Author: Vanguard News

…Dismisses Poverty Claims

By Olayinka Latona

LAGOS — The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Lazarus Muoka, has cautioned Christians against what he described as deceptive end-time prophets, while also countering claims that members of his church are poor.

Speaking at the grand finale of the church’s annual Easter retreat crusade, themed “God’s Covenant of Peace and Blessing,” held at its Revival Ground International Headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos, Muoka emphasised that God remains faithful to His promises.

“God keeps to His covenant and does whatever He promises. He cannot lie because He is holy and without unrighteousness,” he told the congregation.

The cleric criticised what he described as “false prophets” who rely on eloquence rather than transformative teachings, insisting that true Christianity is rooted in the undiluted word of God.

Referencing a testimony shared during the crusade, Muoka said: “The false prophet’s grammar did not change her life. She went through various struggles and even contemplated taking her life. But when she came to Chosen, she was delivered and her life changed for the better.”

He added that true servants of God focus on salvation rather than theatrics. “My Master Jesus did not speak grammar. Apostle Peter did not speak grammar, but the undiluted word of God—which is what we preach,” he said.

Muoka further warned that some end-time preachers, despite being “specialists in prayer,” lack a genuine message of salvation.

“No one is truly born again in such gatherings. They are rooted in deception. But in Chosen, we magnify the word of God. That is why the Bible says: seek first the kingdom of God and every other thing shall be added unto you,” he stated.

Addressing widespread perceptions about his congregation, the cleric rejected claims that members of the church are poor, asserting that many are financially successful but choose modest lifestyles.

“We have some of the richest people who quietly contribute to society and the work of God in billions,” he said, challenging critics to match such levels of generosity.

Muoka argued that the perceived lack of flamboyance among his members is a deliberate reflection of their faith and values, rather than a sign of poverty.

He also attributed public ridicule of the church’s testimonies to what he described as limited spiritual understanding among critics.

The cleric urged Christians to live upright lives, stressing that true transformation is complete and not partial.

“There is nothing like half-transformation. It is either you are born again or not,” he said, adding that believers must reflect Christ in both private and public life.

Muoka concluded by expressing confidence that attendees of the crusade would experience visible transformation.

“People will see the change in their lives, and it will be evident that it is the work of God,” he said.

The post Beware of ‘Grammar-Preaching’ false prophets, Muoka warns appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his instrumental role in facilitating the landmark partnership between Hypercity and Carrefour. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the franchise signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila […]

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, on Tuesday said Nigeria’s petrol subsidy bill could have risen to between N38tn and N58tn annually if the Federal Government had failed to remove the subsidy amid current global oil market volatility.

Adedeji stated this during his address at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service in Abuja, where he defended key economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since assuming office.

He described the removal of petrol subsidy as a fiscal necessity rather than a policy choice, saying the decision saved the country from unsustainable spending pressures worsened by rising global crude oil prices.

“To put it in perspective, the removal of fuel subsidy was not a policy choice, but it was a fiscal necessity,” Adedeji said.

“If you had not taken that courageous decision on your first day in office, our subsidy budget today would have been between N38tn and ₦58tn per annum.”

According to him, retaining the subsidy would have consumed as much as 76 per cent of the country’s N68tn budget recently passed by the National Assembly, leaving little room for infrastructure, healthcare, education and other development priorities.

“People may not understand that figure. The total budget passed by the National Assembly is N68tn. Just imagine N52tn out of that going to subsidy. That means about 76 per cent of the total budget would have gone to wasteful spending,” he said.

Adedeji further argued that without the reform, Nigeria’s external reserves could have plunged below $2bn.

“Our external reserves today stand at $34bn. If that decision had not been taken, reserves would have been under $2bn,” he said.

He also said debt servicing obligations would have worsened significantly, placing more strain on government finances.

The NRS chairman used the occasion to defend the administration’s foreign exchange reforms, particularly the unification of the exchange rate system. He said the move had helped narrow the gap between the official and parallel markets and improved stability in the naira market.

