Doyin Okupe, a former campaign director for the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, has revealed his new calling as an evangelist of Jesus Christ following his second battle with cancer.

In an interview on Channels Television’s programme Political Paradigm, Okupe shared his remarkable journey of transformation, including significant weight loss, and detailed the challenges he faced with cancer.

Having battled prostate cancer 16 years ago and recently undergoing treatment for cancer in the soft tissues of his right shoulder, Okupe emphasized the pivotal role of medical treatment and divine intervention in his recovery.

Reflecting on his experience, Okupe explained how chemotherapy affected his appetite and caused fluctuations in his weight, dropping from 127kg to 97kg during treatment and eventually stabilizing at 103kg afterward.

Through his health struggles, Okupe’s faith in God has deepened, leading him to declare his newfound calling as an evangelist for Christ.

“I bear witness to God and Jesus Christ, I’m a testimony to the fact that there is nothing the Lord God Jehovah can’t do,” Okupe affirmed. “From now on, I have become an evangelist and a witness for Christ.”

“A former Labour Party (LP) presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, has embraced a new identity as an evangelist of Jesus Christ, attributing his transformation to God’s intervention in his battle with cancer and weight loss journey.

Okupe shared his testimony while appearing on Channels Television’s programme, Political Paradigm. When asked about his weight loss journey, he explained that his significant weight loss was primarily due to undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment, which often leads to loss of appetite and nausea. He recounted his journey from weighing 127kg before chemotherapy to reaching 97kg during treatment and then regaining weight after chemotherapy ended.

Additionally, Okupe revealed that he battled cancer twice, first 16 years ago with prostate cancer and recently with soft tissue cancer in his right shoulder. He credited his survival and recovery to the intervention of God and Jesus Christ, declaring himself as a testimony to God’s power and a witness for Christ.

In light of his experience, Okupe expressed his newfound role as an evangelist for Jesus Christ, emphasizing his belief in the limitless power of God.”

“Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Victor Oko-Jumbo, has successfully screened and confirmed eight commissioner-designates nominated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. These appointments aim to fill the vacancies left by the former pro-Wike commissioners who resigned recently.

The confirmed nominees are Prince Charles Bekee, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Basoene Benibo, Peter Medee, Tasie Amadi, Tambari Sydney Gbara, and Ovy Orluideye Chukwuma.

During the screening process, the commissioner-designates expressed their dedication to utilizing their expertise to advance Governor Fubara’s administration. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, the Leader of the Oko-Jumbo-led Rivers State Assembly, highlighted the nominees’ extensive service in various capacities within the state during the debate on their screening. He urged the House to confirm them, which was seconded by Adolphus Orubienimigha, leading to unanimous confirmation by the members.

Speaker Oko-Jumbo seized the opportunity to commend Governor Fubara for his remarkable achievements, emphasizing the impactful projects implemented across the state. He reassured the governor of the assembly’s steadfast support and urged him to remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.”

“The family of Margaret Oyibo Atayi, a young woman from Benue State found dead in Abuja, believes she took her own life due to depression stemming from her troubled marriage. Margaret, who hailed from Ugbokolo in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State, was last seen near City College of Education, Abacha Road, Mararaba, Abuja, at around 3 am on Friday, May 17.

Confirming her death, her father Mr. Atayi revealed that Margaret, a mother of two, had been grappling with depression due to mistreatment by her husband. He recounted that she left home without informing anyone and her body was discovered on Monday, with evidence suggesting suicide.

Announcing her death on Facebook, Margaret’s sister Stella Ameh expressed gratitude for the support received during the search efforts. She lamented that while Margaret was found, she had already passed away.

Responding to inquiries, Stella disclosed that Margaret’s depression was exacerbated by mistreatment from her husband, whom she married after the death of his first wife. The husband, originally from Orokam in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State, allegedly relocated Margaret and their children to Nigeria before abandoning them.

Further investigation revealed that Margaret had confided in friends about her struggles and expressed feelings of helplessness, stating that suicide seemed like the only option as she could no longer care for her children.”

“Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has made a significant shift in his stance by endorsing the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure. Obi’s endorsement came during his visit to the LP’s national headquarters in Abuja, where he was warmly received by Abure and other party leaders.

This marks a notable change of heart for Obi, who had previously abstained from the party’s controversial national convention, held in his home state, amidst a leadership crisis within the party. During his visit, Obi not only expressed support for Abure but also endorsed the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abure.

In his address, Obi urged aggrieved party members to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians and the nation above personal interests. He emphasized the importance of unity within the party and pledged to work towards reconciling all factions involved in the party crisis.

