TheNewsGuru

Tag: Christmas

  • BREAKING: Tinubu leaves Abuja for holidays

    BREAKING: Tinubu leaves Abuja for holidays

    President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for Lagos State to spend the Christmas-New Year break.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Tinubu departed Abuja for Lagos using a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft.

    Tinubu arrived in Lagos via the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Muhammad Airport at 3.55 pm.

    He was received at the airport by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other members of his cabinet.

    The President then boarded a chopper to Dodan Barracks in Ikoyi, where he will spend the holidays.

    He is scheduled to return to the FCT in January 2024, after the festive season.

  • Cash scarcity: Ahead Christmas, banks slash withdrawal limits as Nigerians cry out

    Cash scarcity: Ahead Christmas, banks slash withdrawal limits as Nigerians cry out

    Bank customers have said that they are unable to withdraw their deposits for transaction in yuletide season in Ondo State, as the banks have slashed their withdrawal limits across the state.

    A probe into this development by a national newspaper revealed that many customers could not withdraw the amount they needed over the counter due to lack of adequate cash on the part of the banks.

    In Akure, the state capital customers disclosed that bank officials have adopted the system of reducing their withdrawals based on the amount they intended to withdraw.

    According to the customers, the bank officials asked them to use alternative channels to carry out their outstanding transactions.

    It was also observed that many banks were operating without adequate cash to meet their numerous customers’ needs.

    In some banks in Akure, customers only have access to cash ranging from N5,000 to the maximum of N20,000 respectively.

    Also, there were long queues of customers at the Automated Teller Machines points(ATMs) in some banks in the state capital.

    The development, it was learnt, affected several operators of Point-of-sale businesses who could not withdraw enough cash from the banks and the ATMs to run their businesses properly.

    Some of the customers observed that the problem had started since last week.

    A customer, Mrs Toyin Alade, said ”I came to Access Bank and First Bank branches in Alagbaka to collect N200,000 but I could not do so.”

    Thomas Nkoro cries out
    Access Bank officials said they could only give me N100,000. The first bank officers also claimed they could give me only N100,000. The two banks claimed there wasn’t enough cash and subsequently advised me to use alternative channels to do my remaining transactions. ”

    One of the banks in Akure, the state capital, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend on condition of anonymity, confirmed the shortage of cash, saying it was due to the cash supply from the CBN.

    According to him, what we have resorted to doing is to encourage our customers to use alternative channels and give them the little we have on the ground. Currently, we are at the end of the year. The demand is huge and we have to balance it. The CBN hasn’t been giving us enough cash in recent times especially since the surge in demand started some weeks ago.

    An operator, who identified herself as Oliwatoyin, said the dearth of cash from the banks affected her business.

    “For the past few days now, I could not attend to a customer who wanted to withdraw over N25,000 at once. This was because I couldn’t receive much cash from my banks. I was forced to be rationing the little cash I had with me. “

  • First tallest Christmas light in Africa to be unveiled in Abuja

    First tallest Christmas light in Africa to be unveiled in Abuja

    Jav Christmas Village, Abuja’s premier family-oriented event, is set to light the first tallest Christmas light in Africa, standing at an impressive 40 feet, as part of its Christmas grand celebration.

    This is contained in a statement by the Chief Executive Officer, One Percent International Management Services, Amb. Stephanie Nnadi, on Monday in Abuja.

    Nandi said that Jav Christmas Village had firmly established itself and was on the brink of becoming a holiday hotspot nationwide and beyond with over 200,000 attendees in 2022.

    She said the organisation was expanding its footprint to three locations in Abuja

    She said the places included Maitama at Transcorp Hilton on Dec 9, Gwarimpa LEA Primary School, 3rd Avenue on Dec. 15 and Garki at International Conference Center A&E Pavilion on Dec. 16.

    According to her, the expansion is due to overwhelming demand and the desire to provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.

    “This strategic move aims to accommodate the expected surge in attendance, with an anticipated 80,000 visitors this year.

    “In an effort to enhance the overall experience, this year’s festivities will be skillfully managed by One Percent International Management Services.

    “With their expertise, Jav Christmas Village is set to elevate the celebration to new heights.

    “Prepare for a breathtaking spectacle at the International Conference Centre Arts and Exhibition Pavilion,” she said.

    According to her, the Grand Opening event promises an array of captivating activities, including artiste performances, comedy shows, exciting games, indulgent shopping experiences, delectable food options, and much more.

    “One of the crowning moments of the celebration will be the lighting of the tallest Christmas light ever seen in Africa, standing at an impressive 40 feet.

