Top #10 richest pastors in the world

Even though setting up a Christian ministry can be for anything but financial gain, the question, “Who is the richest pastor in the world? ”can’t but arise once in a while, especially these days where pastors are undertaking million-dollar projects, engaging in super philanthropic activities and commanding a whole lot of material acquisitions and properties.

Pastors are most times the head of a group of Christian congregation with the function of providing spiritual, physical, financial (when/if necessary), and emotional assistance to members of their ministries or their church.

Gone are the days when pastors were known for poor appearance and obsessive trekking. These days, some of the richest and most influential people in the world are Pastors. So who is the richest pastor in the world? Which church does he pastor? How many members are in his congregation? What is his net worth? Which country is he from? All these questions can be inevitable when the spirit of curiosity starts moving amidst ever-curios minds.

Let’s quickly have an up-close-and personal with Thomas Dexter Jakes aka T.D Jakes, the richest pastor in the world.

No. 1 Richest pastor in the world: T.D Jakes

Thomas Dexter Jakes was born on June 9, 1957. He is an American pastor and the founder and head pastor of The Potter’s House, which is one of the most popular churches in the United States. The Potter’s House is an American non-denominational mega church and T.D Jakes has done a commendable of expanding the church that large without any other branch in the United States, outside the United States, or anywhere in the world. His broadcasts are aired on various television stations across the globe from the United States, Canada, Australia, to various countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

He is a ‘bestselling’ author with books like ‘Your Instincts in Action’, ‘Reposition Yourself’, ‘HE-Motions’, ‘The T.D Jakes Relationship Bible’, and ‘Woman, Thou Art Loosed’; amongst various others titles. He is a motivational speaker, and a movie producer. The Potter’s House is located in Dallas, Texas and has over 30,000 worshippers. He is married to Pastor Serita Ann Jakes. T.D Jakes’ million dollar residential mansion is valued at around $1.7 million, and he is known to wear a diamond ring the size of a coin which is valued at $20,000. T.D. Jakes started his ministry with just 100 members and currently, he is yet to be overtaken as the wealthiest pastor on earth.

Net Worth: $154 Million. 

2. David Oyedepo

David Oyedepo is the founder of the Living Faith Church World Wide ministries, also known as the Winners Chapel. He is an Architect by profession and a very accommodating but a no-nonsense clergyman. He is a very tactical investor who is said to have a very intelligent team of advisors. He has two universities – Covenant University and Landmark University. With four private jets, homes in a few countries around the world, he’s arguably the wealthiest clergyman from Africa.

Net Worth: $150 Million

3. Enoch Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye or ‘Daddy G.O’ as he’s popularly called has to be said to be one of the most influential and most popular clergyman in the world. Pastor Adeboye is one of the most humble and most approachable clergies in Nigeria and he been overseeing the world famous Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) for 30 years. He has one of the biggest churches in Nigeria and owns a private jet.

Net Worth: $55 Million

4. Benny Hinn

For over 40 years, evangelist Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn has been in the ministerial field, making him one of the longest serving evangelists in the world. He has carried the gospel to many countries and he holds various mega crusades that are always ground breaking and impactful. His TV broadcasts and teaching sessions reaches out to over 18 million subscribers worldwide.

Net Worth: $52 Million

5. Chris Oyakhilome

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the founder of the Believers’ Love World Ministries, aka Christ Embassy. The different controversies surrounding the pastor and his church haven’t affected his congregation, as his church is currently attended by over 40,000 worshippers worldwide. He is a writer, an OTA preacher and a good businessman with investments in Real Estate and Music Production.

Net Worth: $50 

6. Creflo Dollar

He is the founder of World Changers Church International, located in Futon, Georgia. Evangelist Creflo Dollar’s success sure comes from his establishments across the US. He runs Creflo Dollar International Convention Association, his music record label – Arrow Records, and some other businesses.

Net Worth: $27 Million

7.Kenneth Copeland

Kenneth Copeland is the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and he has been in the center of controversy for being more of a businessman for a while. He acquired a land measuring 1500 acre for establishing his church and the piece of land contains a private airstrip. The ministry’s lake-side mansion is valued at $6 million, and the ministry’s private jet and other aircrafts are valued at $26 million.

Net Worth: $27 Million

8. Billy Graham

William Franklin (Billy) Graham is an American televangelist who has been in the ministry for over 30 years. He has an evangelical mission network that reaches out to over thirty countries and he has been to more countries than almost any other evangelist. He makes a lot of cash in millions of dollars from his Television and radio broadcast.

Net Worth: $25 Million

9. T.B Joshua

According to Pastor T.B Joshua’s followers, he’s the richest pastor in Africa if philanthropic works are to be calculated together with current net worth. Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has branches all over Asia, Africa, UK, and Greece. The church is located in Lagos, and it is the place of worship to over 15,000 worshippers worldwide.

Net Worth: $18 Million

10. Matthew Ashimolowo

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo didn’t become popular until he founded his King’s Way International Christian Centre (KICC). He was formerly a pastor at Foursquare Gospel Church and it was on a mission to head a church branch in London that he decided to start his own church. Pastor Ashimolowo owns a media company, and he has investments in real estate. KICC is reported to be the largest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom.

Net Worth: $16.5 Million

NASS siege: Why I ordered invasion of National Assembly – Daura

The sacked Director General of the Department of State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura, has now revealed why he deployed hooded operatives of the secret service to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The ex-DSS boss said he acted based on intelligence report that unauthorised persons were planning to smuggle dangerous weapons and incriminating items into the complex.

Daura’s confession was contained in the interim investigation report submitted by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Idris to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo. IGP Idris argued in the report that Daura carried out the siege on the National Assembly without the approval of the acting president.

“The former Director-General, Department of State Security Service, Mr Lawal Musa Daura acted unilaterally without informing the presidency. He did not share or intimate other security agencies on the unlawful operations,” Idris was quoted to have said in the report obtained by Daily Trust.

