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#CozaGate: Fela Durotoye Asks Embattled COZA Pastor Fatoyinbo To Step Down

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Motivational Speaker, Fela Durotoye, has asked the embattled Founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, to step down as the senior pastor of the church.

He made the call on Saturday in the wake of allegations of rape against the pastor, as well as protests demanding him to step down.

The demand follows a recent interview in which Busola Dakolo – a photographer and wife of talented musician, Timi Dakolo, said the pastor had raped her when she was a teenager.

According to Durotoye, stepping down would pave the way for independent investigations without interference.

“The truth will either vindicate or exonerate but without a doubt, the truth will serve justice as it heals a hurting society whose faith has been battered and whose hope may be shattered if this is ‘swept under the carpet,” he said.

Meanwhile, the former presidential candidate thanked Busola for “finding the strength and the courage to break her silence & speak her truth”.

His statement: “The wise King Solomon once said … There is a time for everything … A time to be silent and a time to speak.

“But you may ask, how do you know when it is time to be silent or to speak up? For me, the answer is quite simple …. when the ‘PEACE of silence’ is taken away from you & the ‘BURDEN of silence’ becomes too heavy to bear.

“Only a few people ever find the courage to break out of the PRISON of silence & to speak up about a hurt, a pain, a shame or a fear that has kept them silent for many years.

“Please understand that … the way we all react when their silence is broken will either release them into a life of freedom or repress them back into the darkness & bondage of silence; sometimes for the rest of their lives.

“Worse still, many of the people who are still under the BONDAGE of silence are also watching to see how we speak & act when someone else finds the courage to break their silence & speak up about something that makes us all uncomfortable.

“And so, I thank my dear sister Busola Dakolo for finding the strength and the courage to break her silence & speak her truth. I salute your courage even as I encourage everyone under the bondage of silence to please find the courage to speak up & lighten their burden. Your voice may be the only source of strength and courage that others (who may be in a similar or different circumstance) will hear and be encouraged to break their silence.

“Yesterday (Friday, 28th June), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo broke his silence and responded contrary to the allegations.

“To be clear, I do not have any desire to be a judge nor do I have the competence to judge such an egregious case but I know this for sure … that serious allegations such as RAPE deserve to be fully investigated especially where the names of witnesses have been mentioned and their identities revealed in the story.

“I strongly believe that a thorough and independent investigation can only be in the best interest of everyone concerned as well as in the best interest of the body of Christ & the society at large.

“To this end, I call on all leaders in the body of Christ to SPEAK UP & DEMAND A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THESE ALLEGATIONS IMMEDIATELY. With all due respect to all our ‘fathers and mothers of faith’, this is NOT a time to be silent. This is the time to speak up.

“Now … the scriptures (in Mathew 5:23) provide us with a guide for such a precarious time as this … “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar first go & be reconciled to them and then come back & offer your gift.”

“Without a doubt, Pastor @BiodunFatoyinbo is a gifted preacher and teacher of God’s Word … but, our sister @BusolaDakolo has brought a serious allegation against him.

“Therefore, in line with the scriptures, it is only appropriate that he leaves his gift (preaching & teaching) at the altar in order to first go and attend to this matter, reconcile with the truth and, if exonerated, then return to the altar to serve God’s people with his gift.

“The scriptures clearly advise that he should take a break and step aside in order for this investigation to be concluded & justice pronounced.

This is what great leaders do in every nation we admire. Great leaders hold themselves to higher standards of scrutiny and accountability to the people they lead.

“This is why they usually step aside in the face of serious allegations to pave the way for independent investigations without interference.

“This is especially the case whenever allegations of serious misconduct or crime such as RAPE have been made and named witnesses can be called to testify.

“There may be different sides to a story but there will always be only ONE SIDE TO THE TRUTH … and through the transparent process of an independent investigation, THE TRUTH will surely prevail.

“The truth will either vindicate or exonerate but without a doubt, the truth will serve justice as it heals a hurting society whose faith has been battered and whose hope may be shattered if this is swept under the carpet,” he said.

(Channels TV)

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Tinubu To Hold First Presidential Media Chat Tonight

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President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural media chat is set to be broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed that the media chat will be aired at 9 p.m. today.

“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,” the statement reads.

All television and radio stations are encouraged to tune in to the broadcast.

This marks Tinubu’s first media chat since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

During the chat, Tinubu will respond to questions from a panel of journalists on national matters, including his economic policies, security, and other key issues.

The tradition of presidential media chats began during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The practice was continued by the administrations of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

However, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the frequency of the presidential media chats declined.

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IGP Didn’t Ask Nigerians To Beat Up Officers During Stop-And-Search — Police

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, did not instruct Nigerians to pummel officers during stop-and-search operations.

In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, emphasized that Egbetokun has never endorsed violence against law enforcement agents.

Adejobi added that the blog post suggesting otherwise was entirely fabricated.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to address a viral fake news story that has emerged, claiming that Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has instructed citizens to physically assault and throw stones at police officers who request to search their phones,” the statement reads.

“This claim is entirely false and has no basis in reality. The IGP has not issued any such directive encouraging violence against law enforcement officers.”

“Instead, he has called on citizens to report instances of police misconduct through appropriate channels.”

“This approach underscores the importance of accountability and maintaining the rule of law, rather than resorting to violent actions.”

“Members of the public are urged to make use of the following Police helplines & contacts to lay complaints whenever necessary: +2347056792065, +2349133333785, +2349133333786, @PoliceNG on X, @ngpolice on Facebook, and @nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram.”

“Citizens can also contact us by mail through; [email protected] and reach us through the police website at npf.gov.ng.”

Recently, Egbetokun instructed police officers to stop arbitrary arrests and cease searching the smartphones of Nigerians.

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Federal Government Declares Public Holiday For Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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The federal government has declared December 25-26, and January 1, 2025, as public holidays.

The public holidays are to commemorate the “Christmas,” “Boxing Day,” and “New Year’s Day” celebrations, respectively.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, announced the dates in a statement signed by Magdalene Ajani, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

He extended his greetings to Nigerians for the holidays and encouraged them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of “love,” “peace,” and “unity” that the season signifies.

He further emphasized that the yuletide is a time to foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the statement reads.

The minister also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity, and progress of the nation.

He assured citizens of the federal government’s commitment to peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.

Tunji-Ojo added that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the President Bola Tinubu administration will usher in a prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world.

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