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Justice Gbolagunte Planned His Own Funeral — Rev. Oyedemi [PHOTOS]

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The Pastor of New Reservation Area Baptist Church, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, Rev. Kayode Oyedemi, on Friday disclosed that late Justice Adegboye Ayinla Gbolagunte of the Oyo State Judiciary knew he would die and so had planned his funeral by choosing the cemetery his remains would be buried, and had paid for his vault.

He revealed this during his sermon at the funeral service for the Eruwa, Oyo State born jurist, who died June 24, 2024.

The 64-year-old son of a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mokolade Gbolagunte, was survived by his wife: Wuraola Ayoola, and three children: Oladiran, a Digital Technologist with specialisation in Network Communications; Oladoyin, a lawyer; and Oladotun, also a lawyer.

Quoting from the Book of II Kings 13 and 20; Hebrew 11; as well as II Samuel 12, Dr. Oyedemi, who said that he had never seen anybody prepare his own funeral as deeply as Justice Gbolagunte did, noted: “It is not unusual for saints to die of sickness from attack.

“If prayers can stop death, Justice Gbolagunte would not have died because upon revelation that he would die of the sickness, we were praying, but when the sickness of the beloved is unto death, no amount of prayers can heal the sickness, no matter how perfect one could be in faith.

“The sickness of Lazarus was not unto death, but that of Elisha was unto death.

“God knows why he has called Justice Gbolagunte home at this time.

“While we were praying and believing that God would spare his life, he had accepted his faith himself.

“I remember his last admission to the hospital about two or three days to his death.

“Then I asked if he was still holding unto God in faith and he said yes.

“Since last year, he had told me that his funeral is to be held in Ibadan here.

“He had told me the cemetery.

“I have been hearing about it, but I have not seen anybody who planned his funeral so deep as Justice Gbolagunte did.

“All the arrangements you see, he had chosen and contacted people you see carrying them out.

“He had contacted everybody.

“When he paid for the vault, he told me, and he connected me with the person that was in charge of that.

“That is to tell you that he was convinced that God said that his time had come.

“And that is one of the greatest ways to die.

“For you to know when you are going to die helps you to get settled, not just with God, but with every other thing.

“He had that privilege.

“God told Hezekiah that he would not recover, but he would die.

“God said: ‘Set your house in order for you shall die.’

“It is one of the greatest ways to die.

“People like that will never miss heaven.

“That is the assurance that Hon. Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte has gone to be with Christ.”

Addressing the children left behind by the late jurist, Rev. Oyedemi said: “You have a mother with strong faith and a prayerful one.

“You have a father with a high level of integrity, who was not corrupt.

“You must hold aloft the two qualities of your parents.

“If we have many of Justice Gbolagunte in Nigeria, the country would be better.

“He stood for integrity.

“Public service holders should ruminate on this.

“His colleagues should search themselves how they are dispensing justice.

“Bad leadership persists when there is bad followership.

“In Nigeria, we combine the two.

“Are our leaders of today not followers of the past?

“How much has their past criticisms helped our Nation now?

“Let us ruminate on this.”

In attendance at the funeral service were dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin; many Judges, serving and retired; Senior Advocates of Nigeria; Nigerian Bar Association executives and members; old secondary school mates of the deceased from Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos; Baale of Aborerin in Eruwa, High Chief Olaide Ojedapo; friends and relatives of the Gbolagunte family.

It will be recalled that a Special Valedictory Court Session was held in honour of Justice Gbolagunte on July 22, 2024 at the Oyo state High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the weeklong celebration of his exit.

On July 23, 2024 at New Estate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos, a Commendation Service took place for the deceased, while on July 25, there was a Service of Songs at Jogor Centre in Ibadan.

BIG STORY

It’s Better For Anyone Holding PDP Down To Quit — Gov. Makinde On Atiku’s Exit

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Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has said that the departure of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not impact the party’s position.

Abubakar left the PDP on July 14, stating that the party has deviated from its founding principles.

The party, which serves as the main opposition, has been experiencing internal conflict since the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Wednesday during the 10th coronation anniversary colloquium of Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, the Deji of Akure, Makinde said Atiku’s departure will not weaken the PDP’s foundation or momentum.

The governor noted that the PDP would be in a stronger position if those hindering its progress step aside.

“Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think his exit will make any dent on PDP as a party,” Makinde said.

“PDP is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone who holds PDP down, it is better for such an individual to quit.”

Speculation continues to grow that Makinde may enter the 2027 presidential race.

Abubakar, who is also seeking the presidency, has aligned himself with the opposition coalition to advance his ambition.

Addressing the move by some opposition politicians to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections, Makinde said the coalition does not pose a threat to the PDP.

“I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done,” he said.

“But one thing we must all realise is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, presidents will come and go, but our state and country will remain.”

Makinde emphasized that traditional institutions are essential to good governance, conflict resolution, and community development.