    “It is a symbol of the grandeur that Jav Christmas Village brings to the festive season.

    “One Percent International Management Services invites the general public to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit and make cherished memories with family and friends.

    “The joyous atmosphere and diverse offerings guarantee something for everyone, ensuring a magical experience for all ages,” she said.

  • There will be surplus of rice for Christmas – Millers

    There will be surplus of rice for Christmas – Millers

    The Abakaliki Rice Mill Owners Association says there will be surplus supply of products in the market during Christmas period due to the bumper harvest experienced from 2023 planting.

    Mr Linus Nkwuda, Chairman of the Association, who said this on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, disclosed that the year’s rice productions yielded good fruits.

    According to him, the production in 2023 is better than 2022 because there is no flooding.

    “We are experiencing bumper harvest; so, we expect more rice in the market for consumers this season,” Nkwuda said.

    On price of rice, Nkwuda said the higher in production would definitely push down the cost, making the product much affordable for the people.

    “We hope to have good supply to the market; we cannot predict the cost for tomorrow, right now, the prices are fluctuating on daily basis.

    “Currently, a bag of 25kg of highest grade is sold between N17,000 and N19,500; we had reduction in price in the month of October because it was sold between N18,000 and N17,000.

    “A 50kg bag is sold between N38,000 and 32,000 depending on the grade; there are different species of rice in the market, we have Mass, CP, R8 among others,” he added.

    Nkwuda explained that the price was also determined by the demand, adding that having an influx of customers in the market would make the price to increase, but with high supply, the price would go down.

    According to him, the market forces always determine the cost, especially, during celebration period like Christmas.

    “But I hope there will be surplus supply to the market this year, 2023,” the Chairman said.

  • Fuel subsidy: Nigeria can’t continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries – Tinubu

    Fuel subsidy: Nigeria can’t continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has on Friday said Nigeria can not continue to be a Father Christmas to the neighbouring countries in the guise of fuel.

    Tinubu stated this at a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) the presidential villa Abuja.

    He noted that his administration took the right decision by removing the subsidy on petrol.

    The president described the subsidy as an elephant that could have brought the country to its knees because it is struggling to pay salaries.

    According to him, Nigeria should not be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries by providing them subsidised petrol.

    “I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing,” Abiodun Oladunjoye, the villa’s director of information, quoted the president as saying.

    “You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?

    “The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potential to encourage ourselves.

    “I think we did the right thing.”

    The President, however, said his administration would listen to counsel.

    “We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go. That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

    “We may not have it right 100 percent of the time but we must get it right 90 percent of the time for this country.”

    Also speaking at the meeting, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, said the traditional rulers are in full support of Tinubu’s administration.

    “We are 100 percent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah you will move this country forward.”

     

  • Don’t celebrate the coming of the New Year – By Femi Aribisala

    Don’t celebrate the coming of the New Year – By Femi Aribisala

    “The people of the world always celebrate the wrong things”.

    Jesus says to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matthew 5:13).

    How does a believer lose his flavour? When he behaves just like the world. He becomes worthless as far as the kingdom of God is concerned.

    Therefore, Paul counsels: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

    The antidote to the corruption of the world is the cross of Jesus Christ: “by whom the world has been crucified to (us), and (us) to the world.” (Galatians 6:14).

    New Year celebrations

    So, the world is celebrating the beginning of the New Year. Do not join them. The people of the world always celebrate the wrong things. Please do not join them. The New Year is not one of God’s holy days. Neither is Christmas.

    Those who believe in Jesus are in the world but not of the world. Unlike the people of the world, our joy is not based on times and seasons. The joy of the Lord is fulfilled in us. (John 17:13). This joy does not depend on situations and circumstances. It is a joy that, according to Jesus, no one can take away from us. (John 16:22).

    By being the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Jesus has: “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4). He gave us: “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that (we) may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3).

    For this reason, we no longer have any cause for sorrow. Neither do we rejoice any longer in the vanities and vainglories of this world. Jesus says we should only rejoice: “that (our) names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20).

    Therefore, it makes no difference that we are alive to see a new year. The person who sees the new year is not better off than the person who died before the new year. Believers who have passed away have gone to be with the Lord. Those of us who remain here are with the Lord:

    “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” (Romans 14:8-9).

    Joy of salvation

    When we celebrate the counterfeit joys of the world with the people of the world, the devil sets us up for the sorrows of the world. The temporal joys of the world distract us from the eternal joy of salvation.

    Therefore, when something “good” happens to us, it is deceitful. It is designed to steal from us the joy of salvation. The same goes when something “bad” happens. We must allow nothing to steal our joy of salvation.

