I Slept With My Hubbyz Driver, Now I'm Suffering!

Several years ago, when I was searching for a child, I had an affair with my husband’s driver.

He didn’t want to have anything to do with me but I blackmailed him into doing it by threatening him that I would lie against him that he came into my bedroom unannounced and uninvited to force himself on me.

It took me almost six months to get him to finally agree to my proposal; as a matter of fact, I forced him the day my husband travelled out of town. He actually cried after he slept with me. Having done it once, it was easy for me to force him subsequently. That affair led to a pregnancy I passed on to my husband. I was happy because through him I became a mother. For that, I will ever be grateful to him but when the child was born, I engineered the sacking of the driver to cover the identity of the child. I didn’t want him suspecting the paternity of the child.

At that point, I was beyond caring about the kind of lie I told; what mattered then was getting him sacked. So I lied to my husband that he stole my jewellery and money I forget inside the car. I said this because I knew it was the only way my husband would get rid of him. Even though deep down it was painful, I had to do it to protect my child from eventual ridicule hence developed the strength to confront him. Beyond protesting his innocence, he told me especially that something would happen later in life to warrant my coming back to beg him for forgiveness.I dismissed him and went about my normal life.

After the birth of my first child and son, the others came in quick succession. I didn’t have to sleep with another man to have them. Deep down I owe my stay in my husband’s house to my first son. Apart from being brilliant, he was the favourite of his father. He graduated at a very early age of 20, finished serving at 21 and was already a member of the board of his father company when things suddenly changed.

It all started one morning when he refused to come out of his room the day he was meant to represent his father at an important meeting with a minister in whose ministry they were pursuing a contract. His father had to attend the meeting, which was a good thing because by afternoon, he was already manifesting severe signs of mental disability.

Since then there is no hospital we haven’t taken him to, including the Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba. There he was on admission for almost a month. All the drugs given him only made him worse until we had no choice but to take him away to a church on the counsel of my elder sister. We eventually ended up in a white garment church where I was told to produce his father if he is to be cured.

According to them, only his father’s prayer would heal him of his strange illness. Needless to say, my marriage is hanging in the balance but that is the least of my problem. Through the help of our former driver’s friend my husband knew, we were able to trace him to his village where he now resides with his family. After explaining the reason we came to him, he laughed and told us to go back the way we came because he will never forgive me for denying him of his son. He said my son is the only male child he has.

He said he won’t do what we want until I agree to sleep with him again as well as compensate him for the lies I told against him. I don’t want anything to happen to my son, please help me.

Breaking news: EFCC arrests former NSPMC boss, Ehi Okomoyon

Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Ehi Okomoyon, has been arrested and is being quizzed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja.

Vanguard leant from a reliable source that the MD, who resigned following the curious disappearance of N1000  fresh bank notes amounting to N2.1 billion from the fortified premises, was picked up on Sunday to answer questions in connection with the missing money and the bribery scandal arising from the polymer notes contract awarded by former CBN governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

A source said the man would remain with the security agents until he had given satisfactory answers to issues being posed to him.
The source, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said, “It is true that Okomoyon was arrested and taken to the Earacac office in Abuja for interrogation in connection with several issues at the NSPMC.

“I cannot say if he will be released today or next because the operatives feel they should interact the more with him following the statement made by him.”

Nigerian officials allegedly received bribes in a printing contract for banknotes by Securency, a note-printing firm partly owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Chukwuma Soludo was also quizzed by the EFCC in January in connection with the scam.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest of Okomoyon.

Ghanaian Actress, Yvonne Nelson Suffering From Anorexia?

According to stories floating the internet, star Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson is currently battling anorexia.

In just 6 months, the ‘House of Gold’ actress is said to have lost over 30 pounds and counting.

 

Many of her fans wondered about the actress's sudden weight loss considering that she has always been slim, and thought perhaps it was to align with her 'new skin' brand.

 

But with her continuous decline in body weight, many now fear for her, leading to the conclusion that the 'dieting thing' may have become obsessive after-all.

 

Anorexia is an emotional disorder that comes with an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat.  It`s a medical condition that results in lack or loss of appetite for food after an apparent weight gain that needs an urgent intervention.

