''Being An Ogboni Leader Has Made Me A Good Disciple Of Jesus Christ'' - Popular Lagos Pastor Says

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 There is a popular saying that says 'you can't serve two masters at the same time', but Pastor Solomon Oladimeji seems to think otherwise.

 To many Christians, Ogboni soci­ety is not only regarded as a secret cult but also treated as an abomi­nation that must not be identified with. A senior member of the Christen­dom however feels otherwise and in fact made a shocking revelation that will leave many gasping for breath.

For over four decades, 65-year-old Pas­tor Solomon Oladimeji has been a shep­herd in the vineyard. Apart from being the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Orisun-Ayo, with branches at Alapere, Ketu, and Odogunyan in Ikorodu area of Lagos, Prophet Oladimeji reveals that he is also a top member of the Ogboni fraternity. He be­longs to Saala Ogboni Fellowship of Nigeria (SOFN) – within the fraternity – where he occupies the position of Oluwo and the third in command to the overall head of the fraternity.

“I am not ashamed to confess my mem­bership of the fraternity. I’m proud to be Og­boni member. In actual fact, being an Ogboni leader has made me not only a good disciple of Jesus Christ, but it has also gone a long way to make me a better citizen.”
He proudly told Sun’s Tunde Thomas in an interview in which he talked about his relationship with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, members of his congregation, Ogboni and the Scripture among a host of others. Apart from Oladimeji, another cler­ic who has also founded several churches, Prophetess Eritosin and the paramount head of Saala Ogboni, Olamilekan Ifayemi also opened up on their relationship with Chris­tendom. Below are excerpts:

When did you become a member of the Ogboni, and what were the cir­cumstances that prompted you to be a member?Although, my journey as shepherd for Je­sus Christ’s flock is over 40 years, I became a member of the Ogboni society over 20 years ago. Initially, I was initiated into the Aborigi­ne Ogboni fraternity, that is the one they call Ogboni Ibile, but later I joined Saala Ogboni fraternity, and since I made that decision, I have no regret.

As a member of Ogboni fraternity, my life is having a meaning. I have prospered. My coast has been enlarged. Members of my congregation are increasing everyday. I also thank God that due to my diligence as a committed member, I have been able to rise to the enviable position of Oluwo within the Ogboni fraternity.

Are your members, that is mem­bers of your church aware that you belong to Ogboni fraternity?
What is there to be hidden? I am not ashamed of my association with Ogboni So­ciety, and I don’t hide it from members of my church. They all know that I’m a leader in the Ogboni group. When you even come to my house, I openly display my regalia as Ogboni chief. Let me quickly tell you this, by making my members know that I’m Ogboni mem­ber, it makes me popular among them. They describe me as an open and honest person. For that, many of them have been voluntar­ily coming to me pleading to be initiated as a member of Ogboni fraternity.

Some people would think that you use charms on them?
Why should I use charm on them or to charm them as some people will say? God forbid. I’m a child of light; darkness or any­thing evil has no place in my life or church. Your member will like you, when they know that the power you are using to solve their problems is power from Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. I have never committed evil in my life and I will never do so till the day my Lord calls me home.

Are you saying that charm doesn’t exist?
No. I’m not saying so. Charms do exist, but it depends on how you use it. I used herbs and leaves combined with other items to pre­pare soap, anointing oil for members and oth­er people that are having spiritual problems.

It is unfortunate that today a lot of Chris­tians are suffering out of ignorance. You see some saying it is what my pastor or what my prophet tells me I believe. I will never use any soap, cream, oil by just any minister of God, but only if those members know what those pastors are doing.

Some of these pastors and prophets come to people like me to acquire power to per­form miracle and wonders. Some of them are even Ogboni members like me. But they are hypocrites. I will never deny somebody who is my benefactor, and that is why you see me wearing and displaying beads and other items being used by Ogboni fraternity. To me, what matters again is saving life, and it doesn’t matter where you get saved whether it is in the house of babalawo or any juju priest. We are all calling on the name of the same God.

In my neighbourhood, both at Alapere and Odogunyan, many residents know me both as a cleric and Ogboni leader. In fact, Baale of Odogunyan, that is the community leader, knows me as the Oluwo of Saala Ogboni. I’m highly respected in the community. I joined the Ogboni fraternity because I like their ways of life. They are decent people. Contra­ry to misconception some people have about Ogboni, that we are evil people. Far from it, rather I will say that Ogboni members are not only children of Light, but we are also mes­sengers of the Most High God because, we don’t kill but only save lives.