The police boss also said the purported intelligence report by Daura cannot be substantiated as the personnel deployed were not EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) experts or specialist in this regard.

DAILY POST reported last Tuesday that armed DSS officials stormed the National Assembly as early as 6:am and blocked the entrance and exit points.

The Acting President, hours later, dismissed the DSS boss.

Ex-governor Barka tells PDP Chairman why he will soon dump APC

Former Acting Governor of Adamawa State, James Barka, on Friday hinted on dumping the All Progressives Congress, APC for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Barka explained that his planned defection to PDP was “because of its plethora of failed promises and lack of credible leadership”.

He made the disclosure while receiving Tahir Shehu, the Adamawa State PDP Chairman, and other leaders at his residence in Yola, the state capital.

Barka was a two-time Speaker of Adamawa State, who later became Acting Governor of the state when Governor Murtala Nyako’s first tenure was nullified in 2008.

Addressing the PDP delegation, Barka said, “APC has failed Nigerians in a number of ways.

“We left the PDP back then in 2014 because of impunity, but surprisingly, APC has become worse off when it comes to impunity.”

He also scored the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government low in the area of security.

According to Barka, “People should be people of integrity; when you say A, it should be A.

“When you say Chairman, let’s meet tomorrow by 11am, it should be so.

“This is a government I helped to build, spending my resources and time, but today they hardly recognize whether we exist at all.”

Must Read: The Cabal Mentality

From the coziness and snugness of his London apartment, holidaying President Muhammadu Buhari watched the sickening siege on the National Assembly complex in Abuja as it played itself out on TV.

Commandeered masked men from the Department of State Services hedged off all entrances preventing the federal lawmakers from accessing their offices. Order came from Lawan Daura, a serial breaker of commonsense rules. Daura was the man in charge at the DSS command post. The ugly event that occurred a few days ago was an affront and assault on our burgeoning democracy.

Stunning and shocking it was to the Presidency that Daura’s move was not protocoled through a supervising Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Despite the enormous power entrusted in him through Section 145 of the Nigerian constitution, Osinbajo had no clue what was about to happen.  Daura dissed the Acting President and went rabidly rogue. In government, and with overzealous security operatives who suddenly get drenched with power, this is just a horror movie replaying itself.

In 2010 when ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua was in office, his Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahaman Dambazau, had reportedly ordered the deployment of two battalions onto Abuja streets. The same constitutional provision that gave Osinbajo legal leverage to command was also applicable to Yar’Adua’s Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan. But clearance was not sought with the Vice President. The idea behind the furtive move was to shield the return of Yar’Adua’s sick body into the country from Nigerians. Under the cover of darkness, Abuja nook and cranny were littered with soldiers armed to the teeth.

Government apparatuses in Nigeria are run in shrivelled caucuses and cabal assemblages. Daura as the DSS supremo was a member of the powerful cabal in Buhari’s government. He did not just wake up after drinking a bowl of fura-de-nunu ordering tanks and men to the entrance of the National Assembly without the know of a few concurring fellas in government who believe they are bigger than the man who is acting as President. Daura was sneaked into Buhari’s government by the very powerful member of the cabal, Mamman Daura, who has the ears of the President 24/7. Cabals always believe that they are more relevant to the Presidency than the Acting President. Aren’t they?

Osinbajo wasn’t having the nauseating behaviour of a man who took his diminutive bodily size and humility for granted. He gave Daura the boots. It took immediate effect. Are you shocked? No, not me. But the Acting President had once told us publicly about his disciplining style. Erring government employees under his authority can’t get away with infractions.  He has done in times past what he just did in the Presidency. On Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at the 21st National Economic Summit in Abuja, the Vice President had forewarned about lawlessness and sacred-cow stinking thinking of some administration personnel. “…I find that everybody will like the rules to be applied so long as it will not apply to himself. We can’t apply the rules except we apply the rules to all of us; there should be no sacred cows… I’ve had the experience in public service and don’t mind being the tough guy. I’ve sacked people that needed to be sacked. So, there are no sacred cows. The rules will be applied anyway”, Osinbajo said. It was obvious that nobody, especially the likes of Daura and members of his cabal, took the VP seriously.

Big men and women occupying big positions in Nigeria are wont to sidestepping legal authorities and embracing their artificially scripted power cliques to carry out moves that suit only their worldviews and agenda, but not the law. It is the cabal mentality. With a cabal mentality, a few men in top positions believe they are next to the President in hierarchy, or even more powerful than the man who appointed them. These analphabetic security operatives and occupiers of powerful positions think they are the law that must be obeyed.

From the outset of the Buhari administration, the cabal has operated on the upwardly wayward swing. It was the enormous pressure from the cabal that pushed the President to end counting on major collaborations with men and women on whose back he rode to power in 2015. It was the cabal that shoved a wedge between the President and the APC South-West big-wig, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The former Lagos State Governor was pushed and shoved aside for fear of the possibility of wielding too much power. But a voice of reason from First Lady Aisha Buhari intervened.  “We will not be talking about my husband becoming the president if not for Governor Tinubu”,  she had once said in a public forum.

Suddenly, on Tuesday July 14, 2015, Tinubu showed up in Aso Rock to break the Ramadan fast with the President. He denied any rift. We knew there was one, the handiwork of the electorally valueless cabal. Aisha too raised some dust about the cabal characters who have hijacked her husband. They control plum slots in government but never lifted a finger to make Buhari President. It was the cabal that was responsible for tearing up the list of ambassadorial nominees from state governors and party men across the nation replacing it with one full of their cronies in the extended cabal kingdom.

Cabals are no respecter of persons. They think the world is in their hands and the buck stops with them. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir, once asked Nigerians; “Who is the Presidency?” That’s the cabal mentality.  Men who were not voted for seem to be in charge of Nigeria today. They are fully entrenched in the spine of Nigeria’s government. To the cabal, men with solutions to Nigeria’s problems are the problems. Buhari’s main problem now is the cabal of self-serving corn artists who yield to no voice of reason.