“Too often, traditional institutions are misunderstood. Some imagine frail old men who have outlived their relevance,” he said.

“Others view them as mere instruments of political endorsement. That mindset must change.

“Traditional institutions are not relics of the past. They are enduring pillars of identity, legitimacy, and communal cohesion.

“Long before Nigeria’s formal administrative systems took root, traditional rulers dispensed justice, upheld values, coordinated local security, and kept communities united.

“Reforming legal frameworks to provide clarity on the roles, rights, and recognition of traditional councils and strengthening our security architecture to formalise community policing strategies rooted in traditional structures.”

Makinde said traditional institutions continue to be the custodians of the grassroots and warned that excluding them from nation-building would be a mistake.

“No wonder politicians continue to seek their blessings and validation,” he added.

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BIG STORY

RCCG Pastor Absconds With $8000 Church Money, Abandons Wife, Marries New One

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A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God has reportedly fled with “$8,000” in church funds, left his wife behind, and married another woman.

Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer, Worldwide, of the RCCG, disclosed this while speaking at a men’s programme.

She explained in a video monitored by Church Times that the pastor was given the money for mission work in South Africa but instead abandoned his wife and relocated to the United States, where he married someone else.

Adeboye said the incident happened during a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, where she preached at the RCCG parish led by the pastor. The church service was held in a rented space at an eatery.

While she was ministering, a woman entered and began packing chairs, apparently indicating their allotted time was over. Surprised by this, Adeboye asked the pastor what it would cost to get a permanent site.

The pastor, who she said hails from Ekiti State, suggested that “$8,000” would allow them to begin the process by purchasing a used vehicle. He proposed giving the vehicle to a tourism agency to generate returns for acquiring a permanent church building.

Encouraged by the idea, Adeboye gave him the money.

However, the pastor had other plans. After receiving the funds, he travelled to the United States and left his wife behind in South Africa.

She noted that the abandoned woman is now in a distressed state, nearly “running mad.”

Church Times quoted Pastor Adeboye as saying: “RCCG men, what are we going to do? Are we going to continue with such a lying spirit, a deceitful spirit to the God of the kingdom?”

She stressed the need to return to core values of faith and truthfulness. Recalling past hardships, she said: “We must get to the point where we say wherever He leads, we follow. We were in this bush. For three years, there was no light. We went back to the days of the lantern and we were grinding with stone, whereas where we were coming from we had grinding machines, we had washing machines.”

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BIG STORY

Federal Government Targets 8,000MW In 18 Months With Efficient Power Grid

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The Federal Government has expressed confidence that improved oversight of the national power grid by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) could boost electricity output to 8,000 megawatts within the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking at a leadership retreat for NISO’s top management in Abuja, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Gbeleyi, said the nation’s installed capacity is above 14,000MW, but actual generation remains around 5,500MW.

Gbeleyi noted that with enhanced grid management and greater investment in transmission and distribution systems, the sector is positioned to see major improvements soon.

“As an independent entity, NISO now carries the weighty responsibility of managing the national grid with impartiality and integrity. In doing so, it must guarantee non-discriminatory access, efficient dispatch coordination, and fair market settlement, free from undue influence or conflict of interest,” he said.

He added, “From where we stand today, we have about 5,500MW of power being wheeled on a day-to-day basis. Compare that with the fact that the total nameplate capacity for generation in the country is a bit above 14,000MW. So it’s not a tall order for us to believe that in the near term, 12 to 18 months, we can increase that 5,500 by a minimum of 50%, because the generation capacity is there. If this grid capacity can be scaled up and we build in resilience, chances are that with distribution infrastructure also being scaled up.”

He also revealed that the Federal Government has secured $500 million from the World Bank to finance distribution network upgrades. This includes providing 3.2 million meters nationwide, alongside another 2 to 3 million meters under a presidential initiative.

Chairman of the NISO Board, Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, stressed the importance of independence and coordination in delivering reliable power services.

“NISO is not just a new institution. It is a new idea. A system operator that is truly independent. A market coordinator that is truly neutral. A planning authority that is truly strategic. We are responsible for real-time grid operations, long-term system planning, and the coordination and development of the electricity market. These are not side functions, they are central pillars. Because when power fails, everything else, industry, healthcare, education, even security struggles,” he said.

Managing Director/CEO of NISO, Engr. Abdu Bello, stated that the goal is realistic, provided focus is maintained and private investment is attracted.

“It is a target that can be achieved. We have to put ourselves and our house in order by making sure that we are focused and making sure that we also attract investment from the private sector. I believe if we are able to do that, given this retreat, this retreat is part of the plan to keep us focused. We will have a direction, strategic plan, and actions going forward. So it’s achievable,” he said.

Executive Director of Portfolio Management at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Tajudeen Ahmed, affirmed that MOFI will fully support NISO in delivering on its mandate.

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