Saturday, October 19, 2013
Ghen ghen.. Tiwa Savage slams editors of TW Magazine on twitter
We will thrill Nigerians at Glo Laffta Fest - American comedians
The comedians who arrived in Lagos on Thursday evening for the biggest comedy show tagged Invasion L.O.L. said they would give the audience a different kind of comedy from what they were used to. Continue...
Asked by reporters what Nigerians should expect from him, Roberts who had a big smile plastered on his face declared, “Non-stop comedy. I'm very unpredictable, so I don’t know what I'm going to say. If you're in front of me, I might talk about you. I don't want to offend anybody, but you never know. You've got the best right here with you!”
Roberts continued, “Every country we go to, we do our research. We try to read the mindset of the people, because what's funny to people back in the United States might not appeal to the audience here, so we just have to get ready, and make sure we operate on the same wavelength as the people here.”
On his part, Davies said, "I just want to have a good time and bring my own brand of comedy to a whole new place. Many may have watched me on TV, but they’ve never seen me perform live. It's going to be spectacular. It's going to be a different vibe coming from me on that stage. I just want to create a stress-free environment and make the audience have a good time.”
Anxious to work with some of Nigeria’s biggest comedy talents, Davies stated, “I want to see more so I can take in the culture, and learn as much about their comedy as I possibly can. I don’t want this to be my last trip; I want Nigerians to be so used to me that they’ll keep having me over, and not just for big events alone.
The duo will be performing with some of Nigeria’s biggest stars including Alli Baba, Basketmouth, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu and Gordons.
On their expectations on working with their Nigerian counterparts, Roberts said, “Actually, it's weird because they're more used to this environment than we are. They know the local stuff, so they can say things that we don't know about. They have the upper hand on us, but all the same, we're super funny, and you're going to find out! We're going to get along with them and work as a team.”
The show which is packaged by national operator, Globacom, is scheduled for 6.00 p.m., Saturday, October 19th, at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Olamide & Koga Entertainment give back with free October concert
Rounding out the performance list is Timix, AT, Splash and fuji sensation Q.Dot. This free concert will take place on Saturday, October 26 at Koga Studios, which is located at No. 2 Bolaji Street, off KudiratAbiola way, Oregun, AlausaIkeja, Lagos.
For details on how to get a free invite to this concert, see @ZebraStripesng on Twitter.
Vector acquires MAZDA CX9 SUV
Friday, October 18, 2013
ASUU STRIKE: FG Agrees To Spend N200 Billion Each Year To Bring Nigerian Universities Up To World Standard
In light of the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government has promised to spend N200 billion in the 2014 for the universities. Besides, a similar amount would be spent in the next three-four years until Nigerian universities are brought to world-class standard.
This is in addition to the N100 billion already disbursed for 2013.
This information is contained in an internal statement by Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Otuoke, Professor Bolaji Aluko. The statement was seen on Wednesday night by SaharaReporters.
The FG has also increased to N40 billion as a first installment funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.
On the earned allowances, Aluko explained that:
“Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC.”
Aluko also explained that this move of the FG followed the meetings held on September 19 and October 11 between the representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU and ASUU Representatives led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge with the Vice-President of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others.
Of great interest to stakeholders, Vice-President Sambo, appealing to ASUU to call off the strike, apologized for the “take-it-or-leave-it” comments credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the onset of the strike.
Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:
Project Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.
TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.
Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.
Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.
Aluko also stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemize the full issues on which the consensus he had outlined here, as brokered by AVCNU, was reached.
It will be reminded, however, that seven weeks after the FG announced that it had commenced implementation of the agreement signed with the ASUU by disbursing N100 billion to 59 public universities, the affected tertiary institutions have raised alarm that they are yet to receive the fund.
ASUU has been on an indefinite strike since June 30. The lecturers protest against the FG’s failure to honour a 2009 agreement signed between it and ASUU in 2009 pertaining to issues of university funding and improvement of infrastructure in the sector.
Source: Sahara Reporters
This is in addition to the N100 billion already disbursed for 2013.
