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JUST IN: Akeredolu Returns To Nigeria After Three Months Medical Vacation

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Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has returned to the country from his three months medical vacation.

Akeredolu traveled to Germany for medical attention after falling sick.

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Reliable government source told vanguard that he arrived his lbadan, Oyo state, residence today ( Thursday).

Vanguard gathered that members of the state Executive Council and top party Chieftains have been directed to meet with him in his lbadan residence today – Friday.

Akeredolu is expected to receive briefing from members of his cabinet led by the acting governor, Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa.

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Sources said that the governor would stay in lbadan for some weeks before resuming fully for work.

READ ALSO: Palliatives: Akeredolu Suspends Hospital Registration, Consultation Fees

Recall that the governor, began his medical leave in June and it was extended following doctors advise and it was approved by the state House of Assembly.

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A viral picture of the Governor inside the aeroplane he boarded has surfaced online.

The first lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu also on his Face book page, announced that they are homebound.

A top government source confirmed to vanguard that the governor has arrived the country and would meet with his EXCO members on Friday in lbadan.

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According to the source “yes I can confirm to you that the Eagle has landed and his executive members are meeting with him on Friday at his residence in lbadan.

” The governor would received briefing from them led by his deputy ,Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa.

” He would be staying for some time in lbadan before resuming fully for work.

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READ ALSO:Ill Health: Your Prayers, Support, A Soothing Balm, Akeredolu Thanks Nigerians

“The governor would write to the state House of Assembly before resuming from duties.”

Meanwhile, Governor, Akeredolu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the verdict of Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld his victory in the February 25 Presidential Election.

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Akeredolu also congratulated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the victory.

He described the PEPT judgement as a revalidation of the people’s mandate and the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde in Akure, said that “This judgement has again deepened our nation’s jurisprudence and solidified our commitment to democratic values.

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“As true democrats, we must embrace the tents of democracy which also encompass post election litigations.

“Our struggle for service must also fuel our reverence for democratic values.

“The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has dispensed Justice. Now is the time to come together and build our nation.”

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READ ALSO: Ill Health: Ondo APC Chairman Seeks Prayers For Akeredolu

Akeredolu said that “The renewed hope drive of President Tinubu is anchored on assurance of a paradigm shift.

“The result of the February 25 Presidential poll, upheld by the Tribunal, represents the will of majority of Nigerians who voted massively for the APC.

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“Our Judiciary has again lived up to expectations. It has reaffirmed our belief that it remains the last hope of the masses.

“We must collectively commend the pivotal role our Judiciary has played in enriching our democracy and upholding justice.

“Notwithstanding our days in court, we urge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party Candidate, Mr Peter Obi to sheath their swords and join hands with the President to develop the country.

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“The Tribunal verdict should be accepted in good faith by all lovers of democracy. Our commitment to advancing the national project must be built on national interest which prioritises the good of the people above personal victory.

“Since our collective vision is shaped by our passion for a prosperous nation, let us, therefore, embrace the will of the people and support the President in delivering on his Renewed Hope agenda.”

Akeredolu called on Nigerians to also desist from divisive politics and comments, adding that election matters should not hurt the nation’s unity.

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Church Of Nigeria Formally Cuts Ties With Wales Over Lesbian Archbishop

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The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially cut all ties with the Church in Wales following the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the 15th Archbishop of Wales.

The decision was announced by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, who described the development as ‘an abomination’ and a serious departure from biblical truth.

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The announcement came during the opening session of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers, held on Tuesday at the Church’s national secretariat in Abuja.

With the theme ‘Called as a Watchman’, the event brought together legal minds from across the Church to discuss matters of doctrinal integrity, justice, and governance.

READ ALSO:Nigerians, Churches Groaning Under Economic Pressure — Anglican Bishop

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Primate Ndukuba delivered the keynote address titled ‘The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects.’

Reacting to the Church in Wales’ elevation of a lesbian bishop, the Primate said, “We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann as the Archbishop of Wales.”

He compared it to the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson in the Episcopal Church (USA), which had also led to Nigeria severing ties with that province.

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“Just as the Church of Nigeria took steps after the election of Gene Robinson in the United States, we are severing every tie and relationship with the Church of Wales,” he said.

Primate Ndukuba also criticised what he described as the growing influence of revisionist teachings within sections of the Western Church.

READ ALSO:Israeli Strike On Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Kills Two

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“These individuals have not relented from their evil agenda; rather, they have intensified it. What they call their wisdom and culture is an abomination to God,” he declared.

Despite cutting formal ties with the Church in Wales, the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its support for orthodox Anglicans in the region through platforms such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

We pray that the Church of God in Wales will rise up, and that the faithful among them will stand strong. We, the Church of Nigeria, alongside GAFCON, will stand with them,” Ndukuba assured.

