Ola Olukoyede, chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has claimed that some religious organisations are “more corrupt” than public offices in Nigeria.

Olukoyede spoke at a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) leadership conference in Lagos on Friday.

EFCC boss revealed that his organisation recently recovered “how many millions from a religious organisation.”

Olukoyede accused religious leaders of looking at the “speckle in someone else eyes, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

He then urged clerics to use their platform “not only to preach but also to demonstrate” good characters to their congregation.

“Just this last week, I have had cause to recover how many millions from a religious organisation,” the EFCC boss said.

“They appointed you a pastor, and that is when you become a big man. We don’t even know what you are doing to earn a legitimate living. You live on the ministry and the church or mosque money. You can’t even explain the source of your wealth.

“Some religious organisations are more corrupt than public offices. I have evidence towards that. You look at the speckle in someone else eyes, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

In January, Olukoyede said the EFCC uncovered a religious sect laundering money terrorists in Nigeria.

A Nigerian Idol contestant, Chima Udoye, has emerged as the winner of the ninth edition of the popular music show after weeks of training and performances.

The three finalists—Chima, Lammy, and Chioma— went through different stages of the competition to reach the finale.

In their final performances, each contestant tried to convince both the judges and viewers of their worthiness.

Chioma thrilled the audience with her renditions of Jodie’s “Kuchi Kuchi” and Jennifer Hudson’s “One Night Only”, while Chima‘s soulful performances of “Not the Girl” by Dare Art Alade and “As” by Stevie Wonder captivated the judges.

Lammy performed 2baba’s “African Queen” and Alexandra Burke’s “Hallelujah” which was met with applause from the guests.

However, Chima’s powerful performances won over the judges and audience alike, and secured his place as the season 9 winner of Nigerian Idol.

Carlos Alcaraz produced a stunning performance to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to win a second consecutive Wimbledon title at Roland Garros on Sunday.

It was also a second consecutive meeting between both players in the final with Alcaraz earning another victory over the veteran Djokovic.

The 37-year-old Djokovic struggled to cope with Alcaraz’s powerful serve as the Spaniard produced one of the best performances of his short career to win the title in style.

Djokovic was aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles but he will be disappointed with his performance in the final.

Alcaraz produced late perfect volleys and thunderous forehand winners to stun Djokovic.

He has now won his fourth career Grand Slam after winning the US Open in 2022, Wimbledon in 2023 and French Open and his triumph at Roland Garros in 2024.

He also became the 2nd man in the Open Era to win his first 4 Grand Slam Finals after Roger Federer.

He is just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.

Alcaraz described his triumph as a dream come true.

He said, “It is a dream for me, winning this trophy,” said Alcaraz at the trophy ceremony. “In an interview when I was 11 or 12 years old I said my dream was to win Wimbledon, so I am repaying my dream. I want to keep going but it is a great feeling to play in this beautiful court and to lift this amazing trophy. This is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and most beautiful trophy.”

He is delighted to join the group of players to have won the French Open and the Wimbledon Open in the same year.

“It is a huge honour for me to be part of those players who have achieved Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. They are huge champions. I don’t consider myself as a champion yet, not like them, but I will keep going to build my path, my journey. It is a huge honour for me.”

Spain earned a late 2-1 win over England to win the 2024 European Championship trophy in Berlin on Sunday night.

The La Furia Roja capped off their impressive performances in the competition with glory after a pulsating encounter.

The first half ended goalless as both sides struggled to get hold of the game before the clash burst into life immediately after the restart.

Lamine Yamal, who had a quiet first half, set up Nico Williams to finish past Jordan Pickford after the England defense suffered lack of concentration in the 47th minute.

The young star became the youngest male footballer to play in a major international tournament final. He surpassed Pele (17 years, 249 days) at the 1958 World Cup.

Substitute Cole Palmer came off the bench to score a brilliant leveller after he was set up by Jude Bellingham.