The President obviously trusts these people.  But If you trust your enemies with your life and living, one day, they will thrust you into obfuscation and obliteration. If you trust them with your business, one day, they will thrust you out of business and into beggary. Granting members of the cabal too much freehand and freedom to operate in government is a political personality disorder. Mr. President is either snacking in naivety or grinding in gullibility. Cabals pursue no other agenda but their selfish own.

On June 12, 2015,  in my article on this page titled, “Mr President, you are holding the tiger by the tail, I forewarned Mr. President. I sounded an alarm about the attitude of belonging to nobody and hanging with everybody. I warned about Bukola Saraki. Today, the chicken has come home to roost. The evil of today is always in constant rassle and tussle with the good of the present.

In Nigeria, the evil of today is in our National Assembly. Our sitting and sinning senators invoke the spirit of the law when convenient; but legislative depravity and lawlessness run in their veins and arteries. There are many people in working relationships with Mr. President who have only come to steal, kill, and destroy. Lawan Daura may be gone, but there are still many ‘Dauras’ yet untouched.

2019: Uduaghan to speak on political future soon- Aide

The Media Assistant to the immediate past Governor of Delta State Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Mr. Monoyo Edon has debunked a news report with the headline “I shall remain in PDP, can’t defect to a dying party, APC- Uduaghan” credited to the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor Mr. Fred Oghenesivbe Latimore, noting that Uduaghan will speak on his political future soon.

Edon made this disclosure in a chat with Vanguard yesterday in Warri

According to him, neither Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan nor his media office granted any interview on defection how much, one with the above headline.” Maybe Mr. Latimore in his usual element was responding to a rumour on social media, while noting that Latimore fails to realize that there is a clear distinction between propaganda and journalism”.

“With due respect to the office of the Delta State Governor, one would have expected that its staff, particularly the media arm should be preoccupied with the task of polishing the image of our Governor’s administration before the general public and handling feedbacks on his performance so far.

“It therefore becomes worrisome whether the lines between the professional ethics of a government appointee and his individual opinion has blurred to the point that it overlaps. It invariably means, with the Executive Assistant tag, Mr. Latimore writes the mind of the Governor and mirrors the body language in the camp of the Governor. Otherwise, he would have been called to order and barred from pitching his Principal with his former boss and predecessor.

“We would like to plead with our Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to call his Executive Assistant to order, otherwise we may be forced to respond directly.

‘We also want to reassure the general public, especially Dr. Uduaghan’s supporters that our Principal is very much in the senatorial race and will come out with a decision on the direction of travel of his political future after the conclusion of his high level consultations”. He added.

EPL: Sarri reveals when Kepa Arrizabalaga will make Chelsea debut

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has revealed when new signing, Kepa Arrizabalaga will make his debut for the club.

Arrizabalaga joined the Blues from Athletic Bilboa for a world-record £71million.

The goalkeeper replaced former Chelsea first choice shot-stopper, Thibaut Courtois, who signed for Real Madrid in a £35million deal on Thursday.

British outlet, Metro is reporting that Sarri said he can’t tell if Arrizabalaga will start for Chelsea against Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon.

Sarri said, “I don’t know if Kepa will start against Huddersfield.

“He is in the players’ list, and then I will decide tomorrow.”

He added, “I want to know the players and the man and when my idea is clear I will make the decision.”

Sarri took over from fellow Italian, Antonio Conte, who left the West London club having won the Premier League and FA Cup, but fell short in the League standings last season.

Kidnap victim recounts how pastor, other abductors made her drink urine for four days

A kidnap victim in Asaba, Delta State, Rosemary Ifeanyi has opened up on her recent encounter with kidnappers, who abducted her at gunpoint, adding that she was fed with soft drink, bread and her urine, for four days.

The 32-year-old wife, who spoke to DAILY POST on Friday, said: “I recognized a Pastor among the kidnappers at their hideout where I was held hostage before a team of policemen invaded the hideout, and rescued me”.

It was gathered that police operatives in Asaba have in the past three weeks spread their dragnet to nab the General Overseer of a new generation church in Asaba, Pastor Sunday Ekezie, who allegedly masterminded the recent kidnap of Rosemary Ifeanyi.

The victim was said to have been kidnapped after she closed her shop, and was on her way home to meet her husband and children when the kidnappers rounded her up at gunpoint, and was forced her into a waiting vehicles before they zoomed into an unknown destination.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Muhammed Mustafa, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said: “we were able to rescue the victim unhurt and we are searching for the pastor at present. We will get him”.

It was further gathered that the said pastor allegedly obtained information concerning the victim from his girlfriend identified as Victoria Ose, and subsequently mobilised his cohorts to carry out the kidnapping.

Police sources said Victoria had claimed to have met the pastor less than a month ago, and unknowingly let out the information on how her girlfriend’s brothers bought a car for her, including how she gave testimony/thanksgiving in one of the churches presided over by pastor Ekezie.

“That was how that useless pastor, and devil used me to get information about my girlfriend and arranged to kidnap her,” Victoria was quoted as saying while being interrogated.

Speaking further to DAILY POST, Rosemary said: “I just closed from my shop and few meters to my house, the kidnappers swooped on me. I struggled with them, but they overpowered me, bundled me into their waiting SUV, Rav 4 Jeep, took me away into the bush where I stayed for four days”.

She said that she noticed a tall figure like pastor Ekezie beside the SUV, but gave little thought that a man of God would be involved in such activities until the day police rescued her, and stated that the pastor was involved.

Nollywood Actress, Adesua Etomi Celebrates Her Best Friend Of 16 Years (Photos

Nollywood Actress, Adesua Etomi Celebrates Her Best Friend Of 16 Years

Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi, has taken to her Instagram page to celebrate her best friend of 16 years as she turned a year older.

