Redeemed Church Assistant General Overseer, Folagbade Aboaba Dies At 90

Death has been announced of a top pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Professor Folagbade Aboaba.

He was said to have died on Saturday 21 January, 2023, after a brief illness. He was aged 90.

Professor Aboaba, in his lifetime, was an Assistant General Overseer and one of the closest allies of the Church's G.O, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Professor Folagbade Olajide Aboaba was born on 8th March 1933 in Lagos, to late Mr and Mrs J.B Aboaba.

A retired Professor of Agricultural Engineering, Prof. Aboaba was educated at C.M.S Grammar School. Lagos, Nigeria (1944-1949).

He had his University education at the University College, Ibadan, Nigeria (1955-1959); Kings College, University of Durham, Newcastle- Upon-Tyne, England (1960-1962); and University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA (1968-1971) for his B.Sc., M.SC. and PhD respectively.

He was instructor in Agricultural Engineering & Surveying, School of Agriculture, Ibadan, from 1953-1955, after his training at the School (Jan. 1951- Dec. 1952).

On completion of his B.Sc. in 1959 he was posted as Divisional Agricultural Officer in charge of Extension Services in Ondo Division, Western Nigeria Ministry of Agriculture, 1959-1960.After his training and M.Sc at Kings College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, University of Darham he was appointed Agricultural Engineer (later Snr. Agricultural Engineer) in charge of Lagos and Oyo circles in the Engineering Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Western Nigeria (1962-1964). From here he was seconded to the University of Ibadan as Lecturer 2.

His career at the University of Ibadan spanned 27years and he retired as a Professor of Agricultural Engineering in 1992 after serving the University meritoriously.

During his working career as an academic, he has acted as Consultant to many institutions in both the public and private sectors. Some of these were consultant to Economic Commission for Africa on Engineering Institutions (1971), and Federal Agricultural Coordination Unit (FACU) on Oyo State-wide Agricultural Development (1986). He was Chairman, Governing Board, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin for a short spell in 1994.

National Coordinator/Resource Person, Directorate of Food, Roads & Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), Lagos in 1990.

He has also served as Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) from 1976-1979; Chairman, Academic Planning Committee, Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta ( 1983). He was a member  of The Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, 1984-1989; chairman, Ibadan University Press and Member, Board of Directors, Caxton Press Nigeria Limited 1986-1988. He also served as Managing Director/, Associated Granite Industries Ltd.

He served the University of Ibadan meritoriously from 1965 till 1992 and was a professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan from 1976-1992. During this period, he was the foundation Dean, Faculty of Technology of the University 1975-1982; and chairman Committee of Deans, from 1977-1978. In this capacity, he acted for the Vice-Chancellor whenever the V.C and the DVC were out of the country.

In addition to delivering the standard inaugural lecture in 1976 he had the privilege of giving his University lecture on behalf of the Faculty of Technology in 1988, an event done once a session by an accomplished academic at the peak of his career in the University system.

Prof. Aboaba has authored many publications in learned journals both locally and internationally.

From 1992-1998, he was Secretary-General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Universities. Whilst serving as Secretary General of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Federal Universities (CVC). Prof. Aboaba also served as the Secretary General of the Committee of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPC). He also served as the foundation Secretary General of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and the Association of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (APCNC).

Between 1998 and 2005, Prof. Aboaba served as Chairman, Global Bank Plc; After the Bank merger with Intercontinental Bank he was Chairman Intercontinental Finance Ltd Plc.

He was appointed the pioneer Pro-chancellor and chairman of Council of the Redeemer’s University in August, 2005 for two terms, a position he held till August, 2013. During this period, he made great contributions to the University to stabilize and nurture her to a great citadel of learning.

He was awarded an Honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) by the Redeemer’s University in September, 2015.

He was also awarded an Honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) by the University of Ibadan in November 2019.

Prof. Aboaba was a Pastor and Elder with the Redeemed Christian Church of God; and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Church.

He was married to the late Pastor (Mrs) Olabisi Aboaba and their union was blessed with outstanding and notable children and grandchildren.

Candidates Should Be Adjudged According To Track Record, Not Where They Are Come From - Tinubu Tells Religious Leaders

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged leaders of faiths in the country to champion the cause of justice that would deepen national unity and advance democracy ahead of the February 25 election. 

Tinubu also asked religious leaders to desist from efforts by some politicians to substitute sentiments with competence in the run off to the election.

A statement by the Tinubu Media Office said the APC candidate spoke on Sunday evening during a town hall meeting with Muslim leaders from the North East as part of his campaign tour to Bauchi State. 

"Our scriptures demand justice of us as believers. May we always honor that demand. 

"That principle of fairness and justice also requires that leadership of society should be based on the quality of one’s  ideas, character and accomplishments, rather than on traits unrelated to the ability to lead and govern justly, honestly.

