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Idoma monarch outlaws expensive funerals, pegs bride price at N50,000

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The Idoma Area Traditional Council of Benue State, on Wednesday, declared that there shall be no more expensive burial ceremonies in the Idomaland and announced N50,000 as the unified traditional bride price to be paid by a man taking a wife from the tribe.

The paramount ruler of Idoma nation, the Ochidoma, His Royal Majesty Elaigwu John, unveiled the decisions in his New Year message released to the press on Wednesday by the Chief Palace Scribe, Onuminya Odoba.

According to the press release, the Idoma monarch was out to reform “some self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices” that make life difficult for the people.

Idomaland, which has the second largest population in Benue State, has seven local government areas and the tribe can also be found in Nasarawa, Taraba and Cross River states.

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Theheute reports that the reforms are coming about one year and a half after the ascension of John, an ex-Deeper Life Pastor, as Ochidoma in June 2022.

The monarch said the reforms were undertaken by the Idoma Area Traditional Council after wide consultations with rulers, political leaders, and their subjects.

In the statement, the monarch declared; “Our deliberations arrived at the following conclusions for the immediate adherence of all true Idoma people, clans, tongues, and people under the Idoma Area Traditional Council:

“Imposition of costly prescriptions, stipulations, and requirements on the bereaved family for the burial rites of a deceased person is hereby prohibited in Idomaland.

“Burial rites should be conducted within affordable means of the family and, as much as possible, concluded within two to three weeks from the date of death.”

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The council also prohibited “the practice of depriving the children and wife or wives of the deceased from inheriting his property.”

“The practice whereby relatives deny and deprive the children and wife or wive of the deceased of their right to inheritance of the deceased’s property is hereby prohibited.

“For the avoidance of doubt, where the deceased is survived by wife or wives and children, such children and wife or wives shall have the right of first consideration, in the apportioning of the inheritance, in the absence of a written will.”

On the burial of a married woman, the monarch said, “The deceased’s wife shall be buried in her husband’s place, except in special circumstances where the wife, during her lifetime, was married to and had children for more than one man, in which case, the wife may be buried in her father’s place to allow other husbands and children to partake in the burial rites.”

On marriage, the monarch said, “Traditional bride price in Idomaland is hereby unified and fixed at N50,000.

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“All forms of stringent conditions, stipulations, and expectations associated with traditional marriage are hereby removed and prohibited.”

He also barred “indiscriminate burial of corpses within and around the community, especially in residential areas is prohibited, forthwith.”

“Every community is mandatorily required to, within a period not later than 31st December 2024, earmark and designate a place in each village or hamlet, as a burial ground, to bury corpses.

“Where for any special reasons, a person has to be buried within or around the compound, the permit of the traditional ruler must first be sought and obtained and such burial spot or grave must be marked and secured,” the monarch said.

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Crime

Rivers state police neutralize four suspects in CDC chairman’s murder

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Rivers State Police Neutralize Suspects in CDC Chairman's Murder

The Rivers State Police Command has neutralized four suspects involved in the murder of Ndidi Livingstone, the CDC Chairman of Mgbuoshimini. The suspects were killed in a crossfire during a police operation. The police also arrested three additional suspects and six others linked to their criminal network.

 

The Rivers State Police Command has successfully neutralized four individuals linked to the murder of Ndidi Livingstone, the Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Mgbuoshimini. Livingstone was shot dead on January 13, 2024, in front of his church, Peculiar Faith Ministries, located in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

At a press briefing, Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu provided details of the operation. He revealed that the suspects were killed in a crossfire between the police and the gang members.

 

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Also read: Rivers State police rescue 16 children from alleged trafficker

 

The incident occurred when four men attacked the church, dragged Livingstone out, and shot him multiple times with AK-47 rifles, all while his family and church congregants witnessed the horrific act.

Disu outlined that a team from the FID-Intelligence Response Team and the Rivers State Command conducted a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrators, following a viral video that captured the assassination.

