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Fire Destroys Election Materials At INEC Office In Delta

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A fire has destroyed key election materials at the Ika North East Local Government Area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owa-Oyibu, Delta State.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, was reportedly caused by a power surge following the restoration of public electricity.

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This was confirmed in a statement issued by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Tuesday.

According to a preliminary report from the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Umoren, the fire gutted the stores section of the office, which housed petrol generators and other items.

READ ALSO: 26 Injured In Georgia’s Anti-govt Protest

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Materials destroyed in the blaze included 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric generators, 140 stamps, and 50 ballot box seals. Various other supplies, such as envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets, were also lost.

Olumekun said, “The Commission held its regular meeting today, Tuesday, 3rd December 2024. Among other issues, the meeting noted a preliminary report from the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta State, Etekamba Udo Umoren, on a fire incident at our Ika North East Local Government Area office in Owa-Oyibu town.

“The report indicates that the incident occurred in the afternoon of Monday, 2nd December 2024, as a result of a sudden power surge following the restoration of the public power supply.

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“The stores section, where petrol generators and other items were kept, was completely razed. Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals, and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms, and booklets.”

READ ALSO: Police Train 52 Detectives On Modern Investigation Techniques

The national commissioner confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were recorded during the incident.
INEC also stated that security agencies and emergency services had been informed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.

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The Commission commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their prompt response.

“Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.

“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response,” the statement added.

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Ika North East LGA is one of 25 INEC offices in Delta State, serving 14 Registration Areas, 238 Polling Units, and 131,747 registered voters.

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Pastor Enenche Rejects N30m Donation From Kebbi Governor

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The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has rejected a N30 million donation offered by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a crusade organised by the church in the state.

The gesture occurred at the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade, where a representative of the governor, Kebbi’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, announced the cash gift on behalf of the governor.

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Aliero told the gathering that the N30m was approved as a donation to the crusade’s organising committee and was available in cash.

Aliero said, “Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, a faithful Governor and also a Comrade Governor, who you all know is the only Comrade Governor in this country. He has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering.

READ ALSO: PICTORIAL: Paul Enenche Leads Prayer, Healing Outreach To Yelwata, Benue

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“That is to the organising committee. His Excellency has approved the donation of a sum of 30 million naira to the organising committee, which you know that whenever His Excellency makes a donation, he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash.”

However, Enenche declined the offer, taking to the stage to urge that the money be redirected to charitable causes.

“If there is anything like orphanage, if there is anything like that, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. No. It will not be received,” the senior pastor said.

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Speaking later, Enenche explained the church’s stance, emphasising that public funds should be used solely for public causes.

READ ALSO: Pastor Enenche Breaks Silence Over False Testimony Saga

We are one of those who believe that government money should be used for government projects and government things should be used for government things; and church money should be used for church things, not mixed together.

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“That is what we did that is what we do. As small as the Glory Dome is right there, government money is not in it. From land to the building to everything,” he said.

He added that the body of Christ should “trust God for supernatural supplies.”

READ ALSO: Nigeria Experiencing Dreadful Days — Pastor Enenche

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He suggested that the donation be handed over to a government-approved religious body instead, such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria.

This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he said.

Aliero, speaking after the rejection, acknowledged Enenche’s position.

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They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We really appreciate and we really thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.

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Benin Monarch Receives 119 Stolen Artefacts, Says Efforts To Re-loot Thwarted

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Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has received 119 stolen artefacts from the Netherlands, saying plans by some international cartel to re-loot the artefacts were thwarted after he prayed to God and his ancestors.

The monarch spoke in Benin when he received the artifacts from the Federal Government delegation led by Olugbile Holloway, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

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He said: “I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts.

“The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people. We do not want modern day politics, we do not want partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.”

READ ALSO: ‘I Was Held By Juju’ – Man Who Stole Artefacts Worth N500m From Esama’s Compound Confesses

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He continued: “The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. We had a running battle in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language and I said these artifacts belong to my ancestors and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artifacts re-looted. They rather remain where they are than being re-looted.”

The Oba, while thanking the government of the Netherlands for working with the palace, said: “This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.”

The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official spectre directing the artefacts to return more artefacts.

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Earlier, the NCMM DG, Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.

READ ALSO: Jubilation As. Oba Of Benin Receives Two Looted Artefacts, US Custodian Apologises

Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts as well as collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system for the artefacts.

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He said: “They are treasured monuments and treasured sacred objects. You can see the way they came. They are fragile and precious. We will continue to collaborate to see that a sage space is created.

“We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is put in place to display these objects for tourists as a way of boosting the tourism sector.”

On his part, General Director of Wereld Musuem, Marieke Van Bommel, said: “The artefacts were looted and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back.

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“We are bringing back 119 artefacts. We don’t have more. These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”

 

 

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I See World War III Coming, But Nigeria Will Be Safe  — Ben Murray Bruce

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Ben Murray Bruce, the founder of the Silverbird Group, has predicted that World War III is inevitable due to the rise in violence, nuclear weapons and the increasing presence of ‘trigger-happy’ leaders in the world.

Murray-Bruce, in an interview with a Global Affairs Expert, Dane Waters, on Tuesday, said the war would devastate most parts of the world.

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He, however, maintained that Africa, particularly Nigeria, would be safe from the devastation.

He said Nigeria’s lack of nuclear aspirations and peaceful diplomatic posture would shield the continent from the fallout of the conflict.

READ ALSO:Hezbollah Involvement In Iran-Israel War Would Be ‘Very Bad Decision’ – US Envoy Warns

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He said, “We’re in big trouble, and as long as we have the kind of leaders we have in the world today, I see World War Three coming, and it’s going to be terrible.

“The beauty of World War III is that it’s not going to affect Africa. Africa will be spared. You guys are going to fight all across the world, but we are going to be safe in Nigeria.

“Nobody is going to be fighting in Nigeria because we have no territorial ambitions, we have no desire to acquire nuclear weapons, we don’t want to fight anybody, we’re friends with all our West African neighbours.”

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According to Murray-Bruce, Nigeria would be in a position to welcome displaced populations from the West.

READ ALSO:Netanyahu Declares War On Palestinian Militant Group

He said, “There’s going to be a World War III, the rest of the world will be destroyed, and we’ll be happy to welcome Americans, Israelis and Iranians to Nigeria.

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“And we’ll make sure you all have your visas to come here because we don’t want you to come as immigrants and we don’t want to treat you very badly when you come here but we’re going to treat you well when you come visit us in Nigeria.”

The former lawmaker, who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District, declared that the world is in trouble because of many ‘crazy people in leadership positions across the world.

I think we are in trouble. I think there’s too much violence in the world today. I think access to weapons is easy. I think we have a lot of trigger-happy leaders across the world, and because they are trigger-happy, they don’t care.

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“We have a lot of despots and crazy people. So, war is inevitable. It goes back to 1945, 1939, and 1917. First world war, second world war, Korean war, Vietnam war.

“I think there are many crazy people in the world and as long as we elect crazy people into leadership positions, this is what we’re going to have because it’s the leaders that cause the war not the people.”

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Murray-Bruce’s comments come amid the growing conflict between Iran and Israel.

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