"The recorded history of our faith shows how our Noble Prophet led a plural community. He did not confer special advantage to his own tribe, or clan. 

"In many instances he placed others ahead of his own relatives. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has set a golden example for us," he said.

He said leaders of faith must act as pillars of unity, rather than agents of division. 

"Afraid they cannot win fairly at the ballot, desperate politicians are bent on recruiting otherwise eminent persons to preach hatred against discord. They want servants of God like yourselves to turn against your own convictions. They want you to preach division and stir negative sentiments. 

"Please resist these evil-doers and their unholy messages. They seek to enter office by fouling the nation. Too much is at stake to allow such tricks to succeed.

"My request is a simple and fair one. Please focus on a candidate’s record of performance and the quality of his policies."

He said the forthcoming election should not be viewed in isolation, but  as "a continuation of a noble quest and an unjust, unenlightened challenge to that quest".

He reminded the gathering that the APC was established to provide progressive good governance in Nigeria to reshape Nigeria into a more compassionate, just and prosperous home for all, "whether they be rich or poor, famous or unknown, Muslim or Christian".

Asiwaju Tinubu explained that despite challenges and the push-pull effects, progress has been made. 

"Terrorists have been pushed back. People have returned to their homes. Farmers are more productive. Though this government has less money at its disposal, it has cared for the poor better than any prior administration. 

"We have struggled to place the economy on more solid ground so that we no longer only rely on exporting natural resources but that we gainfully employ more of our people in making things that improve the quality of life for all.

"We have sought to revive the ethical fiber of the nation and to reaffirm the high moral quality of our national purpose," he said. 

Tinubu said the election is a continuation of this epic struggle of fairness, progress and hope against their opposites.   

"As such, I do not see this campaign as one of personal ambition. I campaign to serve a greater purpose. I campaign to do great things for the nation but not for myself. 

"No matter how hard and difficult the opposition stands against our just cause, we will not relent in our pursuit of a better, more tolerant and good united nation. And with the help of Almighty Allah, we know good shall prevail."

Tinubu also charged religious leaders to urge their followers to vote wisely.

"May they vote for the candidate who truly has a vision for a more peaceful, more prosperous Nigeria. 

 "Let them elect someone who has demonstrated the capacity to deliver that brighter future.   

"If elected, my highest priorities shall be the protection of our land and prosperity of its people.  Security and economic progress will form the fulcrum of my government."

Tinubu promised to build on the progress made by the current administration by putting an end to terror, kidnapping and violent crime in the nation. 

"To increase prosperity, we must reform the very foundation of our economy by prioritizing innovation and employment of our youths while  discouraging overreliance on imported goods. 

"We must become a dynamic economy that can make most of the goods that we need and one where those who want to work can find a good job. 

"Under my watch, we will facilitate the quick commercial operation of the Kolmani oil wells. We will pay adequate attention to other important national projects such as the Mambilla Power Project, the AKK gas pipeline project, and so on. 

"By dredging the River Niger, we shall revive our inland waterways in a way that promotes trade and commerce within the nation. We cut down on our steel export bill by making the Ajaokuta Steel Company work. 

"Most importantly, we will turn our eye to those who think they are unseen or forgotten. 

"If elected, my government will work with you, as religious leaders, toward a lasting solution to the almajiri challenge."

Some of the religious leaders who spoke at the meeting included representative of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Dr. Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi; Secretary Council of Ulama JIBWIS, Shiekh Dr. Gambo Kyari, and representative of  chairman JIBWIS Bauchi, Sheikh Salihu Sulaiman Ningi.

Participants at the townhall meeting pledged to support the APC candidate and urged him to be just to all Nigerians when elected into office. 

The meeting was attended by the APC vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima; Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former governors Ali Modu Sheriff, Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abubakar, among other chieftains of the party.

"He Still Had Sex With Me While Bleeding", Nollywood Actress Halima Abubakar Resumes Expose On Apostle Suleman

The last may not have been heard of the sex scandal involving a popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar and the General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

It would be recalled that Apostle Suleman had earlier filed a lawsuit against the ailing actress over defamation of his character, and the actress also countered the suit by sending a video clip of how the stylish cleric sent her 500,000 naira.

However, the controversial actress has revealed in a new development how she bled for several years and lost the pregnancy she had for Apostle Suleman.

Halima also accused the cleric of not keeping to his promise to marry her and being behind an undisclosed life-threatening ailment that had plagued her for years.

In a new Instagram live Video with Comedian Princess, Halima claimed Suleman proposed to her more than seven times during their relationship.

She further narrated that she bled for four years and lost three pregnancies.