The pretty actress who is married to singer, Banky W, explained that she is honoured to have her as a friend and she can only offer her sincere prayers because she doesn’t have silver or gold.

She shared a pic-mix of their photos and wrote: 

"Today, I am grateful for @laiylany

I DO NOT MESS WITH THIS GIRL. Only God knows how many people have seen my 'red eyes' because they tried to mess with her. Loool

I'm superrrrr protective over this one here. My bestie of 16 years.

Let me tell you the most special thing about Lynn and she's been like this for as long as I've known her. Lynn has the purest heart I have ever come across. I have watched her scream, rave, have tears in her eyes while celebrating my victories as though they were hers. I'm still in awe of the quality of her heart.

The sweetest soul. The kindest woman. Your husband will be the most blessed man known in history. I am so blessed to have you in my life and this isn't one of those clichè lines. I am so serious, more than a heart attack. I love you Lynn. I'm grateful for you and i am honoured to be called your friend.

Silver and gold I may not have to give (and you do deserve it) but I can pray for you from the depths of my soul.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. I stand on this word and declare that every good and perfect thing is and will continue to be your portion.

The lord will bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness. Nations will serve you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.

I declare that you shall taste and see that the Lord is good.

May God grant you peace that surpasses all understanding.

I place you in the hollow of the palm of God's hands knowing that it's the safest place to be.

Thank you Lord for answers to prayers, in Jesus name. Amen

Every good thing will come.

Nakupenda

Happy birthday my darling.

#31DaysOfGrateful #Day10 #birthdaygirl

2019: Kebbi APC chief urges support for Buhari, Bagudu

The Kebbi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bala Sani Kangiwa, has called on all party supporters and Nigerian politicians to eschew politic of bitterness and always embrace the spirit of forgiveness, which he said are necessary in promoting development and upholding democracy.
At an interactive session with journalists in his country home in Kangiwa, the party chief added that if politicians can forgive each other and forget their political differences in the interest of the state and country, it would pave way for good governance and development.He explained that a second term for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Atiku Bagudu is the only solution for the masses, promising to deliver the state for them.

Kangiwa, who assured the duo of 100 per cent vote from the state, promised his full support and cooperation toward achieving that objective.“They have demonstrated a lot by delivering their campaign promises and ensured good governance,” he said; hence he urged the people of the state to rally round and support them.

“Through the support of Buhari on agriculture, Bagudu has empowered many youths and farmers in the state” he said. On his part, the Kebbi North Zonal Chairman of the party, Alhaji Sabi Lolo, also commended the governor for reducing poverty in the state by empowering youths and farmers through the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Africa’s screen and acting first ladies slug it out at AMAA

Africa’s screen and acting first ladies slug it out at AMAA

By reason of the mention they received at the August 3 nomination event of this year’s edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held in Lagos, these sterling actresses- Reine Swart, Okawa Shaznay, Miriam Phiri, Joselyn Dumas, Kate Henshaw and the trio of Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson and Sika Osei have been admitted into the unofficial class of the continent’s leading actresses or acting first ladies. Celebrity salutes these screen queens who are competing for the coveted award of the actress in a leading role in Africa’s notable global reward scheme for filmmakers- AMAA
Reine Swart- Siembamba
BORN in Pretoria, South Africa, Reine Swart is an actress and filmmaker best known for The Lullaby (2018), Die Pro (2015) and Detour (2017).She played the lead in the epic drama, Siembamba, directed by academy-nominated director, Darrell Roodt, which was nominated in several categories of the AMAA this year. Reine has also played in various television series, such as Syfy’s Z Nation (2017) and Dominion (2015), BBC’s Jamillah and Aladdin (2016) and National Geographic’s Origins (2017). She also stars in The Empty Man (2018).

Currently based in the United States (US), Reine, who holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pretoria, is first cousin of South African convicted athlete, Oscar Pistorius.She recently finished working alongside James Badge Dale in 20th Century Fox’s The Empty Man.

Dakore Egbuson-Akande- Isoken
HAILED and regarded for her craft, Dakore Egbuson-Akande played the titular role, Isoken. Reviews on the movie and her role in the movie have been plausible, as those who have seen it agree that the actress, singer, mother and wife nailed the role. They also agree that she brought class and finesses to the interpretation and was believable. An actress of vast and quality credit, those who have followed Dakore’s career are not surprised at her sharp portrayal, noting that she has always acted with unerring skill and has a way of throwing her whole being into every role she portrays.

A multiple award-winning film and stage actor, television personality, singer and dancer, Dakore, star of hit flicks, such as Emotional Cracks, Lunch Time Heroes, Fifty and Silent Tears, is an ambassador for Amnesty International (AI) and Oxfam of America.

Tunde Aladese- The Lost Café
WRITER and actress, Tunde Aladese, played Ose in Kenneth Gyang’s The Lost Café.The delectable actress showed stuff as the lead act in The Lost Café and it earned her a deserved nomination.Although best known for The Lost Café (2018), Bride of Pedro (2017) and Hello, Rain (2018), all recent screen efforts, Tunde has been working in the Nigerian entertainment industry for over a decade.

Star of Kenneth Gyang’s Confusion Na Wa, Tunde has been working as a professional writer since 2003 and has written several radio and television drama scripts, including being part of the workshop to develop the BBC/DFID radio drama series, Story Story. Her writing credits include The Station, Edge of Paradise, the Amstel Malta Box Office film- The Child, and the musical on stage, Oluronbi. Her performance as Isabella in Confusion Na Wa earned her the Best Supporting Actress win at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York in 2013 and an AMVCA 2015 Best Supporting Actress nomination. Will Tunde grab the AMAA crest for her performance in The Lost Café, a romantic movie produced by Regina Udalor and directed by Kenneth Gyang?

