Billy Graham dies: Tributes to America's pastor

Image:Billy Graham pictured during a sermon in the early 1950s

 

Key points: 

• Billy Graham has died at his home in North Carolina, aged 99
• He had cancer and pneumonia, his spokesman said
• Mr Graham was dubbed America's pastor and preached to millions all over the world
• He pioneered evangelism and the use of TV and radio to preach

16:39

Former President George HW Bush said: "Billy Graham was America's pastor. His faith in Christ and his totally honest evangelical spirit inspired people across the country and around the world. 

"I think Billy touched the hearts of not only Christians, but people of all faiths, because he was such a good man. 

"I was privileged to have him as a personal friend. He would come to Maine to visit with Barbara and me, and he was a great sport. He loved going really fast in my boat. I guess you could say we had that in common. Then we would come home and talk about life. 

"He was a mentor to several of my children, including the former president of the United States. We will miss our good friend forever."

President George W Bush previously credited Mr Graham as the reason he gave up alcohol, and said if it wasn't for him, he would never have been president. 

16:18

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, has released a statement: "As anyone growing up in the 1950s and 1960s can tell you, it was hard not to notice and be impressed by the Reverend Billy Graham. 

"There was no question that the Dolans were a Catholic family, firm in our faith, but in our household there was always respect and admiration for Billy Graham and the work he was doing to bring people to God."

16:17

Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee wrote: ""Deeply saddened by news of death of Billy Graham, greatest man of our time."

16:17

Megachurch preacher Joel Osteen has spoken after Mr Graham's death:

"Billy Graham has always been and will always be a hero in our home. Next to my own father, Reverend Graham was the most humble and gracious man I ever knew. I am honored to call him a friend and a mentor."

16:14

English actress Dora Bryan (1923 - 2014), with Billy Graham, and Cliff Richard, on the set of 'Two a Penny', 1967

16:08

The Vice President, Mike Pence, has remembered Mr Graham

16:06

His daughter Anne Graham Lotz, a Christian author and speaker, wrote a post entitled "Daddy is at home".

In it, she wrote: "I think of my Daddy. The one who was always a farmer at heart. 

"Who loved his dogs and his cat. Who followed the weather patterns almost as closely as he did world events. Who wore old blue jeans, comfortable sweaters, and a baseball cap. Who loved lukewarm coffee, sweet ice tea, one scoop of ice cream, and a plain hamburger from McDonald's. Who was interested in everything and everyone, from the small to the great."

16:05

Former President Jimmy Carter, who Mr Graham was an adviser to, said: "Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of The Reverend Billy Graham. 

"Tirelessly spreading a message of fellowship and hope, he shaped the spiritual lives of tens of millions of people worldwide. Broad-minded, forgiving, and humble in his treatment of others, he exemplified the life of Jesus Christ by constantly reaching out for opportunities to serve."

Lara Trump has quoted Billy Graham - he once said he would not be dead, but more alive than ever.

16:03

Former White House Press Secretary Anthony Scaramucci has paid tribute.

16:02

President Donald Trump has also added his tribute to the late Billy Graham, saying he will be missed by all. 

16:00

Tributes are pouring in from across the world for the late Billy Graham.

He was a confidant and advisor to several presidents, from Eisenhower to Bush. 

15:59

15:59

Key points: 

• Billy Graham has died at his home in North Carolina, aged 99
• He had cancer and pneumonia, his spokesman said
• Mr Graham was dubbed America's pastor and preached to millions all over the world
• He pioneered evangelism and the use of TV and radio to preach

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NAPTIP. EU Police Rescue 4 Women From Traffickers

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued four Nigerian women who were forced into prostitution in different parts of Spain.

The woman were captives of a prostitution ring which operated mainly in Spain, but also in Italy, the United Kingdom, Libya, Niger and Nigeria.

Europol reports that the investigation to dismantle the network began in 2017. The group was reported to have recruited victims by coercing them with voodoo threats in Benin City, Nigeria.

As part of the ritual, the gang forced the women to eat a raw chicken heart and drink whisky. They also took clippings of their hair and nails. The criminals then used fraudulent documents to traffic the women to Europe, where they were housed in poor conditions in Italy for several days.

