President and founder of LoveWorld Incorporated better known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has said the fire incident at the church’s headquarters was not an accident but an avenue for bigger and better things.

He said this during a live Sunday service at the church’s campground, Asese, according to reports.

Recall that social media was awash early Sunday morning, with videos of the church building at Oregun, Ikeja on fire.

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

He said, “Nothing happens in the life of a child of God by accident. During the 2001 Ikeja cantonment bombing incident, the building vibrated so much and we thought it was going to collapse. I thought to myself that if it collapsed I was going to build a bigger, better one. At the end of the day it didn’t collapse and we called the engineers to see if there was any need to bring it down and rebuild but it was still okay.

“Now that this has happened, we will build a bigger, better, and more glorious one and the devil will lick his wound.”

The men of the Lagos Fire Service were already on ground to rescue the situation at the time of this report and no life was reported lost.

As preparation and planning toward the second edition of the annual Pan-Afrika Drum Festival commence, Afro-Canadians, Canadians, culture enthusiasts, and tourists have been gearing up to have another fantastic cultural display.

The stage is now set for the second edition of the prestigious and foremost cultural fiesta in North America on Friday, June 28th.

In a press statement made available to the media by the convener and the publisher of the Drum Online Media Incorporation, Prince Segun Akanni, he said every arrangement had been made to have another remarkable and astounding cultural fiesta in Canada.

Akanni said the festival will be held in collaboration with the Global Forum for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (GFHRSD), a United Nations recognized non-governmental organisation.

He said: “The first edition, Ayangalu Drum Festival was hugely successful with goodwill messages from prominent figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Hon. Doug Ford, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada Adeyinka Asekun, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Former Canadian Secretary of State and Minister of Immigration Gerry Weiner, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Babatunde Adeyeye, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Olota of Otta Awori Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, and Councillor Ayo Owodunni, among others. The maiden event remains unforgettable in our hearts.”

Akanni said the festival has been re-christening as the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival. “The re-christening, according to Prince Akanni, was borne out of the desire to integrate other African Drum Festivals into a unified festival, which will serve as a platform that affords all the opportunity to showcase their rich and diverse cultural values and aesthetics on a global stage.”

Therefore, the second edition of the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival will be celebrated in commemoration of the Canadian Multicultural Day and it is themed “Exploring the Dynamism of African Drums and Canadian Multiculturalism for Global Unity, Inclusivity and Development”

The Grand Finale of the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival, will be taking place at Wesley Hall, 69 Milvan Dr, North York, ON M9L 1Y8.Friday June 28th, 2024 and the time is 8pm.

Akanni further said, “We anticipate that this prestigious event will attract distinguished gathering, including celebrities, political leaders, cultural icons, traditional custodians, drum aficionados, tourism enthusiasts, industry leaders, renowned percussionists, and media personalities from Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa, and North America as well as Latin America.

“The grand finale promises to be captivating and exhilarating, featuring historic activities and programs such as drum-beating competition, art exhibitions, fashion show, and beauty pageant’, he explains.

He stated further that many prominent dignitaries have signified their interests to be part of the cultural fiesta. The event is going to be an unforgettable evening of celebration, drumming, dancing, drinks, food, entertainment and insightful conversation; Akanni stated.

He enjoins the Afro- Canadians to join the festival to identify with their root and embrace the essence of African culture, heritage and values.

Akanni stated that many prominent and important personalities will be gracing this year’s event. Those who will be declaring the festival open are representatives of Government of Canada and Ontario and they include Mayor Olivia Chow, Mayor Of Toronto, Mayor Patrick Brown, Mayor Of Brampton, diplomats, royal fathers, among others.

The Keynote Speaker is Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, Chairman Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). We will also have in attendance Chief (Mrs) Ngozi Adeleke, Wife Of the Governor of Osun State as the the Mother of the Day. Many personalities who have contributed to the development of society will be honored with Awards of Excellence.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has vowed to sanction its officers caught in a viral video providing armed guard duties to a young man and “encouraging him to abuse the naira”.

In the footage, a police officer is seen opening a car door for a young man. A follow-up scene from the video showed another officer holding a bundle of cash as the man sprayed it at a party.

Reacting to the clip in a statement, the police condemned the act, stating that it is “unethical, demeaning, un-dignifying, and unprofessional”.

The statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, also accused the officer in the video of allegedly encouraging the abuse of the naira — contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act.

The police asked the young man in the video to surrender himself for investigation, adding that efforts are being taken to identify the officers involved “to award appropriate sanctions”.

“We are aware of a video trending on social media, where some policemen could be seen performing guard duties to a young man and encouraging him to abuse the naira, contrary to the provisions of the CBN Act, in such a manner demeaning to the Police Officer and the Nigeria Police Force at large,” the statement reads.

“We condemn the content of the video in its entirety as well as all forms of unethical, demeaning, un-dignifying, and unprofessional acts of its officers, especially ones that subject them to servitude.

“Steps are, therefore, being taken towards identifying the police officer in the said video in order to award appropriate sanctions.

“In this regard, the young man in the video is hereby called upon to present himself to the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department nearest to him, or contact the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, for proper investigation into the circumstances of the video.

“We appreciate all well-meaning Nigerians for bringing this to public knowledge and assure them that the corrective and punitive steps being taken will be brought to a conclusive and definitive end.”

Last year, the NPF said it would sanction the officer spotted opening a car door for actor Charles Okocha.

The police also dismissed three officers attached to a singer over alleged misconduct and misuse of firearms.