News

COVID-19: Restriction On Large Gathering: Worship Centres Record Compliance, Partial Compliance In Benin

Published

5 years ago

March 29, 2020

Edo State government’s directive prohibiting gathering above 20 persons in the state was flouted by some worship centres while some partially complied with the directive in Benin on their Sunday’s service of March 29, 2020.

Edo State government, with a view to curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the state, had on Monday, March 23rd announced restriction of social gathering to 50 persons and later reduced to 20 persons on Wednesday 25th, in the same month.

However, visit to some worship centres by INFO DAILY in Benin revealed that the restriction does not hinder many worship centres as they opened with special arrangement of chairs while some worship centres completely put their worship centres under lock and key in compliance to the directive.

At Redemption Gospel Ministries cathedral, Benin, the building was opened but with a special arrangement of not more than 20 persons in a area, apparently complying to the social distancing advice, while members coming to the church were offered hand sanitizer before stepping in.

The same was application at Assemblies of God, Oyakhilome Temple (cathedral), Ekewan road Benin, as two buildings in the premises were used for worship with only 20 persons allowed to attend at a time.

When INFO DAILY reporter questioned why allowing few persons in a cathedral that can accommodate large number, a Minister who does not want his name mentioned said the church was complying to the directive from the government.

Visit to Steward Assembly and Kingdom of Life Baptist Church by INFO DAILY respectively, it was observed that normal seating arrangement and normal church service held, but Kingdom of Life Baptist Church did not used load speaker as the usual practice.

A Minister (name withheld) who spoke to INFO DAILY said they held a short service in order to sensitise members on the disease and to inform them of the new development of restriction, stressing that no church service will hold henceforth.

“As you can see, I was calling for tithe and offering when you walked out. You can also see that we are not using load speaker. We just opened the church to hold short service so that we can sensitise our members on coronavirus and to inform them that we are not holding service again because the government has prohibited large gathering”, he added.

At the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Grace Assembly zonal headquarters, Evbuotubu, Sunday service was held but with a distancing arrangement of seats was observed even as few members turned up. The church hooked up via satellite to the General Overseer of the church for a life broadcast.

Our reporter who visited Believers Ministry international headquarters as one of the worshipers was referred to any of their zonal branches as those positioned at the headquarters said church service was not holding at the headquarters.

Visit to Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Church of God Mission, Heritage Assembly and Miracle Assembly, all in Ekewan road and Evbuotubu axis of Benin, our report observed total compliance as all were under lock and key.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.