This information is contained in an internal statement by Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Otuoke, Professor Bolaji Aluko. The statement was seen on Wednesday night by SaharaReporters.
The FG has also increased to N40 billion as a first installment funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers, an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.
On the earned allowances, Aluko explained that:
“Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC.”
Aluko also explained that this move of the FG followed the meetings held on September 19 and October 11 between the representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU and ASUU Representatives led by its President, Dr. N. Fagge with the Vice-President of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi. Sambo, Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others.
Of great interest to stakeholders, Vice-President Sambo, appealing to ASUU to call off the strike, apologized for the “take-it-or-leave-it” comments credited to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the onset of the strike.
Other points of agreement at the meetings include the following:
Project Prioritization: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.
TETFund Intervention: Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.
Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the IMC to monitor progress.
Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.
Aluko also stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemize the full issues on which the consensus he had outlined here, as brokered by AVCNU, was reached.
It will be reminded, however, that seven weeks after the FG announced that it had commenced implementation of the agreement signed with the ASUU by disbursing N100 billion to 59 public universities, the affected tertiary institutions have raised alarm that they are yet to receive the fund.
ASUU has been on an indefinite strike since June 30. The lecturers protest against the FG’s failure to honour a 2009 agreement signed between it and ASUU in 2009 pertaining to issues of university funding and improvement of infrastructure in the sector.
Source: Sahara Reporters
Photos: See The Man With The Longest Beard In The World — 7 ft. 9 inches!
SCANDAL: Outrage As Nigerians Want Aviation Minister Sacked, Give Her 72-Hour Ultimatum To Resign
Angry Nigerians say Stella Oduah’s corruption and profligacy should not be condoned at a time the country appears too broke to pay university teachers.
Anti-corrupt crusaders and opposition politicians, on Thursday expressed outrage over the purchase of two BMW armoured vehicles for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for N225 million by an agency under her supervision.
Special Assistant to the Minister on media, Joe Obi, in a media interview confirmed the vehicles were purchased for her principal to protect her from “imminent threats.”
She was reported to have compelled the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to buy the vehicles for her.
Anti-corruption campaigners and politicians, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, condemned the purchase of the armoured vehicles and demanded the minister’s immediate resignation and a subsequent probe of the transaction.
Leader of the Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, Dino Melaye, said his organisation had already briefed its lawyers, who he said would file a suit against Ms. Oduah on Monday.
He said his organisation had conducted investigation into the matter and found out that there was no threat to the minister’s life as claimed by his media aide.
Mr. Dino also said the vehicles could have been purchased for far less the amount they were purportedly procured.
“This government promotes, massages, embraces corruption,” an angry Mr. Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives, said in a telephone interview with our reporter.
“There are two questions to ask – was the N225 million appropriated by the National Assembly? Does the purchase of the vehicles not negate the monetisation policy, which says that only the President, Vice president, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, their deputies and a few other public officials should have official cars? If she does not fall into this category, why did they purchase the vehicles for her?
“They claim there was a threat to her life. There was no threat to Stella Oduah’s life. Even if there was a threat, we have done our investigation and we discovered that those vehicles cost less than N100 million.
“You are spending N225 million at a time you claim there is no money for ASUU, at a time you cannot pay statutory allocations to states.
“Jonathan administration is the most corrupt administration in Nigeria.”
Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener of Say No Campaign, Nigeria, SNCN, asked the anti-graft agencies to wade into the scandal immediately.
He wondered if the N225 million used to purchase the vehicles were appropriated, insisting that the NCAA officer(s), who authorised the release of the money, should be penalized.
Mr. Nwagwu added, “We have lost about 200 citizens to sheer incompetence and add salt to injury, we are being told that a cash-strapped agency under her had to cough out that amount of money to provide armoured vehicles.
“In saner climes, she would have resigned. But here we are treated to half truths and excuses.