But some people believe Og­boni is evil, and that it is an evil association condemned by the Bible.
hose who say so are ignorant. They have been brainwashed by our colonial masters. But thank God, we are now in a different era, and we can all be reading the Bible without relying or depending on what the imperialist swould want us to believe in order to suit their own purpose. Some will tell you that Ogboni is evil because they use juju, they still carry out sacrifices of various forms by shedding blood of animals, and birds. Some even out of ignorance say we eat human flesh. Rubbish. May Almighty God forgive our traducers.

If you are talking about sacrifice, where did the Bible condemn sacrifice? Let our accusers point it out either in the old or the New Testament. Throughout my years at the seminary and the Bible school, I never come across such.

Then the sacrifice you are talking about, on several occasion especially in the Old Testa­ment, sacrifices were carried out to atone for the sins of the Israelites.

It was also often carried out when the chil­dren of Israel were looking for one favour or another.

But coming down to the New Testament, don’t mind those confusionists who say that Jesus Christ, my own Lord and Saviour con­demns sacrifice, what a big lie. If you can still remember when Jesus Christ himself was born the day His parents Joseph and Mary were taking Him to the Synagogue, Joseph has to sacrifice doves, and pigeon. He took the birds to the church. You can read in the book of Matthew and Luke.

So, if the parents of Jesus, my Master, the Author and Finisher of my Faith were in­volved in sacrifice, why would I say I want to distance myself from such?

Again, they accused us pastors of asking some people that have problems to go and bathe in a running stream, what is wrong with that, did such not happen in the Bible? Have we forgotten the story of Naman, the Syrian Army General who had leprosy and was look­ing for a cure, how Prophet Elisha asked him to go bathe inside River Jordan, and Naman was healed after complying with the prophet’s instruction, and this is why I said some people are dying due to ignorance.

Sacrifice is biblically ordained. I sacrificed animals and birds to offer prayers to cure and heal people of their ailments.

When I pray for you and it is revealed to me that I should kill duck, cow or even goat to offer prayers for you, I will tell you to make available such animals for sacrifice, and the moment we do that, you receive your healing.

When I kill fowl, goat, duck or even cow for sacrifice to heal somebody, I have not in any way transgressed. I’m only doing the will of Jesus Christ, who is my personal Lord and Saviour. Whatever is outside the Bible, you will never see me doing it.

Even in the book of Revelation, the use of leaves and herbs was recommended for heal­ing. And for those who describe Ogboni fra­ternity as a cult, this is wrong. Ogboni is a society. We are transparent and honest people. Ogboni abhors evil. We are organized and dis­ciplined. A cult is a group of people involved in secrecy, we are open to scrutiny. Let those who out of hearsay say evil about Ogboni be bold and come to our meeting and see wheth­er it is true that we drink blood.

All those pastors saying rubbish about Og­boni are doing so to attract membership.

You say you sacrifice animals, if that is what is needed for someone’s prayers to be answered, but the Bible says Jesus has done that by His death, are you not going against the Bible?

Far from it! Whatever I do as Ogboni Pastor is biblically ordained and inspired. If you read your New Testament very well, Apostle Paul who is regarded as one of the most dynamic evangelists of his era says that without shedding blood, that there is no redemption. Am I the one that put that in the Bible? Even when Jesus Christ was about to be dedicated, His parents, Joseph and Mary took pigeons and doves to the church which were slaughtered as a sacrifice.

You also read in several other places both in the Old and New Testament where blood sacrifice took place. You remember the case of Cain and Abel. I even read Bible before I carry out this killing of animals as sacrifice in order to save souls.

You said you belong to Cherubim and Seraphim sect, is the leadership of the church aware of your membership of Ogboni fraternity, and again are members of the Christian Association of Nigeria aware of your position in Ogboni?I have never hidden my membership of the Ogboni group. The church leaders are aware, and nobody has raised any eyebrow. I’ve even used my membership of Ogboni to win more souls for Christ. As for CAN leaders both at Alapere, and in Odogunyan, I play prominent roles in the affairs of the association. I pay my dues as and when due. I also sacrifice my time and energy for evangelism. They respect me a lot.

There are also other pastors there who are fellow Ogboni members. But I won’t mention names here unless the situation warrants it. Just as I’m not ashamed of the gospel so also I’m not ashamed of being an Ogboni pastor.

Some pastors do come to us at Ogboni meetings seeking spiritual assistance for their church grow in terms of membership. At other times, they seek our help that their members will obey them or do whatever they ask them to do without questioning their authority. But it is a big shame that these pastors when they mount pulpits would be deceiving their members by be­having and talking as if they are truly holy spirit-inspired. They should learn to give credit to whom it is due.