 

Real Reason Red Meat Is Bad For The Heart

A new study has shown what doctors and health experts have been saying for years, that too much red meat, such as  fatty steaks and lamb chops, lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

It turns out, it’s not so much the cholesterol or saturated fat that’s to blame, according to the study, published in Nature Medicine. It’s a compound found in red meat called carnitine that’s linked to clogged arteries. The bacteria in our guts convert carnitine into a harmful chemical called TMAO that can thicken the arteries.

Though recommendations to cut back on red meat may be nothing new, limiting how much red meat you eat can keep your heart healthier. The study also indicated that it’s not just red meat we need to watch out for: Carnitine is a popular dietary supplement commonly found in weight-loss products and energy drinks.

Overall, the findings reinforces advice to switch to a Mediterranean-style diet for better heart health — nixing processed food and red meat for an uptick in fish, fruits and vegetables. Based on this study, that’s probably the way to go.

Source: Vanguard

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EcoBank In Trouble Over NNPC Account Fraud…May Lose Licence

The management of Jibril Aku-led Eco Bank is presently running from pillar to post from an impending trouble over an unprofessional conduct, fraud and financial malpractice on an account belonging to one of the institutions` biggest customers, Francis Ogaree who`s one of the senior managers with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Aside suing the bank for a N100m damages, Francis Ogaree has vowed to make sure Eco bank loses its banking licence as a result of what he termed as unprofessional, unethical and sharp banking practices by falsifying his account statements thereby ridiculing his person before credit bureau and other financial institutions.

According to the statement of claims made available to National Enquirer by Ogaree`s counsel, Dr. Yemi Oke of MJS Partners suing the bank for a N100m and directing the apex bank, the central bank of Nigeria to revoke Eco bank's licence, Eco bank was said to have been in the habit of illegally deducting monies from Ogaree`s domiciliary account without his consent.

We gathered reliably that, Ogaree who operates three different domiciliary accounts with details as follow: 0012510100651801 (now 0012047436) and 0015010100651801 (0012068781) and one other at the bank`s headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos was stunned when sometimes in 2007/2008 he experienced unauthorized deductions in his account and informed the bank's management which put up a lackadaisical attitude until he threatened a law suit before it was reversed .

And as if that was not enough, the bank has since continued and repeatedly making illegal deductions by cloning a separate credit card (ATM) attached to his domiciliary account simply because he (Ogaree) is a very busy executive who have no time to cross-check details of his spending until the recent one which was the last straw that broke the camel`s back. 

Bubble burst when Ogaree who`s involved in a business transaction with a mega company required the approval of Credit Bureaus to clear him of any indebtedness with any company in Nigeria, a process which necessitates his banker`s clearance via the issuance of a Letter of Non-Indebtedness, and to his chagrin, his hope to get the said letter from Eco Bank was dashed as his Banker turned him down through an email from its representatives: Akaegbu Victoria (vakaegbu@ecobank.com) copying another Eco Bank top Staff, Alarapon Fadake (falarapon@ecobank.com) on March 1st, 2012 at 2.49pm stating that he is seriously indebted to the bank and cannot be issued with the letter.

Though very mad at this, the top NNPC staff, Ogaree had behaved wisely and responsibly by calling the attention of the affected branches to investigate, reconcile and rectify his account, all we learnt were to no avail as the bank`s management forwarded and widely circulated the falsified account statements and purported indebtedness to the Credit Bureaus and other financial institutions thereby portraying Ogaree a debtor, reckless and irresponsible human being who`s incapable of managing a business and paying his debts whereas after thorough checking, it was discovered that, Eco Bank had actually had outstanding payments in respect of a MasterCard account, the opening of which was neither authorized nor consented to by Ogaree.

We shall bring more from the legal tussle with suit No.: FHC/L/CS/410/2012 as events unfold. 

In our facts finding mission, National Enquirer got in touch with the head, corporate communications of EcoBank, Austin Osokpor but efforts were abortive as at the time of going to press.

I Will Probably Not Stop Acting - Ini Edo

Glo Ambassador and top Nollywood actress cum producer, Ini Edo-Ehiagwina has confessed that she may probably not stop acting. She was interviewed recently during the movie premier she co-produced, Weekend Getaway, where the budding producer and seasoned actress, Ini aligned herself with the revolutionist of Nollywood.

“I have a dream and that I am presently fulfilling; that I am part of a revolution which I think is going on right now in Nollywood. These are group of people that feel like they love the industry and would not let it go down. No matter what is happening we need try make it better. I am one of those people. It is a natural inborn feeling that I have about the industry. For me it is about if I am making my own film the way I feel films should be told, it is going to be my own way of contributing to the change in the industry for it to grow to what we want it to. I am going to keep producing. I will probably not stop acting but keep on making films,” the AkwaIbom star actress said.