“What is important now is that an independent inquiry should be set up to look into the happenings in the aviation sector. We cannot be deceived by the so-called reforms. When you renovate 11 airports at the same time, the implication is that it is a honey-pot, after the petroleum sector.
“We must as a matter of urgency beam our searchlight on happenings in the sector. It is not enough to go round media houses. What Nigerian want now is an independent inquiry into the activities in the sector.
Mr. Nwagwu lamented that the Jonathan’s administration kept treating corruption with kid gloves, especially by allegedly shielding Ms Oduah and the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“These are two ministers that can never do wrong in this government,” he said.
Also speaking, Auwal Musa Rasfanjani, Executive Director, Centre for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, expressed worry over the flagrant abuse of public office, corruption, impunity and constant disregard of public procurement law by some ministers and other public officers under the supervision of Mr. Jonathan.
“We are particularly concerned over the Minister of Aviation who runs the Ministry of Aviation like a personal and private entity,” Mr. Musa told PREMIUM TIMES.
“Many Nigerians express worries for the various allegations of corrupt practices and outright looting in the name of renovating our airports and the recent scandal of purchasing bullet proof cars without due process and also the allegation of refusal of landing permit to some international airlines who applied but were denied the permit because they did not give bribe to her.
“It is also on record that the National Assembly had conducted a public hearing which found her guilty but yet no sanction was taken against her due to her connection to the President.
“If buying the bullet proof cars is for her own security, then we don’t understand why she doesn’t pay more attention to the safety of millions of Nigerian passengers travelling within the country every year.
“Again, despite the huge amounts spent in the name of renovating Nigerian airports, the work is very dilapidated and cannot be said to be representing value for money because of corruption in the procurement process and the service provision.”
Mr Musa demanded outright probe of Ms Oduah, saying “We therefore call for immediate investigation of the above matter in order to bring sanity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and safety to our aviation industry which is now being characterized by corruption and impunity under the auspices of the Minister of Aviation.
“This will serve as a deterrent to other ministers and public officers who abuse the trust of their office.”
Olarenwaju Suraj, Chairman of the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, who was also livid over the transaction, said he would not bother calling for Ms Oduah’s sack saying, “You won’t have that under Jonathan. Jonathan does not have the integrity to ask her to resign.”
Mr. Suraj, who demanded an urgent investigation into the scandal, said there were so many corrupt officials in the present government, adding that the case of the aviation minister could not be treated in isolation.
Spokesperson of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to quickly commence investigation into the scandal.
“Under what subhead is that money in the budget? You can’t use any money that was not appropriated. If you do, it becomes an illegal expenditure,” Mr. Okechukwu said angrily.
“I don’t know what she is protecting. Is she more important than the President?”
Source: Premium Times
Anti-corrupt crusaders and opposition politicians, on Thursday expressed outrage over the purchase of two BMW armoured vehicles for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for N225 million by an agency under her supervision.
Special Assistant to the Minister on media, Joe Obi, in a media interview confirmed the vehicles were purchased for her principal to protect her from “imminent threats.”
She was reported to have compelled the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to buy the vehicles for her.
Anti-corruption campaigners and politicians, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, condemned the purchase of the armoured vehicles and demanded the minister’s immediate resignation and a subsequent probe of the transaction.
Leader of the Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, Dino Melaye, said his organisation had already briefed its lawyers, who he said would file a suit against Ms. Oduah on Monday.
He said his organisation had conducted investigation into the matter and found out that there was no threat to the minister’s life as claimed by his media aide.
Mr. Dino also said the vehicles could have been purchased for far less the amount they were purportedly procured.
“This government promotes, massages, embraces corruption,” an angry Mr. Melaye, a former member of the House of Representatives, said in a telephone interview with our reporter.
“There are two questions to ask – was the N225 million appropriated by the National Assembly? Does the purchase of the vehicles not negate the monetisation policy, which says that only the President, Vice president, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, their deputies and a few other public officials should have official cars? If she does not fall into this category, why did they purchase the vehicles for her?
“They claim there was a threat to her life. There was no threat to Stella Oduah’s life. Even if there was a threat, we have done our investigation and we discovered that those vehicles cost less than N100 million.