Let me be bold in saying this that it is unfortunate that the church is full of deceit today.

It is a big shame that many of these so-called men of God that claim that they rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to do mira­cles are liars. They are big liars.

Many of these pastors both within the orthodox and the Pentecostal fold are mem­bers of Ogboni fraternity. They come to the Ogboni meetings seeking powers which are given to them. We also have many profes­sionals including lawyers, doctors, engi­neers, university lecturers, imams, Islamic and Christian leaders, and traditional rulers as our members. We don’t discriminate. Our mission here on earth is to save mankind.

Why do you think Ogboni has such powers that even pastors, as you say, seek power from it?
Ogboni members derive power from God. We call on the name of the supreme being which Yorubas called Olodumare. We call on Him and He answers our prayers an­ytime we call upon him. We also get power through some deities like Ogun, god of iron, Sango, god of thunder and so on and so forth.

What matters most is to have purity of heart and mind. When your mind is pure, when you call on God, He will answer your prayer. If God is not with us, the power we use as Ogboni members will fail us.

Without God’s backing, there is nothing we can do. Ask those pastors or any other person that have been to our meetings if we ever call on any other name during our meeting than that of Supreme being, Olo­dumare.

As the saying goes, the taste of the pud­ding is in the eating, whosoever is in doubt about what we do or wants to know wheth­er I lie that God is the source of our power should endeavour to come to our meeting. Saala Ogboni runs an open-doors policy. You are welcome into our midst any time.

You said Ogboni is not a secret cult; if so, why is it not holding meetings openly as other religions?
It was in the days of the yore that Ogboni holds meetings in secret. Today everything about us is open. We hold our general meet­ings on 1st Sunday of every month in broad daylight.

During the meeting, we welcome new members, then we exchange ideas on issues that will bring development to the soci­ety. We also conduct vigils in the open like Christians and Muslims do. Just like their own, we hold such vigils in our headquar­ters, local branches, but we conduct our fellowship in the open. We hold such vigils in the second Sunday of every month. As a reporter who is naturally inquisitive, you are invited either our night vigils or general meeting as doing so will enable you to have open mind while writing your report.

Christians believe in Christ, Mus­lims believe in Mohammed, what does Ogboni believe in?
We believe 100 percent in Olodumare, the Supreme being, and it is from Him we derive our power to do all things. However, we also believe in lesser deities such as Ogun, Sango, Sonponna, and other deities which are believed to be mediums through which we can also call on the name of Olo­dumare. Ogboni strongly believes in the culture and traditions of our forefathers. You can call us traditionalists.

As Ogboni pastor, what spiritual advantage do you have that other pastors who are not Ogboni mem­bers don’t have?The advantages I have are enormous. You know when you are doing something with purity of mind and purpose, God will answer your prayers. Being an Ogboni pastor, I have 100 percent direct access to Olodumare and when I call upon Him, He never disappoints, and that is why you see some people that call themselves pas­tors, they can’t see any vision, they can’t cure anybody, and that is why they come to our members in the Ogboni fellowship to acquire powers to enable them perform miracles.

You don’t need to kneel down before me before I know who you are or your prob­lems. The moment I pray for you or you send a prayer request from any part of the globe, I will know what your problems are and the way out. But how many of these pastors can lay claim to such? The moment you become a member you will be auto­matically qualified to have or enjoy these powers.

As I said, Ogboni is not evil. We are not children of darkness, but that of light. If we are evil, why is our membership increasing with even both Islamic and Christian clerics seeking our assistance?

Pastors that are not Ogboni members will have problem of church growth that is talking about membership, that is why in some churches they don’t have up to 30 members, whereas in other ones you see a mammoth crowd.

For those who have large mem­bers, do you think it is by their own power that they do it?
No. Several pastors come to us and we do what we call Aworo in Yoruba for them.

Aworo is a kind of charm that draws crowd to a place. We do it for pastors, and that is why you see many of them driving state of the art cars. For those pastors that don’t know their ways, you see them in penury, drinking garri and coconut most of the time.

What is your educational back­ground?
What does educational background have to do with my work as a servant of the Most High? However to satisfy your curiosity, I had elementary education, and that was a period when standard six certificate was of high quality than secondary school certifi­cate today.

I was into private business of buying and selling textiles and wood when God called me into His ministry. Initially I resisted be­cause my business was flourishing, but later I succumbed to God’s call.