Another substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal became the hero for Spain with the winning goal in the 86th minute to break England’s heart and set Spain on course for an historic triumph.

Dani Olmo produced a stunning goal line clearance to preserve Spain’s lead as they held on to win their fourth European Championship trophy.

Spain are the first country to win the men’s European Championships four times after their triumph in 1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024.

England’s agonising 58-year trophy drought continues as they switch attention to the 2026 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal was named the young player of the tournament after a return of one goal and four assists, while Rodri was named the player of the tournament.

Meanwhile, A total of six players will share the Golden boot award after they all scored three goals in the competition.

Harry Kane, Spain’s Dani Olmo, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz and Germany’s Jamal Musiala will share the award.

In the past, UEFA used assists as the tie breaker which could have seen Spain’s Dani Olmo emerge as the top scorer but it was announced at the beginning of the tournament that the award would be decided only on goals.

I had the pleasure of being a teacher and am ready to work assiduously for the improvement of this noble profession. The benefit of being a teacher is that it is a rewarding experience. According to Chris Drew from Swinburne University, teaching creates new knowledge.

Teaching is also a great way to create new knowledge through research and discovery to help be part of that continued growth and development. The benefit of teaching is essential to improving sustainable education. At the same time, teachers acquire new knowledge and are enthusiastic about new experiences.

Teachers create the future of the country. As teachers, we have a great role to play in all professions, and teaching is an excellent profession. Keep learning as a teacher and be honest with yourself. Technology has taken a prominent place in the classroom, and having the necessary equipment helps in delivering the best. Nigerians deserve the best education, and I do believe in the future of this country. 

Nigeria will be great again. The future of the country is bright. Inclusiveness is key to teaching. As teachers, our focus should be on individual students, ensuring that they make progress in their personal learning. Continuous evaluation is a good way of keeping track. In order to address the problems and anomalies in the educational system, the government needs to invest heavily in infrastructure and training teachers in modern methods of teaching and technology. A good curriculum that include practical work and engages students in 21st-century skills is important.

In conclusion, let us begin to touch lives through our teaching and shape the minds of the next generation in a positive way. Lastly, the benefits of being a teacher are countless and equivalent to a rewarding experience. Changing the lives of our students positively should be our goal. Additionally, we should strive to transform the future of education. As teachers, we have the power to inspire, encourage, and motivate our students through learning.

Shosanya Babatunde Oluwaseyi, a prolific writer, historian, critic, scholar, researcher, activist, educator par excellence, and Director of music/choirmaster.

The Arewa Youth Ambassadors have denied the insinuations that it has shelved its planned protest aimed at expressing their concerns over the rising hardship amidst alleged harsh economic policies of the present administration.

A statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Yahaya M. Abdullahi said there is no going back on the planned protest.

“Let’s be categorical, there is no going back on our words, as the protest is scheduled for 1st August 2024. Everywhere in the world, people make government, not the other way round. But why should the government brought about by the people in Nigeria be only for those in the corridors of its power?

“If the President Tinubu-led government is for Nigerians as a whole, why on earth the false pretences? It’s so sad and pathetic that suffering have become unspeakable and pervasive, while the power that is keeps on looking the other way.

“We wish to make it clear that the protest becomes necessary considering the insecurity that spirals upward coupled with incessant food and fuel crisis, unemployment and high cost of living bedevilling our region in particular and the country in general”, the statement said.

Arewa Youth Ambassadors said beyond any doubt that the protest will happen on the slated date unless the government reverses its policies that they said are unfavourable to the masses.

“Is Nigeria not even on the brink of revolution? Perhaps if anything has failed to strike a cord for its outbreak, President Tinubu’s starvation scheme surely will. Because Nigerians would rather be killed on the streets by the security forces being paid through their taxes than be laid to death by hunger in their homes, and maybe on or in their beds. And, you know, hunger knows no bounds.