After arriving Spain the trafficked women were hidden in their madam’s houses and forced to clean and take care of the children, whilst the organised crime group made arrangements for the submission of applications for asylum by the victims.

Following the issuance of a European arrest warrant by Spanish court, a house was searched in the UK as and the individual in Manchester were arrested, alongside seven in Cantabria, two in Vizcaya and two in Alicante, all in Spain.

Meanwhile, following its round-table discussion aimed at addressing the drug use epidemic across the nation late last year, the Senate on Tuesday, February 20, passed a motion calling on the federal government, through the Ministry of Health to establish rehabilitation centers in each of the 36 states of the nation.

In a motion sponsored by Senator Jeremiah Useni and nine other senators, the Senate noted that with more rehabilitation centers in the country, addicts would be able to receive professional treatment in the short and long term, thereby, bringing down the rate of addiction and crime in the country.

Speaking on the motion, deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, emphasized that drug abuse negatively affects the productivity of our youth, stating that there was a need to stop the distribution of dru*s at both the wholesale and retail levels.

Sagay berates El-Rufai Over Demolition of APC Secretariat Kaduna

The chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Itse Sagay has lambasted Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state over the demolition of All Progressives Congress (APC) factional secretariat in the state.

Independent reports that he said on Wednesday, February 21, that El-Rufai ‘went too far’ over the demolition of a house belonging to the senator representing Kaduna north, Suleiman Hunkuyi.

Sagay who said he was shocked about the developments, noted he was surprised that Governor El-Rufai whom he had great respect for could descend so low over disagreements with other members of the party.

He said the governor’s action may truncate the peace efforts being brokered by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari and may also affect the fortunes of the party in the state during the 2019 election.

“I must tell you when I saw it in the press this morning, I was really shocked. To me, it is a bit extreme because Governor El-Rufai is somebody I have great respect for.

"He is highly principled and he is a man of his words but I don’t think he will go to that extent over a disagreement between other members of the party. I was shocked and I am not happy about it.

“He went too far because apart from the fact that such action is not right, it can also affect the fortune of the party in that state. One has to think of all those things. So, I am not happy about it and I think it was wrong”, he said.

Earlier a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state described the demolition of its secretariat located in the state capital as an act of terror by the El-Rufai administration.

Elections reorder:Senate Northern Cacucus Sacks Adamu

Senator Abdullahi Adamu has been sacked as the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum . He was replaced with Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

This was disclosed by the deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at the close of plenary on Wednesday, February 21.

The Senator, had, last week, led nine other senators to criticise the amendment to the electoral act seeking to ‎reorder the sequence of polls during general elections.

Meanwhile, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, ‎representing Delta central senatorial district, has apologised to the Senate over his comments on the amendment of the Electoral Act to order the sequence of polls during general elections.

The Nigerian Senate had on Tuesday, February 20, resolved to query him over his allegation that the move to reorder the polls was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the lawmaker raised a point of order at the plenary on Wednesday, February 21, to apologise to the chamber and withdrew his comment.

Omo-Agege is one of the 10 aggrieved APC senators who stormed out of the chamber on Wednesday when the Senate passed the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010.

Adoption of the report by the Senate and House of Representatives Conference Committee on the Amendment to the Electoral Act had caused a sharp division in the ranks of the APC caucus.

NAHCO Refunds over N820 million to States Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCO) has released the sum of eight hundred and twenty million, two hundred and eighty-three, nine hundred and sixty-five Naira (N820,283,965) as refunds to states Muslims pilgrims welfare board and agencies for 2017 Hajj operations.

This was made known by the head of the commission's media relations unit, Adamu Hassan Abdullahi, adding that the refunds consisted of about 181 million Naira for pilgrims and officials of states that could not travel for the Hajj.

He said: "The refunds consist of about 181 million Naira for pilgrims and officials of states that could not travel for the Hajj and 209 million Naira being refundable deposits from the ministry of Hajj. It also consists of refunds for catering services not rendered or poorly rendered for which the Commission did not pay the service providers to the tune of 46.1 million Naira."