Then, if you are asking about my edu­cational background, which school or semi­nary did Moses, Joshua, Elisha and Elijah attend? And yet were they not great minis­ters of God who performed wonders? Even my Personal Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, did He attend any school?

To be a minister of God is not an aca­demic issue but everything depends on God who call you. If God does not call and you call yourself, your ministry will not prosper. You will be living from hand to mouth, but when it is God that called you to be a serv­ant in His vineyard, you will prosper be­yond your own wildest imagination. Sources
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Nigeria Crash Out of Brazil 2014 At the second Round Again

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History repeated itself again as the Super Eagles of Nigeria were eliminated from the world cup at the second round of games. They were beaten by France 2-0 after what started like a good game. The Super Eagles failed to create more goal scoring chances but were good on holding the ball. 

At the end of the day, France had better crosses from the wings which resulted in their 2 goals while the super Eagles wasted all their crosses from corner kicks and free kicks. France creative midfielder Pogba scored the first goal while an own goal from Joseph Yobo made sure the french team were on their way to the quarter final.
 This defeat leaves Africa nations only Algeria  in the tournament who faces the German team later in the day.Hope we can build on this loss and hope to discover more prolific strikers and midfielders.
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Official Report On Yesterday's Boko Haram Attack : 48 People killed, 5 Churches Razed

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 In yesterday's Boko Haram attack 48 people have been confirmed dead while 5 churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible church were destroyed after a four hour attack on Kwada, Karagau and Kautikari villages in Chibok, Borno state.

 The attack came barely two weeks after the sect men had written a letter to the Chibok community saying they should expect another attack from them. True to their word, they carried out their threat yesterday.

According to residents of the villages, the gunmen arrived in pickup vans and motorcycles and immediately went into worship centers where they shot indiscriminately at people conducting their Sunday worship service. They also pursued and killed those who tried running into the bushes. Continue..

Amos Bulus, a resident of one of the villages who spoke to Vanguard said;
"The attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshipers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.” he said
Another resident, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.

Confirming the attack, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District said more efforts should be put in place by the Federal Government in fighting the insurgents
"The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts. The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said. Source
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Billionaire, Mike Adenuga Splash The Cash On Super Eagles To Defeat France Today

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 Revealing this ahead of the Super Eagles crunch second round tie against France was, the Minister for Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC) Dr. Tammy Danagogo.

The Minister revealed that billionaire businessman Otunba Mike Adenuga gave him $250,000 to give to the Super Eagles in Brazil to encourage them to beat France today, promising to do more if they win and advance to the quarter-final stage of the tourney in Brazil.

 According to Danagogo, who has since presented the money to the team, Mike Adenuga, while presenting the money to him said;
"This is a token and if the team goes ahead and shock the world, I will join Mr President to shock the team.” he said. The comes up 5pm today!. Go Eagles......
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Patriotic: Greece Players Turn Down World Cup Bonuses

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In a very patriotic act, players of the Greece national football team have turned down their World Cup bonuses, and have asked their Prime Minister Antonis Samarasto use the money to build a team training centre instead.

In a letter to Greece Prime Minister Antonis Samaras signed by all of the 23-members of the team squad, they stated as quoted in the News Bomb, “We do not want extra bonus, or money. We only play for Greece and its people. All we want is for you to support our effort to find a land and create a sports center that will house our National team.”

Greece advanced to the Round of 16, a feat they had achieved for the first time in the tournament, however, succumbed to elimination following their defeat to Costa Rica on penalties on Sunday.

Greek blogger for ESPN Chris Paraskevas confirmed the story on Twitter with his @Cparaskevas handle

Greece were not the first team to have been offered a generous compensation  for their performance in the on going tournament with both Cameroon and Ghana having already received their fair share of prize money. 

Unlike Greece, the Ghana players had a different idea in mind as they threatened a strike after their government had failed to pay them the promised bonuses at first. However, they came through later, and had $3m (£1.8million) sent to Brazil to resolve the issue.
I hope other players can learn from this.Love fosters growth not corruption.I am so proud of those Greek players.

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Apart from a few, the whole Ghanaian Team And Officials were Corrupt- Kelvin Prince Boateng blast

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It is no secret that the black stars of Ghana are out of the World cup and also that Sulley Muntari and Kelvin Prince Boateng were expelled from the team before their last game against Portugal.The news is that Kelvin Prince has out to give a piece of his mind to his fans and to Ghana officials who were quick to judge this players.
This what Kevin Prince Boateng had to say about the incident.

