By David Torough, Abuja

The Deputy Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue State, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede, has cautioned politicians and members of the public against dragging the Christian body into partisan politics, insisting that the association remains apolitical.

Ugbede spoke on Monday while receiving a Certificate of Commendation from the Middle Belt Media Practitioners in Nigeria in conjunction with the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations at the CAN Secretariat, Makurdi.

He stressed that CAN is not a political platform and should not be used to advance partisan interests.
“Christian Association of Nigeria is not a political party.

According to him, although individual Christians may belong to different political parties, the association itself must remain neutral.
“Every politician that is a Christian is a member of our church. You will find people from different parties among us, but that does not mean we should use the pulpit for politics,” he said.

The deputy CAN chairman also dismissed claims that some pastors recently endorsed a politician for public office, describing such reports as misleading.
“Yesterday I was told that 150 pastors gathered to endorse someone. I said they are not pastors. None of the recognised church leaders in Benue released their pastors to attend such a political gathering,” he stated.

He further warned that no individual or group should claim to speak on behalf of CAN without proper authorization from the association.
“No single person should go out speaking on behalf of CAN. When CAN wants to make a statement, we do it collectively through our leadership,” he said.

Ugbede also emphasised that the association’s role is primarily spiritual, particularly praying for leaders and engaging them constructively rather than attacking them publicly.
“The Bible instructs us to pray for the government in power. If we have any counsel for the governor, we will invite him and discuss with him,” he added.

While dedicating the award to the Assistant Secretary of CAN in Benue State, “Apostle General” Mike Ihenacho, Ugbede appreciated him for his support and guidance.
“I depend on him so much. This award, I first dedicate to him for his tireless support,” he said.

Ugbede, who is a pastor with the First Baptist Church, said he was surprised to receive the honour, noting that his involvement in interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding had been a personal commitment to service.
“I never knew anyone was taking note of what we were doing. For me, it is simply service to God and humanity,” he said, adding that he has been involved in interfaith activities for over a decade.

Earlier, leader of the presenting group, Dr. Terwase China Abigwa, who is the national secretary, coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria, and member of the Middle Belt Media Practitioners said the recognition was in appreciation of Ugbede’s contributions to peace, justice and unity in Benue State.

Abigwa noted that the deputy CAN chairman had consistently lent his voice against insecurity in the state and promoted interfaith dialogue and harmony among religious groups.

In goodwill messages, the Methodist Bishop of Makurdi and Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Rt. Rev. Edoka Amuta, who presented the award on behalf of the group, said Ugbede had demonstrated strong leadership and the ability to unite the various blocs within CAN.

On his part, Assistant CAN Secretary, Rev. Mike Nkiri, who is a pastor with the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), also commended Ugbede’s leadership, describing him as a man of few words whom God is using to achieve significant milestones in the association.

Similarly, the Benue State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Dr Timothy Kume, described the recognition as well deserved.
“If not because of him, the ship of CAN would have gone underg

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Organizer of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, on Tuesday, has denies diversion of fund for the conference.

In a statement issued by the organizer
Lenders Consult International Limited and signed by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr.

The company was responding to a report published on March 3, 2026, by an online news platform that alleged funds intended for the organization of the Nigeria Police Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers had been diverted.

According to the firm, it instituted and has been the organiser of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, described as the country’s longest-running football awards programme.

The company said its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force began after it proposed organising an annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers as part of efforts to support capacity building within the force.

It explained that the retreat brings together officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above to engage in peer review and exchange ideas on policing and security challenges.

The firm said its proposal included an arrangement where it would approach potential sponsors to fund the conference and retreat, adding that the plan was formally approved and has been operational since 2019.

“Arising from our desire to support the Nigeria Police in their capacity-building efforts, we approached the police authorities with a proposal to organize an annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, bringing together senior officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above to engage in peer review and cross-fertilization of ideas.

“Our proposal included an obligation that, as initiators, Lenders Consult International would be responsible for approaching potential sponsors to fund the retreat. This arrangement was well-received and approved from the outset. This arrangement is official and has been in place since 2019,” the statement reads in part.

It stated that the maiden edition of the conference was held in 2019, with the Lagos State Government serving as the host sponsor.

According to the company, the event was declared open by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the time by then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Subsequent editions of the conference were held in Uyo in February 2022 and later in Owerri between 2022 and 2024, before the 2025 edition in Abeokuta.

