The founder of a branch of Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos State, Aderemi Dabiri, has said the reason why he invited Fuji singer, Alabi Pasuma, and street-hop artiste, Portable, was to gain new converts.

The cleric made this known in a video where he was seen addressing a delegation of the church’s task force who visited his parish to have an audience with him.

The white garment church came under heavy criticism recently for inviting secular artistes to its praise night event.

While explaining the rationale behind the decision, Dabiri revealed that the choice of the two artistes was to attract deviants in the society.

READ ALSO: Celestial Church Bows To Criticism, Drops Portable, Pasuma From Praise Night

According to him, the pattern of evangelism had worked for him over the years and also resulted in the growth of his church membership.

He said, “It is not our first time inviting guest artistes. We have been doing it without a problem and I can give you a series of instances. We cannot go where they sell palm wine or alcoholic drinks and ask them to accept Jesus Christ. If I don’t apply wisdom, they will hit a bottle on my head. That was why I thought of a way to bring them into the church.

“I also noticed that there are some notorious boys who cause trouble in the community, disturbing the authorities and engaging in cultism. I wondered how can we draw their attention so that they would have a change of heart. We have gone to places where they are and they ended up beating us. Most of the members of my church are new converts and it was through that pattern that I converted them.”

Dabiri, who criticised some gospel ministers for being disrespectful said he preferred to invite secular musicians.

“Some gospel ministers are rude. If you talk to some of them, they respond rudely, but the day I called Pasuma, he sounded respectful on the phone and also agreed with my stance,” he said.

READ ALSO: Knocks As Church Invites Pasuma, Portable To Praise Night

Responding to the concerns raised by the task force team about the raging controversy caused by the development, Dabiri indicated that he had no plans to cancel the invitation.

However, he explained that he would reduce the excesses of the artistes at the event, especially Portable.

He said, “We will tell Portable not to dye his hair and he should not sing vulgar songs but to sing gospel music. We will also caution him not to dress inappropriately or climb the speakers.

“We will also warn him not to allow his boys to smoke here. We have invited close to 30 military personnel to man the event.”

The cleric also appealed to the Celestial Church worldwide to support his vision, as he would use his style of evangelism to make the church proud.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar has called on the newly graduated officers of the Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force to respect and protect the members of their host communities.

Abubakar, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Usman Abdullahi, Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Headquarters, made the call in Bauchi on Friday during the graduation ceremony of 135 students of the Special Forces Course 11/2023.

According to him, from the high quality of tactical display by the graduating students,  there was no doubt that they had imbibed the basic skills and techniques required to conduct special operations in achieving the operational objectives of the Nigerian Air Force.

READ ALSO: Edo 2024: Osunbor Joins Guber Race, Vows To Lift Edo To Enviable Heights

He explained that the successes of the Nigerian Air Force in shaping the battlespace and neutralising adversary capabilities had resulted in degrading operational capacity of bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements in different operational theatres.

“To the graduating students of Special Forces Course 11/2023, I am aware of the rigors of your training on ground, in the air and that’s why you have been decorated with your Special Forces emblem. I say well done.

“I therefore urge you to exhibit what you have learnt during the course whenever and wherever duty calls.

“This call will require you to exhibit courage, commitment and loyalty in the discharge of your duties.

READ ALSO: Japa: Nigeria In Deep Crisis, ASUU Laments

“Once deployed, you are implored to treat your host communities with utmost respect as your task is to protect them from hostile threats,” he said.

Abubakar also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian Air Force despite the harsh economic realities and promised to continue to employ the available resources for the betterment of the country’s service.

Earlier, Aminu Bello, the Commanding Officer, Regiment Training Centre Annex, Nigerian Air Force, Bauchi, said a total of 308 Nigerian Air Force personnel of the Regiment Specialty were nominated to undergo Medical and Physical screening for the 93 days Special Forces Course.

He explained that out of the number, only 294 reported and 148 trainees scaled through the medical and physical screening tests.

According to him, these successful personnel commenced the training in September but at the end of the course, a total of 135 comprising five officers and 130 airmen completed the course.

READ ALSO: Court Sentences Ex-soldier To Death By Hanging For Killing Islamic Cleric

“Trainees embarked on 10, 15 and 20 km loaded marches respectively with the objective of improving their endurance, even in rugged terrains.

“Several day and night live firing exercises were conducted to ensure that trainees were able to acquire and neutralise targets instinctively at short, medium and long distances.

“About 80% of these trainees came with no idea of swimming but at the end of the swimming phase, all of them graduated from basic to intermediate swimmers,” he said.

By Joseph Kanjo 

As part of measures to intensify electricity transmission Edo, Delta , and parts of Ondo and Ekiti states, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Benin region says it has embarked on series of projects aimed at grid expansion/upgrade in the sub region.

Engineer Isaac Okpe, General Manager, TCN, Benin region, stated this while briefing some selected Journalists shortly after an inspection tour to TCN Benin region, Benin sub region and TCN Ihovbor work centre.

While describing the Benin sub region as one of the most important regions as it is the hub of the national grid, Engineer Okpe said TCN has started expansion/upgrade at Ihovbor work centre, Edo State; Sapele work centre, Delta State; Omotosho sub region, Ondo State, among others.

READ ALSO: Edo Lunches Security Control Centre, Holds 2023 Summit

He added: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria has embarked on series of projects aimed at grid expansion and some of the ongoing expansion projects are;
Benin Sub Region
Project expansion/ Upgrading project of 2x150MVA to 2×300 MVA 330/132kV power transformer. Benin Sub-Region
Restoration of T2 40 MVA transformer at Okada 132/33kV line following the installation of 300KVA grounding transformer.

“Omotosho Sub Region
Project expansion at Ondo TS, upgrading of 2x 30MVA to 2x 60MVA Commissioning of new 2x40MVA power transformer at 132/33KV line at Erinje Sub-Station currently undergoing testing by NPDH.

Engr. Isaac Okpe (R) flanked by a management staff of the company during a chat with Journalists in Benin on Thursday.

“Delta Sub Region
Ongoing upgrade/expansion of 1x185MVA power transformer at Ughelli 132/33kV line.
Upgrade of 1x60MVA to 100MVA power transformer
Commissioned 150MVA 330/132kV Inter bus transformer at Ughelli last year,” he disclosed.

He, however, lamented that encroachments on TCN lines, the act of vandalism in the region have been major challenges in the company’s commitment in delivering quality service.

READ ALSO: Court Sentences Four To Death For Stealing Motorcycle In Ekiti

He lamented: “The major challenge we are having is encroachment on our lines. So many people are building churches, shops, houses under the lines, and this is a major threat and a major risk on their part. Even area people were compensated, they come back and build there, claiming that they were not compensated, so this is a threat to the lives of those who stay such places. People should not build under transmission lines.”

“Vandalism is another challenge. People deliberately go to the lines and cut them expecting them to collapse.”

He, however, disclosed that some persons numbering about eight have been caught in the act of vandalism, and presently being prosecuted in different law courts across the region.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the public to desist from encroaching on the company’s lines and vandalism.