There are a lot of issues revolving this team which Ghanaians don’t know so they say what they feel like. They are all corrupt and they always want to make money from us without working for it.
I know I may not be called into the team again but I’m highly elated that I belong to anti-corrupt group in the team ( Sulley, Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Kwarasey, Kwadwo Asamoah, Essien n myself).
It is very insane for John Boye and Asamoah Gyan to tell the Manager to drop Kwarasey for Dauda just 45mins before the match, all because he can’t speak the local language to command the central defence. I’m very disappointed in the manager and the entire staff.
What is the use of so many GFA officials here? We are very sorry to Ghanaians for what happened but we were pissed, for they were using us as their “cash cow” to dupe the nation. How can players dictate to the manager. So I asked, what is the role of the so-called technical bench? Kevin Prince Boateng.

 What do you think about what Kevin Prince Boateng is saying?


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Tragic: Woman's Younger Brother And His Friends Stab Husband To Death

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This is so sad, a case of 'from frying pan to fire'. According to reports from Daily sun, a 23-year-old woman, Blessing Ede's younger brother and his friends stabbed her husband to death following an argument over baby-walker.Trouble started last year December, when after an argument, the deceased, Mr. Isaac Ede, 36 asked his wife to go and stay with her parents in Uvuru, Imo State and should remain there until he sent for her to return to their home in Port Harcourt.

Daily Sun reports that he did not contact her until April, 2014 when he called her on phone to come back and pack her things out of his house.
In May, the woman returned to Port Harcourt to do her husband's bidding. On that fateful day at about 11p.m, she came to the house with her younger brother, Emmanuel Anuforo and two of his friends to pack her belongings out of her husband's house.

As she was packing her things, she wanted to take along the baby-walker and an argument ensued between the couple. In the heat of the argument, her younger brother and his two friends descended on the husband and stabbed him with a sharp broken bottle and he died.

Emmanuel and his friend were said to have fled the scene, leaving his sister behind. She was alter arrested by the by policemen from the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Rivers State Police Command as neighbours raised the alarm.During interrogation, Blessing admitted having an argument with her husband but said she didn not send her brother and his friends to kill him.

"I didn’t send my brother Emmanuel and his two friends to kill my husband. It was the devil. We have been married for two years. I have one child for him and right now I am six months pregnant. I cannot explain what led to the death of my husband. It was impatience that led to it. I want the family of my husband to forgive me for what I have done. With my six months pregnancy I will suffer if I am sent to prison for murder," she said.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin said, based on the findings of detectives investigating the matter, the wife was a troublemaker.

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“Victory Against France Is Non-Negotiable” – Says Stephen Keshi

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Stephen Keshi has said that a win over France in their quarter-final clash on Monday is non-negotiable.
The Super Eagles have previously faced Les Bleus just once in the past a friendly match in 2009, that was decided by a Joseph Akpala goal.

However, the prize at stake when both teams file out at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, is a place among the last eight of the tournament.
Keshi has called on his players to show mental strength and defeat the former World Cup winners.

He said:

“I said before the tournament that our mentality must be strong. Our approach to every match has always been the same: to win.Whether we are playing against Spain at the Fifa Confederations Cup or playing against Liberia in a friendly match, I always tell the boys that victory is non–negotiable.”For us, we will go into Monday’s match aiming to win. But as I also said before the competition, we take it one match at a time.We don’t even want to think of who might be lurking in the quarter finals if we win; we are not bothered. All we know is that we must win on Monday.”
Football is a game played by 11 players on the pitch so lets see how the Super Eagles will take the match. Todaysgist wish them success.
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Touching Story : Divorced At 14, Child Bride Narrates Her Ordeal

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According to the DailyMail:
Maimuna Abdullahi was sold into marriage by her parents for #30,000 and abused by her new husband, who locked her away and forced hard labour on her.

When she ran home she was beaten, first by her father, then her husband, and was summarily divorced by her husband for daring to flee - and she is still just 14 years old. She is one of thousands in Nigeria with similar stories - and, shockingly, her husband blames his beaten former bride for her ordeal, saying she was disobedient and over-educated. 
After fleeing her husband Mahammadu Saidu, who locked her away for days at a time, 
she was whipped by her family for daring to come home, then attacked by her furious husband as well. 

Her battered face swelled so much that doctors feared her husband had dislocated her jaw. Her back and arms bristled with angry welts from the whipping her father gave her. She was gaunt from hunger, dressed in filthy rags. And barely a year after her wedding, she was divorced. 


It would be a tragic story for a woman of any age. But for Maimuna Abdullahi, it all happened by the time she was 14.

