Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned Nigerian youths against depending on sports betting as a pathway to wealth, saying lasting success can only be achieved through hard work, patience and integrity.

Speaking during a message to members of his congregation, the cleric described betting as a dangerous distraction capable of destroying the future of young people and preventing them from fulfilling their God-given potential.

Oyedepo urged youths to resist the growing temptation of seeking quick riches through gambling, stressing that genuine prosperity is built on diligence, discipline and purposeful living.

“Young people, 9jabet is not the way to financial fortune. Stop wasting your destiny,” he declared.

He emphasised that although the journey to success may sometimes appear slow, honest labour and consistency ultimately produce more enduring rewards than relying on luck or shortcuts.
“It may be slow, but it’s sure,” he added.

The bishop also reflected on his personal life, recalling how his mother’s unwavering faith influenced his decision to become a Christian at the age of 15.

He recounted how he later expressed his gratitude by buying her a car while she was living in the United States, describing the gift as one that brought her immense joy before her passing at the age of 92.

Using the experience to encourage young people, Oyedepo urged them to embrace faith, perseverance and gratitude instead of pursuing instant wealth through betting.

He concluded his message by urging Nigerian youths to rethink their priorities and make choices that would guarantee a brighter future.

“You better wake up,” he said.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

One person has been confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a three-storey building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, which reportedly housed students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed on Sunday night, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.

The injured survivors were rescued and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital, Oko, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the site of the collapsed building, reaffirming its commitment to stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse.

He announced the immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.

Ojukwu said the incident would mark a turning point in the enforcement of building regulations across the state, warning that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures would face sanctions.

He added that ongoing construction projects would also be subjected to stricter inspections.

The Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, said technical investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse, adding that a team of professionals had been deployed to conduct a comprehensive structural evaluation.

Ezeobi assured residents that recommendations arising from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control system, prevent future occurrences and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said medical personnel and ambulances were immediately deployed to the scene to provide emergency care for the injured.

He said the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.

Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and the timely medical treatment of the victims.

The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Capt. Casmir Nwafor, also praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimise further risks.

Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions and residents to strictly comply with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.

An eyewitness, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba, said the building, reportedly occupied by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and began evacuating.

He said one survivor, Miss Chioma Akabike, narrowly escaped moments before the building collapsed, while rescue operations commenced immediately.

A traveller who arrived in Abuja aboard an Enugu Air flight has praised the airline for its service, describing the flight as smooth, calm and comfortable despite unfavourable weather conditions.
The traveller, Wordshot Amaechi Ugwele, in a viral social media post said Enugu Air had become a source of pride for the South-East and had significantly improved connectivity between Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Ugwele said the airline’s expansion to destinations including Benin and Kano had made air travel more accessible to residents of the region.
He said, “Today, our people can also fly directly from Enugu to Kano, a travel convenience that would have seemed unimaginable not too long ago, until Enugu Air made it a reality.”
Ugwele also commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as his vision, meticulous planning and disciplined execution in driving development across the state.
According to him, the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, connectivity and economic transformation had contributed to Enugu’s emergence as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.
He said the establishment and expansion of Enugu Air demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving transportation and connecting Enugu with other parts of the country and beyond.

Prophetess Ezinne Nwanorue, a Nigerian preacher based in Canada, has sparked controversy online after appearing to celebrate the death of her mother-in-law in a social media post that has drawn widespread criticism.

The cleric shared the funeral poster of the deceased, Comfort Nwanorue, on Facebook on Monday, accompanying it with remarks in which she accused her late mother-in-law of being responsible for some of the challenges she had faced in the past.

Ezinne claimed she had endured years of spiritual attacks and persecution, saying she believed God had exposed those she held responsible for her struggles.

She also issued stern warnings to individuals she described as agents of evil, urging them to repent.

Her comments triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many users criticising her for publicly expressing what they perceived as joy over the death of a family member.

The incident has also renewed public interest in Ezinne’s marriage to Franklin Nwanorue, which previously made headlines over a controversial fidelity oath he took before relocating to Canada.

Before leaving Nigeria, Franklin reportedly recorded a video in which he pledged to remain faithful to his wife, declaring that he should die if he ever cheated on her after relocating abroad.

However, Ezinne later accused her husband of violating the oath, alleging in a separate Facebook post that he had become involved with another woman despite his public declaration.

As of the time of filing this report, Franklin Nwanorue and other members of his family had yet to publicly respond to Ezinne’s latest social media post.