Kate Henshaw- Roti
CLEARLY one precious talent every good director would want to have in his/her hands, the pretty and unpretentiously friendly Kate Henshaw earns a deserved nomination for her role in Kunle Afolayan’s Roti. An award-winning actress, who has walked herself to a level where she gets the sort of adulation that stars in Hollywood get, Kate has won the AMAA’s for leading actress previously. So, this would be double for her, if she gets the AMAA juror’s nod at the award ceremony in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, next month.

A trained microbiologist, acting for the African screen diva began in Lagos in 1993 after a chanced opportunity to audition for a role in a When the sunset. It took that effort for her to develop an unquenchable passion for acting. Soon, producers found her, a ready hand for their offerings.

Today, Kate, an ‘acting aunt’ and a role model to a couple of new entrants, has through dint of hardwork risen to become one of the celebrated actresses in Nollywood with a conservative movie credit estimate of about 100.

Joselyn Dumas- Potato Potahto
GORGEOUS Ghanaian star, Jocelyn Dumas, earns another nomination for her effort in Potato Potahto, the romantic drama with the signature of the adept filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong Manso.The actress, show host and television personality, is one of Ghana’s best- known screen personalities. Beautiful and blessed with a bodacious curves and an iconic hourglass figure, Joselyn was born in Ghana and spent her early childhood in Accra, the capital city. She has her early education in Ghana, but earned a degree in Administrative Law in the US. She returned to Ghana after a brief stint as a Paralegal practitioner to follow her dreams of becoming a television personality and an actress. Joselyn has won a couple of industry awards and has been nominated several times for the AMAA. This would, in fact, be her third major nomination in the leading actress category.
Other NomineesTHE other nominees in the leading actress category are Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson and Sika Osei (Sidechic Gang) and Mariam Phiri (The Road To Sunrise).

Our relay team need to train together says Okon-George

Our relay team need to train together says Okon-George

Former 400m champion, Patience Okon-George told www.ACLSports.com that there is need for the women’s 4×400 team to train together and not separately.

Nigeria’s women 4×400 team of Folashade Abugan, Yinka Ajayi, Patience Okon-George and Abike Egbeniyi won the last gold at the recently concluded African Athletics championship in Asaba.

Okon-George called on the country to readily make equipment available for the 4×400 meters athletes in order for the girls to improve their performances at the international stage.

“In a situation where everyone trains differently, it doesn’t help in the relay. Another important thing is equipment; if we have standard equipment, we’ll improve in our performance”.

“All what the country needs to do for us as a team is for them to give us the financial support, make us train together because when you train alongside your team, definitely the spirit of togetherness is present”, she said.

Speaking on final race, she said; “You know in 4×400 meters, you have to work as a team and this was what we did on the track. We had one spirit, one mind and as a result of determination we clinched the gold medal.

“The next target for the team is numerous. In Africa, Nigeria is number one in 4x400m and we are grateful to God for making us return the gold medal to Nigeria ones more. Back in 2016, the South African female team defeated us in Durban and right now the gold medal has returned to its rightful owners”, she added.

Adeleke blames detractors for certificate forgery, urges support for party

Adeleke blames detractors for certificate forgery, urges support for party

The standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has blamed his detractors over the controversy surrounding certificate scandal leveled against him.
He said the recent court pronouncement on the matter had vindicated him, calling on members of the party to unite and work for the success of its in the forthcoming poll. Adeleke, who broke his silence on the matter at a press conference yesterday in Ede, said he was constrained to talk on it due to the court litigation and the respect he has for party supremacy.

He said: “I chose to remain quiet since the conclusion of the governorship primaries for two reasons. First is my unchanged belief in party supremacy and utmost respect I have for the leadership of our great party.

“The second reason is because the issue of my qualification and eligibility as a governorship candidate has been a subject of litigation. Now that a judicial pronouncement confirming my qualification and eligibility to contest has been made, the time is now ripe to speak on the matter.

“For the record, let me reiterate the obvious and easily verifiable fact that I attended Ede Muslim Grammar School between 1976 and 1981. My schoolmates are everywhere and some are even here with me. “While in school, I was a lover of people as well as football, so I was very popular. I was elected the president of the alumni association of this same school until recently.”He said those who spearheaded the certificate forgery scandal were being mischievous and deceptive, pointing out that it was calculated to whittle down his popularity and PDP’s chances in the governorship contest.adding: “I recognise the concerns the electorate will have as to my competence and capabilities to run and rescue our dear Osun State from the mess we have found ourselves. Every candidate seeking to be governor must be subjected to this competency test.

“I make bold to say that my records of service and achievements as a senator representing Osun West in just one year will answer the question and lay your minds to rest.”He said his passion and commitment to serve as governor, coupled with his scorecard as a senator, “is scaring my detractors and they are afraid of the monumental loss that awaits them come September 22.”

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, yesterday, have called on all members in the state to put aside all differences and rally round Adeleke to win the election. Babatope, a former minister of Transportation, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, urged them Wednesday ‘s ruling of an Osogbo High Court, which declined to stop Adeleke’s candidacy, as a victory, not for Adeleke alone, but for the party. Babatope appealed particularly to aspirants who contested along with Adeleke to put loyalty to the party above any grievances they might have and support the candidate to win the election.

“This is not the time to fan the embers of discord or disunity in Osun PDP. This is the time to see ourselves as brothers and unite to support our candidate to win the poll.“We should put loyalty to the party first above everything. Though differences are normal in politics, we should learn how to rise above our disagreements. We should put the grievances of the primary behind us and speak in one voice with the common objective of winning the election,” he said.

Babatope said the South West PDP, led by Dr. Eddy Olafeso, and elders, such as Chief Olabode George and himself, would continue to reach out to members in the state on the need to unite to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing optimism that the PDP would win the election.