“You are spending N225 million at a time you claim there is no money for ASUU, at a time you cannot pay statutory allocations to states.
“Jonathan administration is the most corrupt administration in Nigeria.”
Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener of Say No Campaign, Nigeria, SNCN, asked the anti-graft agencies to wade into the scandal immediately.
He wondered if the N225 million used to purchase the vehicles were appropriated, insisting that the NCAA officer(s), who authorised the release of the money, should be penalized.
Mr. Nwagwu added, “We have lost about 200 citizens to sheer incompetence and add salt to injury, we are being told that a cash-strapped agency under her had to cough out that amount of money to provide armoured vehicles.
“In saner climes, she would have resigned. But here we are treated to half truths and excuses.
“What is important now is that an independent inquiry should be set up to look into the happenings in the aviation sector. We cannot be deceived by the so-called reforms. When you renovate 11 airports at the same time, the implication is that it is a honey-pot, after the petroleum sector.
“We must as a matter of urgency beam our searchlight on happenings in the sector. It is not enough to go round media houses. What Nigerian want now is an independent inquiry into the activities in the sector.
Mr. Nwagwu lamented that the Jonathan’s administration kept treating corruption with kid gloves, especially by allegedly shielding Ms Oduah and the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“These are two ministers that can never do wrong in this government,” he said.
Also speaking, Auwal Musa Rasfanjani, Executive Director, Centre for Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, expressed worry over the flagrant abuse of public office, corruption, impunity and constant disregard of public procurement law by some ministers and other public officers under the supervision of Mr. Jonathan.
“We are particularly concerned over the Minister of Aviation who runs the Ministry of Aviation like a personal and private entity,” Mr. Musa told PREMIUM TIMES.
“Many Nigerians express worries for the various allegations of corrupt practices and outright looting in the name of renovating our airports and the recent scandal of purchasing bullet proof cars without due process and also the allegation of refusal of landing permit to some international airlines who applied but were denied the permit because they did not give bribe to her.
“It is also on record that the National Assembly had conducted a public hearing which found her guilty but yet no sanction was taken against her due to her connection to the President.
“If buying the bullet proof cars is for her own security, then we don’t understand why she doesn’t pay more attention to the safety of millions of Nigerian passengers travelling within the country every year.
“Again, despite the huge amounts spent in the name of renovating Nigerian airports, the work is very dilapidated and cannot be said to be representing value for money because of corruption in the procurement process and the service provision.”
Mr Musa demanded outright probe of Ms Oduah, saying “We therefore call for immediate investigation of the above matter in order to bring sanity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, and safety to our aviation industry which is now being characterized by corruption and impunity under the auspices of the Minister of Aviation.
“This will serve as a deterrent to other ministers and public officers who abuse the trust of their office.”
Olarenwaju Suraj, Chairman of the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, who was also livid over the transaction, said he would not bother calling for Ms Oduah’s sack saying, “You won’t have that under Jonathan. Jonathan does not have the integrity to ask her to resign.”
Mr. Suraj, who demanded an urgent investigation into the scandal, said there were so many corrupt officials in the present government, adding that the case of the aviation minister could not be treated in isolation.
Spokesperson of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to quickly commence investigation into the scandal.
“Under what subhead is that money in the budget? You can’t use any money that was not appropriated. If you do, it becomes an illegal expenditure,” Mr. Okechukwu said angrily.
“I don’t know what she is protecting. Is she more important than the President?”
Source: Premium Times
Kidnappers Tell Pastor They Were Sent To Kill Him By ‘Jealous Pastors’
The General Overseer of Divine Winners Ministry International, Bayelsa State, Confidence Ozor, who was kidnapped last Thursday in Owerri, Imo State, while attending a crusade, has been released by his abductors.
Ozor was released last Tuesday after spending five days in the kidnappers’ den, where they confessed to him that they were hired to kill him due to his spiritual powers, which has made him win so much members within a short period of his stay in Bayelsa State.