“The second courageous decision was the unification of the exchange rate. If nothing had been done, the official rate would still be around N460 to N700, while the parallel market would have been between N3,000 and N4,500 per dollar,” he said.

“Today, the market has become more stable and even the parallel market is losing relevance because the gap has narrowed.”

On fuel supply, Adedeji said Nigeria had avoided prolonged scarcity and queues due to reforms that encouraged local refining and increased domestic supply.

“If those decisions had not been taken, petrol supply security today would have joined the queue. Not only would it be expensive, it would still not be available,” he said.

He maintained that despite recent price increases, petrol prices in Nigeria remain lower than in many countries.

“The price in Nigeria today is still lower than what obtains in many countries. In the United States it is higher, in India it is higher, in South Africa it is higher,” he added.

Adedeji also praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as “the greatest gift bestowed on this republic by Almighty God.”

He said the newly commissioned headquarters building was a symbol of the administration’s reform agenda and Nigeria’s fiscal transformation.

“This headquarters stands today as one of the tangible expressions of that reform journey, a visible and enduring symbol that reform is not abstract, but real; not temporary, but structural; not theoretical, but implemented,” he said.

The project, which he noted began about 22 years ago, was completed through policy clarity, institutional collaboration and government support.

Adedeji thanked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of State for Finance, members of the National Assembly and other agencies for their contributions to the reform process and completion of the headquarters.

President Tinubu attended the event alongside senior government officials, lawmakers and stakeholders.

ENDS

US-Iran War Could Have Pushed Petrol Subsidy To N58tn — NRS is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

As we age, we all wish to maintain our mental sharpness. There are those who read, others who do crossword puzzles and many who simply hope that their brains will have no trouble being sharp on their own. However, logic-based hobbies are an element of activities that subtly provide some of the greatest brain benefits. These are the types of activities that prepare you to plan, think, solve problems, and make decisions.   They do more than just kill time; they noticeably strengthen your brain over time.

Playing card games is one of the most entertaining and productive logic-based pastimes. These activities will keep your brain at work when you perform them regularly. They expand the level of thinking, raise concentration, develop memory and even contribute to emotional control. They are particularly robust as they do not seem like work as much as they seem to be a play. Your brain gets beneficial exercise as you have fun.

The Unseen Workout Your Brain Needs

Your brain is the same as a muscle. It becomes less efficient as time goes by unless you use it regularly in challenging scenarios like in solving puzzles or playing strategic games that demand your cognitive skills. Logic-based pastimes provide your brain just the right amount of mental stimulation. They ensure that you remember facts, discern patterns, predict what may happen, and adapt to your plans when things shift.

Logic hobbies require the use of active thinking unlike the passive activities such as scrolling through the phone. Every action you take has repercussions. You need to maintain your concentration, keep in mind the previous events, and plan ahead. This sustained brain activity assists the brain in creating new links and keeping neural networks in motion.

In the long run, those who engage in such hobbies on a regular basis often complain that they feel more mentally sharp on busy or stressful days, recall information easier, and that they are able to resolve daily challenges faster.

What Makes Logic Games So Effective

The reason card games stand out among all logic-based pastimes is because they simultaneously need several cognitive abilities. You must recall what is already played, calculate probabilities, read the actions of other players, and make snap decisions when stressful.

The experience is even more interactive when you play in a card game casino setting. The social aspect is an additional level; in a dynamic world, you might watch others, manage your emotions, and think strategically. Few other pastimes can provide your brain with a more comprehensive exercise than the combination of logic, memory, and social awareness.

The fun factor is what makes card games so successful. You are more inclined to continue the exercise regularly since you find it enjoyable. The real lasting advantages to your brain are actually consistency, because in the long run, frequent participation in these enjoyable activities can result in cognitive ability and memory retention.

How Pastimes Based on Logic Improve Attention

As we get older, our ability to concentrate and remember things tends to deteriorate, but logic-based pastimes can help.The part of your brain that you use to store and use information in real time is called your working memory and is trained every time you play. Additionally, you exercise prolonged attention, which aids in maintaining focus in the face of distractions.

