SOKAPU Meetings: “I will No Longer Act As A Father To Irresponsible People,” former Lagos State SOKAPU Chairman Fires Warning To Southern Kaduna Indigenes

Reverend Dr. Andrew Duya, a clergyman and former Lagos State SOKAPU Chairman has lamented the irresponsible behavior of some Southern Kaduna indigenes residents in Lagos State, urging them to identify with a church, their tribal groups and shun alcoholism, in order to enjoy the benefits of belonging to a community, when they are hit with challenges.

Rev. Dr. Duya

In a Facebook post titled, “I Have  Changed My Mind,” Dr. Duya detailed his experience handling matters relating to Southern Kaduna indigenes since he came to Lagos in 1997.

“I came to Lagos in 1997 and the grace of God has kept me safe and alive till now. Since my arrival here, I have had causes to attend court sessions, visit police stations, and pay condolence visits, all in support of fellow Southern Kaduna indigenes. I have conducted funerals of Southern Kaduna indigenes based in Lagos that I never knew from Adam,” Dr. Duya began.

Speaking on the irresponsible behavior of some Southern Kaduna indigenes residing in Lagos, Dr. says, “I stood as a guarantor for a Southern Kaduna indigene to get a job. He got the job but later ran away with some money belonging to the company. The company's lawyer traced me and requested that I produce the boy or he would take me to court. I asked his tribe to repay the money and they did.

“A Southern Kaduna person came to Lagos and got a job. One day he slumped and died at his workplace. He wasn't attending any church nor was he attending his tribal and town meeting. His relations came from home and they were brought to me. They requested me as a "father" (Baban mu) that they would buy the grave (in Lagos, graves are not free) and they wanted me to assist in conducting his funeral service, which I did.

“But note that all the years that the fellow was in Lagos, I never knew him, and his tribe said he was not a member of their meeting.

“Another fellow was trekking around the Oshodi area of Lagos when he fell and died! People around him searched his pockets, found his phone, and randomly dialed a number. The call was picked up somewhere in Southern Kaduna and the message was delivered that the phone's owner had died. The people back in Southern Kaduna now called another person in Lagos to inform him of the demise of their brother in Lagos. His relation came to me as a "father" to help conduct the funeral service since he was not known to be attending any Church or his tribal or town meeting. I did, as “a father.”

“At another time, a good friend of mine called to ask whether I knew a certain person. He heard the person was dead. I told him that I didn't know the person. However, we agreed to trace the residence of the deceased person. There, we were told of the date for the wake. On the day of the wake, my wife and I went there hoping to meet my friend there, but he wasn't there. We stood at a distance waiting for the service to start. But there was a long delay as people were seen moving up and down doing what I don't know. Later, two gentlemen came to me and said "Baban mu, you know that you are the only father that we have, please, the deceased was not attending any church nor their town's or tribal meeting. Please, kindly help us conduct the wake service". I did because I am their "father".

“Some weeks later, the relations of this same person, came to me with a request that the pension manager of the deceased was asking for an Attestation Letter from a clergy. What they actually wanted me to do as a "father" was to tell a lie that the deceased was a member of this church and was in good standing. I did because I am baban mu.”

Dr. Duya noted that one thing was common with all the Southern Kaduna indigenes whose funeral service he has conducted, which is that, they were famous at beer parlors.

“All the people I have mentioned above and more were very popular and regular visitors at two places only: their places of work and their drinking joints!”

He said it is “painful to note that some of our people are in Lagos without any plans for their future. Their presence is always at their places of employment and drinking parlors.”

Continuing, he said: “There was one that died and the company he worked for was asking to see his family members, but no one turned up because he was not a member of his tribal, town's or family meeting and nor Church.

“Another Southern Kaduna citizen died, he had not had holy communion in six or seven years. Within those years, he paid tithe once. The Church said they did not know him.

“One thing that pains me is that considering the distance from Southern Kaduna to Lagos, do you just come here to waste your life? Think of the shame and disgrace your family will be subjected to when something happens and no one is there to stand with them. How will your relations feel when something happens and you are rejected here on earth?