He however paid a ransom of N5 million before he was released.
The Anambra State-born pastor, who is known for his prophetic and deliverance prowess, while narrating his ordeal said he would still consult his God before he would be able to understand the whole scenario, saying, “People don’t like success.”
“They said we have been monitoring you, they said something as if pastors are behind it. They also asked, ‘are you the only pastor in Bayelsa State you have already known everywhere in this little time you have spent in the state?’.
“When I tried to tell them that I am a pastor, and I don’t deserve the kind of treatment received, they said the order has been given to them from above and that they are boys to the high authority and the order was to kill and not to negotiate any ransom but one of them noticed that we are from the same place and took it upon himself to spare me, telling me he would make sure am not killed as earlier planned.”
Ozor said it was at that point that they asked him to contact somebody to bring N50 million, with stern warning not to involve the police.
The prophet who is called the T.B Joshua of Bayelsa by his members added that the kidnappers later brought the ransom down to N5 million “after much negotiation with my people.”
Ozor was released last Tuesday after spending five days in the kidnappers’ den, where they confessed to him that they were hired to kill him due to his spiritual powers, which has made him win so much members within a short period of his stay in Bayelsa State.
He however paid a ransom of N5 million before he was released.
The Anambra State-born pastor, who is known for his prophetic and deliverance prowess, while narrating his ordeal said he would still consult his God before he would be able to understand the whole scenario, saying, “People don’t like success.”
“They said we have been monitoring you, they said something as if pastors are behind it. They also asked, ‘are you the only pastor in Bayelsa State you have already known everywhere in this little time you have spent in the state?’.
“When I tried to tell them that I am a pastor, and I don’t deserve the kind of treatment received, they said the order has been given to them from above and that they are boys to the high authority and the order was to kill and not to negotiate any ransom but one of them noticed that we are from the same place and took it upon himself to spare me, telling me he would make sure am not killed as earlier planned.”
Ozor said it was at that point that they asked him to contact somebody to bring N50 million, with stern warning not to involve the police.
The prophet who is called the T.B Joshua of Bayelsa by his members added that the kidnappers later brought the ransom down to N5 million “after much negotiation with my people.”
LIST: See Who The Richest Pastors Are In Nigeria, And How Much They Make!
Forget starting a hedge fund or becoming the CEO of an internet startup. If you want to make a ton of money, move to Nigeria and become a pastor. Back in elementary school, the Pastor of my Catholic school drove an older Porsche. We used to make jokes about that, but his vintage 911 pales in comparison to these Nigerian men of the cloth. These pastors clearly did not take an oath of poverty when they put on their collars and started preaching the good word to the people of Nigeria. This new brand of pastor sees opportunity in his flock’s drive for salvation, and with dollar signs in his eyes, he parlays his personal brand all the way to the bank to the tune of millions of dollars, while ostensibly doing the work of God.
Pastors are no longer solely interested in getting people to Heaven; they’ve morphed into savvy businessmen with their eye on the bottom line. They’ve taken personal branding to heart and amassed fortunes doing so.
In fact, a few wealthy Nigerian Pastors spent about $225 million acquiring private jets a few years ago. David Oyedepo, for example, bought a Gulfstream V jet for $30 million. He has a private collection of four different planes. It is not cheap to own a private plane—in fact, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and Oyedepo is just one of three known Nigerian clergymen who own at least one private plane. This gaudy display of wealth seems at odds with both their profession and with the fact that 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. Sadly, it is those people who finance the extravagant lifestyles of their spiritual leaders. Every Sunday, swarms of worshipers rush to the church to give away their hard-earned money to the pastors’ coffers in the form of tithes, offerings and special gifts with the delusional hope of multiplied blessings, most of them financial, in return. It is not hard to imagine these multi-millionaire Pastors laughing all the way to the bank. This breed of Nigerian Pastor is more televangelist in the vein of Ted Baker, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell than they are true men of the cloth.