    The psalmist preaches to himself: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5).

    Our hope in God is the firm and secure anchor of the soul. (Hebrews 6:19). This hope: “does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5).

    Therefore, Paul says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). When we rejoice in the Lord, we can do so always. But when we rejoice in the new year, we can only do so once a year. Our joy is that we are alive to see the day.

    This is ungodly. It is as ungodly as celebrating birthdays as they do in the world. To celebrate birthdays is to celebrate foolishly because we are in the flesh and away from the Lord.

    But as believers, we have learnt from the Lord Jesus that: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.” (John 6:63). “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,” (Philippians 3:3).

    Work of salvation

    God spoke the world into existence. He said: “Let there be light,” and there was light. But salvation was a different thing altogether, it is God’s greatest work. God did not just say: “Let there be salvation,” and there was salvation.

    To bring about salvation, God had to become a man. He had to come through the womb of a woman. He sucked a woman’s breast. He crawled on the ground and had to learn to walk and talk. He: “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52).

    For our sake, the God of all creation: “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8)

    “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

    All this shows that our salvation must be superlative and extraordinary. “As it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

    Thanksgiving

    So, it no longer matters that this world is a place where death and destruction reign. The Bible says: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

    Be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome the world. (John 16:33). He has made this world irrelevant in the all-important eternal scheme of things. God has: “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13).

    Although we are still physically in the world, spiritually we are now seated with Christ at the right hand of God: “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:21).

    Requiem

    The Lord sent me to pray for a man dying of cancer. I thought He intended to heal him, but He said the man should rejoice because He was calling him home to Himself.

    The man was required to: “Enter into (God’s) gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4).

  • Bayelsa man narrates how violent Christmas cow killed his brother

    Bayelsa man narrates how violent Christmas cow killed his brother

    Eniye Igodo, the elder brother of a 43-year-old electrician in Bayelsa State, Sobokime Igodo, who was attacked two days to Christmas by a cow intended to be slaughtered for Yuletide celebration, has narrated how the sad incident happened.

    In an interview, Eniye said: “Actually, you know we are in the festive season and he and his group of friends decided to contribute money to buy a cow so that they could slaughter it and share among themselves and make merriment with their families.

    “So, on December 23, they brought the cow to his residence as the secretary of the group. But where the cow was kept was not the actual spot they wanted to slaughter and butcher it. They tried to move the cow to the spot where they wanted to slaughter it, but the cow refused to move. It stayed put to the ground. Somebody was holding the rope with which they tied it.

    “Suddenly, the cow got up and rushed towards Sobokime and attacked him, hitting him, and he fell to the ground immediately. The person holding the rope could not restrain the cow as it got loose from the rope. The cow left him and ran in another direction after nobody in particular.

    “We were expecting him to stand up from the ground but he could not. He lost consciousness briefly, but regained it almost immediately. We asked him how he was feeling and he said it felt like he was floating; we tried to raise his hand but it fell down. We also tried to raise his legs, no way.

    “Instantly, he said he could not feel any sensation in any part of his body. There was complete paralysis. We rushed him to the Yenagoa Federal Medical Centre. The doctor who attended to him said he had sustained a spinal cord injury and that the hospital had no specialist to handle his case.

    “The doctor then recommended that we should take him to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital or University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital or Enugu. So, we chose to take him to UPTH since it is closest to us.”
    ll the driver to drive more carefully. We got to Yenagoa in the evening and took his corpse home, but we later decided to take it to the mortuary.”

  • Yul Edochie reacts to Christmas family photo with May and their kids

    Yul Edochie reacts to Christmas family photo with May and their kids

    Popular Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has reacted to the photoshopped version of the Christmas family photo of his first wife, May Edochie and their kids.

    Recall that May, via her Instagram handles on Christmas day, released photos without her husband, Yul.

    The mother of four who recently reaffirmed her stance against polygamy shared a family-themed Christmas photo with their four kids.

    Sharing the photo, she captioned it: “Merry Christmas! The Queen, her princess and the boys.”

    However, a mischievous fan of the actor decided to add Yul, his second wife, Judy into May’s Christmas photos to make a ‘complete family photo.’

    Reacting to the photo, Yul Edochie took to her comment section to praise her for her thoughtful act.

    The father of five wrote: “Yes ooo Sarah. As it should be. Beautiful family. Blessed man with a blessed family. Everybody will be living in peace, love and jolly. May Zukwanike”.
    Yul Edochie reacts to Christmas family photo with May and their kids
    Recall that Yul and his second wife (Judy) had celebrated his first wife, May, on her birthday.

