Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has hosted Francis Ngannou, the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, at his office in Abeokuta.

The Cameroonian martial fighter while sharing photos of the visit on Instagram on Monday, described it as an honour to be hosted by the “legend”.

He revealed that he received some words of wisdom from former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said, “It was an honour meeting the legendary former Nigerian president, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday at his home office in Abeokuta. It was great receiving some words of wisdom from the legend.”

Ngannou arrived in Nigeria a few days ago after spending the Yuletide holiday in his native Cameroon.

He was spotted hanging out with Grammy Award winner, Burna Boy and former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in Lagos over the weekend.

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Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has sparked debate by declaring that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins.

Speaking during his New Year’s Eve sermon on Tuesday, Damina argued that these acts are often misrepresented as sinful when they are not inherently so.

“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigar is not a sin. If you like, put it on newspaper headline, I said it,” Damina stated.

However, he made it clear that he was not encouraging such behaviors, cautioning his audience to exercise wisdom.

“Am I saying you should smoke? You should have sense from your father’s house to know that cigar will cut short your life. Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear. You should have the sense to know that.”

Damina’s sermon also addressed the theological basis for his views, challenging traditional interpretations of sin and morality.

Referencing the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he questioned the belief that their sin resulted from eating fruit from the forbidden tree.

“Adam and Eve ate nothing,” he said. “Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? You were not there. So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.”

Citing Mark 7:18-21, he argued that sin is not caused by what one consumes but by the condition of the heart. “If they (Adam and Eve) ate, it’ll go to their stomach. It’ll digest and go to toilet. They’ll be free,”

Damina said. “There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system, and it’ll go out somehow. It is what comes out of a man that defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating.”

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A Delta State highlife musician, Dr Arube Otor, popularly known as Isoko Fela One, is set to marry three wives on the same day.

The musician, who hails from Uzere Kingdom in Isoko South LGA, will be joined in matrimony by his wives representing different communities: Edafemaga in Ndokwa East LGA, Oruamudhu Ozoro Kingdom in Isoko North LGA, and Uroto Quarter in the Ozoro Kingdom, also in Isoko North LGA.

The marriage ceremony, slated for Sunday, January 19, 2025, will take place at the Anglican Church Field, London Base, Uzere Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The event viral wedding flier features Arube dressed in matching attire with his three brides-to-be: Oghenekome, Ewoma, and Oghenekaro, all hailing from Delta State.

Confirming the details of the wedding to Punch, Arube’s foster son, and one of the event’s RSVP contacts, Emperor Efih (Oscar), revealed that the musician initially intended to marry four women but one withdrew for personal reasons.

Efih noted, “Arube married two women about 20 years ago. One divorced him, leaving him with just one wife. To cut costs, he decided to marry four women this year. Along the way, one pulled out.”

Arube, a celebrated figure in the Delta highlife music scene, has spent over three decades in the industry.

On the musician’s career, Efih said, “He is a music legend in Delta. He sings Isoko highlife. He has been in the music scene for over 30 years. However, at the beginning of his life, he was a driver who mixed music with his career.

“He had a band with a group of people, but they split up, and he formed his dance band, which he named Arube, about 12 years ago. Since then, he has released more than 10 albums.”

On the relationship dynamics with his brides, Efih disclosed that Arube’s courtship with each woman occurred independently.

He said “None of them is from his community, so he didn’t woo them in the same place or time. Two of the three women have given birth to a child, each for him, and the other one is still awaiting the fruit of her womb. He did the traditional rite with them about last year on the same day.”

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Popular social critic, Martins Otse, also known as Verydarkman has revealed that not a single dime from his NGO funds is missing.

Recall on Friday, Verydarkman took to Instagram to raise an alarm about the hacking of his organisation’s account, claiming N180 million was missing.

Meanwhile in a new development, in a video shared on Tuesday, the outspoken social critic expressed disappointment with Nigerians for accepting the story without proper investigation and for resorting to insults directed at him and his mother.

He said, “No money is missing, my money is secured. The way people are so excited about bad is really sad. I told my website guy, shut the website, let us use this people catch cruise. Nobody bothered to ask for evidence. They just went with what is being said. I am so happy I did this.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that Abuja and other parts of Nigeria have undergone significant transformation, comparable to London.

Akpabio made these remarks on Wednesday during a joint session of the national assembly, where President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget proposal worth N47.9 trillion.

The senate president praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting the administration’s substantial progress within 18 months in office.

Akpabio highlighted Tinubu’s successes, stating that his social welfare programs demonstrate a commitment to improving citizens’ living standards.

“Nigerians are taking notice of your remarkable achievements: you have doubled aggregate government revenues to over NGN 18.32 trillion, reduced debt servicing expenditures from 97% to 68%, fulfilled $7.5 billion in foreign exchange obligations, increased oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day, and launched the Compressed Natural Gas initiative,” the senate president said.

“Your administration has processed over 45.6 billion Naira for student payments, signed the National Minimum Wage Law, and raised the national minimum wage to N70,000 a month, all while providing over N570 billion in financial support to the 36 states.

“Notably, your infrastructure renaissance has transformed many roads, including the Coastal Road and key routes in Abuja – now comparable to London.

“These developments are not just about infrastructure; they represent the backbone of our economy, connecting people and fostering growth.”

Akpabio added that Tinubu’s administration has made notable progress in reforming the country, particularly by removing fuel subsidies and strengthening national security.

“Under your administration, we have seen significant economic reforms aimed at enhancing our nation’s stability and growth,” Akpabio said.

