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A Nigerian prophet has spoken out about the current hardships being faced by Nigerians and what the future holds for the nation.

Theophilus Olabayo, the founder and primate of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh Worldwide, on Sunday called for a three-day national fasting and prayer to avert an impending “darkness” hovering over Nigeria.

The cleric who was speaking to Premium Times in Lagos, Mr. Olabayo said religious leaders are no longer able to help salvage the country because a lot of them are after money.

“We have never seen anything,” said Mr. Olabayo. “Worse things are about to happen. Famine will be so great… we said we are going into agriculture but it’s not reflecting.

“There is a government that is coming, after that government the country will now be divided along geographical zones.”

The church leader commended President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as the only Nigerian leader to confront corruption frontally.

“The president has gone on leave, that’s what we were told. He’s a human being. Even if he’s sick, nothing is wrong for him to tell us as a country to pray for him,” he said.

“Whoever wish him dead is an enemy of this country because the man has really tried. First time we saw a man who confronted those looters. And they are not happy, they’re ganging up against him. They are throwing missiles against him.

“God has allowed Buhari to start the foundation. We need to be prayerful. There is too much blood in the country. He, himself… you know he said that he did not know that the problem was this much, that it was as bad as this before he took over. He has done well. He’s an elderly man, over 70.

“God is going to show people that He loves Nigeria, He’s going to teach people sense. The judgment of God is coming, there will be total cleansing.

“He’s not the messiah. Let’s continue to pray for him. I did not say he is going to die, I never said so. But let’s continue to wait for him.” On the invitation of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Johnson Suleiman, by the State Security Service, Mr. Olabayo called on the government to tread with caution.

“I like what Suleiman did by condemning the killings in Kaduna. Muslims have been killing Christians, it is time it is stopped. If anything should happen to Suleiman the country would be set ablaze.

“Why should they even arrest Suleiman? On what grounds? Because he spoke the truth? That these herdsmen, where are they coming from, who sponsored them, they kill people…

“Leaders are there in Kaduna, let there be peace. They should not kill anybody, they should not burn any churches any longer in Kaduna State or anywhere in the north. Enough is enough. If they don’t stop it, those innocent people they killed their spirits will rise to start fighting against the killers. Enough is enough.

“If an intruder should come to me, they should deal with that person. Suleiman is right. We are not fools because we are serving Christ, then you come to burn churches, kill innocent people and I’ll allow you to go? You will not go.”

Mr. Olabayo, 71, is known for his yearly prophecies. While some had come to fruition, others had gone off the mark. He said although Mr. Buhari is not the messiah Nigerians were waiting for, the problems currently afflicting the country were not caused by him.

He accused some church leaders, including those in Aso Rock, of writing prophecies favourable to the government and giving them to other pastors to say.

“It’s not Buhari that is the problem, it’s all his advisers. If I have my way, all of them should be sacked in that government, because they are not doing well, it’s not reflecting. There is no water, the roads are bad, armed robbers have taken over, hunger, anger, terrorists… I prophesied these for long. Over 20 years ago, God told me about these,” Mr. Olabayo said.

“Religion can never go hand in hand with politics. If you’re a pastor and want to contest, leave church and enter into politics because you cannot serve two masters. It is not the politics that is dirty, the people there are dirty.

“I love Buhari because he has done well, at that old age. Upon all these people they have arrested, the money they said they got, it’s not reflecting on us. Why? Yet things are getting worse, inflation has taken over, people are dying of hunger. Even if he’s dying, he’s not God or angel that cannot die.”

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Federal Government Declares October 1 As Public Holiday In Celebration Of Independence Day

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Nigerians both at home and abroad on this historic occasion.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo commended the resilience and hard work of Nigerians, emphasizing that their sacrifices will not go unnoticed.

He encouraged citizens to reflect on the enduring efforts of the nation’s founding heroes, reminding them that the dream of a prosperous and united Nigeria can only be realized through collective action and national unity.