"Other refunds consist of sums for poorly rendered tent-C services, faulty cooling systems at Arafat for which the total sum of 278 million Naira was demanded, collected by the commission from the organization responsible. The refunds also comprise of N1.5 million naira for states that did not receive Zam-zam water.

"The refund, which was done in two batches, witnessed eleven (11) state pilgrims boards receiving a total of four hundred and one million, two hundred and ninety-one thousand, six hundred and fifty-eight Naira (N401,291,658.41) in December, 2017 while thirteen (13) pilgrims boards and agencies received four hundred and eighteen million, nine hundred and ninety-two thousand, three hundred and seven Naira (N418,992,307.77) as the second batch in 2018 after reconciliations.

"The concerned pilgrims are advised to check with their respective state pilgrims boards and Agencies for collection. The refund exercise will be monitored by NAHCON and appropriate security agencies nationwide. NAHCON also directs that any refunds not collected should be returned to the commission.

Meanwhile the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), stated that 95,000 slots was given to Nigeria for the 2018 Hajj exercise by Saudi Arabia.

Adamu Hassan Abdullahi, spokesman of the commission, stated that while 75,000 slots would be for the state pilgrims welfare boards, the remaining 20,000 are kept for private tour companies

Obj.lauds Seriake Dickson Promised Medical Check-ups Patronage

Nigeria's former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has promised to patronise Bayelsa state by making use of its newly commissioned health facilities in the state.

Commending the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson, the former president said he would “henceforth visit Bayelsa state for regular medical check-ups.”

He said the level of development that has transformed Bayelsa state, especially in the area of education, health, infrastructure, tourism among others is encouraging.

A statement issued by the chief press secretary to the Bayelsa state governor, Francis Agbo, said the former president during his three-day visit commissioned several projects including the World-Class Diagnostic Centre, Bayelsa State Specialist Hospital, the Bayelsa State Drug Distribution Centre in Yenagoa and the Aquaculture Village in Igbogene.

Obasanjo commended Governor Seriake Dickson, for his effort in developing the state. Photo credit: Facebook, Goodluck Jonathan

Obasanjo during the commissioning interacted with students of the flagship free Model Boarding School, Ijaw National Academy (INA), Kaima as well as enrolling in the state Health Insurance Scheme.

He also commended the governor for placing education top on the administration's agenda.

The former president said such efforts would help eradicate poverty, curb insecurity and create jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

He also called on investors within and outside the country to take advantage of the prevailing security, peace and stability in the state.

 Earlier Obasanjo visited  former president Goodluck Jonathan in his country home, Otuoke, Bayelsa state.

The former president made this known on Facebook when he posted photos of Obasanjo arriving his home on Friday, February 16.

The visit by Obasanjo occurred when he arrived Bayelsa state for a three-day working visit following an invitation by the governor of the state to commission some government projects.

Port Harcourt in a chaos as police escort allegedly killed a taxi driver

Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, was set on fire on Sunday, February 18 as a police escort reportedly killed a taxi driver.

According to a source, the yet to be identified policeman shot the taxi driver dead at Rumuokoro roundabout, Obio/Akpor local government area of the state and fled the scene in a company trailer, Vanguard reports.

Our source gathered that some Igbo youths who identified the victim as Igbo blocked the popular East-west road where the incident occurred to protest the killing.

It was learnt that in the course of the protest, policemen from the state command arrived to pick the remains with heavy gunfire, causing panic in the area.

Youths protesting the killing of a taxi driver allegedly by a police escort. (Photo credit: Vanguard)

Meanwhile in a related story pandemonium struck out at Madagali local government area of Adamawa state after a police corporal Bala Adamu reportedly killed one sergeant Emmanuel Timothy over N20 change of dry gin, locally known as ogogoro.

It was reported that the late officer Timothy who was recently deployed from Mobile 13 Makurdi, Benue, to the state.

The state’s police public relations officer, superintendent Othman Abubakar who confirmed the development said a minor argument ensued between the victim and corporal Adamu who reportedly shot Timothy at close range, killing him instantly.

