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5 Years In Captivity: Leah Sharibu Didn’t Make Mistake, Christian Leaders Say

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2 years ago

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By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja

Christian leaders in Nigeria have condemned the five years detention of a Christian girl, Leah Sharibu who refused to renounce her faith when terrorists invaded their School in Dapchi, Yobe State.

Speaking at a special prayer organised in honour of Leah Sharibu who has spent 5 years in captivity the Christian leaders said Leah did not make a mistake in standing by her faith adding that the Christian community will stand by her.

The Christian leaders who have expressed disappointment over the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to keep to his promise of releasing the Christian girl, said God will answer their prayers for her release.

Recall that in February 2018, about 110 girls were kidnapped from the Government Girls Science and Technology College, Dapchi, Yobe State by a terrorist group, Boko Haram.

It was reported that the girls were released afterward while Leah Sharibu, was not released for reportedly refusing to denounce Christianity.

During a special prayer event organised at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Abuja, the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh said Leah has become, to Christians, a symbol of courage and faith in the face of severe persecution.

Okoh who was represented by Reverend Dr Gideon Para-Mallam said the Christian community has made several appeals both to her captors and the federal government to ensure her safe return all to no avail.

“This year marks 5 years since the horrific event took place and Leah is still in captivity. Leah Sharibu’s case is just one out of the numerous cases of faith-based persecutions going on in Nigeria almost on a daily basis”, he stated.

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The CAN President said this anniversary may hopefully move the government to be more committed to securing the release of Leah and other captives alive.

The President of Leadership Empowerment Advocacy Humanitarian (LEAH) Foundation, Dr Gloria Puldu said it is a shame that the government had not rescued Leah Sharibu despite all its promises.

She said Leah Parents are pleading with the international communities and the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of their daughter.

“It is a shame that 5 years down the lane we are still calling on the government because this is like a broken promise, they have given us a promise 5 years ago that they are going to release Leah, down the lane it has not been fulfilled, they have less than 100 day in office to go, as far as we are concerned, it is a broken promise, but they still have time, they can still get Leah released.

“Her parents is calling on all the people that are involved internationally and locally in our government, that they should please do the needful, they want their daughter back today is a very sad day for them, so we are asking every peace loving person to join us in prayer like we have done today and to pray that the Lord will give the government the wisdom to release Leah”, she stated.

Speaking on his own capacity, Reverend Dr Gideon Para-Mallam, the Founder of Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, said several girls are still in Boko Haram captivity.

He said that if the Present administration fails to rescue Leah Sharibu, they will call on the incoming president to make it a priority to rescue Leah from captivity.

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“Advocacy is not a one of thing, we have to sustain efforts in continuing to advocate until Leah Sharibu is out and all other Christian girls who are in Boko Haram captivity, also, beyond the Christian girls that are in captivity, there are also Muslim girls who are in captivity, our objective and goal is to ensure That all are set free.

“As the CAN President said, we have made efforts all to no avail does it m an we should give up? No, it is basically to continue to challenge the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, you has a few more days in the office, fulfill your promise to deliver Leah, we don’t want it to go on record that you never managed to get Leah out, you helped to bring out some of the Chibok girls which we are grateful to and there are more Chibok girls in captivity, Leah is still in captivity, several girls are still in captivity.

“We picked up an information that there are over 96 of some of our girls still in captivity, so we will continue to advocate, plead and make our case to the President, but if he doesn’t do it, we will call on the next president to make bringing Leah back to her parents and other girls in captivity a top priority, make it a surprise gift for all of us in Nigeria”, he noted.

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Federal Government Confirms Continuation of Naira-for-Crude Oil Deal

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April 9, 2025

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The federal government has announced that the naira-for-crude oil deal will persist following the conclusion of its initial phase on March 31.

This confirmation came from the Ministry of Finance on Monday, during a meeting attended by key figures, including Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, and Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the committee and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The meeting also included representatives from Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dapo Segun, the Chief Financial Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, NNPC Trading management, and senior officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Additional stakeholders present were senior members from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), representatives from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Hauwa Ibrahim, the committee’s secretary.

The Ministry stated, “The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the comprehensive execution of this strategic initiative, as mandated by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

The Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is characterized as a fundamental policy directive rather than a temporary measure. Its objectives include fostering sustainable local refining, enhancing energy security, and minimizing dependence on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.

The committee acknowledged potential implementation challenges inherent in any significant policy change, emphasizing that these issues are being proactively managed through collaborative efforts among all involved parties.