“There was this Southern Kaduna man who, on a daily basis, would always go to the army mammy market to drink alcohol. The children on the streets where he lives knew him and the time he always came home. So, every day, these children will go to the junction to wait for him, when they see him, they will start playing with different objects as drums while he begins to dance to their beats and songs. They would escort him as he danced his way home with those children drumming right into his residence. Whenever the residents of the neighborhood heard the sounds of the drums and songs, they knew that this Southern Kaduna brother had returned home.

“If you look at the behavior of some of our people, I used to wonder whether they are drinking this alcohol through their mouths or noses. I also wonder whether alcohol was the baby formula their parents fed them with.

Speaking on the challenges of hosting SOKAPU meetings in Lagos, Dr. Duya said:

“Over the years, I have allowed several tribes to hold their meetings here (the Conference Hall of the Lagos State Old Secretariat). I did that just to encourage the convocation of the tribal, town, or family meetings. There are times I will ask the entire congregation to stand up. And I would say: “If you attend your tribal, family, or town meetings, please, sit down. I will now lash out at those who are standing and encourage them to join their tribal meetings.”

“Let me say something about the SOKAPU Lagos Chapter. For 10 years or so, Dr. Isuwa Boo Dogo was the Chairman and sole sponsor of the SOKAPU meetings in Lagos and the venue was always an events center within the 1004 Housing Estate in Victoria Island. When I noticed the expenses usually incurred by Dr. Dogo, I offered the Conference Hall of the Lagos State Old Secretariat. Since I was in charge, the facility was free of charge to be used for SOKAPU meetings.

“Since then, SOKAPU meetings and other activities by Southern Kaduna citizens have been taking place there. But after some years, SOKAPU meetings stopped taking place there. Later, I learned that the meetings were held at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Club. At this FAAN Club, SOKAPU paid for the space, chairs, canopies, food, and drinks (minerals and water).

“Later, an illustrious son of Southern Kaduna whose name I don't want to mention because I don't have his permission to do so, started sponsoring the feeding at each meeting. But SOKAPU still paid for the space, canopies, chairs, and drinks. The cost of hosting every SOKAPU meeting used to be over a hundred thousand naira. But funnily enough, the monthly dues that were usually collected during each meeting used to be between N40k to N45k. So, you spend over a hundred thousand naira to host a SOKAPU meeting and only realize at most N45k as monthly dues. Even to the uneducated, this doesn't make any economic sense. Perhaps this was a case of penny wise and pound foolish.

“After each SOKAPU meeting at the FAAN Club, our people will now sit down around tables over bottles of beer. This drinking of beer used to happen after each SOKAPU meeting.

“So, to the glory of God, I became SOKAPU Lagos State Chapter Chairman in 2019. After I took over the chairmanship, I suggested that we should make this church (The Goodnews Family Church, Mopol 23 Police Barracks, Ikeja) the venue for subsequent  SOKAPU meetings. It wasn't long after the SOKAPU meetings started being held here that complaints began to pour in that the meetings should no longer be held at this church because they could no longer drink their beers within the church premises.

Speaking on his resolution following the completion of his tenure as SOKAPU Chairman, Dr. Duya said:

“On 17 September 23, SOKAPU Lagos Chapter elected new Excos. At the inauguration of the new Excos, this Church was given an award for hosting and serving as the venue for SOKAPU meetings for over three years. I was also given an award as a former SOKAPU Lagos State Chairman, for which I am eternally and profusely grateful.

“To those who did not like the idea of holding SOKAPU meetings here because you will not be allowed to drink beer, I bear no grudge against you and I do not have any apology to offer you.

“Anywhere subsequent SOKAPU meetings will be taking place, I will be there and I pledge to support the new excos in their onerous task of repositioning SOKAPU Lagos to attain greater heights.

“In the Gospel of St. John Chapter 10:14, our Saviour and LORD JESUS CHRIST said, "I know my sheep, and my sheep knows me."

“In view of the above, I have decided that from now henceforth, I will no longer be a baban mu to anyone who does not attend his tribal, town’s, or family meetings, and is also not attending any church of his or her choosing.

“Please, if you don't attend any church of your choice and you don't participate in the meetings of your family, tribe, or town when anything happens to you, I will not be available to be your "father" or baban mu because I will immediately travel to the Himalayan mountains.