“Your courageous decision to remove fuel subsidies showcases your commitment to redirecting resources to critical sectors like education and healthcare.

“Your collaboration with the Central Bank has created an investment-friendly environment, and your focus on infrastructure development reflects a visionary approach to improving connectivity.”

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Judge Maryann Anenih of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court abruptly exited the courtroom due to the unruly behavior of Yahaya Bello’s numerous supporters.

The former Kogi governor faced a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering on November 27.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the majority of the charges.

Prior to the proceedings, Bello’s supporters overwhelmed the courtroom, causing security operatives to struggle with crowd control.

Many journalists were denied entry to the courtroom as tensions escalated.

Judge Anenih entered to take the pleas of Bello and his co-defendants but departed abruptly, stating she wouldn’t return until order was restored.

Shortly after the judge’s exit, Bello approached the agitated crowd and directed them to leave the courtroom.

With outstretched arms, Bello successfully instructed his supporters to vacate their seats and exit. His followers obeyed, leaving the courtroom one by one.

To maintain order, a smiling Bello sat at the entrance, ensuring none of his supporters re-entered.

The EFCC apprehended Bello on November 26, following an April declaration of his wanted status.

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The Lagos State High Court has ordered controversial social media critic Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to remove defamatory comments and videos concerning lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin.

The court also ordered him to pay N500 million to them for libel, as stated in the pre-action bundle of the judgment.

Justice M. O. Idowu delivered the ruling in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024 on Tuesday.

According to him, the publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media accounts on September 24, 2024, linking Bobrisky to Falz and his father were defamatory and injurious to their public image.

Dawodu stated, “According to the applicants (Falz and Falana), the defendant (VeryDarkMan) knew these statements (Bobrisky’s claims) were false and untrue but proceeded to publish them to injure their reputation.

“Furthermore, the defamatory statements are still trending on the defendant (VeryDarkMan)’s several online platforms and the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online.”

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Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, said he has met with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The meeting is coming amid the controversy surrounding the viral audio he released over Bobrisky’s bribery saga.

Recall that VeryDarkMan had released a viral audio in which Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, alleged that he bribed some unnamed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), operatives with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.

The crossdresser also alleged that he bribed the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), to avoid spending his term in jail.

The Nigerian government had since suspended two NCoS officers over the allegation.

Posting a video of himself with the Minister on Thursday on Facebook, VeryDarkMan expressed delight over the suspension of some prison officers.

He said the fight is to make Nigeria a better place.

VeryDarkMan said: “The honorable minister of interior olubunmi tunji OJO YOU HAVE PROVEN YOURSELF TO ME BEFORE SO I WAS JUST RELAXED WATCHING AND BOOM YOU DID IT AGAIN with the suspension of some officers that might be involved with this whole bobrisky saga….much love Egbon it’s a fight to make Nigeria a better place and we will definitely make it a better place with our own little efforts, keep that fire burning, we have picked each others brains and I believe in you for now because as a politician you fit go change tomorrow so for now you are the guy, GOD BLESS YOU,I love you Egbon.”

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A lecturer at Foreign Links College in Moro, Osun State, Dr Nsikak Akpan, has commenced a 150-hour marathon lecture.

Akpan is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest lecture ever delivered.

WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the marathon lecture began in the early hours of Monday, September 23, 2024, at the institution’s campus in Moro town, Osun.

As of the time of filing this report, Akpan has been lecturing for over six hours.

While the topic of his lecture is titled, ‘Relationship between Man’s Environment and Health’.

He also disclosed that it is being livestreamed for verification purposes.

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has narrated how his aspiration to lead a paramilitary group led to a consequential personal loss.

Adeboye recounted an incident from years ago when he was hoodwinked by someone claiming to offer him a prestigious position.

He revealed that the man, who portrayed himself as a recruiter for a new paramilitary agency, convinced him to invest in the venture.

The clergy made the revelation this in a post on his X handle on Monday.

Describing his decision to trust the man as an error in judgment engendered by his past fascination with the military, Adeboye acknowledged that his desire to fulfil this role led him to act brashly and made hum susceptible to the swindler’s antics.

He narrated, “Years ago, I was duped by a man who promised to make me a commandant of a paramilitary group. This man had been sending messages to me through my secretary for a while, and so, one day, I gave him an audience. He explained to me how a Boy-Scouts-like group had evolved into this new agency, and that he was sourcing for who would lead the group spiritually.

“Normally, I ask God before getting involved in anything at all, but this time, my love for the military in my younger days beclouded my best instincts, and I agreed to be their head. He told me that they needed some funding, which I gave as the prospective head. However, I later found out that the man was a fake.”

He, however, noted that the experience birthed the Redemption City corps and a local police post.

“My desire to be part of a paramilitary group made me run ahead of God, but God had already purposed for Redemption City to have its own corps of chaplains as well as a local Police post. He knew the desire of my heart, and He had planned for it to be fulfilled in His own time. I thought that I could bring my desire to fulfilment in my own time, but I was wrong. What I lost in that experience was money, but for someone else, it might have been their life or a loved one.

“However, I later found out that the man was a fake. My desire to be part of a paramilitary group made me run ahead of God, but God had already purposed for Redemption City to have its own corps of chaplains as well as a local Police post. He knew the desire of my heart, and He had planned for it to be fulfilled in His own time. I thought that I could bring my desire to fulfilment in my own time, but I was wrong. What I lost in that experience was money, but for someone else, it might have been their life or a loved one,” he added.

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