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Tokyo 2020: You carry hopes of millions, Osinbajo tells Team Nigeria

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Prof-Yemi-Osinbajo.j
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi  Osinbajo has urged the Nigerian team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to put in their best as they represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians.

Osinbajo made the call on Monday at the send-off ceremony for Team Nigeria, formal handover of the Nigerian contingent to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and unveiling of the team’s official kit.

The event was held at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja.

The vice president told the athletes that their performance at the tournament would be an opportunity to immortalise themselves.

“I am delighted to welcome here today the very best of the best Nigerian Athletes.; the great Nigerian team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics; 58 outstanding athletes and 18 world class coaches.

“When the Games begin on July 23, you will, as Team Nigeria, be joining other athletes from over 210 countries and territories of the world in the biggest and the most spectacular sporting event on the planet – the Olympic Games.

“Every one of you participating in the games is opening a page in history for yourself, your families, your community and the nation.

“Your performance at the games will inscribe your names in national and world sporting history;  you carry the hopes and aspirations of millions as you compete in Tokyo.

“But you will in this endeavor have the assurance of the prayers and best wishes of all Nigerians.”

The vice president implored the team to be motivated by the great exploits   of former Nigerian Olympians.

He cited Chioma Ajunwa who won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics for the long jump and became the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.

Osinbajo also made reference to the Nigerian Olympic football team that won gold at Atlanta 96.

” The Super  Eagles in 1996 who   won the gold medal for football, that was the team that had the greats, Augustine Okocha, Celestine Babayaro , Daniel Amokachi , Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West  Kanu Nwankwo, Abiodun Obafemi, Emmanuel Amuneke , Emmanuel Babayaro , Garba Lawal , Joseph Dosu , Kingsley Obiekwu , Mobi Obaraku , Uche Okechukwu , Teslim Fatusi , Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba , and Wilson Oruma,.

“That was the year we defeated the world best foot balling nations, Argentina and Brazil and we all held our heads high.

“And for anyone who thinks we are joking maybe they haven’t seen our exhibition basketball game on Saturday with the USA team especially that amazing block by Precious Achiuwa against KD {Kevin Durant} who is probably the best player in the NBA right now.

“So, Precious, you are the real MVP.

“And in the year 2000 in Sydney, again we beat the best in the world.

” We won the gold in  4 × 400 metres relay after the American team was disqualified for using performance enhancing drugs, that was the team which had Clement Chukwu, the late Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Ubong, Jude Monye, and  two other members of the team Fidelis Gadzama and Nduka Awazie.”

He commended the work done and still being done by the staff and management of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Osinbajo also lauded the various sporting federations for developing the talents to enable Nigeria to participate in nine different sports.

“I understand that you are departing first to the city of Kizarazu in continuation of your pre-games training before your participation in the Olympic Games.

“I think you should make good  use of this window  to prime yourselves fully for the competition.

“We must also commend the Nigeria Olympic Committee, under the leadership of Engr. Habu Gumel and the International Olympic Committee, under the Leadership of Mr  Thomas Bach as well as the Government and good people of Japan for their determination to host the 2020 Olympic Games in spite of the global challenge posed by the Coronavirus pandemic,’’ he said.

Earlier, Gumel, in his acceptance speech reassured that the NOC would be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria throughout the stay in Japan.

According to him, all athletes and officials have all received their full jabs of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Miss Odunayo Adekoroye, who will be competing in wrestling, told State House correspondents that Team Nigeria was going to the Tokyo Games as a disciplined and patriotic group and would not tarnish the image of country.

She said she hopeful that the team would win multiple medals for Nigeria. (NAN)

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General News

Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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