“For those of you at home in Southern Kaduna, please, tell your relatives living in Lagos to take attendance of their town, family, or tribal meetings very, very seriously. They should do the same thing with any church of their choosing because whenever anything happens to them, it is these two groups that will come together to find solutions.

“Again, for those who will want me to sign guarantor forms for them to get a job, your pastor and the chairman of your local assembly must recommend you to me, or else I will not sign the guarantor forms. I will be a father to only responsible people, not irresponsible ones, Dr. Duya concluded.

Reverend Dr Andrew Duya is currently the pastor of The Goodnews Family Church, Mopol 23 Police Barracks, Ikeja, Lagos State. He was APGA’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Kaduna State Gubernatorial election.

AEDC Announces Plans To Begin Meter Upgrade for Customers, Non-Upgraded Meters To Stop Functioning Soon

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced plans to upgrade existing meters across its franchise area.

According to a notice posted to customers on its official Facebook page on Thursday, September 28, the move was necessitated by the need to meet with global metering standards and be in compliance with Nigeria’s Electricity Regulatory Commission's (NERC) directive.

The notice said that effective 24 September 2024, prepared meters that are not upgraded will no longer accept energy tokens. In other words, prepaid meters that are not updated will be unable to support the power supply.

Explaining further, the distribution company noted that the upgrade of existing meters comes at no extra cost and will not impact tariff bands, current units on the meter, or any other functionality of the meter.

AEDC promised to provide further information regarding the upgrade process and the role of customers in ensuring its success in the coming days.

According to clarifications given to customers in the comments section by the page handlers, this blog observed that the upgrade applies to both new and existing meters.

Founded in 1997, the AEDC is one of 11 power distribution companies that was privatized and handed over to new investors on 1 November 2013.

AEDC’s franchise area includes the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, and, Nasarawa States, with a total land mass of 133,000 km2.

On 1 July 2020, the AEDC commenced the service-reflective tariff following persistent demands by customers to have a service-reflective tariff on the quality of electricity supply they enjoy.

For the purpose of executing this new regime, the AEDC introduced tariff bands A, B, C, D, and E for customers who enjoy electricity supply for a minimum of 20, 16, 12, 8, and less than 8 hours respectively.

Customers on "Band A" pay the highest tariff while those on "Band E" pay the least.

The upgraded prices for new meters are N88,123.30 for a single-phase meter and, N154,623.81 for a three-phase meter

It is unclear whether this meter upgrade will have any adverse effect on customers in terms of consumption of units.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MohBad Was Brought In Dead, Didn't Die In Our Facility, Lagos Hospital Releases Statement

Perez Medcare Hospital, the hospital where Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba alias Mohbad was said to have received an injection by a nurse that caused his death has distanced itself from those claims.

According to a statement signed by the hospital management and seen by this blog on its Instagram handle @ perezmedcare_hospital, Mohbad was brought in dead.

The statement says that the nurse who was reported to have administered the injection that caused Mohad’s death is not a staff of the establishment.

The statement read in part: 

"The attention of the management of Perez Medcare Hospital has been drawn to the misleading and false information being circulated in some social media platforms that Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) died in our medical facility.

"We consider it pertinent to put on record that at about 04:30pm on the 12th of September 2023, the lifeless body of Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was brought to our medical facility and our medical team immediately sprang into action and after assessment, it was discovered that there was no sign of life, no central or peripheral pulse, no heartbeat, no recordable vital signs and his pupils were fixed and dilated.

"On attempting CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), rigor mortis (stiffening of some parts of the body in relation to death) was observed and the persons who brought him to our facility were informed that it was a case of BID (Brought in dead).

"Upon enquiry about the circumstances leading to the emergency, our team was informed that the deceased was being treated at home by a nurse and that she administered injections on him.

"Our team thereafter advised that the body be taken to the nearest Government Hospital where he can be deposited in the morgue.

"Let it be known that Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) was not a patient of Perez Medcare Hospital and was never admitted at our hospital at any material time whatsoever.

"Also, the nurse who was said to be administering treatment on him at home is not a staff of Perez Medcare Hospital and the video of the medical facility circulating In the media space in which the late Mr. Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba (AKA Mohbad) is seen alive and receiving treatment is not Perez Medcare Hospital."

The hospital management condoled Mohbad’s family and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his sudden death.

