Religion
Death toll in Kenyan ‘starvation cult’ rises to 73
Kenyan police say the death toll from the starvation cult has now risen to 73.
Japhet Koome, inspector-general of police (IGP) in Kenya, had earlier pegged the casualties at 58.
BODEX BLOG reported how Paul Nthenge, founder of the Good News International Church, instructed his congregation to starve themselves to “meet Jesus”.
Followers of the church were reported to be living in several secluded settlements in an 800-acre area within the Shakahola forest.
In a statement on Monday, Koome said the bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in the disturbing scene, adding that 29 people had been rescued.
He said the investigation had so far indicated that Nthenge’s victims were subjected to extreme religious beliefs, characterized by fasting and starvation to death, as their unorthodox means to meet their maker.
Koome assured that “all those culpable shall face the law” and added that rescue missions were ongoing.
Charles Kamau, head detective in Malindi, Kilifi County, told Reuters, that “the death toll now stands at 73 people”.
According to the report, Kamau said three more persons had been arrested.
President William Ruto described Nthenge, the cult leader, as a terrible criminal under the guise of religion.
He said he had instructed relevant agencies to get to the root cause of what had happened and to tackle “people who want to use religion to advance weird, unacceptable ideology in the Republic of Kenya that is causing unnecessary loss of life”.
Religion
Drama as pastor Paul Enenche confronts lady for sharing fake testimony (Video)
Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), on Sunday, called out a woman for sharing what he claimed to be a “false testimony”.
A short video from the DIGC’s service went viral on social media wherein he confronted the woman during her testimony.
The lady had taken to the altar to testify how she became the first graduate in her family. She also thanked God for making it possible for her to graduate with a “Law degree from the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN)”.
She recounted how some spiritual forces prevented her and her siblings from attending universities and how she overcame them.
Enenche, however, asked the lady what degree she graduated with and she said “Law”. The clergyman thereafter inquired to know what kind of “Law degree”, to which the lady answered “BSc in Law”.
The cleric immediately pointed out that there is no such thing as a “BSc in law” — casting doubt on her testimony.
“Your testimony is a lie. There is nothing like a BSc in Law. Please go back to your seat. Bsc in Law. Is that how lawyers speak English?” the cleric asked rhetorically.
“Please, anybody who comes to this altar to share a testimony that is not true, you do it at the risk of yourself.
“We are not playing here. We are not faking anything here.”
TRENDING VIDEO: 'BSc in Law' — Paul Enenche calls out lady for sharing 'fake testimony' pic.twitter.com/B47VWoAUGG
— CableLifestyle (@CableLifestyle) April 15, 2024
The video has been widely circulated on social media platforms, with users airing their different opinions.
NOUN held its 13th convocation on Saturday. The convocation ceremony saw 22,175 students graduate across NOUN’s 120 study centres in Nigeria.
Of the graduates, 15,768 received their undergraduate degrees, while 6,407 were awarded postgraduate certificates.
Religion
FG approves Thursday as additional public holiday for Eid-el-Fitr
The federal government has approved Thursday April 11 as an additional public holiday for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Aishetu Ndayako, permanent secretary in the ministry of interior, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
On April 7, the federal government had declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays for the Muslim celebration.
Shortly afterwards however, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, declared Wednesday as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH, adding that there was no sighting of the new moon on Monday.
In the new statement, Ndayako quoted Tunji Ojo, minister of interior, as congratulating the “Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation”, while “reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive”.
Religion
FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday as public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr celebration
The federal government has declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the public holidays in a congratulatory message to the Islamic faithful in the country.
Eid-el-Fitr festival is celebrated by Muslims worldwide after observing Ramadan fasting for 29 or 30 days.
The minister congratulated all Muslims in the country for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
He called on faithful to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighbourliness, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
“The Minister wishes all Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration and prays that the peace, blessings and favour of Allah be with everyone and our Great Nation,” the statement reads.
Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to continue in the spirit of unity to improve and achieve peace and oneness in the country.
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