“The blood never stopped and he was still having sex with me like that. I didn’t read any meaning to it because I wasn’t a spiritual person and he used to have sex with me during my period so I thought it was normal.

When I lost it, he was crying that I lost his child. You will think that it was real. I got pregnant three times, the last one left me bleeding, I had to take a tablet for it to stop.

”I was bleeding for four years. He was sleeping with me even while I was bleeding, that is the dangerous part of it and he was telling me he can’t sleep with anybody, it was okay because it is me.

The whole thing caught me unaware, I was naive and was not a spiritual person. I did not know if it was love

These are some of the pictures Suleman and I snapped together at a hotel on Valentine’s Day. He even sent me some of his personal pictures. He was 41 years old at the time. I have a printout of the bank transactions between us,” she further claimed during the chat.

How JUSSEG TRAVELS Is Playing Big In Cargo & Logistics Business

Talk of one company that has really stood the test of time in Nigeria's Cargo and Logistics sector, then JUSSEG Travels come to mind. 

JUSSEG Logistics, an arm of the company, has been able to lay claim to some stake in the industry. By adopting innovative technology which is buoyed by increasing internet penetration that has in turn boosted its processes via machine learning and Artificial intelligence to automate and interrogate insights that with hitherto have been lost in a data haystack.

Technological innovation has boosted the company’s profile despite global economic challenges, as JUSSEG logistics hope to key into the AFCTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Area) agreement, which is expected to create the largest free trade area in the world.

JUSSEG is geared up to becoming a major player on the African continent and a thought leader in haulage and logistics through its technological innovations.

Nigeria can be described as the gateway to West Africa with Lagos as the location of our nation’s most active international trading centre. With two seaports handling majority of sea freight trade at Nigeria’s commercial capital, there are plans to further grow this sector with the construction of a new deep-sea port in Lekki and the Trans-African Highway.

Nigeria is also connected to major foreign countries via air with Muritala Muhammed Airport (MM1) being the busiest in terms of cargo shipping.

The cargo sector in Nigeria is valued at about sixty billion dollars ($60B) and Nigeria's freight and logistics market is expected to record a CAGR of about 3% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2027.

JUSSEG is fast becoming a key player in the sector fragmented with a mix of foreign and indigenous companies. 

The company's aim is to overcome the rough business terrain in Nigeria with a business model and investments in infrastructure.

Our Foundation Is Celebrating Valentines Day With 300 Widows - CGF President

The Valentine season is the season of love as marked every year across the world. It is a day set aside for humanity to share love, and bring smiles to the faces of as many as can receive love.

This habit of love sharing has been the habit of a self funded and reputable charity organization in Ibadan, the southwest of Nigeria. 

Christiana George Foundation was established during the Covid-19 lockdown in Nigeria. It was established to support widows, rape victims, fibroid patients and the girl child. The President of the Foundation, Ambassador Ayo George spoke with journalists recently and had this to say.

“We created the Foundation in 2021, we were just coming out of the lockdown, and we decided, that is my Trustees and I, to lend a hand of support to as many women as we can, seeing that women and children are always the most vulnerable at times of wars or pandemics. So our first outreach was in 2021 during the Valentine celebration, and since then, it became a norm at the foundation to celebrate Valentine as such”. He said.

“In 2021, the foundation reached out to 100 widows, in 2022, the outreach was to 200 widows, and on the 14th of February 2023, the outreach will be for 300 widows. The outreach this year will feature Blood Sugar Tests, Blood Pressure Tests, Breats Cancer Tests and distribution of raw food stuff. We are open to support from well meaning Nigerians that are also willing to celebrate that day with our mothers”. He concluded.

Illegally Employed Workers Remain Disengaged - Osun State Government

Those illegally employed by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola are no longer in the employment of the state government and no amount of blackmail can change that reality,  the State Government has announced.

Reacting to the pocket of demonstration by members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) employed towards the tail end of the last government, the State Government in a statement by the Special Assistant, Community Communications to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mr Tunde Busari, noted that Mr Oyetola deliberately padded the state payroll with APC members to create stage for deeper financial crisis, conflict and disharmony.

"Those engaging in demonstrations are APC members smuggled into the state payroll by former Governor Oyetola. By virtue of the Executive Order issued by Mr Governor, those illegally employed remain sacked and are no longer staff of the state government. No amount of demonstration and blackmail can change that reality.

"We have the details of plan by APC to deploy its disengaged members for demonstration. However, the people of Osun state are in the know of the whole situation especially the several warnings by the PDP while in opposition. We warned against colluding with Mr Oyetola during those last days when the former Governor was issuing employment letter despite the State's inability to pay staff salaries.

"Those APC members are now playing the script. They have failed from the beginning as this administration will not bow to unjustified demands from those who collaborated to deepen Osun financial woes", the statement noted.