Ini was later asked what her glowing look secrets are, “that is a very hard pack, I know, well, I will say, I learn to eat right. I am an African woman from AkwaIbom where there are good foods. But then I try to keep it down, keep it healthy, do more of walk out. Healthy living is what it really is. Looking good is how you feel inside. It is also the fact that we are enjoying what we worked for. I am an advocate for good living,” the Ibibio queen explained.

Ado – Odo Monarch Beaten and Strípped After Angry Mob Burnt his Palace

There was pandemonium yesterday in Ado-Odo area of Ogun State as the palace of a monarch, the Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Lateef Adeniran Akanni, was razed by some aggrieved youths. 

The monarch, Nigerian Compass learnt, had been having a running battle with some interest groups in the community, who allegedly did not want him despite a Supreme Court judgement validating his appointment three years ago. 

According to sources, Oba Akanni was hospitalised following the severe beating he received from the rampaging youths. 

The burnt palace has also been deserted as wives, children, family members and servants fled the area apparently for fear of being attacked again. 

Trouble was said to have started for the traditional ruler when his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was flagged down by some people in the community. 

In the process of attending to the people, the unsuspecting monarch was dragged out of his vehicle, beaten and strípped. 

Though the incident may not be unconnected with the chieftaincy crisis in the town, another source attributed it to an alleged accident involving the monarch a few days ago. 

Oba Akanni, according to the source, allegedly failed to visit a victim of the accident, a development which reportedly infuriated some community youths who plotted the attack. 

The violence prompted the state Police Commissioner, Ikemefuna Okoye, and the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Muyiwa Oladipo, to visit the area and douse tension. 

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said normalcy had been restored to the community. 

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), however, said he was unaware of the alleged strípping of the monarch. 

“I know some people went to the palace and attacked the Oba of Ado-Odo but normalcy has been restored to the town. The Commissioner of Police has been there and we are going to ensure that the needful is done to bring all those involved in the act to book,” he added. 

Also yesterday, the Ogun State government appealed to the people of Ado-Odo community to shun violence and maintain peace in order to promote socio-economic development of the state. 

Speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Muyiwa Oladipo, the government described the attack on the monarch as “sheer lawlessness.” 

Oladipo said there were ways the people could adopt to show their displeasure over the installation of the monarch that was reinstalled by the Supreme Court of the land rather than resorting to burning of houses, beating people and harassing the monarch. 

While assuring the people of the state government’s readiness to find a lasting solution to the chieftaincy crisis, the commissioner said a panel of inquiry would be set up to look into the remote and immediate causes of the attack. 

He called on all the sons and daughters of the community to come and tender relevant information that could be of assistance in resolving the crisis. 

NigerianCompass

Lésbianism In Nollywood Is Not Going To Stop Soon – Vivian Pius

Despite the government's frown on the illicit affair of same sex, and many praying and fasting to see an end to the sudden surge in lésbianism in Nigeria`s movie industry, one of the actresses in Nollywood, Vivian Pius, has confessed that lésbianism is a norm in Nollywood that is not going to stop soon.

“Lésbianism has come to stay in Nollywood. Though it exists in other industries such as banking, medical and others, that of Nollywood is more open to the public because of who we are, as a society`s role models.

It has come to be seen as a cartel where those who belong to a group find it easier getting movie roles. Some of them can even make you rich overnight beyond your expectation. Those who are in it and know their onions can tell you better. 

They get the best of jobs and are richer driving in big cars and seeing at the best of places. The same thing goes for the homoséxuals. 

The industry has become what many of us never dreamed of, going the way of Hollywood and other European movie industries. It is also in Alaba International Market. They control the industry. It is all about packaging. But there is still hope that those who are not patronizing them will still make it in Nollywood,” 

Vivien, who was spotted on the set of Simone’s Production in Festac, Lagos said

Housewife Jailed For Faking Rape

A 45-year old woman, Mrs Eucharia Onuorah, has been arrested and charged to court for allegedly making a false claim that a young man, Daniel Chile, raped her in their Mushin home, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

She was charged before Isolo Magistrate’s court, Lagos with false accusation after her alleged failed attempt to lure Chile, her neighbour, into sex.