The plaintiffs, Rasheed Olabayo and Idowu Oluwaseun, had sought the order of the court to disqualify Adeleke based on his educational qualification.Disagreements had trailed the July 21 PDP governorship primary, with seven aspirants, including Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, faulting the process that produced Adeleke and vowing to challenge his emergence in court.

Protest over non-payment of wages rattles Okowa

Nigeria’s team celebrate winnning the women’s 4x400m relay of the African Athletics Championships at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State in midwestern Nigeria, on August 5, 2018. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

• Team Delta Flops At NYG Zonal Elimination

A protest during the week by hundreds of menial workers and private security guards over non-payment of their wages by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the just concluded 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, Asaba 2018, is said to be giving Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, a sleepless night.

Two days after the championship ended at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the protesters stormed the streets of Asaba, over their unpaid salaries and alleged maltreatment by the LOC. They blocked the Nnebisi road leading to the stadium to express their displeasure, chanting songs of disenchantment and rained abuses on the organisers over their ill-treatment.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that Okowa was sad over the development, and has summoned some top officials of the LOC for a meeting to explain what happened to money earmarked for the purpose. The governor had said during a fundraising dinner held in Asaba before the championship that his government would spend about N4 billion in hosting the competition. The money, he said, includes logistics.

While the protest was going on in Asaba on Tuesday, a contingent of 250 athletes and officials of Team Delta left the state capital for the 4th National Youth Games South-South Zonal Elimination in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.It has turned out to be a horrible journey for Team Delta, which is preparing to defend its NYG title next month in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Zonal elimination ended in Uyo on Thursday, but Team Delta failed to qualify in five major sports, basketball (male and female), cricket (male and female), football (male and female), handball (male and female) and volleyball (male and female). In the male football event, Team Delta was humiliated 5-0 by the host, Akwa Ibom, in a match that saw Delta reduced to eight players.

It was learnt that Delta started the match with only nine players after nine of them were screened out due to over-aged.Delta was able to pick slots in Beach Volleyball, Hockey and Rugby following inability of other states to present a team in those sports.Some of the players who spoke with The Guardian blamed the situation on poor arrangement by the Sports Commission headed by Tony Okowa. “We arrived Uyo around 11pm, and the athletes and officials slept inside buses because it was already 2pm before we could sought out things. And it was not possible to get hotel for a contingent of about 250 persons at that time.”

Gunmen kill APC chieftain at Ekiti football viewing centre

Aide to former Governor Segun Oni, Comrade Bunmi Ojo, has been reported killed by gunmen.

Gunmen hit police station in South Africa, kill 5

According to sources he was killed at football viewing centre on Friday in Ado, the state capital.

More details soon

Mammoth Riyadh Crowd welcomes Ahmed Musa

The Nigeria international, who joined the Saudi Arabia Premier League side on a four-year deal from Leicester City, said of the crowd: “I can feel the excitement and energy already”.

Musa touched down at the King Khaled Int’l Airport to cheers from fans waving the club’s famous Yellow and Blue colors.

The crowd overran the arrival wing of the Airport and swarmed the player, who looked genuinely shocked at the mammoth crowd braving the cold to see their next super star.

Al Nassr are believed to have paid in excess of £25m plus add ons for the services of Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup standout player.Riyadh stood still on Friday for the arrival of Al Nassr’s new signing, Ahmed Musa, who flew into the Kingdom for the start of a new path to his football career.

NASS siege: Lawal Daura’s sack hasty – N-ADC chairman

Chief Precious Elekima, protem National Chairman of the New African Democratic Congress (N-ADC), has described the sack of the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Lawal Daura, as “a hasty decision’’.

N-ADC is a group which on Tuesday, pulled out of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Elekima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that he expected the Federal Government to investigate issues surrounding Daura’s actions in connection with the security siege to the National Assembly on Tuesday, before sacking him.

DAILY POST recalls that the operatives of the DSS had as early as 7am blocked the entrance of the National Assembly, preventing lawmakers, workers, contractors and other visitors from gaining entry into the complex.

Consequently, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, ordered the immediate sack of Daura, saying the action of the DSS operatives at the National Assembly was a breach of the Constitution and violation of Rule of Law, adding that it was unacceptable.

But, Elekima said that such decision was not the best for the security and intelligence gathering of the country.

“Basically, security abstract is not something you can touch.

“The decision of the security chieftain did not in any way create any problem. There is over dramatisation of the entire thing.

“The danger we stand of the use of public opinion to take decisions, playing to the gallery, is that it may discourage other security chiefs from taking proactive action.

“Yes, the sack decision sounds sweet but it is not the best.

“As far as I am concerned, the best that would have happened is that they should have taken time to investigate what happened,” he said.

Elekima insisted that the incident at the National Assembly did not constitute a threat to the country’s democracy.

Aggrieved Villagers Place Charms On Gate Of Multi-billion Naira Flour Mill In Cross River (Photo)

Residents of Calabar were stunned on Friday when they woke to the sight of charms placed on the gate of a multi-billion naira flour mill company along Murtala Mohammed highway in the Cross River capital, according to Daily Post.

The ‘juju’, made of yellow palm fronds and ‘Ekpe’ leaves, was hung at the entrance of the company by unknown persons said to be contesting ownership of the land.

It was gathered that the villagers took the step as the company has not giving attention to the plight of the people and that the host communities have not been given their entitlements including the employment of youths into better positions.

“In most cases, when this thing happens, it means the company was not giving adequate attention to the needs of the landlord communities and the people.

“In the case of this company, the youths are complaining of unemployment while the landlord communities are also saying that they have not been taken along,” the source said.

Workers of the company were seen outside discussing the development in groups.

An Efik traditional title holder, Etubom Micah Archibong, who was seen at the premises of the company, lamented the situation.

He stated that as a member of the host community, he was not part of the group that placed the ‘juju’ in front of the company.

“I don’t know the cult group that put the injunction there. I want to know the people who put this thing… people always look for supremacy.