Let’s take a look at the richest Pastors in Nigeria:
Bishop David Oyedepo – Estimated net worth: $150 million
Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel
David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest pastor by far. He founded the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981, and since then it has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the largest congregations in Nigeria. Oyedepo presides over three services every Sunday at the 50,000 seat Faith Tabernacle, Africa’s largest worship center.
As mentioned, Oyedepo owns four private jets and has homes in London and the United States. He is an author with a thriving publishing house, Dominion Publishing, which he also owns. Like Jerry Falwell, he also founded a University, Covenant University. Oyedepo also founded Faith Academy, an elite high school.
Chris Oyakhilome – Estimated net worth: $30 million – $50 million
Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy
Wealthy preachers and scandal seem to go hand in hand. Recently, Chris Oyakhilome was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case. He was accused of moving funds from his church to foreign banks. The case was dismissed after Oyakhilome pleaded no contest to the charges. His church has over 40,000 members, including politicians and successful businessmen. Oyakhilome’s fortune is enhanced by his involvement in other areas including newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, magazines, a fast food chain, hotels and extensive real estate. Oyakhilome’s TV network is the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the entire world, 24 hours a day. His church has branches in Nigeria, South Africa, London, Canada, and the U.S. His publishing company, Loveworld Publications, publishes a monthly devotional he co-authors with his wife called Rhapsody of Realities. It sells over 2 million copies every month at $1 each.
Temitope Joshua Net Worth
Temitope Joshua – Estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million
Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)
Temitope Joshua is Nigeria’s most controversial pastor due to his dubious claims that he heals incurable diseases such as HIV, cancer, and paralysis. He founded his congregation in 1987, and gets his version of the Good Word out to over 15,000 members on Sundays. His church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece. Over the past several years, Joshua has made philanthropic donations of over $20 million to causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants. He owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network, and is close friends with Ghanaian President Atta Mills.
Matthew Ashimolowo – Estimated net worth: $6 million – $10 million
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
In 1992, Ashimolowo was sent to London by his then employer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, to open a branch there. Instead, he opted to open his own church and founded Kingsway International Christian Center, which is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the UK. Ashimolowo earns an annual salary of $200,000, but the bulk of his wealth comes from other business interests including his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo media, which creates and distributes Christian literature and documentaries.
Chris Okotie – Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Household of God Church
Okotie is a former pop music star turned preacher, and when you think about it, the two professions are pretty similar. Both require presence, charisma, and performance. One day, he found God, gave up being a pop star, and founded the Household of God Church. His congregation is known to be flamboyant, as befits a former pop star. Okotie’s church has 5,000 members, which much of Nigeria’s celebrities, musicians and socialites amongst his congregation. He has contested (and lost) Nigerian Presidential elections three times.
Pastors are no longer solely interested in getting people to Heaven; they’ve morphed into savvy businessmen with their eye on the bottom line. They’ve taken personal branding to heart and amassed fortunes doing so.
In fact, a few wealthy Nigerian Pastors spent about $225 million acquiring private jets a few years ago. David Oyedepo, for example, bought a Gulfstream V jet for $30 million. He has a private collection of four different planes. It is not cheap to own a private plane—in fact, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and Oyedepo is just one of three known Nigerian clergymen who own at least one private plane. This gaudy display of wealth seems at odds with both their profession and with the fact that 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. Sadly, it is those people who finance the extravagant lifestyles of their spiritual leaders. Every Sunday, swarms of worshipers rush to the church to give away their hard-earned money to the pastors’ coffers in the form of tithes, offerings and special gifts with the delusional hope of multiplied blessings, most of them financial, in return. It is not hard to imagine these multi-millionaire Pastors laughing all the way to the bank. This breed of Nigerian Pastor is more televangelist in the vein of Ted Baker, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell than they are true men of the cloth.
Let’s take a look at the richest Pastors in Nigeria:
Bishop David Oyedepo – Estimated net worth: $150 million
Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel
David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest pastor by far. He founded the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry in 1981, and since then it has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the largest congregations in Nigeria. Oyedepo presides over three services every Sunday at the 50,000 seat Faith Tabernacle, Africa’s largest worship center.
