FEATURES

FEATURES

Months after his resignation as the senior pastor of City of David Parish of RCCG, Region 20, Lagos, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade has started his own church.

 

LEADERSHIP gathered that the church, which is also based in Lagos, is named ‘Family Fellowship’.

Recall that Iluyomade was earlier suspended by the leadership of the RCCG for throwing an elaborate 60th birthday party for his wife,
Dr. Siju Iluyomade, shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, a member and financier of his parish.

 

The cleric was thereafter transferred to another parish of the church following the outcries that greeted the birthday bash.

Iluyomade was later moved to the Throne of Grace, Ebute Metta headquarters of the church after he was suspended for three months

He subsequently resigned his pastoral relationship with the RCCG and has been rumoured to begin a new ministry since then.

 

A video surfaced on Monday, showing Iluyomade and his new congregation dancing at the new church during a Sunday service.

Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank, was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in California, the United States in February 2024.

He died alongside his wife, son, and a former president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the crash.

The chartered helicopter was on its way from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada when it went down about 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas.

The 57-year-old banker was on his way to Las Vegas to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl.

 

Media

Oil prices dropped slightly on Monday as investors expect U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to relax the sanctions imposed on Russia’s oil industry by his predecessor in exchange for a deal to end the war against Ukraine.

Trump will be sworn in as President later today and his inauguration is expected to disrupt various sectors of the world economy, including the Energy sector.

Reuters reported that Brent crude futures dropped 28 cents, or 0.35%, to $80.51 per barrel by 07:39 GMT after closing 0.62% in the previous session.

 

The price of U.S. West Texas Intermediate slid 21 cents to $77.18 per barrel.

Expected executive orders

Trump is expected to make a number of executive orders on his inauguration day, as promised at a rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, on Sunday.

Investors expect Trump to undo Biden’s suspension of new licenses for LNG export facilities aimed at appeasing green energy groups.

“There is a fair amount of uncertainty across markets coming into this week given the inauguration of President Trump and the raft of executive orders he reportedly is planning to sign.” 

“This combined with it being a U.S. holiday today, means that some market participants may have decided to take some risk off the table,” ING analysts quoted by Reuters noted.

The global supply chain

The sanction of over 100 tankers for being in business with Russia and two Russian oil producers, made both Brent and WTI soar as top buyers in China and India scrambled for new suppliers while dealers of Russian and Iranian oil sought unsanctioned tankers to ferry their loads.

The sanctions disrupted the global supply chain with some of the top buyers turning to new dealers.

However, Trump has promised to help end the Russia-Ukraine war quickly.

Analysts believe ending the war would involve relaxing some of the sanctions to enable an accord, they said.

Analyst Tim Evans told Reuters that the new sanctions are seen curtailing supply, at least in the near term.

“Higher tanker rates on unencumbered vessels and a widening backwardation in crude oil calendar spreads have been among the notable ripple effects, reinforcing the concern over supplies,” he said.

Easing tension in the Middle East following the ceasefire and exchange of hostages between Hamas and Israel also kept a lid on oil prices.

Separately, investors are watching out for the impact of a cold snap in Texas and New Mexico which may affect U.S. oil production, analysts at ANZ and ING quoted by Reuters observed.

What you should know 

  • Brent oil rose above $81 last week following the new sanctions on Russia by U.S. President Joe Biden.
  • The fluctuation of global oil prices has led to a hike in the price of fuel in Nigeria, with pump prices around N1,000.
  • Nairametrics reported that the Dangote Refinery increased its depot price from N899 to N955 last weekend. The company blamed soaring global oil prices for the hike.

[Nairametrics]

Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh, has shared an emotional testimony of how God miraculously reunited her family.

Naija News reports that Tonto, during the Sunday service at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Abuja, said she tapped into the clergy’s prophetic word some weeks ago, which focused on restoring lost relationships.

 

The thespian revealed she did not initially recall losing anyone, but as a lover of prayer, she keyed into the prophecy, trusting God’s will to be done in her life.

 

However, a few days after the prophecy, she received a message via social media as a woman reached out to her, claiming to be her long-lost sister.

Tonto said she later remembered her father had told her about having a daughter he lost contact with at birth abroad after parting ways with her mother.

Tonto, overwhelmed, went on her knees, tearfully thanking God for this miraculous restoration, adding that her lost sister and her father had finally reunited.

 

Meanwhile, Tonto Dikeh recently spoke about her experience in the year 2024.

According to Dikeh, she experienced significant personal growth.

The politician said the year was the most transformative period of her adult life, marked by growth, love, and moments that brought her immense joy.

In her heartfelt post, Tonto expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons she learned, her accomplishments, and her progress in various areas of her life.

[NaijaNews]

Nollywood actress cum politician, Tonto Dikeh, has shared an emotional testimony of how God miraculously reunited her family.