The operation led to the identification and subsequent killing of Peter Daddy Chukwu, the mastermind behind the assassination, in his hideout in Ibusa, Delta State, on April 5, 2024.

The police also arrested three other suspects directly involved in the murder and six additional members of their criminal network.

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The arrested suspects are:

 

1. Nnamdi Emmanuel (alias BYC, 35 years)** from Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State. Emmanuel was identified in the video as the person who shot Livingstone in the foot.

2. John Lucas (34 years)** from Logoro LGA, Bauchi State. Lucas, a dismissed Lance Corporal from the Nigeria Army, was seen in the video firing the fatal shot. He also operated a gang specializing in procuring firearms for hire. The police recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), military uniforms, five Skyrun refrigerators, and the Black Highlander vehicle used during the murder from him.

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3. Adebayo Adebayo (48 years)** from Ado Ekiti LGA, Ekiti State. Adebayo, a dismissed Sergeant from the Nigeria Army in 2019, was recruited by Lucas for the assassination. He was seen in the video wearing a special forces shirt and was apprehended while working as a Chief Security Officer at a Waste Management Company in Kwale, Delta State.

CP Disu praised the relentless efforts of the police in tracking down the suspects and emphasized the commitment to bringing all those involved in the crime to justice.

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Religion

Apostle Suleman reveals 3-year Jet servicing ordeal and divine message on forgiveness

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Apostle Johnson Suleman Private Jet Service Story

Apostle Johnson Suleman shared his frustration over a three-year ordeal with his private jet servicing, revealing a divine message on forgiveness.

 

Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministry has disclosed a personal struggle involving his private jet during a recent church service.

Suleman recounted how he faced frustration with the servicing of his jet, which he claimed was deliberately neglected by the service providers who wanted to pressure him into selling it.

 

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Also read: Gistlover confirms impersonator arrested after Apostle Suleman allegedly paid N10M

 

According to Suleman, after sending the jet for servicing, the maintenance team refused to work on it, despite repeated attempts to contact them.

Over a period of three years, Suleman alleged that they allowed the plane’s parts to exceed their recommended time frame, which is crucial for safe operation.

Suleman described his ordeal of repeatedly trying to get the jet serviced, only to face resistance from the service providers who were reportedly interested in buying the jet.

This situation caused him significant distress, as he struggled to get the necessary repairs done and faced mounting aviation costs.

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During this period, Suleman said he received a divine message while praying. He was instructed to forgive the individuals who had frustrated his efforts, with a warning that unresolved bitterness could jeopardize his spiritual well-being.

The cleric expressed that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that his inability to forgive could impact his chances of entering heaven.

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Eventually, after he chose to forgive, Suleman noted that the service providers contacted him, expressing their regret and readiness to complete the servicing.

He emphasized the emotional and spiritual lessons he learned from the experience, highlighting the importance of forgiveness.

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Education

Nigeria to integrate technology in education, says VP Shettima

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Technology Integration in Nigeria Education

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced plans to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system to enhance learning outcomes, inspired by India’s success with KYAN smart class solutions.

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government plans to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system to improve learning outcomes.

During a meeting with the World Bank Nigeria team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima outlined the government’s commitment to addressing human capacity and resource challenges within the education sector.

 

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Shettima assured that President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to leveraging technological advancements to add value to the country.

He drew inspiration from India’s use of KYAN smart class solutions, which teach 50,000 pupils in rural areas, and expressed confidence that similar innovations could transform Nigeria’s education system.

“The integration of technology will significantly upgrade our education system,” Shettima said. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive education reform plan, including better infrastructure, teacher training, and technological implementation.

 

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Shettima emphasized that the federal government is committed to driving these changes, but success will require the cooperation of all stakeholders, including state governors.

Dr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, highlighted the bank’s focus on improving governance, health, and education through its HOPE series projects.

These initiatives aim to reform governance processes, primary healthcare, and education facilities across Nigeria, with an emphasis on human capital development.

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