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READ ALSO:Anglican Church Bans Partisan Speeches By Politicians During Services

Looking ahead, the Primate said the Church of Nigeria plans to expand its global mission, with new registrations underway in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

We feel that the Lord is calling us back to Europe for mission,” he said.

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The Primate also used the opportunity to highlight the Church’s ongoing contributions to the GAFCON movement.

READ ALSO:Church Of England Approves Blessing Of Gay Marriages

He revealed that the Church of Nigeria had recently contributed $2.5 million to the GAFCON Endowment Fund and was planning a local Nigerian GAFCON Endowment worth $2.3 million to support orthodox Anglican work and mission.

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On constitutional and legal matters, Ndukuba urged legal officers to strengthen the Church’s internal reforms and national engagement.

You are to understand yourselves to be watchmen for the Church. You defend the Church against all forms of aggression. As modern-day watchmen, we must first listen to God, then speak His truth in love, knowing our duty lies in obedience,” he said, calling on legal professionals to support the Church’s constitutional review and advocate for a new Nigerian constitution.

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EFCC Arraigns Six Katsina Revenue, Bank Workers Over N1.2bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday arraigned five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and a staff of First Bank over an alleged N1.2 billion fraud.

The accused were brought before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court by the Commission’s Kano Zonal Directorate on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and diversion of public funds.

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According to the anti-graft agency in a statement on Wednesday, the total sum allegedly diverted is N1,235,330,000, said to be tax remittances from the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action, which were due to the Katsina State Government.

The defendants, Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, and Adam Alhassan Albashir, a Public Sector Relationship Manager with First Bank, were all docked and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

READ ALSO:UNICEF Advocates Six Months Maternity Leave From Working Mothers In Bauchi

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One of the charges reads:
“That you Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi and Adam Alhassan Albashir between January, 2022 to August, 2024 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of the Katsina State High Court, being staff of Board of Internal Revenue Services (BOIRS), Katsina and Public Sector Relationship Manager of First Bank, in such capacity conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: unlawfully converted to your personal uses the tax payments meant for the Katsina State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State and punishable under Section 298 of the Same Law.”

After their plea, prosecution counsel Musa Isah urged the court to fix a trial date to enable the Commission prove its case.

However, the defence counsels filed separate bail applications for the six defendants, requesting their release pending trial. Isah opposed the applications.

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Justice Danladi, after listening to both sides, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N5m with one reliable surety resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

READ ALSO:EFCC Recovers Funds Lost To CBEX Fraud, Forfeiture Process Underway — Olukoyede

The Judge said surety must possess verifiable landed property, with the title documents to be verified by the court registrar.

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The case was adjourned to October 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

According to EFCC investigations, Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorised the opening of an account named “BOIRS” with Sterling Bank. Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim Mamman were appointed as the sole signatories.

The commission said the account became the main channel for funnelling the diverted funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company allegedly owned and controlled by Nura Lawal, an Assistant Director in the Career Skills/Staff Welfare unit of the Board.

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EFCC findings also showed that NADIKKO and Lawal served as key conduits in laundering the proceeds, which were traced to multiple bank accounts linked to the suspects.

 

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FG Urges Nigerians Abroad To Register With Embassies For Emergency Support

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The Federal Government has called on Nigerians travelling abroad to register with Nigerian embassies and consulates in their host countries to enable timely intervention during emergencies.

The appeal was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, during a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, led by its Chairman, Idehai Frederick, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

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According to DICAN, Amb. Ahmed stressed the importance of informing Nigerian missions upon arrival in foreign countries, rather than waiting until problems arise.

I advise Nigerians to make it a point of duty to make their presence known to the Nigerian mission in the country they’re visiting.

READ ALSO:FG Approves N4bn For 158 TETFUND Research Projects

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This simple step can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that Nigerians receive the support they need in times of crisis.

“There was a recent case of Nigerians trapped in the Central African Republic, where some Nigerians tried to give the Ministry a bad name,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the role of timely and accurate information in managing crises and emphasised the need for closer collaboration with media organisations like DICAN to combat misinformation.

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Most of the time, giving the necessary information before they even ask for information is crucial in managing crises effectively.

READ ALSO:FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

We are saddled with the role of laundering the image of the country. Hence, the inevitability of a strengthened partnership between DICAN and the Ministry,” Perm. Sec. noted.

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He underscored the significance of disseminating accurate narratives about Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly in the face of growing disinformation.

Ambassador Ahmed also commended DICAN for hosting the maiden Diplomatic and Security International Conference, which brought together about 70 diplomats, security experts, academics, and representatives of civil society to discuss strategies for global safety and peace.

In appreciation of the Ministry’s cooperation, DICAN Chairman said, “The Permanent Secretary has shown commitment to working with DICAN, and we appreciate his efforts in promoting a positive image of Nigeria.”

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