As mentioned, Oyedepo owns four private jets and has homes in London and the United States. He is an author with a thriving publishing house, Dominion Publishing, which he also owns. Like Jerry Falwell, he also founded a University, Covenant University. Oyedepo also founded Faith Academy, an elite high school.
Chris Oyakhilome – Estimated net worth: $30 million – $50 million
Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy
Wealthy preachers and scandal seem to go hand in hand. Recently, Chris Oyakhilome was at the center of a $35 million money laundering case. He was accused of moving funds from his church to foreign banks. The case was dismissed after Oyakhilome pleaded no contest to the charges. His church has over 40,000 members, including politicians and successful businessmen. Oyakhilome’s fortune is enhanced by his involvement in other areas including newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, magazines, a fast food chain, hotels and extensive real estate. Oyakhilome’s TV network is the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the entire world, 24 hours a day. His church has branches in Nigeria, South Africa, London, Canada, and the U.S. His publishing company, Loveworld Publications, publishes a monthly devotional he co-authors with his wife called Rhapsody of Realities. It sells over 2 million copies every month at $1 each.
Temitope Joshua Net Worth
Temitope Joshua – Estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million
Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)
Temitope Joshua is Nigeria’s most controversial pastor due to his dubious claims that he heals incurable diseases such as HIV, cancer, and paralysis. He founded his congregation in 1987, and gets his version of the Good Word out to over 15,000 members on Sundays. His church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece. Over the past several years, Joshua has made philanthropic donations of over $20 million to causes in education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs for former Niger Delta militants. He owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network, and is close friends with Ghanaian President Atta Mills.
Matthew Ashimolowo – Estimated net worth: $6 million – $10 million
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
In 1992, Ashimolowo was sent to London by his then employer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, to open a branch there. Instead, he opted to open his own church and founded Kingsway International Christian Center, which is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the UK. Ashimolowo earns an annual salary of $200,000, but the bulk of his wealth comes from other business interests including his media company, Matthew Ashimolowo media, which creates and distributes Christian literature and documentaries.
Chris Okotie – Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Household of God Church
Okotie is a former pop music star turned preacher, and when you think about it, the two professions are pretty similar. Both require presence, charisma, and performance. One day, he found God, gave up being a pop star, and founded the Household of God Church. His congregation is known to be flamboyant, as befits a former pop star. Okotie’s church has 5,000 members, which much of Nigeria’s celebrities, musicians and socialites amongst his congregation. He has contested (and lost) Nigerian Presidential elections three times.
Photo: Couple Gets Married In Ambulance
Twelve days ago, family and friends of Carl Peyton Williams worried that he would never be able to marry his love, Ruth Ann Terry.
Williams had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was told he did not have long to live. But thanks to his family and the Marietta, Georgia, community at large, the two were wed – albeit in an unusual venue: the back of an ambulance.
Hospice workers arranged for the Puckett ambulance to take Williams to just outside the Cobb County Courthouse so that those near and dear to the couple could witness the nuptials.
Chaplin Ron Daniel had met the couple the day before and told WSB Radio, “Everything just went beautifully. We just made it as quick and easy as we could for them.”
Terry and Williams met seven years ago online and had been planning on getting married in the future, but the diagnosis inspired them to make it official sooner.
Source: Yahoo!
Williams had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was told he did not have long to live. But thanks to his family and the Marietta, Georgia, community at large, the two were wed – albeit in an unusual venue: the back of an ambulance.
Hospice workers arranged for the Puckett ambulance to take Williams to just outside the Cobb County Courthouse so that those near and dear to the couple could witness the nuptials.
Chaplin Ron Daniel had met the couple the day before and told WSB Radio, “Everything just went beautifully. We just made it as quick and easy as we could for them.”
Terry and Williams met seven years ago online and had been planning on getting married in the future, but the diagnosis inspired them to make it official sooner.
Source: Yahoo!
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