During the Sunday service at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Abuja, Tonto said she tapped into the clergy’s prophetic word some weeks ago, which focused on restoring lost relationships.

The thespian revealed she did not initially recall losing anyone, but as a lover of prayer, she keyed into the prophecy, trusting God’s will to be done in her life.

 

However, a few days after the prophecy, she received a message via social media as a woman reached out to her, claiming to be her long-lost sister.

Tonto said she later remembered her father had told her about having a daughter he lost contact with at birth abroad after parting ways with her mother.

Tonto, overwhelmed, went on her knees, tearfully thanking God for this miraculous restoration, adding that her lost sister and her father had finally reunited.

 

See the video below.

Media

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced fare for the 2025 Hajj.

In a statement, NAHCON’s, Assistant Director Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the commission had fixed Hajj fare for intending pilgrims from Borno and Adamawa zone at N8,327,125.59, while those from other parts of the Northern zone would pay N8, 457,685.59.

For intending pilgrims from the Southern states, each would pay N8, 784, 085.59 (eight million, seven hundred and eighty-four thousand, eighty-five Naira Naira fifty-nine kobo).

Daily Trust reports that the disparity in the payment is due to each zones proximity, meaning their airfares determine their cost.

Sanda noted that the announced fares were sequel to approval from the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Chairman and his team in collaboration with representative of the Presidency, Malam Ameen Amshi, who is Special Assistant to the President, Special Duties did their best to maintain the Hajj fare within the same range as previously charged. Others who actively participated in stemming the cost are leadership of State Executive Secretaries, namely Malam Idris Ahmad Almakura, the Forum Chairman who doubles as the Executive Secretary (E.S) of Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, his colleague from Kebbi State and Deputy Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro, with their Secretary and E.S of Adamawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu among others who worked tirelessly to ensure that the fares do not skyrocket.”

She added that the modest effort on the fare was reached after extensive consultations to ensure inclusivity in this important decision-making process.

“Professor Saleh commended the whole team describing the Hajj fare as a product of extensive collaboration with all stakeholders. He appreciated the support of the Presidency and Forum of State E.S. The Chairman urged prospective pilgrims to take note of the timelines and Saudi guidelines while emphasizing the importance of early payment and timely registration to avoid last-minute inconveniences.”

[TheNation]

Nigerian disc jockey, Oluwaforijimi Amu, aka DJ Jimmy Jatt, has opened up about his medical battles and eventual kidney transplant.

Recall that the ‘Stylee’ crooner revealed in 2022 that he underwent a successful kidney transplant.

Speaking in a recent episode of Channels TV programme, ‘Rubbin Minds’ with Ebuka, Jatt said he lost his sight in 2020 and was later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease after undergoing surgery to regain his sight.

He said his health challenges began when he decided to explore the world after living most of his life in Nigeria.

He said, “Maybe I caused it for myself because in 2019 I said that I wanted to spend more time out of the country. I’ve lived all my life in Nigeria, especially Lagos. So I wanted to explore the world; Europe, America, everywhere.

“But in 2020, I started having some health issues. There were travel restrictions at that time so I was just within Nigeria. I lost my sight. I had a surgery and I regained my sight. After that I felt that I needed to take a break and comply with my plan of living elsewhere for a while. Then I relocated to the U.S. When I was in the U.S, I was also diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. I was there for a while. I was on dialysis. Eventually, I came back to Nigeria and had a kidney transplant. After the transplant, I decided to be quiet for a while to recover properly. So immediately I was discharged, I left Nigeria again.

“While I was away, I was still Djying in America and Europe but I decided that it was time to return to Nigeria so I came back in December.”

DJ Jimmy Jatt said lifestyle is not always the cause of kidney ailment, stressing that he has never smoked and has long stopped drinking alcohol.

He revealed that his kidney ailment was caused by diabetes.

[DailyPost]

The lawmaker representing Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko is set to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), his Director of Communications, Gloria Okolugbo, has confirmed.

Naija News reports that Okolugbo, in a statement released on Sunday, disclosed that the senator’s decision follows a series of consultations with stakeholders, supporters, and constituents in Delta North.

 

She attributed the move to Nwoko’s dissatisfaction with the PDP’s inability to support his developmental goals for the Anioma people.

“Senator Ned Nwoko came prepared to serve and deliver the dividends of good governance to the Anioma people, but regrettably, he has not enjoyed the cooperation and support of his party, the PDP, in pursuing this vision. This is despite being the only PDP senator in Delta State,” Okolugbo stated.

Key grievances raised by Nwoko include the lack of state government support for critical projects aimed at improving the lives of Delta North residents.

These projects include:

– Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP): The step-down project to provide electricity to over 60 communities has reportedly stalled due to lack of support.

– Ogwashi-Uku Dam: A vital project intended to ensure water supply across the region remains unfulfilled.