“I saw it last time and warned them. I told them that my grandfather owned this place. As I am here, I have the entire document pertaining to the area. This document shows that I am one of the rightful owners of the place.

“They needed to consult us. Since 1974 when we went to court, we won the matter, Kasuk community removed their hands and there was a document that was signed by traditional rulers.

“The document said that the great and great grand children of King Archibong should not be disturbed from enjoying the proceeds of the land. The land was given under a free hold.

“Chief Judge gave order in one of the traditional matter in court that everybody should not do anything in another person’s territory,” he stated.

Archibong said that he heard about the complaint of unemployment and other benefits which the management of the company have not given, but regretted that the aggrieved persons were yet to consult the elders.

“They should have consulted the elders. They did not know that this is my territory. It is Obutong that did this, they want to claim the land. They gave the land and they cannot come back to demand for it.

“This is trespass; we are the landlord community. We want to do thorough investigations to know the level of those involved in this sacrilege. I will not leave it at that.

“I am the grand child of the owner of the land, King Archibong, the third. He owned the entire floor mill land” he further stated.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer Ms Irene Ugbo said she was yet to receive any report on the matter, stating that “nobody has reported this matter to us”.

National Assembly Blockade: The Other Side Of The Story

The siege laid at the National Assembly by masked and unmasked men of the Directorate of State Security, DSS on the 7th of August, 2018 caused threatening political tremors across the country.

The media coverage was intense and the advent of social media helped the quick reportage of the development across the country. The stout Hon. Boma Goodhead from Bayelsa State stole the show by confronting the men of the local intelligence agency who brandished their frightening guns like the country was at war.

Social media platforms became awash with different versions of the besiegement. Fake news and partisan reportage as well as different analyses of the development took the centre stage. It was as if Nigeria was about to return to military rule. It instantaneously appeared there was a need for every Nigerian to compulsorily comment on the oddity to salvage our democracy. A lawmaker from the green chamber even insinuated that the National Assembly is the 'heart of democracy'.

The tweeting senator, Ben Murray Bruce wasn’t left out; he threatened to report that masterminds of the siege to the United Kingdom, U.S, Canada and the European Union so that their visas and that of their family members would be revoked. It remains unclear if his utterances were for comic relief.

It was an interesting but also sordid drama to watch. Inasmuch as I condemn the desecration and flagrant disrespect for the legislative arm of government which is backed by Baron de Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers; I feel a national attention and energy was invested in the wrong issue.

The Nigerian system is all about the upper class which constitutes a small percentage of the populace. When the poor people who are in the majority cry, they are expected to cry alone. Their loud voices are always greeted with a deafening silence by the ruling class. Their representatives only release non-committal press statements of empty promises in the event of crises without concrete steps to plug loopholes towards curtailing a future re-occurrence of such dastardly acts. In fact, the problem is used as political brickbats between the opposition and ruling parties for the purpose of scoring cheap political points. The moment the hurricane hits the camp of the few elites, it’s like the whole nation has experienced the highest magnitude earthquake.

A false picture of an entire collapse of the governmental structures is painted with the poor masses blindly aligning with egotistical political leaders pursuing inordinate ambitions under the guise of representing the people.

I wish the Senate President Bukola Saraki's so-called 'World Press Conference' was held to raise an alarm about the unprecedented spate of killings in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa states and other geopolitical zones by suspected herdsmen. Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe States have also been hit with a combination of faceless militias and suspected Boko Haram terrorists with security operatives caught napping on several occasions.

According to a global human rights group - Amnesty International, the Nigerian government has been encouraging the impunity fuelling the increasing insecurity in the country by failing to hold murderers to account.

A recent statement (June, 28, 2018) by the group claims that at least 1,813 persons have been murdered across 17 states since January this year, which is double the 894 people killed in the entire 2017. In Plateau State, marauders attacked 11 villages on June 23 for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces, Amnesty International asserted as it called for investigation into the onslaught.

Over 50 people optimistic about the New Year eve (January, 1, 2018) in Benue were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen amid the biting crisis of fuel scarcity and age-long epileptic power supply but the news didn’t gain as much traction as the bike accident of President Buhari’s son, Yusuf. In fact, it was as if the best medical practitioners in Nigeria including the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole resigned from their day to day activities to salvage the life of just one ‘special child’.

The acclaimed boldness and varlour of Boma Goodhead would have been helpful if added to the struggle for redemption of Benue indigenes helpless at the mercy of herdsmen. The massive bloodshed in Benue didn’t compel the state governor, Samuel Ortom to step down; he stood firm, sympathised with his people and passed the buck as usual. The only time his seat was threatened was recently when he fell out with a political warhorse in his state and former party mate, George Akume which subsequently forced him to cross-carpet from the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party. We are aware of the move to impeach him by 8 APC state legislators reportedly guarded by the police. It’s also of public knowledge that the anti-graft agency, EFCC accused his administration of N22 billion fraud as well as freezing the Benue State account in an alleged act of political victimization sponsored by the Presidency. Wouldn’t it have been more honourable if the travails of Ortom started as soon as the killings in Benue went out of hand? It’s evident again that the interests of the elites in Nigeria always dominate that of the people.

I'm sorry to conclude that the protesting lawmakers in the face of the blockage weren't fighting for democracy or the sanctity of our institutions in my own view. They were only defending their meal tickets from being hijacked by a superior power bloc. The poor masses had nothing whatsoever to gain from the blockade of the National Assembly as well as the free entry of lawmakers sponsoring obnoxious bills which don't reflect the dreams and aspirations of the people.

There is nothing actually democratic about the National Assembly especially the Senate which has become the retirement home of former governors. In that same National Assembly which claims to be a democratic institution, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, Senator Ali Ndume were dragged to the slaughterhouse for holding opposing views against the powers-that-be in aberration to the stand of the court as seen in previous cases.