“We kicked off the maiden edition in 2019 with the Lagos State Government as the host sponsor. The event was declared open by His Excellency, late President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, represented by His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON, the then Vice-President. The Conference and Retreat have subsequently been held in Uyo (February, 2022), Owerri (October, 2022, 2023, 2024), and Abeokuta (2025).

The company insisted that it has never received any funds from the police to organise the conference, as the conference is a private initiative in support of the Nigeria Police.

“We would like to state very strongly that we have never, at any time, received any money by way of funding from the Nigerian Police for the sponsorship of the event. As a corporate entity, we have worked tirelessly to keep the Conference and Retreat afloat, even when sponsorship funds were inadequate to cover the event’s costs.

“For the sake of emphasis, we restate that Lenders Consult International, our MD/CEO, and any member of our staff, have at no time received any money from the Nigeria Police, nor have they ever shared any purported loot with retired IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, any past Inspector-General of Police, or Force Public Relations Officer.

The company further stated that the Conference has been a catalyst for police transformation and reforms.

“The Conference has been very impactful and has led to major transformations in the Police Force. One of the key takeaways from the Nigeria Police Conference and Retreat includes, among others, the establishment of the Police Institute in Abuja.

The company further stated that it later proposed the establishment of an annual Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations to recognise outstanding officers within the force.

According to the statement, two editions of the awards have been held in 2024 and 2025 in Abuja and were fully sponsored by the company and its partners.

It also said Philips, described as a FIFA-licensed football agent, had maintained a longstanding working relationship with senior police officers through various projects.

The statement added that he was appointed a consultant to the police in 2020 and tasked with coordinating activities for Police Week 2020, which was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said that since the appointment, Philips had continued to support police initiatives without receiving payment, adding that some official trips he undertook alongside the immediate past Inspector-General of Police were self-funded.

Reaffirming its position, the firm described itself as a responsible corporate organisation. It said it had maintained cordial relations with the media since launching the Nigeria Pitch Awards at a world press conference in 2011.

“We have acted as a responsible corporate body by supporting the Government as best as we can. In furtherance of the desire to continue to motivate the officers and men of the Nigeria Police, we again proposed the idea of an annual Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations, which the police authorities embraced. Two editions of the awards have been held in 2024 and 2025 in Abuja. The awards have been fully sponsored by Lenders Consult International and our partners.

“Our MD/CEO, Dr. Shina Philips, has been a patriotic citizen and a FIFA-Licensed Agent who has handled the transfer of some Nigerian footballers. He has enjoyed a strong relationship with the former Inspectors-General of Police and the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force while working on the Projects. He holds the Nigeria Police in very high esteem and is committed to partnering with them to make their job of policing Nigeria easy.

“In recognition of his commitment, he was appointed a Consultant to the Police in 2020 and tasked with serving as the sole consultant for the Police Week 2020, which was sadly aborted by COVID-19. Since then, he has continued to make his contributions without receiving any pay. It is based on this appointment that he has had to travel with the immediate Inspector-General of Police. Some of those trips were self-funded, and at no time was any money paid to him or the Company for any of them.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The convener of the New Enugu Group, Barr. Henry Okeke, has extended warm felicitations to the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, on the occasion of his 54th birthday, describing him as a transformational leader committed to rebuilding the state.

In a statement made available to the press, Okeke lauded Governor Mbah as “the messenger of infrastructure revolution,” whose administration has continued to redefine governance and development across Enugu State.

“We at the New Enugu Group celebrate our icon, a visionary whose leadership has ignited a new wave of progress and positioned Enugu on the path of sustainable growth,” Okeke said.

He noted that within a relatively short period in office, Governor Mbah has embarked on ambitious projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure, improving security, and boosting economic productivity in the state.

Among his notable achievements, the governor has prioritized the construction and rehabilitation of critical road networks to enhance connectivity between urban and rural communities. His administration has also made significant investments in smart schools and healthcare facilities, aimed at improving human capital development.

In addition, Mbah’s government has introduced innovative security architecture, including the deployment of advanced surveillance systems, to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state. His commitment to economic transformation is further evident in efforts to attract investment, promote agribusiness, and expand Enugu’s internally generated revenue base.

Okeke emphasized that the governor’s vision of transforming Enugu into a premier destination for business, tourism, and living is steadily becoming a reality.

“As he marks his 54th birthday, we celebrate not just his life, but his bold vision and unwavering dedication to the progress of Enugu State. Indeed, he is recreating the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.

He wished the governor good health, wisdom, and continued success in his mission to deliver good governance to the people of the state.