The mother of five children was remanded in prison custody pending when she will fulfil her bail condition.

The incident happened at 8, Dosunmu street, Mushin, Lagos where both reside.

It was gathered that the relationship between Eucharia and Chile was cordial before it went sour because of undisclosed reason.

On the day the allegation was made, it was learnt that Chile returned home at about 2.00pm and the woman who was around suddenly shouted and raised an alarm which attracted neighbours who came out to know what was happening.

She alleged that she was raped by Chile in her apartment and showed the neihhbours her torn underwear, bra and clothes.

The man at the centre of the allegation was shocked and speachless and did not know even how to defend himself.

He could only manage to say that he didn’t do it and alleged that the woman had been pestering him to which he refused.

The matter was reported at Zone D Police Division at Mushin where the parties were invited and interogated.

During the interogation the woman confessed she was not actually raped by Chile.

She was charged to court for false allegation under the Criminal Code. She pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Osho Adebiyi granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

''Uloma Knew Solomon Was Married To Me'' Lilian Akiyesi Opens Up

I finally spoke with Lilian Akiyesi. I'm going to share some of the things she said to me. The two most significant things she said was:

1. Uloma definitely knew Solomon was married to her. She said her first encounter with Uloma was back in 2010 when she called Solomon very late at night and she, Lilian, picked up the phone. She told Uloma that she's Solomon's wife and Uloma started crying. She said she even had to start consoling Uloma that night. After that phone conversation she didn't hear from Uloma again but later found out she continued her affair with her husband. She said she called Uloma and warned her over the phone...

2. She and Solomon were not having any marital problems. She said Solomon told her he was going to Lagos to work a few days before the Saturday wedding. She said she was the one who helped him pack his bags and he even kissed her goodbye at the door. She said she communicated with him a day before the wedding, Friday April 12th and he was all lovey dovey with her. She munched the messages and sent to me...will show you guys some...

Lilian also made something very clear. She said if she and Solomon had been having issues, she wouldn't have had the guts to do what she did at the venue. Solomon wouldn't have even had to do the whole thing secretly. Not one member of Solomon's family was at that wedding on Saturday. According to her, Solomon presented fake family members.

New Anti-Pórnography Laws: Arrest For Wearing Miniskirts, Ban Beyonce From TV

Women in Uganda who go out wearing mini-skirts could face jail or a heavy fine under draconian new anti-pórnography laws.

#SaveTheMiniskirt: Uganda Proposes Miniskirt Ban

The legislation would also see television dramas and films banned if it is passed by parliament.

The Anti-Pórnography Bill 2011 proposes that those found guilty of abetting pórnography be fined up to 10 million Ugandan shillings or jailed for up to 10 years, or both.

Simon Lokodo, Uganda's ethics and integrity minister, who proposed the Bill, said: "Any attire which exposes intimate parts of the human body, especially areas that are of erotic function, are outlawed.

Anything above the knee is outlawed. If a woman wears a miniskirt, we will arrest her."

The bill, which is backed by Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhindi, would also see many films and TV dramas banned from the airwaves and internet use monitored.

Mr Lokodo, a former Catholic priest defrocked by the Vatican for his involvement in politics, said that would mean that celebrities such as Beyoncé and Madonna would be banned from Ugandan television.

"Television should not broadcast a sexy person.

On the internet, we're going to put a monitoring system so we know who has watched which website and we know who has watched pórnographic material."

Mr Lokodo said the Bill was needed to protect women and children against exploitation and curb increasing immorality.

If passed, the proposed law would mark a return to the era of dictator Idi Amin, who banned short skirts.

Traditional modesty: Mr Lokodo argues he wants to shield women from sexual exploitation by having them cover up

Many Ugandans are against the idea and some have taken to Twitter to express their outrage using the hashtag #SaveMiniSkirt.

But on Thursday the draft law ran into problems when some members of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee voiced concerns about its implications for freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.

MPs said the Bill’s definition of pórnography was too broad and said it went against Uganda’s tradition of being a tolerant country.

The Bill defines pórnography as any cultural practice, behaviour or form of communication that depicts naked breasts, thighs, buttocks or genitalia.

The definition also includes anyone engaged in explicit sexual activities, erotic behaviour intended to cause sexual excitement and any indecent act or behaviour tending to corrupt morals.

But MPs criticised the lack of definition about what constituted "decent dressing" and said the Bill could inhibit the sexual behaviour of married couples.