How many of our lawmakers really consult with their constituents before defecting? Has there ever been an opinion poll conducted at the constituency level to determine the political direction or decisions of their representatives?

The National Assembly became the bane of democracy the moment it started padding and delaying the passage of the national budgets in successive years at the expense of the destinies of 198 million Nigerians. A National Assembly that went on unprecedented recess (July, 24 to September, 25) at a critical time in the country thereby threatening a governmental shutdown is an impediment to democracy. According to Senator Ali Ndume, 5 critical items in the country have been left hanging in the balance with the expensive annual recess embarked upon by the senate due to its face-off with the executive arm of government.

“We have five different critical items. We have the budget of the FCT before the senate which has not been approved.

“We have the virement and supplementary budget for INEC which is necessary in order to conduct the 2019 elections and then we have the appointment and the confirmation of ICPC members, that of FERMA is lying there, that of judicial commission is there and in fact, the budget of 64 government agencies is before the senate. Approval for the funding, external borrowing to fund the 2018 budget which has already been approved is before the senate.” Ndume explained.

In a nutshell, the dramatic resistance against the DSS wasn't a fight for democracy; it was more of a 'demonstration of craze (madness) like the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti sang.

Democracy is dead in Nigeria. It was long buried and forgotten the moment these politicians bought votes with cash at polling stations, snatched ballot boxes during voting exercises and diverted funds allocated for constituency projects.

The country is being run as if the end time is near. 7.956 million jobs were lost in just 21 months under Buhari who promised to create 3 million jobs in a year, almost 2,000 people have been killed in the last 8 months due to incessant security breaches, properties worth billions of naira have been destroyed in the farmers and herdsmen clashes thereby threatening food security, cost of living has become excruciatingly higher, unemployment is alarming, illegal migration is booming due to perpetual economic hardship, internet scam and drug trafficking for quick cash is gaining prominence, increasing suicide rates, Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world today with 87 million extremely poor people ahead of India, the state-owned oil company – NNPC is paying fuel subsidy of N774 million daily to itself without provision in the national budget, corruption has taken new phases with cases of financial crimes and certificate forgery scandals being covered up under the administration of Mr Integrity. All these haven't culminated in a protest as fierce as the Arab Spring, Nicaragua or that of Iran but a simple siege at the NASS gate caused needless tremors. Same old Nigeria, always about the elites! A country of so many strong men and weak institutions!!

This is an aberration to the Social Contract theory of John Locke which states that the state exists to cater for the interests of the people termed the ‘general will’.

The media in Nigeria has become so reactive and no longer playing the role of the 'Fourth Estate' in the polity. Various reports about the mind-boggling sins of the disgraced DSS boss, Lawal Daura suddenly surfaced less than 24hrs after his sack. How come no media platform was bold enough to fully unearth his dark sides in this dimension while he was in office? Is it that he suddenly became a villain the moment he was eased out of office? Would he have remained a saint if he was left in office? These are questions begging for answers.

I wish I could join the general public in celebrating the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari over the timely sack of Daura but my heart is filled with scepticism. I have a strong feeling that Daura is just a fall guy and the sack was a face-saving move by the Presidency following the backlash received from the public concerning the besieging of the National Assembly by the DSS operatives. Daura couldn't have acted alone. Politics is deeper than looking at it at the surface level and making conclusions.

I will appreciate a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the blockade of the National Assembly. All those who backed the action of Daura should be exposed and punished. The investigation will help us estimate the cancerous damage in government and level of institutional weakness. This investigation will also assist in restoring the lost faith in this administration which seems to have made the police, INEC, EFCC, DSS partisan. Another opaque investigation of the incident will confirm my worst fears about the involvement of the Presidency.

Osayimwen Osahon George is a journalist and a doctoral student of the University of Ibadan. He writes from Lagos State.

When churches get things right, Nigeria will move forward – Clergy

Pastors at the ongoing three-day programme organised by Ministers Network International in conjunction with Gospel Believers Mission have been urged to get things done properly in order to move Nigeria forward.

The host, Revd. Adolf Anyanacho said this at the event themed: National Pastors’ Conference. The event took place at   Igbesa, Ogun State.

His words:” The idea behind this conference is to gather pastors together, tell them the ethics of the pastoral work and what is needed to be done so that the church will move forward. It is only when the church moves forward that the nation will move forward.

“The conference is aimed among other things to address the trend where Christians look more at the means to God rather than God himself. People tend to go to churches to receive water, and anointing oil among others, before considering the power of God. This is a serious error that needs to be corrected.’’

On his part, guest speaker, Bishop Adebola Olorunbe of Kingdom Family Church explained the role of pastors in nation-building.  He said: “ Pastors have great roles to play in nation building. They relate with people who make up the nation. If the pastors are transformed, their members will also be transformed. When this happens, our nation will be at peace.”

100 golfers set for NHF Charity tourney

About 100 professional and amateur golfers will battle for honours in this year’s edition of the Nigerian Heart Foundation Charity Golf tournament.

The tourney, according to the organizers, is slated for Saturday, September 1 at the Port Harcourt golf course in River State.

golf

The Executive Director, Nigeria Heart Foundation, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye said the tourney is organized to encourage participants lifestyle, adding that it will be beneficial to the development of healthy hearts and also prevent cardiovascular disease.

In his words; “Nigeria Heart Foundation in it bid to reduce and prevent heart related diseases plans to raise the sum of N100million from the tournament. “We expect about one hundred professional and amateur golfers to participate in the tournament.”

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, deputy director/head public relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Isichei Osamgbi said the agency is delighted to partner with the foundation in its drive towards raising awareness on heart related diseases.

“NIMASA has a mandate to achieve and sustain safe, secure shipping, clear oceans and enhanced maritime capacity in line with global best practices towards Nigeria’s economic development,” he assured.

The Port Harcourt golf course captain, Chris Allagoa and other top golfers were at the event.