These are not the only improvements that the game has received. Individuals often find that when they play, they are able to focus better in real-life scenarios. Their minds become less disorganized, they concentrate at work and remember details easier.

One of the primary benefits of logical hobbies is making better decisions. It becomes more adept at handling sophisticated thinking in many facets of life when you consistently test it with logic-based tasks.

Developing Improved Decision-Making Capabilities

Making better decisions is one of the main advantages of logic games. You assess circumstances, consider risks, and make the best decision based on scant information when playing card games. This experience is similar to many real-life scenarios when we must make wise decisions even when we lack all the information.

This practice will enhance your ability when under pressure. When things go wrong, you practice being more calm when something does go wrong and make more intelligent decisions when things are ambiguous. These are other life skills beyond the game table.

The Emotional and Social Advantages

Logic-based pastimes are usually pursued by multiple people. It has a social aspect that brings value when you play with your friends, family, or online competitors. Engaging with others while exercising your mind maintains your emotional well-being strong, lowers stress, and fights loneliness.

Emotional balance is also achieved by the healthy competition and mutual laughs which usually come with these activities. The logical challenge not only stimulates your brain but also contributes to positive emotions and social relationships.

Logic-Related Pastimes in Your Daily Routine

The great part with logic based hobbies is that one does not need any special skills or costly equipment.  You just need to play a few games each week to start seeing results, so you may start small. Consistency is essential, rather than intensity.

What many individuals come to realize is that by making time and committing to a logical activity sometimes once or twice a week such as playing cards with friends or family, they have created a fun habit that their brain learns to expect. This regular mental training eventually turns into one of the most pleasurable methods of maintaining mental acuity.

Developing a Sharp Mind

The beauty of logic based hobbies is that the more one does the hobby, the more the payoff. Whenever you regularly present your brain with the type of challenge these hobbies provide, it will be open and adaptable well into old age.

Ultimately, completing challenging or tedious activities is not the key to maintaining mental acuity. It involves discovering pleasurable pursuits that inherently challenge your way of thinking . Combining enjoyment with thinking not only keeps brain function but also actively enhances it while creating positive memories and closer relationships with others. That is a win that will be won each day.

The post How Logic-Based Hobbies Can Keep Your Brain Sharp appeared first on Vanguard News.

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has highlighted key education reforms being implemented by the Federal Government under Bola Tinubu, noting that the Student Loan Scheme (NELFund) has supported over one million students with disbursements exceeding N1.1 billion. Alausa made this disclosure during the inauguration of two newly completed GYB Model Science Secondary Schools in […]

The United Kingdom has announced tougher steps to combat illegal employment, including expanded workplace inspections and stricter compliance requirements for businesses.

In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, the UK Home Office reaffirmed its hardline stance, outlining a series of enforcement actions aimed at curbing unauthorised work and holding employers accountable.

According to the department, the new measures are designed to strengthen immigration control and discourage companies from hiring individuals who lack legal permission to work in the country.

Authorities said the crackdown will involve increased compliance activity, including on-site inspections and verification checks at business locations.

“Illegal working will not be tolerated in the UK. We are: Introducing right to work checks; Removing illegal workers from the UK; Ensuring companies who break the rules face unlimited fines,” it wrote.

The move comes as the government faces mounting political pressure to tighten immigration enforcement and respond to concerns about illegal employment across multiple sectors of the economy.

Official estimates indicate that the UK is home to between 10 and 11 million foreign-born residents, representing roughly 17 per cent of the population.

While the majority of migrants live and work legally under various visa categories such as employment, education, family reunification, or humanitarian protection, authorities note that a smaller proportion remain in the workforce without proper authorisation.

The post UK unveils workplace checks to curb illegal employment appeared first on Vanguard News.

Legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has made history as the first African artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Fela will be honoured in the early influence category this year, along with Queen Latifah, rapper MC Lyte, country rocker Gram Parsons, and Cuban singer Celia Cruz.

The honorees were revealed on Monday night in the US, during an airing of American Idol.

Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu will be honoured in the performance category.

However, Shakira, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, New Edition, and Pink, missed out on the final cut despite being nominated.