“Therefore, as a group of peaceful citizens, we are left with no option than to protest the anti-masses tendencies that President Tinubu-led government continues to introduce on daily basis”, the statement added.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Sunday welcomed the former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim into the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying his decision to join the ruling party would further spur development in the South East region and Nigeria in general.

It will be recalled that Anyim who was also a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, formerly defected to APC in a remarkable public event on Saturday in Ebonyi State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu on Sunday, Hon. Kalu who graced the event said that having served as Senate President in the Legislature and SGF under the Executive Arm of government, Anyim is bringing his great wealth of experience to bear in the progress and development of the nation.

Hon. Kalu said: “It is my pleasure to welcome my big brother, the former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, to our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“This decision is indeed a step in the right direction for the future of the Southeast and our nation, Nigeria.

“With your experience and leadership, I believe that this step will inspire other leaders to join hands in unity for the growth and development of our nation.

“Welcome to APC, Distinguished Senator Anyim Pius Anyim”.

AN armed robbery suspect, simply identified by his nickname, Bob Jay fell into an open well on Friday night after he and other gang members raided student’s hostel in Unicross, Okuku campus.

The robbers, according to a student of the school who gave her name as Regina, attacked students in their hostel at about 12 midnight and carted away laptops, phones and money and after the robbery,  one of the hoodlums fell into an open well while trying to escape with their loot.

“They were many that came around 12 midnight. They robbed all the students in the Okuku hostel. They stabbed one student, broke the head of another with a stick before escaping with phones, laptops and other valuables”. She told Vanguard on phone.

She said the  well was used by students to fetch water to bathe and wash clothes and has no cover.

“Nobody knew that one of the robbers fell into the well until dawn   when students went to fetch water  and saw the man inside dead. They raised alarm and the community people came and took him out and was identified as one of the robbers and some people said his name is Bob Jay from Mbube,a neigbouring village”

She said the police were alerted and they  came and took the body away. She said no  other gang members identified yet since the robbers phone fished out of his picket is blur.

Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is reportedly in the protective custody of the state Governor, Usman Ododo.

Naija News learnt that Bello has been in the custody of the Kogi state government since he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to Cable News, Yahaya Bello is currently enjoying protection from the security agents attached to the state since the aborted attempt by the EFCC to arrest him.

Recall that the EFCC had issued a Red Notice on Bello to the international police organisation, also known as Interpol, based on the warrant of arrest issued by a federal high court in Abuja.

EFCC asked INTERPOL in three North African countries, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, to place Yahaya Bello on its watchlist.

Other countries where the ex-governor is on the watchlist are Egypt, Libya and Sudan.

Sources in the anti-graft agency disclosed that there are many options on the table in dealing with the Bello situation, which include but is not limited to storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be hiding.

The watch list was activated ahead of the July 17th expected appearance of the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

A man who was accused of allegedly stealing an Uber car after luring the driver with a plate of pepper soup, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, July 13, 2024. 

The PPRO said that the Akinpelu Police Division received a report on July 5, at about 8.00 p.m. from an Uber driver, whose name was not mentioned

He said that the driver reported that he picked a passenger, who simply identified himself as Isaiah, from the NNPC Filling Station, Maryland, in his Toyota Corolla car to a certain hotel at Oshodi area.

The spokesperson pointed out that while at the hotel, the suspect bought food for the driver, a plate of pepper soup and one energy drink.

“In the process, when the suspect was looking for a cotton bud to clean his ear, the driver gave him his car key to use

The driver further said that the suspect went downstairs after collecting the car key and went away with his car from where it was parked. 

However, a team of police officers on a stop and search operation at Boladale Street, intercepted him.

“When he could not give a satisfactory account of the ownership of the car, he was arrested,” he said.

Hundeyin further said that while the police officers were about taking the suspect to the station, the driver came to the scene and saw the car.

He said the suspect had been detained for further investigation.