    They took to their social media pages on Friday, September 16, 2022, where they celebrated May on her birthday.

    The actor came under immense criticism and backlash on social media since he got married to a second wife.

    Yul on his Instagram handle described her as his wife and CEO Extraordinaire.

    He hailed her proving that all was well with him and his 1st wife.

    Yul wrote, “Happy birthday to my wife, my CEO Extraordinaire, QUEEN MAY YUL-EDOCHIE @mayyuledochie I wish you many more beautiful and successful years. May God continue to guide you, protect you and bless you beyond your imagination. Love you forever,”

    The second wife (Judy) also wished the birthday celebrant God’s love and protection.

    “Happy beautiful birthday Queen @mayyuledochie. I pray for God’s love and protection. Wishing you everything good in life. Enjoy your day,” she wrote.

    May has never hidden her disapproval over the decision of her husband to take a new wife.

    On Friday, She also celebrated her birthday and shared some pictures of herself on her Instagram page with the caption,

    “Dear Lord, I’m most grateful for an additional year along with your extravagant grace, mercy, and blessings upon my life.

    “You even made me a queen. I say a very big thank you, Lord.”

  • Christmas: House Press Corps splashes gifts, food items on Abuja Orphanage+Photos

    Christmas: House Press Corps splashes gifts, food items on Abuja Orphanage+Photos

    …as chairman tasks, govt, others to assist the less privileged

    Apparently moved by positive emotions on how to address and arrest the plight of the less privileged in the society, the House of Representatives Press Corps at the weekend visited Karu Ophanage with gifts, food items and clothings.

    Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House Press Corps, Grace Ike tasked good spirited Nigerians and government at all levels to cooperate with organizations, NGOs to always assists ophanages in the country.

    The Chairman while presenting the items on behalf of the Press corps to the management of the home, urged them not to look at the quantity of items that were presented but the motives and intent.

    The Chairman further explained during the visit that the Corps under her leadership had decided to visit the home in view of the ‘season’ as it’s has provided ample opportunity for all including media practitioners to demonstrate generosity to people specially those lacking the fundamental human in needs in the society.

    On her reasons for the visit, the chairman HORPC stated ” some people might assume that the primary responsibility of a journalist is to inform, educate and entertain but we also care because we are the conscience of society. Please, accept our token donation. Do not look at the quantity but the intention behind it- which is love.

    “I will also use this opportunity to appeal to other spirited individuals to always remember our children in orphanages and hospitals, We know that government alone cannot do it but with the assistance of other well-meaning Nigerians, the welfare and condition of our orphanages will be improved.”

    He emphasized on the need for security within the presmises stressing feeding as a problem.

    In his remarks during the visit, the Administrator of the home, Musa Danjuma commended the Corps for the visit and presentation of gifts, promising to put all items donated to good use and for the purposed meant for.

    Danjuma further informed journalists during the visit that his orphanage home acerpts children from all parts of the country through the Gender Department of Social Development Sectatariat in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    He emphasized that some children at the home are for adoption while others are not.

    He informed that the home is sustain by subvention from Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, donors from individuals, Cooperate organization, NGOs among others.

  • How I spent my Christmas – Peter Obi

    How I spent my Christmas – Peter Obi

    Candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi has disclosed how he spent his Christmas.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Obi made the disclosure on Sunday via his official Twitter handle, tweeting that he spent the day visiting displaced Nigerians in IDP Camps.

    “They were forced to abandon their homes due to the pervasive insecurity. It is disconcerting that the government is failing in its responsibility to protect her citizens. This must change,” Obi tweeted.

    Meanwhile, speaking with the IDPs, Peter Obi said that their plight would not continue, adding that they should have hope that they would soon go back to their ancestral homes.

    “What you are passing through is what Nigeria is passing through. As long as you remain here in the camp, Nigeria is not doing well.

    “It is my desire that you will like this camp and continue to do what you know best to do which is farming. As long as you remain in IDP camp, Nigeria is in IDP,” he said.

    Obi expressed joy at celebrating Christmas with the Displaced Persons, saying that he was unhappy to see fellow Nigerians camped against their wishes in IDP camps.

    “I cannot celebrate while you are in camps hence the decision to celebrate with you,” he said.

    Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Shior, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that Obi was the only presidential candidate that visited and celebrated Christmas with the IDPs.

    Shior said that the state 12 has officially recognised IDPs camps and seven unofficial camps hosting thousands of Displaced Persons.

    He said that Obi had visited to encourage and give hope to the over 10,000 IDPs in Abagana IDPs camp, stating that he donated N3 million to them.