'I'm too scared to go back home,' she whispers, a frown crinkling her brow as she fiddles nervously with her hands. 'I know they will force me to go back to my husband.'

Ordeal: Maimuna's former husband, Mahammadu Saidu, said she had 'too much ABCD' from her limited schooling

Maimuna is one of thousands of divorced girls in Nigeria, children who were forced into marriage and have since run away or been thrown out by their husbands. They are victims of a belief that girls should get wed rather than educated, which drew the world's attention after Boko Haram terrorists abducted more than 200 schoolgirls two months ago and threatened to marry them off. Most are still missing. 


Maimuna's former husband, Mahammadu Saidu(pictured above) blames her few years of school for her disobedience. A handsome man of 28 who is obviously proud of his ankle-high boots, he does not deny beating his wife. 

'She had too much ABCD,' he says. 'Too much ABCD.'

 Saidu, said he feared marrying someone more educated would make him 'the wife'. After Maimuna fled him, he divorced her

Maimuna was saved from this fate by Saadatu Aliyu, who has turned an old family home into a school for divorced girls. At the Tattalli Free School, which gets by on private donations, a couple of dozen girls gather in the courtyard for a sewing lesson. Toddlers mill around, the children of divorced girls who came in pregnant. 

'Nobody knows how many thousands of them there are,' says Aliyu of the girls. 'That's why we have so many prostitutes, and very young ones, in the north.'


Maimuna grew up on the outskirts of Kaduna, in a half-finished brick building on the edge of a middle-class suburb. Her father, a farmer called Haruna Abdullahi, picks up a stone and throws it at a stray dog as scrawny as he is. At 45, he's been married for 30 years and has fathered eight children.

'It's our culture to give our girls in marriage,' he says in a reasoning tone. 'From the age of 12, a girl can go to her husband's house.' 
His wife, Rabi Abdullahi, nods, and asks her husband's permission before talking. She too was a child when she married, although she does not know exactly how old. 
'It is our way of life,' she says. 'In my day, a bride would never dare to run away.'
Her life is hard, she says, but her marriage good. She insists that her husband is not a cruel man, pointing to a well he built so she did not need to walk more than a mile to collect water. 

No sanctuary: Maimuna's parents, Rabi Abdullahi, left and Haruna Abdullahi, right, have seven other children and say it is not unusual to marry as young as 12
Maimuna's parents: Rabi Abdullahi, left and Haruna Abdullahi

The tradition of child marriage is rooted partly in poverty. This is an area where most people do not have running water, electricity or indoor toilets, where children get only three or four years of schooling. A marriageable daughter can bring in a bride price and mean one less mouth to feed. 

So in late 2012, Maimuna's father arranged to marry his eldest daughter to his best friend's eldest son.

The son, Saidu, paid a dowry of 35,000 naira (£120) for Maimuna - more cash than Abdullahi has had in his life. She was 13, and he twice her age. 

Saidu farms his own plot of land and owns a small motorbike, making him relatively well off and eligible. He says he has known Maimuna all his life, and waited years for her to reach what he considers marriageable age. 
'When she was a kid, I would bring her candy and call her "wifey",' he says. 'We were always meant to be together.

Saidu left his village school at fifth grade, the highest level offered, and says he regrets it. The high school was in another village, too far to walk. Now he cannot write, and must find someone else to read him even the most personal of letters. 

He says he promised Maimuna she could carry on going to school, even if it meant he had to find work in town. But he also worried. 
'If she is educated, she will be looking down on me because I didn't go to school, so she will be the husband and I will be the wife,' he explains.
Maimuna said she did not love him and begged her father to let her stay in school. She had always been a good daughter, obedient, hard-working and popular among her friends, so her stubborn refusal to accept her marriage surprised her parents. But her wishes were not up for discussion. Her father was clear on what counts: 
'It's what is good for the family and the community.'

Escape: Maimuna ran away while her husband was looking for work out of town - but was whipped by her father for daring to come home
Maimuna
Many of Maimuna's friends from school were already married and not one was happy, but they had no idea how to escape. Nobody prepared Maimuna for the marriage bed. There was no advice, no warning of what to expect, even from her married friends. 

She settled into a new life where she felt like a slave. When she wasn't working in the fields, she was cleaning, carrying water and firewood, cooking and at the beck and call of her husband's demanding parents. Every day she was exhausted, and when she finally got to bed, her husband wanted to 'bother' her, she says.

He never kept his promise to let her go to school. When she objected to her treatment, her husband locked her into their hut, for days. He would not even allow her to visit her parents. 