Mohbad was a 27-year-old Nigerian Musician and former signee of Marlian Records who died in controversial circumstances on 12 September and was buried the next day.

Photos and videos showing Mohbad being physically assaulted by persons believed to be affiliated to his former record label, Marlian Records, quickly surfaced online, sparking outrage. A petition that the late musician had written to the Nigeria police alleging a threat to life was also shared across social media platforms.

This led to local and international protests by concerned individuals and groups who suspected foul play in the death of the musician and wanted an investigation carried out to ascertain the true cause of Mohad’s death.

 

Following this, the Nigeria Police announced on 16 September that it had commenced a full investigation into the case.

 

On September 21, the Nigeria Police announced on its social media accounts that an autopsy procedure had been successfully concluded for Mohbad, promising to provide further information as soon as results are available.

 

Information about the autopsy reports of Mohbad was yet to be provided to the general public by the Nigeria Police Force by the time this blog went to press.

 

Read the full statement below:

Gwagwalada FA Presents Award To Referee Aminu Salihu Who Officiated Two Abandoned League Matches, Praises Him For ”Excellent Coordination of Other Referees”

L-R: Aminu receiving his award from the FA Chairman 

The Gwagwalada Football Association has awarded a pair of jerseys to Aminu Sahihu, the referee who officiated two abandoned matches in the ongoing  Gwagwalada Football League, this blog can confirm.

In a picture shared on the FA's official Facebook account, the Chairman of the Association, Ibrahim Bako, was captured presenting the pair of jerseys to Aminu. 

Mr. Bako was flanked by Aminu to the left and another referee to the right.

The pair of jerseys was described as a reward for Aminu's "immense contribution towards the ongoing League and for [his] excellent coordination of the referee (sic) in terms of officiating.”

The award was presented in the middle of an ongoing League campaign.

Aminu Sahihu officiated two controversial League matches which were abandoned mid-way following fans' protest against what they described as "unfair" refereeing.

In the match involving Inspirational Academy versus Bucknor Academy on 29 July, Aminu handed out two red cards to Inspirational Academy players and a penalty to Bucknor Academy within five minutes.

The Super 8 tie between Medical Strikers versus Niima on 16 September was also marred by controversies. 

The match was abandoned mid-way, following protests by aggrieved fans.

The fans invaded the pitch after Aminu allowed a Medical Strikers' goal that was flagged for offside by the linesman to stand, within seconds of Niima FC's keeper saving a penalty that was awarded to Medical Strikers in controversial circumstances.

A video of the incident leading to the pitch invasion by fans

Medical Strikers' penalty came from a corner kick. The ball appeared to have hit the leg of a Niima defender. But Aminu wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

The resultant penalty was saved by Chimaobi Emeto, the Niima goalkeeper, whom the FA have now banned for two years, together with three of Niima's players, for what the FA's disciplinary committee described as “assault on the referee and disruption of the match.”

The other three Niima players who were hit with a two-year ban are Mohammed Sadiq, Daniel Dennis, and Uzochukwu Keneth.

The committee also recommended a two year-ban on Niima FC, its Team Manager, Mr. Lamda Ramnap, and Niima's Head Coach, Moses Danladi.

In a document that this blog saw, Niima was hit with a cumulative fine of ₦122,000 for offenses bordering on the abandonment of the match, loss of items, a threat to life, and an insult to the FA chairman, MOC chairman, and the Disciplinary Committee chairman. 

The FA's Disciplinary Committee findings were communicated to Niima without the FA's ratification.

Although Aminu alleged assault in his match report, he would later be captured receiving a pair of jerseys from the FA chairman, as a reward for his "immense contribution to the ongoing League.”

Recall that Aminu Salihu was among Twelve Nigerian League referees suspended indefinitely for dubious officiating in 2021 by the Nigerian Referees Association.

In a similar development, a picture of Aminu participating in the Super 6 draws of the Gwagwalada FA Cup at Boon Bourdilon Hotel, on 17 September was posted on the FA's account.

Aminu participating in the Super 6 FA Cup Draws at Boon Bourdilon Hotel

The final of the Gwagwalada Football League will now be played between Medical Strikers and Bucknor Academy, two teams chaired by the FA chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.

The date of the final has yet to be announced.