They asked the Government to stop curtailing freedoms, which they said could scare away tourists.

Less of that, please, ladies: the Bill would ensure that singers such as Madonna and Beyoncé are taken off air because of their immodest dress, says Mr Lokodo 

Mr Lokodo responded by saying that the legislation will not outlaw "any act or behaviour between spouses or couples performed in fulfilment of their conjugal rights and responsibilities, where such matters are strictly private."

He said that one of the dangers of pórnography is that it fuels sexual crimes against women and children, including rape and child molestation.

He suggested that women who were victims of sexual violence were sometimes attacked because of their provocative dress.

"One can wear what one wants, but please do not be provocative," he said.

"People who are indecently dressed do it provocatively and sometimes they are attacked.

An onlooker is moved to attack her and we want to avoid those areas.

He is a criminal but he was also provoked and enticed."

While some committee members said that pórnography was already outlawed under Ugandan law, Mr Lokodo said that the existing laws only covered the publication of obscene material and that the issue of pornógraphy transcended publication.

Mr Lokodo is no stranger to controversy.

Last year he raided a workshop for gay activists and announced a ban on 38 pro-gay groups, saying they were undermining the national culture by promoting homosexuality.

Source: Dailymail

I gave kidnappers information on Okonjo-Iweala’s mother –Palace servant

A former servant at the palace of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, where the mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was kidnapped has told PUNCH Metro that he gave the kidnappers the necessary information for the job.

The suspect, Chiejine Onochie, said although the kidnappers collected N13m as ransom before the 83-year-old Prof. Kamene Okonjo was released last December, he was not given any money and therefore, was not culpable.

He said, “I’m 32 years old and I worked in the palace from 2007 to 2012 after which I left because the pay was too little. A friend of mine approached me and told me that I could make a lot of money if I gave kidnappers information on how to get into the palace.

“However, after the operation, I did not get a dime. It was later that I learnt that they had collected N13m as ransom. I felt cheated and I left everything to God. I cannot be held for the crime because when police started arresting people, I went to report at the station voluntarily, I was not dragged to the station.”

Another suspect, Jideofor Ogbue, aka Marvelous, who claimed to be the leader of the gang, said after gaining entrance into the palace, he and his gang members did not force Okonjo out of the palace but she followed them willingly after they had told her that they were sent by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The 22-year-old said, “It was my friend, Ifeanyi, that informed me about the operation. On the day of the kidnap, we had no difficulty because Onochie had told us that the security around the palace was lax. Although 12 of us were involved in the operation, only eight actually went to the palace.

“We went with three AK47 rifles and a pump-action rifle. When the woman (Okonjo) saw us, she asked who we were and we told her that President Goodluck Jonathan sent us from Abuja to arrest her because her daughter (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) had embezzled public funds.

“We took her to Kwale and her family paid us N13m as ransom. They packaged the money in polythene bags and dropped it around an expressway in Benin. My share was N2m.”

Chukwuma Okoh, a suspect who claimed to be a graduate of Accounting and Finance from Ambrose Alli University, said he joined the gang because of unemployment. He said he was not given any money after the operation.

He said, “I’m 31 years old and I graduated in 2007. Since then, it has been hard to get a decent job. It was Onochie that brought the idea of kidnapping Okonjo-Iweala’s mother.

“However, as God is my witness, I did not receive a dime from the gang after the operation.”

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umar Manko, identified other members of the gang as Michael Ojeabulu, Endurance Oke, Ibrahim Abubakar, Buhari Hamadora and Hassan Oseni.

Manko, while parading the suspects, said the suspects were arrested in different states comprising Edo, Enugu, Delta and Anambra.

The police boss said contrary to reports, kidnapping was not on the rise in Lagos.

He said, “Marvelous was arrested in Port Harcourt after he had perfected plans to kidnap the Commissioner of Commerce in Anambra State.

“As you can see, these kidnappers do not operate in Lagos State, they just come and go. You therefore cannot say kidnapping is on the rise in Lagos.”

… gang kills 72-year-old woman after collecting ransom

Meanwhile, the same gang of kidnappers also confessed to killing a 72-year-old woman, Regina Obi, after collecting a ransom of N2m from her family.

The suspects told PUNCH Metro that Obi was killed because one of their gang members was killed during a gun duel with the police some days earlier.