Maimuna bided her time until the rainy season was over and her husband went to town to find work. 

Nine months ago, she took off, escaping to her father and begging him to let her return home. Instead, he whipped her until her back was raw. Then he summoned her husband and forced her to go back to him. 

Saidu, humiliated and furious, slapped her repeatedly in the face, jerking her head from side to side with the force of his blows. She fled once again, first to a sympathetic aunt in a nearby village and then to a cousin in Kaduna. 

She now shares one cramped room with her cousin's family, just a short walk away from Tattalli school, down a dusty alley and along a road lined by open drains stinking of stagnant water. 

When Maimuna showed up at the school, she had been badly beaten and refused to speak, says teacher Victoria Dung. They took her to the hospital, where doctors found she was badly malnourished. The whip marks on her back may last a lifetime. 

Her husband waited the customary three months to make sure there was no baby. Then he divorced her, as a husband can do under shariah or Islamic law by declaring the divorce aloud three times.
He informed her parents of the divorce in a letter dated Feb. 14, which he could not write himself. 

Rescue: Sympathetic family members took Maimuna in, and she is now able to attend school again

Maimuna considers herself among the lucky ones. She balances a broken chair on a tree stump at the school to sit in front of a sewing machine, learning to make garments she can sell in the market. She thinks she'd like nursing, and wants to master English and Arabic. 
'I don't know what I want to be when I grow up but, even if I get married, I want to have some education to back me up,' she says in her native Hausa, with a teacher translating. I pray that what I have done will help the younger ones, that my parents learn from the experience of my running away from home.'
After her departure, Maimuna's father called a community meeting to discuss the problem with elders. He says he knows of many girls who ran away from home because of marriages, but the elders have not yet come up with a solution. 

Abdullahi denies beating his daughter, and says he is no longer angry with her. He insists he is happy that she has found a place where she can get the education she craves. Yet he gets visibly upset, the tendons in his neck standing out, as he describes the financial problem she has left him. 

Maimuna's former husband is demanding back his money, but Abdullahi has spent it on land.
And Saidu already has land - what he wants is cash, so he can look for another bride. Abdullahi does not know where he will find it. 

Asked if he will treat his five younger daughters differently, he is ambivalent. The eyes in his chiseled face narrow, and he looks down at the ground. 
'I would allow my daughters to go to school if I had the money. I have seen what happens, otherwise. But my reason is poverty, always financial problems. What can I do but give them out in marriage?'
Saidu, in the meantime, says he no longer cares for Maimuna and will move ahead with his life. He said:
'This time I will marry a girl of 12, so that she will do what I want to do. Because if you marry a girl who is older, then she will not listen to you.'
As he speaks, his eyes slide to the porch where Maimuna's 10-year-old sister, Hafsat, is cuddling a neighbor's baby. A sly smile curls his lips. Source
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Shocking :100 Feared Killed As Boko Haram Attack Churches

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 According to reports, five churches, including COCIN, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church, in Kwada village about 10 kilometres from Chibok town, were on Sunday attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

The attackers, targeted the time when worshipers were ready for the Sunday Service. They killed and burnt houses after attacking worshipers in five churches in Kwada; after that, they advanced to Kautikari, less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, whey they equally killed people and destroyed properties.

“I’m not sure security agencies have gone to rescue the villagers, but I learnt that the insurgents are still in pursuit of the remaining villagers”, Mallam Yahi told correspondent.

It was gathered that residents of Chibok town have also fled their homes, following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.

It is recalled that few weeks ago, there was panic in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, following a letter purportedly written to them by the sect members.

A top local government official in Chibok town, who did not want his name in print revealed this to newsmen in Maiduguri the Borno State capital on Sunday.

According to him, when they met the police with the letter, they were assured of maximum protection.

He, however, said the police were also complaining of fuel for their vehicle.

He said the local government had also assured the security operatives that they were going to buy fuel for them.

He said, “whenever Boko Haram members tell you that they are coming, they never fail to come". Our fears now is that we don’t know when and how they are going to come.

“We are calling for prayers as well as on government to provide us with adequate security in Chibok”.

On the ongoing attacks in the area, it was gathered that a police officer, Peter Maina was called out during Sunday service in Church in Maiduguri, to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada.