Katsina governor's aide kills own daughter with his car

A daughter to Aminu Masari, an aide to the Katsina state governor, is dead.

Aisha Darma, a toddler died after her father, Abdullahi Darma, the special assistant to the governor on religious affairs ran over her with his car.

A reliable source told us that the incident happened at the Darma's house in Katsina while the aide was reversing his vehicle.

Also, sources close to the family said Darma was not aware that the toddler was behind his car. Before“the car ran over the girl and she died on the spot."

Also in a Facebook post, Darma said in Hausa: “A few minutes ago, I got tested by God. I was reversing my car when I crushed my daughter mistakenly and she died.”

Having described the incident as an act of God, the post received numerous condolences from friends and associates alike.

He said it is "an act of God.”

In a related story four people were killed in a road accident in Jos.

The trailer carrying diesel rammed into five vehicles at Mararaba Jama’a in Kuru, Jos South local government Area of Plateau.

The police in Plateau state command confirmed the tragic incident.

2019:Buhari Second Term Will Speed Up Nation's Development

The senior special assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity Garba Shehu on Sunday, February 18, explained that the continuity of Buhari-led administration will speed up the nation’s development.

Shehu who was a guest on Channels Television Programme Sunday Politics called in from Daura, Katsina state where President Buhari is currently on a private visit.

According to him, ''The President as we speak hasn’t spoken on whether he will run or not. But we have on record all the calls that are being made.

''The party, including the governors, have laid the option out for him to take. So, it is for the President to say yes or no, and we are waiting for him.

''There are people and groups that are already running for the President. When he (eventually) makes up his mind, he will catch up with them because they are already gathering speed.”

''This country will be fast-tracked on the path to national development. This is an administration that is providing massive infrastructure, power, railway, road and of course the issue of national security that has been paid attention to.''

Accusing previous administration of squandering the wealth and resources of the country. He said Buhari-led administration is currently maximising Nigeria’s wealth and will continue on the lane of efficiently utilizing the nation’s resources if the president gives a nod to the endorsements.

President Buhari who is currently in Katsina state on Sunday, February 18, hosted the Senior Citizens Forum of the state at his private residence in Daura.

The senior citizens during the visit drummed support for the President and assured him of their support in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

Meanwhile.Professor Ango Abdullahi who is the National Chairman of Northern Nigeria Union said President Buhari should not expect an automatic ticket for 2019.

Although President Buhari has not made his intentions for the 2019 presidency public but there has been speculation that he may seek re-election.

Professor Abdullahi spoke on Wednesday, November 15 at a news conference where he insisted that the president must earn his ticket.

Why APC.Suspended El-Rufai

The faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state which issued a query to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Thursday, February 15, has suspended the governor for six months.

This was due to the fear expressed by party stakeholders that the presidential reconciliation committee led by the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, may fail in Kaduna state, if el-Rufai refuses to admit his faults.

The chairman of the faction who claimed to be the true leader of the party recognised by its national secretariat, Danladi Wada, said that El-Rufai was suspended because of his failure to respond to the query earlier issued to him.

In his address to newsmen at the 11B Sambo road parallel office of the party on Sunday, February 18, Wada said the failure of the governor to respond to the query forced the state working committee to suspend him.

He said: “Gentlemen of the press. I welcome you to this important press briefing in the history of APC in Kaduna State. This briefing is sequel to 48 hours ultimatum/query and warning issued to the state governor to explain and defend himself against the allegations leveled against him which he failed to respond to.

Wada further stated: “The State Working Committee on Saturday 17, February 2018, convened and resolved to consider and to rectify the findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee and the Fact Finding Committee put before it in accordance with the provision of article 21(B) section 3 of the APC constitution and accordingly, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai stands suspended for six months from the APC, commencing from 17, February, 2018.”

Mataimaki Tom-Maiyashi, the convener of the stakeholder meeting, Mataimaki Tom-Maiyashi remarked that the governor’s actions did not suggest any readiness for genuine reconciliation.

Maiyashi therefore warned that if genuine reconciliation is not achieved, other political parties may use the weakness of the APC for electoral advantages in the state. He said: “The Stakeholders welcome the initiatives to settle major issues dividing and weakening the party.”