He also “reiterated the need for Nigerians to reflect on the labour of our heroes past and be inspired for the tasks ahead, realising that a Nigeria of our dream can only be built when we unite”.

“While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Day Anniversary, Dr. Tunji- Ojo urged the citizens to continue to be steadfast in nation-building,” the statement reads.

The federal government had announced that this year’s Independence Day anniversary will be a “low-key event” due to the economic hardship and spiralling inflation bedevilling millions of households.

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Naira Depreciates To N1,700/$ At Parallel Market, Lowest Level In Seven Months

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The Nigerian naira experienced a significant decline in value on Friday, depreciating to N1,700 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange market.

By the close of trading, the naira had depreciated by 1.49 percent compared to its value of N1,675 per dollar on Thursday.

Notably, this rate of N1,700 per dollar represents the lowest value the naira has recorded since February 19, when it previously reached a low of N1,730 per dollar.

In Lagos, currency traders, also known as street traders, quoted the buying rate of the local currency at N1,680 per dollar and the selling rate at N1,700 per dollar, resulting in a profit margin of N20.

Meanwhile, at the official foreign exchange window, the local currency appreciated by 2.24 percent, rising from N1,576.1 per dollar on Thursday to trade at N1,540.78 per dollar on Friday.

According to FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the official window, a dollar was sold as high as N1,691 and at a low rate of N1,530 during trading hours.

At the parallel market on Monday, the naira depreciated to N1,665/$ from N1,663 on September 20.

Maintaining the depreciation streak, the local currency fell further to N1,670 and N1,680 on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

However, the naira rebounded to N1,675 on Thursday.

At the official FX market, the local currency depreciated to N1,562.66 on Monday — from N1,541.52 on September 20.

Subsequently, the naira further depreciated to N1,658.48 on Tuesday and N1,667.72 on Wednesday, before appreciating to N1,576.1 on Thursday.

On January 29, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it had begun implementing a comprehensive plan to improve liquidity in the Nigerian FX markets in the short, medium, and long term.

The apex bank said the FX reforms were designed to streamline and harmonise multiple exchange rates, promote transparency, and lessen the likelihood of arbitrage opportunities.

On September 25, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of CBN, said the multiple interest rate hikes have restored confidence in the naira.

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BON 2024: Madam Saje, Kanayo O Kanayo Set To Bag Lifetime Achievement Awards

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With the Kwara State government set to host the prestigious Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards on November 24, esteemed actors, Fausat Balogun, popular as Madam Saje, and Kanayo O Kanayo are poised to recieve the Best of Nollywood Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024.

The announcement was made by Seun Oloketuyi, founder, BON Awards, earlier in the week.

With the announcement the duo are set to join other Nollywood greats in the league of Lifetime Achievement Award winners. On this list are people like Adebayo Salami, Toyin Adegbola, Madam Kofo, and others.

While speaking about the duo, Oloketuyi explained that there was a need to start celebrating film heroes in their lifetime, when they can enjoy the accolades.

He said , “Why must we wait till our film heroes are dead to give them awards? Posthumous awards are good, but its better the recipient is alive to recieve awards.”

Also weighing in, Feranmi Olaoye, the Executive Producer BON Awards revealed that the choice of Kanayo and Madam Saje were not made lightly.

“These two are people we grew up watching. They inspired the generation we watch now, and they still maintained their stand in the industry. They deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why we have chosen them as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

The 2024 edition of the BON Awards is billed to hold at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, the state’s latest hub for filmmakers.

Oloketuyi had earlier expressed excitement about Kwara’s role as host, promising a fulfilling experience for the expected 500 Nollywood stars attending.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had also highlighted the studio’s potential to elevate Nigerian cinematography and promote local talent. The event underscores Kwara’s commitment to becoming a leading destination in the creative industry, fostering growth and investment in the sector.

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