Speaking in response, Abure expressed gratitude for the visit and emphasized the need for all dissenting voices to set aside personal interests and collaborate for the betterment of the party. He called for unity and cooperation in building a stronger LP that would effectively participate in the upcoming election season and contribute to the realization of a better Nigeria.

Abure’s remarks underscored the importance of putting aside personal differences in pursuit of a common goal—a sentiment echoed by Obi’s call for unity and focus on national development.”

“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has cautioned that the Nigerian Senate’s proposal to impose capital punishment on drug trafficking offenders may not significantly reduce the prevalence of such crimes. Oliver Stolpe, the Country Representative of UNODC, delivered this assessment during a two-day media personnel training session on anti-corruption, police accountability, wildlife crime, and sensitization on drugs prevention, treatment, and care (DPTC), organized by UNODC, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other partners in Abuja.

Stolpe emphasized that the deterrent effect of the death penalty has not been convincingly proven and reiterated the UN’s stance against capital punishment. He underscored the need for a clear distinction between drug trafficking offenses and drug use, asserting that drug addiction should be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one.

Regarding the outdated drug data in Nigeria, Stolpe highlighted the necessity for updated surveys, noting that the most recent national drug survey was conducted in 2018 and may not accurately reflect the current drug usage trends in the country.

Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, emphasized the crucial role of the media in Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking. Marwa, represented by NDLEA Secretary Shedrach Haruna, recognized the media as a vital partner in promoting transparency, accountability, and awareness in law enforcement efforts.”

“Benue Assembly Advances Bill for Establishment of Civil Protection Guards to Second Reading”

The Benue State House of Assembly has progressed a bill for the establishment of Benue Civil Protection Guards to its second reading. Leading the debate on the bill, House Majority Leader Mr. Saater Tiseer highlighted the susceptibility of Benue to attacks by various militias. Tiseer emphasized that the swift passage of the bill would empower the state to take charge of its security and protection.

Seconding the motion for the bill’s second reading, House Minority Leader Mr. Michael Audu underscored the lawmakers’ commitment to the security of their constituents and urged members to support the bill. The house unanimously agreed to proceed with the second reading of the bill.

Subsequently, Speaker Mr. Hyacinth Dajoh invited the Clerk, Mr. Bernard Nuleto, to read the bill for the second time before referring it to the Rules and Business Committee for further legislative scrutiny.

In another development, a bill aimed at providing for retirement age and improving the remuneration of magistrates also passed its second reading on the house floor. During the lead debate, the Majority Leader expressed concerns over the lack of accommodation, protection, and official vehicles for magistrates in the state. He stressed the importance of respecting and protecting magistrates to ensure their motivation and efficiency in carrying out their duties.

The motion for the bill’s second reading was supported by Audu, and the house agreed to proceed with it. Speaker Dajoh referred the bill to the Rules and Business Committee for further examination.

“The Sri Lankan government is poised to present two significant bills aimed at fortifying the nation’s economy to parliament on Wednesday, as announced by Minister of State for Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, during a press briefing on Monday.

The proposed ‘Economic Transformation Bill’ and ‘Public Financial Management Bill’ are tailored to bolster public finance management and safeguard against potential economic downturns. Semasinghe emphasized the importance of maintaining optimal levels of public financial management to prevent future economic crises, noting that these bills align with recommendations stemming from collaborative efforts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The legislation encompasses reforms essential for international trade, trade agreements, and initiatives related to climate change mitigation. Semasinghe highlighted that in 2022, Sri Lanka’s public debt ratio stood at 128%, with plans to reduce it to below 95% by 2032. Similarly, the fiscal requirement, which accounted for 34.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, is targeted to be lowered to below 13% by 2032.”

“The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) is gearing up to launch mentorship and employability programs in six universities nationwide, spanning across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde revealed this plan during an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity of addressing Nigeria’s high unemployment rate.

Oyerinde stated that the initiative aims to enhance the employability potential of Nigerian youth, enabling them to compete effectively both locally and globally. Scheduled to commence toward the end of this year or early next year, the programs seek to equip participants with the necessary skills and opportunities for career advancement.

NECA also intends to develop credible policy recommendations for the government to consider in tackling youth unemployment. The organization recently hosted the 2024 Job Fair in Lagos as part of its employability scheme, focusing on green jobs and renewable energy to tap into the vast untapped potential in these sectors.

Oyerinde highlighted the International Labour Organisation’s estimation of over 20 million job opportunities in the green economy and renewable energy, underscoring the importance of exposing Nigerian youths to these opportunities. NECA’s efforts are aimed at collaborating with various stakeholders to address the country’s persistent unemployment challenges.”