"The real reconciliation will only be achieved if justice and the willingness to take difficult decisions are upheld. Stakeholders observed that, in Kaduna state at least, the postures and actions of the governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and his associates do not suggest the willingness to submit to genuine reconciliation.

“All suspensions by persons other than those led by the acting chairman of the party, Alhaji Danladi Wada are exercises in futility, null and void. The acting chairman should exercise his full powers and conclude disciplinary actions against all members, no matter their positions in the party.”

Earlier, there was fresh crisis as the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state, on Friday, February 16, suspended the senator representing Kaduna north, Suleiman Hunkuyi, and 27 other party members over alleged anti-party activities.

According to the allegations brought against Hunkuyi, he was part of a parallel APC that opened another office of the party in the state.

Our source gathered that the same Hunkuyi faction also queried Governor Nasir el-Rufai and suspended three of his aides.

CCTV.Caught Couple Robbing Commuters in Lagos.

A mobile Closed Circuit Television recorded a man and woman, Segun Latoye and Toyin Samuel, who claimed to be married, allegedly robbing passersby of their personal belongings somewhere in Oshodi, Lagos state.

The couple were arrested by operatives of the Rapid response Squad after CCTV recording caught them three times robbing people on the street.

The RRS, in their reports on Sunday, said: “On the last footage, they dispossessed a young lady of her bag containing two mobile phones and some amount of money.

“They were captured by camera hurriedly boarding a bus after hypnotising their victim. However, the lady regained her consciousness a few minutes later and reported the incident to RRS officers who contacted the mobile CCTV van for footage of the area where the incident took place.

“Their pictures were shown to selected people in Oshodi. Those people were asked to contact RRS officers whenever they noticed the suspects in Oshodi.

Segun Latoye and Toyin Samuel. Photo source: Daily Times

“The suspects, who claimed to be husband and wife, confessed to the crime after seeing their video."

Two other suspects – Jelili Ganiu (19), and Samson Owolabi (23) – were arrested in the area after being caught by the CCTV for related offences. 

Previously the police in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested members of a robbery gang led by a medical doctor and proprietor of Vital Care Hospital in Kubwa area of Abuja, Ola Jimade.

Five members of the robbery gang were arrested while their leader, Jimade is still on the run.

Among those arrested are - Sunday Okhomode, aka Sunny-Momoh, 30; Meshak James, 23; a painter, Amusu Koku, 28; a printer, Kunle Obajemi, 49 and a goldsmith, Suleiman Isa, 26.

Underage Voting:I was almost killed - Ex-INEC commissioner

Professor Lai Olurode, the former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), revealed how he was almost assassinated when he refused to register underage voters during his years in office.

Olurode, who didn't mention the year in particular, served as the INEC commissioner between the year 2010 and 2015.

During an interview with pressmen, Olurode said the All progressives Congress (APC) owe it to Nigerians to conduct a better elections than the 2015 general elections.

He said: “If the people can be enlightened, underage voting will reduce. There are certain areas of this country where even if they know the person is a kid, they will insist that the child must vote.

“I had to run for my life at one of the election centres in a part of the country because these people said children must vote or there would be no election at all. It is that bad. The APC government has a responsibility to deliver an election that will be better than the 2015 election.

“The Kano state example is a bad signal and a warning that we really have a lot to do and the voter register is key. The register must be clean, it must not have ghost names or underage voters.

“In the course of my service to the nation during the Jega’s era, it was happening in many parts of the country but there are specific geographic locations where it is very common which means the problem can be tackled if responded to promptly by all the stakeholders.

“When you see community leaders coming to meet you with a prepared list of children to be registered and you refuse, you come under threat.

“In some parts of the country, when you refuse to register a child, they go away but in some other parts, the people are the ones who will demand that the child is registered.
”On Friday, February 16, INEC said it will get to the root of reports of underage voting in Kano state.

The electoral body agreed that it is the responsibility of the registration officers to curb the rate of such voting.

The director of publicity and voter education, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said lives of some INEC registration officers were being threatened in various communities.