Metro
I’m Not Homosexual, Suspended RCCG Pastor Defends
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has announced the suspension of Pastor Ayorinde Ade-Bello following allegations of homosexuality.
The suspension, which also affected another pastor, was communicated through an official memo dated October 28, 2024, signed by the RCCG’s National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande.
According to the memo, the RCCG had initiated a thorough investigation into the allegations against Ade-Bello and the second pastor, temporarily relieving both preachers of their responsibilities within the Church.
Akande said that “the RCCG strictly upholds biblical teachings,” which, he stated, “do not permit any form of homosexuality.”
Ade-Bello responded to the allegations on Instagram, denying involvement in any acts of sodomy.
“I never engaged in sodomy with male teenagers,” he wrote, asserting that his previous silence on the matter had been misinterpreted as a sign of guilt.
He claimed that his comments in a WhatsApp conversation, which went viral, were taken out of context.
The pastor clarified that the discussion in question focused on issues of male reproductive health and self-esteem within a teenage WhatsApp group, which he insists was misconstrued.
“In the past few days, some allegations were made against me and some others via a blog on social media known as Gist Lover,” the statement read.
“I had wanted to respond immediately it was brought to my attention, but I was advised not to, as I was not the only one named, and all of us may have been mentioned to drive engagement on the blog.
“However, as these allegations have escalated to criminal claims, I am compelled to respond as my prolonged silence has been misconstrued as an admission of guilt. I have NEVER demanded sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms, or positions. God is the only King Maker, the only one who can raise and erase kings, give positions and platforms.
“I have NEVER had sex with (*) or proposed sex to him for any reason.
“The questions in the screenshot were asked during a conversation in a male teenagers WhatsApp group where discussions regarding Male Reproductive Health and Self Esteem took place.
“The teenagers were taught about the right hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determines the underwear size. I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.
“It is disheartening to see that the screenshot message has now been mischievously quoted out of context to portray me as someone who has sex with male teenagers.”
The latest winners of the thrilling monthly Glo Jolly Win promotion, have received cheques of N1 million each from Globacom and its partners. This is in addition to the data and airtime bonuses that other Glo users who take part in the promotion receive every day.
At the monthly presentation ceremony in Lagos, five winners were credited with their winnings immediately after the symbolic presentation of their cheques.
Olieh Somtochukwu, a realtor based in Anambra State, became the first person to win N1 million in the promotion in September.
The promotion is being done by Globacom in partnership with Tetragrammaton, the value-added service provider for these services, and Nitroswitch, an aggregator firm licensed by the NCC.
If not that she doubted the veracity of the promo, Mrs. Adebayo Idowu, one of the winners, would have received her check during the first presentation in September. She was reluctant to accept that she had won a million naira, even after multiple conversations, including video calls.
After later becoming convinced, Mrs. Adebayo, a recently retired school teacher, was there with the new batch of winners to receive her prize at last.
Abiodun Oluwasanmi Temitayo, a mechanical engineer; Ashimiu Aminat Idowu, a teacher; Abdul Mumuni Oseni, a corporate driver; and Sanni Ganiu Bayo, a printing and publishing agent from Lagos, are among the other winners.
Speaking about the rewarding promo, Mojeed Aluko of Globacom’s Value Added Services department, said that “the Glo Jolly Win is a lottery service in which subscribers can answer trivia questions or spin a wheel to win loads of airtime, data and cash prizes for as low as N100/day, with no need for downloads or any storage usage on their phones. Subscribers can select their preferred services from the options of Jolly Trivia, Wheel, Win & Life to join in the fun and excitement of the lottery with the potential to become millionaires.”
Metro
Nestlé Opens Entry for Community Scholarship, Reaffirms Commitment to Future of Young Nigerians
Nestlé Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders by opening entries for its annual scholarship program.
Aimed at high-achieving senior secondary and tertiary students pursuing studies in Science and Technology, the scholarship, according to a statement by the Nestlé management, and made available to this medium, supports students in communities surrounding Nestlé operations.
Since launching the Community Scholarship in 2020, Nestlé has remained committed to providing financial support to students in its host communities. This support covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other essential expenses, ensuring these students have the resources they need throughout their education journey.
In this round, 90 verified indigenes will receive grants totaling N18 million. The application portal opens on November 5, 2024, and closes on December 8, 2024.
Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating shared value, linking Nestlé’s success to the well-being of its host communities. She encouraged scholarship recipients to strive for academic excellence to stay competitive on a global scale. “These scholarships reflect our unwavering dedication to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic challenges place added strain on families nationwide, we’re proud to provide meaningful financial support that eases this burden. By investing in education, we’re not only empowering individual students but also fostering the growth and prosperity of our entire community.”
The call for entries announcement was made at the recent award ceremony for the 2023/2024 batch of recipients, where 65 students from schools in Abaji, Agbara, and Sagamu were awarded scholarships.
One of the recipients from the award ceremony, Adeyemi Gbenga Daniel, a tertiary beneficiary studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, said, “This scholarship empowers us to pursue our dreams, fuels our passion for learning, and helps us explore opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach”.
Also speaking at the event, traditional leaders of the recipient communities expressed gratitude for the company’s consistent efforts. The Ona of Abaji, the Alagbara of Agbara, and the Akarigbo of Remo Land, represented by their chiefs, praised Nestlé Nigeria for keeping its promises and making a real difference through its Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiatives. They recognized the positive effects on their communities, from educational support to youth empowerment, and promised their ongoing support for Nestlé’s operations, ensuring that the communities remain welcoming for business growth.
As the program continues to evolve, Nestlé remains focused on nurturing talent and encouraging academic excellence. By investing in the education of young people, the company seeks to create long-lasting positive impacts in its host communities, helping to shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
To apply for the Nestlé Community Scholarship and take a step toward your future, please click here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=I6jEmmnVEaEf5WPPUefSmrmj6UaT09MhTh0eHSbd2RUQzRSWjQxNEcyMjVOV1JBRVpaVFVXSE81MC4u to access the application portal.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, is leading a high profile of police officers and administrators to the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow, United Kingdom, including the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, Vice President Africa (INTERPOL), AIG Umar Garba (RTD), Head (INTERPOL, National Crime Bureau), and other Interpol officials.
The 92nd session of the INTERPOL General Assembly, according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) is holds between November 4 and 8, 2024 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body and comprises delegates appointed by the governments of member countries. It meets once a year and takes all the major decisions affecting general policy, the resources needed for international cooperation, working methods, finances, and programme of activities.