“The initiative will remain active and continue as long as it serves the public interest and aligns with national economic goals,” the ministry added.

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Initiated on October 1, 2024, the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira aims to bolster supply, save the nation millions in petroleum product imports, and ultimately lower fuel prices.

On March 10, TheCable reported that NNPC had suspended the naira-for-crude deal until 2030, citing that the government-owned entity had forward-sold all its crude oil.

Subsequently, nine days later, Dangote Refinery announced a temporary halt in the sale of petroleum products in naira. The refinery stated that this decision was “essential to prevent a discrepancy between our sales revenue and our crude oil purchasing commitments, which are currently in U.S. dollars.”

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Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire Congratulates Otunba Olufemi Pedro on LASU Honorary Doctorate

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April 9, 2025

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The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has congratulated former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Otunba Olufemi Pedro, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

The honorary degree is being awarded as part of the institution’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to hold on Thursday, 10th April 2025, at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus, Lagos.

In a statement released on Wednesday by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, Princess Orelope-Adefulire described the honour as “well-deserved and long overdue,” noting that Otunba Pedro’s life and career reflect a legacy of excellence, innovation, and integrity in both the public and private sectors.

“Otunba Pedro’s remarkable journey—spanning the financial sector and public service—is a shining example of visionary leadership and selfless dedication to national development,” the statement read.

“As former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, he played a pivotal role in laying the foundations for the fiscal reforms that have contributed immensely to the state’s economic growth and transformation.”

Princess Orelope-Adefulire further stated that the conferment by LASU is not just a recognition of Pedro’s achievements, but an affirmation of the enduring values he represents: humility, integrity, and service to humanity.

She commended the Lagos State University for recognising one of its most distinguished alumni, adding that the honour would serve as motivation for emerging leaders and professionals across Nigeria and beyond.

“This award is a timely reminder that true greatness is measured not only by accomplishments, but by the positive impact one has on people, institutions, and society at large,” she added.

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She prayed for God’s continued guidance, strength, and good health for Otunba Pedro as he continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State, Nigeria, and the global community.

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Alleged N3bn fraud: Zenith Bank staff tenders exhibits against Gov. Ododo’s CoS

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6 hours ago

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April 9, 2025

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A Zenith Bank Plc’s staff member, Femi Remigus, on Tuesday tendered exhibits against Mr Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, in the alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N3 billion.

Remigus, a Compliance Officer, tendered the exhibits while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The banker was the 6th prosecution witness (PW-6) in the ongoing trial of Ali, who is also a nephew to ex-Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

The EFCC had, on Feb. 8, 2023, arraigned Ali Bello, Abba Daudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and Rashida Bello (at large) on 18-count of criminal misappropriation and money laundering of N3,081,804,654.00.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts when they were read to them.

When the matter was called on Tuesday, Oyedepo informed the court that the matter was slated for trial continuation.

While being led in evidence, Remigus explained how millions of naira were deposited into Komfort Koncept Company’s bank account from the bank account names of different local government areas (LGAs) in the state on different dates in 2018.

The witness said that on specific dates, monies were simultaneously transferred from the said account, at different times, into some of the defendants’ bank accounts, especially Daudu’s.

“On October 4, 2018, there were nine credits or inflows into the account of Komfort Koncept Company,” he said.

He told the court that N18,629,944 came from Ibaji LGA of Kogi.

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He said N20,887,537 came from Adavi LGA and N17,496,929 came from Kogi LGA.

The PW-4 also said N18,460,565 came from Kabba LGA while N17 million came from Ankpa LGA.

“Yagba West Local Government credited N18,234,063, while Ofu Local Government credited N21,363,633,” the witness added.

When asked how much was in the Komfort Koncept’s bank account before the inflows, Remigus said: “N7,275.”

According to him, on the date of the inflows, there was a transfer of N105 million to Abba Daudu and others.

Earlier in the proceedings, the EFCC’s witness identified associated bank documents, including the statements of account, account opening packages and certificates of identification of accounts of Komfort Koncept, Yakubu, Daudu, and others.

Oyedepo, therefore, applied to tender the documents as exhibits but defence legal team, including Nureni Jimoh, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents but reserved objections for the final written address stage.

Justice Egwuatu subsequently admitted the exhibits in evidence, noting that the probative value of the exhibits would be determined by the court during the judgment.

The judge consequently adjourned the .after until May 5, May 19, May 20 and May 21 for the continuation of the trial.

It would be recalled that the EFCC is also prosecuting Ali Bello in another case before Justice James Omotosho.(NAN)

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