NEWS
Former Aso Rock Chaplain, Okoye turns 70
Okoye was born on Sept. 9, 1951 and served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan for a total of nearly nine years.
Mr Clement Iloba, the Media Lead/Aide to the General Overseer, in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja said Rev.
Okoye would be marking this biblical milestone, his platinum age, with an event.“The event will herald the presentation of his updated biography, first written in 1996, at the Cathedral of Compassion, ACFM, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday.
“The birthday event tagged, 50 years as a Born Again Christian, 47 years in the service of God [Ministry], will climax with the presentation of his biography titled, Called To Serve; A Legacy of Service With Integrity,” he said.
He noted that Rev. Okoye, was popularly referred to as the Radio Pastor in the early days of the development of Abuja, in the ‘80’s, as the new FCT.
He added that he is a man known for his uncommon character, integrity and passion for national transformation based on Christian values.
“These values are what Rev. Okoye believes have transformed nations.
“For more than 36 years, Rev. Okoye has championed the campaign for national transformation and his first book on the subject matter titled, “The Role of the Church in Nation Building,” was published in 1985 among several others.
“He also pioneered “Be the Change You Want To See” but not before he facilitated an “All African Conference on Religion, Leadership and Good Governance”.
“The conference brought to Abuja, no fewer than 200 high-powered representatives from 27 African countries including President Pierre Nkurunzizza of the Republic of Burundi and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and other representatives from the U.S. and the Middle East.
“The purpose of the conference was to create a platform for African leaders of integrity who are committed to the transformation of the continent to address the issue of good governance,” Iloba said.
He quoted Okoye as saying that, “the challenge of transforming Nigeria’s enormous potentials into meaningful development to improve the conditions and welfare of the citizens has been a recurring concern for many Nigerians over the years.”
“Okoye identified that the lack of consistently God – centered, people – oriented, focused and purposeful leadership was at the heart of Nigeria’s problems.
“He has also advocated for “urgent and critical need for a new breed of courageous and visionary leaders of integrity who are able to lead transformation in all spheres of society.
“He believes that Nigeria can be transformed in spite of the fact that values that drive us today as a people are materialism, greed and selfishness anchored on the notion that money is everything.
“Rev. Okoye says it is not. His stint at the Villa and ministry amongst the top political class for almost nine years and exiting without as much as a blemish on his person is a pointer to his integrity.
He is convinced that, “The single most important factor responsible for our miseries and shadow boxing, either as individuals, church or as a nation is our distorted sense of values and misplaced priorities,” he said.
He quoted Psalms 12: 1 – 8, adding that Rev. Okoye had since become the message because of the values he has been expounding and promoting over the years with his favorite scripture.
He noted that the word ‘integrity’ had become flesh and alive in the biography of Rev. [Dr.] William Okoye that will be presented as the highpoint of the event marking his birthday.
“It is a narrative and testimony that says it is possible to serve God and humanity with integrity especially in our present day Nigeria that has been described as “very religious but ungodly.
“Okoye is quick to point to the transformation of countries like Great Britain, where William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament in 1780 and a recent convert then, championed the abolition of the slavery and the “reformation of manners.
“Also, is Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore who, in less than three decades transformed Singapore from a “Third World country to first” based on values of transparency, justice, fairness and integrity that are the bench marks of good governance anywhere in the world.
“Also is Dubai, a recent phenomena before our very eyes. It took Dubai 30 years to develop and just six years to build and transform. Today, Dubai is a must – to – go destination.
“For Rev. [Dr.] William Okoye, these are the thoughts based on facts and values that should dominate and be projected to mark his 70th birthday,” he said.(NAN)
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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