Meanwhile, the Chibok Community in Maiduguri broke into a session of prayer on Sunday after receiving the news of ongoing attacks on the two villages. Source
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Serious Fuel Shortage Hits Ghana(See Photos)

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Ghana seems to be going through tough times at the moment as its citizens who have been complaining badly about the electricity propblem has now added fuel scarcity to their list of worries. Ghanaians are very worried and the president is to be blamed for all this. Check out some photos that popped up on social media. Flip through for more photos below:





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After Early And Shameful World Cup Exit Ghana's President Reassigns Sports Minister & Deputy

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Ghana's Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah
This is how to know people who crave for change.Following Ghana's Black Stars early and shameful exit from the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil, President John Dramani Mahama has reassigned the country's sports minister and his deputy to other ministerial duties.It was clear that organization and leadership were what hindered the Ghanaian team after money issues resulted in several disagreement in the team

It could be recalled that a talented Ghanaian squad that included AC Milan’s Michael Essien and Al Ain’s Asamoah Gyan failed to advance beyond the group stage after losing to the United States and Portugal and secured a draw with Germany in their group.

According to a statement released from President John Dramani Mahama’s office on Saturday, 28 June, 2014, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah would become a junior minister at the presidency.Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Joseph Yammin was also reassigned to be a deputy minister in the Ashanti Region.

The statement said the moves were “part of ongoing changes in (Mahama’s) administration.”

The west African Nation's exit from the Mundial was overshadowed by drama off the pitch as the Ghana Football Association, GFA, expelled two of their highest profile players, striker Kevin-Prince Boateng and troublesome midfielder Sulley Muntari from the team's camp prior to their final group match against Portugal.
Explaining why the two players were expelled from camp, the GFA stated that Muntari, who has a history of disciplinary problems, had assaulted a staff member and Boateng insulted coach Kwesi Appiah.
Boateng, one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup finals when Ghana reached the quarter-finals, has come out to deny the allegation. 

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16-year Old Girl Allegedly Gang-r*ped By 16 Men

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 According to reports, a sixteen- year-old girl (unnamed) was allegedly gang-r*ped by 16 adult men, after taking some alcoholic drink laced with unknown substance at a party in Ogbunnabali area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

 Three of the 16 suspected r*pists, Tambari Dumlesi (40), Ikechukwu Akah (22) and Friday Esau (27) have been arrested, while the remaining 13 suspects are on the run.

Speaking about the incident during a press briefing, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin told newsmen:
On 23/06/14 at 1800 hours, a complaint was made by a 16-year-old victim of rape. The victim reported that she attended a party at Ogbuga Street in Ogbunnabali, Port Harcourt, organized by one Tina. 

While at the party, she was given a glass of hot drink by Tambari Dumlesi. That was the last memory she had before she was r*ped by 16 different men. She woke up to find herself in torn boxers and with swollen private parts.”
He also said the victim had since been taken to the Police Clinic for check up and treatment, adding that the apprehended three r*pe suspects would remain in police custody while investigation lasts. Meanwhile, the frail looking girl, who could neither sit nor stand because of the damage done to her private part, was in serious pains as she appeared before newsmen.
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EXPOSED : See Popular Pastor Who Owns A Ritualists' Den

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 There's nothing hidden under the sun that won't be revealed, all it takes is just time, to think that a man of God can be involved in such an act is almost unthinkable. And this should also serve as a warning to his like's, the wrath of God and the law would come upon them very soon.

Pastor Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo is an indigene of Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He was born at Onitsha on 3rd of November 1964 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Nwankwo Egbunike. He is the General Overseer of Holy Family Happy Family Ministry also known as House of Mercy (Formally Jesus Divine Healing and Deliverance Catholic Ministry), Lagos, Nigeria. He commenced his scamming work in July 1997 to be precise according to the instruction of satan. Ernest C. Nwankwo is married to Mr Odelia Anulika Nwankwo

 He manages two kidnap centres called Happy Family Home Foundation International at both Ikorodu Lagos State and Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria. Which he claims to be A non-profit and non-governmental organization.

Earlier, we reported the story of a certain Rosemary Chukwu, who kidnapped her neighbour's son(Read here), she confessed to have been sent by Pastor Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, that was how he got exposed and he's currently on the run from police. 

Rosemary Chukwu and her 6-year old victim
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Sad! : Another Bomb Explosion kills 10 In A Brothel - Report

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 At least 10 persons have been confirmed dead with another 14 said to be seriously injured, after a bomb went off at a brothel in Bayangari in Bauchi state yesterday June 27th, at about 9.45pm. 

 The State Police Command spokesman, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident in a statement and said investigations has commenced but no arrest has been made so far.

"The entire surrounding has been cordoned and scene secure. No arrest has so far been made but investigations have commenced to ascertain the cause” Mr. Mohammed said in a statement late Friday night. 
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