Onochie said, “After the first operation in which I was not paid, they approached me again for another operation and told me that they would pay me this time around. They said they needed information about the family of Obi, who owns a big hotel in Delta State.

“I traced the residence of their mother and told them how they could kidnap her. She sells land so I told the gang to tell her that they had a good deal and when she follows them to conclude transactions, they should kidnap her.”

Marvelous said he was not around on the day Obi was killed. He however said it was another gang member, Peter, that pulled the trigger.

“We demanded N2m from the family and they paid immediately. However, because Peter’s brother had been killed during a police raid some days ago, he took the anger out on the old lady and killed her. I did not kill anybody; I’m a kidnapper, not a murderer,” he said.

Punch Nigeria

Unending debate on pastors’ jets

A few days ago, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and one of Nigeria’s most respected Christian leaders, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, noted in an interview with a global news network, Al-Jazeera, that he bought a private jet to aid him in his work as the head of the church.

“When you have to oversee churches in 160 countries, you can’t do that on a bicycle,” Adeboye was quoted as saying in the interview.

With that statement, the pastor confirmed that he is among prominent Christian leaders, including the vocal President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,  and the head of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, who claimed to have acquired private jets for similar purposes.

But Adeboye’s defence ignited reactions from many Nigerians across the country. A few minutes after the interview was broadcast live on television, it went viral on social media. In no time, the acquisition of private aircrafts by the nation’s top clergy became the subject of yet another heated debate nationwide.

While some people rose in support of Adeboye, others challenged his admission on the grounds that there was no moral justification for acquiring a private jet in a country riddled with poverty, with many church members among the poor.

Yet there are people who do not only reason with Adeboye on the size of his congregation they also believe that circumstances in the  Nigerian system makes owning a private jet by a man of his status a necessity. They cannot imagine a figure like him going to queue at the airport for a plane that may not come two hours after schedule.  Besides, they believe that rich members of the churches that usually provide money for the aircrafts. This is apart from the fact that some other pastors around the world, including American preachers, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn, own jets  Yet dissenting voices are also loud and clear.

The debate continued on Monday online. A reader named Toni Daramola wrote, “There must be a business plan worthy of emulation from the Catholic Pope. If you argue that the air traffic in Nigeria is unpredictable, which is true, then our pastors should use their enormous influence to set things right. I hate to criticise Pastor Adeboye because I admire him a lot, but it is not justifiable to own and maintain jets when majority of the followers are very poor. I don‘t know how anybody can justify that. Pastor Kumuyi has a similar ministry with churches worldwide and he queues at the airports and flies commercial airlines. It is just not morally right. We have become a laughing stock among enlightened folks. God help us in Nigeria.”

But he was countered by one Bassey Kelvin, who was clearly opposed to the criticism of the Christian leaders. Wondering just when it became the duties of the pastors to assume the responsibilities of Presidents or other political leaders, Kelvin said, “You say what you absolutely know nothing about. Do you follow these pastors about to know if or not they talk to these leaders about their ways?”

Still, Pastor Adeboye had a few supporters even in this forum. One of them, registered as Billyonaire, rose to his defence, in response to a preceding comment that Jesus Christ did not own a single private in His own time.

Billyonaire said, “Jesus did not have overseas membership, Goddamit. Our pastors have millions of members in over 160 countries. How many members did Jesus have? Jesus needed a boat and a donkey and he used them. There was no jet then. I am sure he would have got one, if he could afford it.”

A few months ago, the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah made a similar observation.

Speaking against the backdrop of the presentation of a private jet to Oritsejafor by members of his church, Kukah, had noted that the acquisition of private jets by Christian leaders diminished the moral voice of the church in the fight against corruption.

He had said, “The stories of corrupt men and women being given recognition by their churches or mosques as gallant sons and daughters and the embarrassing stories of pastors displaying conspicuous wealth as we hear from the purchases of private jets and so on clearly diminish our moral voice.

“Unless we distance ourselves, we cannot speak the truth to power. We cannot hear the wails of the poor and the weak. We should not be seen as playing the praying wing of the party in power.”

 Also in his reaction to the subject, Lagos-based lawyer, Fred Agbaje,  said that though the Federal Government could do nothing to stop Christian leaders from acquiring privates jets, it could help check the trend by ensuring that then planes were not used for commercial purposes.

“The government can also impose heavy taxation on such aircraft to discourage others in the future,” he said.

Punch Nigeria