Over 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals voted to decide the honorees.

The induction ceremony will be held on 14 November at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.

DAILY POST recalls that earlier this year, Fela also made history as the first African musician to win the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.

Fela makes history as first African to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said repairs to the war-damaged Druzhba pipeline will be completed this spring, paving the way for the possible resumption of Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia by the end of April 2026.

The Soviet-era pipeline, which carries Russian crude through Ukrainian territory to Central Europe, has been out of operation since late January following a Russian drone strike that damaged critical infrastructure in western Ukraine, disrupting supplies to countries heavily reliant on the route for discounted oil.

Speaking last week, Zelensky said Kyiv remained committed to existing agreements with the European Union, stressing that the restoration work would be completed within the agreed timeline. He, however, noted that responsibility for the supply and purchase of the oil lies with European partners.

The development follows weeks of diplomatic tension between Ukraine and Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had accused Kyiv of delaying repairs and threatened to block European Union financial aid and sanctions measures against Russia unless oil flows resumed.

In response, the European Union stepped in with technical and financial support to accelerate the restoration process, an offer Ukraine accepted in a bid to ease tensions and stabilise energy supply in the region.

Industry sources had earlier projected April as a likely timeline for the resumption of flows, a forecast that aligns with Zelensky’s latest remarks, although some storage facilities affected by the attack may take longer to fully restore.

The planned reopening is seen as a pragmatic move to address energy security concerns in Central Europe while easing internal divisions within the EU over continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.

However, the timeline for resuming full operations will depend on the completion of final repair works and the absence of further attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the coming weeks.

Ukraine Moves To Resume Russian Oil Supply Through Druzhba Pipeline is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Kaduna

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Tuesday secured bail from a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, bringing to an end a detention that lasted nearly two months.

Read Also: El-Rufai’s mother Hajiya Umma is dead

Meanwhile, a Kaduna State High Court adjourned ruling on a separate bail application to April 21.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the former governor bail after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution.

However, but ordered that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), had urged the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that it is a constitutional right and that the former governor has strong ties within Nigeria, making him unlikely to abscond.

However, the prosecution, led by the ICPC, opposed the application, citing concerns that the defendant could interfere with witnesses or obstruct ongoing investigations if released.

Bail conditions

The court subsequently granted bail with stringent conditions, including a N200 million bond with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties are to include a recognised traditional ruler and a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15. Other conditions include the submission of landed property documents, deposit of international passports with the court, and a restriction on public comments relating to the case, among others.

A family member of the former governor, Bello El-Rufai, told journalists that efforts were underway to meet the conditions.

“The conditions are many, close to 10 or more, but we hope to fulfil them,” he said.

The ICPC had, on March 18, filed a 10-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, money laundering, and abuse of office.

El-Rufai’s legal ordeal began on February 16, when he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Although he was initially granted bail, he was subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC and remained in custody for several weeks before his arraignment.

On March 27, the ICPC granted him temporary release on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma.El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.

He was, however, returned to custody after her burial.

Proceedings were further complicated when the defence filed a motion asking Justice Aikawa to recuse himself over alleged bias, a request that was later withdrawn.

State high court bail

Meanwhile, at the Kaduna State High Court, proceedings in a separate case took a different turn as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application to April 21, 2026.

Counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defence team was served with an amended charge in court and required time to study its contents. The prosecution, also led by the ICPC, had filed an amended nine-count charge, altering the scope of the case and dropping a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, from the trial.

Defence counsel, Ubong Akpan, explained that the adjournment was also due to the inability of the court to deliver the ruling as scheduled, citing the bereavement of the presiding judge.

“His lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen,” Akpan said, adding that the defence remains optimistic ahead of the next hearing date.

El-Rufai is facing separate charges before the Kaduna State High Court bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

There was heavy security presence at the court premises, with armed operatives stationed at strategic points to maintain order and restrict movement.

Vanguard News

The post El-Rufai gets bail; court adjourns to April 21 appeared first on Vanguard News.

Vice Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), Professor Babatunde Omojola, has