“The senator believes it is no use remaining in a party where his campaign promises to the people of Delta North cannot be fulfilled. The marginalisation of the zone has persisted for too long,” Okolugbo added.

Okolugbo revealed that Nwoko has begun engaging with the APC and has received positive feedback on his developmental agenda. She emphasised that the senator’s decision is driven by his commitment to delivering on his electoral promises.

“This decision is not just about politics but about delivering on his electoral promises to the Anioma people,” she said.

Controversial actor Yul Edochie has announced plans to name his next son after Donald Trump, the US President-elect.

In a recent Instagram post, Yul Edochie shared a photo of Donald Trump, praising him as the “leader of the Stubborn Boys Association.”

 

The actor, who is known for his admiration for Donald Trump, expressed love for the President-elect and announced his plan to name his future son Trump. 

 

“Official portrait of my man for life, the incoming president of America. Leader of the Stubborn Boys association. President Donald Trump. You already know I’m naming my next son TRUMP,” he wrote.

[TheNation]

The National Association of Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have backed the N1.1 billion allocation by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for staff feeding in the 2025 budget.

Speaking at a health walk organised by JAMB to kickstart its 2025 activities in Abuja over the weekend, the unions said the allocation was key to improve the level of productivity in the Board.

The unions, which countered the recent misrepresentations about the figure, noted, that the plan includes expanding free lunch provision, previously exclusive to the headquarters, to over 2,300 staff across JAMB’s 44 offices nationwide.

Budget Defence: NASS Clears JAMB Of Financial Impropriety

NASU’s Chapter Chairman in JAMB, Andrew Onakpa, who spoke on behalf of the Union, commended the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for prioritizing staff welfare.

“Efforts by the Registrar to address staff welfare are humane and should not be discouraged,” he said.

According to him, an improved feeding scheme will enhance staff performance. He added that the union pushed for the inclusion of other JAMB offices.

“We have over 2,300 staff in more than 44 offices nationwide. When you calculate the cost of feeding across all working days in a year, the figure is understandably significant. It’s not about mismanagement; it’s about improving welfare,” he said.

He expressed concern over the backlash from the National Assembly during JAMB’s recent budget defence, warning it could jeopardize these initiatives.

Onakpa described the registrar as “a man of high calibre” and urged him to maintain his commitment to improving staff welfare despite criticism.

On his part, ASCSN JAMB Branch Chairman, Ebenezer Ayalibola, corroborated Onakpa’s sentiments, emphasizing that the welfare committee meticulously calculated the feeding budget.

“This includes staff in outstations. If you multiply the agreed amount per staff per day across 12 months, the figure will naturally add up to N1.1 billion. This was a collective decision by the welfare committee, not the Registrar acting alone,” Ayalibola said.

Addressing the N850 million reportedly proposed for fumigation, Ayalibola explained that the figure encompasses all cleaning services, fumigation, and security across JAMB’s offices nationwide.

“As for the fumigation, that money was not for just fumigation alone but along with all cleaning services and security for a year at all our offices nationwide too.

”The aggregate of all the salaries for our contractors who do all the services is what constituted that N850 million.

 

“These costs include the salaries of contractors providing these essential services,” he clarified.

Bitcoin hit a record high above $109,000 on Monday as Donald Trump, who has signalled plans to deregulate the cryptocurrency sector, prepared to be sworn in as United States president.

 

Bitcoin surged to reach an all-time peak of $109,241 ahead of Trump’s inauguration ceremony, before falling back to $107,765 at around 0740 GMT.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the world’s biggest cryptocurrency has soared since Trump won the presidential election in November, with Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 for the first time in early December.

 

It came after Trump nominated cryptocurrency backer Paul Atkins to head the US securities regulator, reinforcing optimism the new president will deregulate the sector.

Despite having once branded cryptocurrencies a “scam”, Trump changed his stance and was a major advocate of them during his election campaign.

The incoming POTUS launched his cryptocurrency over the weekend, appropriately called $TRUMP, sparking feverish buying that sent its market capitalisation soaring to several billion dollars.

When bitcoin reached the landmark $100,000 level, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “CONGRATULATIONS BITCOINERS!!! $100,000!!! YOU’RE WELCOME!!! Together, we will Make America Great Again!”

Cryptocurrencies have made headlines since their creation, from their extreme volatility to the collapse of several industry giants, foremost among them the FTX exchange platform.

Bitcoin was conceived in 2008 by a person or group identified as Satoshi Nakamoto.

It was pitched as a way to break free of mainstream financial institutions by establishing a decentralised platform for transactions.

The digital currency is created or “mined” as a reward when powerful computers solve complex problems to validate transactions made on a meddle-proof register known as the blockchain.

Bitcoin has long been criticised for being the currency of choice for making untraceable payments on the so-called dark web, a hidden part of the internet used for criminal activities.