Tel-Aviv, Israel |
| 5 | Mahmud Yakubu | Qatar |
| 6 | Paul Oga Adikwu | Vatican City |
| 7 | Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas | Philippines |
| 8 | Reno Omokri | Mexico |
| 9 | Abasi Braimah | Hungary |
| 10 | Angela Adebayo | Portugal |
| 11 | Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa | Japan |
| 12 | Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi | Greece |
| 13 | Chioma Priscilla Ohakim | Poland |
| 14 | Aminu Dalhatu | United Kingdom |
| 15 | Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau | China |
| 16 | Tasiu Musa Maigari | Gambia |
| 17 | Olufemi Pedro | Australia |
| 18 | Muhammed Ubandoma Aliyu | Argentina |
| 19 | Lateef Kayode Are | United States |
| 20 | Joseph Sola Iji | Russia |
| 21 | Jimoh Ibrahim | United Nations |
| 22 | Femi Fani-Kayode | Germany |
| 23 | Isaak Folorunso Adewole | Canada |
| 24 | Fatima Florence Ajimobi | Austria |
| 25 | Lola Akande | Sweden |
| 26 | Ayo Oke | France |
| 27 | Yakubu N. Gambo | Saudi Arabia |
| 28 | Nora Ladi Daduut | South Korea |
| 29 | Joe Okocha (SAN) | Ireland |
| 30 | Kulu Haruna Abubakar | Tunisia |
| 31 | Jerry Samuel Manwe | Trinidad and Tobago |
Career Ambassadors / High Commissioners
| S/N | Name | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nwabiola Ezenwa Chukwumeka | Cote d’Ivoire |
| 2 | Besto Maimuna Ibrahim | Niger |
| 3 | Monica Okwuchukwu Enebechi | Sao Tome & Principe |
| 4 | Mohammed Mahmud Lele | Algeria |
| 5 | Endoni Syndoph Paebi | Burkina Faso |
| 6 | Ahmed Mohammed Monguno | Egypt |
| 7 | Jane Adams Michael | Jamaica |
| 8 | Alexandra Clark-Omeru | Zambia |
| 9 | Chima Geoffrey Lioma David | Mali |
| 10 | Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah | Equatorial Guinea |
| 11 | Wasa Segun Ige | Lebanon |
| 12 | Ruben Abimbola Samuel | Italy |
| 13 | Ogechukwu Kingsley Onaga | Mozambique |
| 14 | Magaji Umar | DR Congo |
| 15 | Muhammad Saidu Dahiru | India |
| 16 | Abdussalam Habu Zayyad | Senegal |
| 17 | Shehu Ilu Barde | Ghana |
| 18 | Aminu Nasir | Ethiopia |
| 19 | Abubakar Musa Musa | Chad |
| 20 | Haidara Mohammed Idris | Netherlands |
| 21 | Bako Adamu Umar | Morocco |
| 22 | Sulu Gambari Olatunji Ahmed | Malaysia |
| 23 | Romata Mohammed Omobolanle | Tanzania |
| 24 | Shaga John Shamah | Botswana |
| 25 | Hamza Mohammed Salau | Iran |
| 26 | Ibrahim Danlami | Kenya |
| 27 | Ibrahim Adeola Mopelola | Benin |
| 28 | Ayeni Adebayo Emmanuel | Belgium |
| 29 | Wahab Adekola Akande | Switzerland |
| 30 | Esther Arewa Adedokun | Namibia |
| 31 | Gergadi Joseph John | Gabon |
| 32 | Luther Ogbomode Ayo-Kalata | Sierra Leone |
| 33 | Danladi Yakubu Nyaku | Sudan |
| 34 | Bello Dogon-Daji Haliru | Thailand |
BREAKING: Tinubu Posts Yakubu, Omokri, Fani-Kayode, 62 Other Ambassadors (Full List)
News
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
The United States Justice Department has released additional FBI documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including interview records from a woman who alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her after being introduced to him by Epstein.
The newly disclosed documents were made public on Thursday as part of the ongoing release of records related to the Epstein investigation. According to the Justice Department, the materials were not included in earlier congressionally mandated disclosures because they had been incorrectly labelled as “duplicative” records during the document review process.
The files include summaries of several 2019 interviews conducted by the FBI with the woman, who claimed she was between 13 and 15 years old when she was sexually assaulted by Epstein in the 1980s.
According to the interview summaries, the woman told investigators that Epstein once took her to either New York or New Jersey and introduced her to Trump in what she described as a tall building.
She alleged that during the encounter, Trump attempted to force her to perform oral sex, but she resisted and bit him, causing the alleged assault attempt to stop.
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The woman further told investigators that Epstein had abused her repeatedly over several years and had sometimes arranged encounters with other men.
During the interviews, she also said that she and people close to her had received threatening phone calls over the years warning her to remain silent, which she suspected were connected to Epstein.
Despite the allegations, the FBI did not bring charges related to the claims, and records indicate that investigators eventually stopped communicating with the woman later in 2019.
Justice Department officials have cautioned that the allegations contained in the newly released documents are uncorroborated and noted that some materials submitted during the Epstein investigation included “untrue and sensationalist claims” involving President Trump.
President Trump has repeatedly denied any misconduct linked to Epstein or the allegations contained in the documents.
The release of the additional files has sparked renewed political scrutiny in Washington, with Democrats questioning how the administration handled the disclosure of the Epstein records.
Lawmakers argue that key materials may have been withheld or mishandled during the earlier releases.
In response, a House committee has voted to summon Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and explain why some documents were not initially disclosed.
The Justice Department maintains that the omission resulted from administrative errors in the massive document review process, which involves millions of pages of records tied to the Epstein investigation.
The disclosures are part of a broader transparency effort following congressional legislation requiring the government to release large volumes of records connected to Epstein, whose high-profile criminal case exposed an extensive network of abuse involving underage victims.
US Releases Additional Epstein Files Containing Allegations Against Donald Trump
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