**”Many people have testified to the healing powers of the Miracle water,. Closing the factory puts lives at risk, Says ArchBishop Dr. Chuka

*””As Prof. Baaba expresses concern over NAFDAC’s action as Acting on Biased information against Prophet Fufeyin

Following the recent allegation and investigation ongoing by NAFDAC on the miracle water being used by the founder and minister in charge of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries International in Warri, Delta State, Senior Project Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin a Minister of God, Most Rev. Calixtus Oke says NAFDAC overstepping its authority, insisting  that the agency is supposed to regulate the production and sale of drugs, not religious sacramentals.

Most Revd. Calixtus Oke who is also the Bishop of the Evangelical Church (Old Catholic) and Rector of Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Port Harcourt, Tuesday September 10, 2024 in Asaba at NAFDAC premises strongly condemned what he called a media trial of Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin.

While showing total support to Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, Bishop Oke and other of his colleagues Bishops as well as some members of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries International joined in the peaceful rally stating that Churches have always used items like oil, water, and candles for spiritual purposes, and that it is recognized in Christian history.

Bishop Oke further questioned the validity of NAFDAC’s claims, challenging the agency to provide scientific evidence to support its accusations. “If NAFDAC claims the water is fake, they need to prove it through testing. Otherwise, they have no right to label it as such. Spiritual materials like water, which are blessed for religious purposes, do not fall under NAFDAC’s regulatory jurisdiction.”

He criticized the manner in which the agency handled the situation, describing it as confrontational. According to him “NAFDAC should have invited Prophet Fufeyin for a dialogue instead of sealing his premises. This approach is disrespectful and intimidating to religious leaders.”

Most Revd. Dr. Chidi Ekemefuna Chuka, Archbishop of the Province of the East Orthodox Anglican Communion, defended Prophet Jeremiah’s use of religious items. Positing “Prophets behave differently from pastors and have the right to use natural items like water, oil, and salt for spiritual purposes. If Prophet Jeremiah uses water as part of his ministry and it is not sold to the public, NAFDAC has no business intervening.”

Dr. Chuka stressed that the closure of the water factory was harmful to the people relying on these spiritual materials. “Many people have testified to the healing powers of this water. Closing the factory puts lives at risk. This is a spiritual matter, and NAFDAC should not interfere in such matters unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”

Most Revd. Professor Samuel Baaba, Metropolitan Archbishop of The Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, added that NAFDAC’s actions were premature. “The Church is a Divine institution, and matters of Faith should not be interfered with lightly. Faith involves belief in spiritual practices and NAFDAC should have waited  until the Court proved anything beyond reasonable doubt before taking such drastic action,” he stressed..

Prof. Baaba expressed concerns that the agency might have been acting on biased information. “It seems like there were pre-existing prejudices against Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, If NAFDAC had properly investigated, they would have found that his practices were meant to help people through Faith, not harm them.”.

Despite the heavy rain Faithfuls were not deterred from processing to the NAFDAC premises, even as our correspondent reports that NAFDAC has yet to respond to the claims made by the religious leaders.

The protest marks a significant clash between regulatory authorities and Faith-based organizations over the boundaries of spiritual practices and legal oversight.

Delta Deputy Gov., Onyeme Says Delta North Is 100 Per Cent PDP

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, has said that Delta North is 100 per cent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking at a reception in honour of elected members of the Executive Committee of the PDP from Delta North Senatorial District on Tuesday in Asaba, the deputy governor congratulated the elected officials and charged them to double their efforts to ensure that the district remains intact for the party.

He noted that the elected officials clinched the positions based on their track records of delivering positive results for the party.

“Today, we are here to celebrate people who have been rewarded for contributing immensely to development of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Based on their hard work and commitment to the growth of our party, they have been given more assignment as elected officials our party and they are to serve us for the next four years.

“I congratulate the Deputy Chairman of our party, Elder Moses Iduh and all the elected officers of our party from Delta North, a zone which is always giving the PDP 100 per cent and will continue to remain 100 per cent PDP.

“You have been tested and we believe in you and your capacity; most of you are old in the business of politics and that is why we say, ‘the reward for hard work is more work.’

“We expect you to improve on what you have been doing for the PDP to remain the number one choice of Delta North, once again, congratulations to all those who are here to celebrate our people, we say, thank you,” the deputy governor stated.

State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Solomon Arenyeka said that it was absolute loyalty that members of the party to choose the officers to serve in the state Executive Committee of the party.

Arenyeka urged them to continue in the spirit of loyalty and unity, asserting, “for you to be here today as elected officers of the party, you must have been seen to be loyal to the party from head to toe; you must also have been seen not to have decamped from the party in any circumstances.

“To our new officers from Delta North, I know you have the strength to do the job that you have been elected to do and this job is no other thing than loyalty to the party.

“I know that by the grace of God, with all of us working together with our governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, no one will be disappointed.”

Those who were honoured include Ellder Moses Idu (Deputy State Chairman), Engr. Dan Ossai, Vice Chairman (Delta North), Mrs Mary Agbogwe (Woman Leader), Barr. Francis Okolie (Youth Leader), Chief Chibuzor Uwaje (State Treasurer), Barr. Heslington Okolo (Legal Adviser), Mr Godwin Ezedom (State Assistant Secretary), Mr Lucky Onyia (Assistant Youth Leader), Mr John Emenim (State Auditor), Mr Innocent Uchibuofu (Assistant Organising Secretary), Mr Krees Njookwuemeni (Assistant Treasurer), Mrs Mercy Nkem Odili (Ex-Officio), Lady Nneka Orah (Ex-Officio).

Breaking News: Massive Solidarity rally for Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries in Asaba

Religious faithfuls have staged a massive rally in Asaba in support of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries and its Founder Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin over the miracle water controversy invitation by NAFDAC.

The Christian group staged the peaceful protest along major roads linking to the NAFDAC Delta State Office headquarters in Asaba the Delta State Capital this afternoon.

The Christian group carried placards with the inscriptions: “NAFDAC Stop persecuting Christian Faith “, NAFDAC fear God’s spiritual materials”, “Spiritual materials have spiritual background Not NAFDAC approval”, NAFDAC Spiritual materials are for the Believers”, NAFDAC Fear God”, “We say no to registration of spiritual materials by NAFDAC” among others.

Niger Delta: Fight Against Crude Oil Theft, Another Crude Oil Syndicate Uncovered at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation

Another major feat may have been recorded in the fight against crude oil theft at weekend as a major illegal oil crude loading point was uncovered Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation.

Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation, located in Bonny axis of Rivers State, is operated by Sahara Energy.

It was hitherto operated by Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited.

Already, an oil barge named AGS 01 with an unnamed wooden boat being used for the operation may have been impounded.

Though no security agency of the government and private surveillance security companies have claimed responsibility for the feat, findings by newsmen, however, revealed that the feat was achieved by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

Reliable sources in the military circles told newsmen that operatives of TSSNL punctured the illegal act.

One of our sources hinted that the operatives of TSSNL on normal patrol were attracted to the scene as illegal oil operators congregated within the vicinity of the Cawthorne Channels 1 Flowstation.

Top officials of TSSNL were not readily available to confirm the report at press time on Monday.

Pictures and video clips from the scenes showed the operatives of TSSNL on top of the seized barge, wooden boat and a tug boat named MV AMS 02.

A hose was sighted being used to transfer crude oil from the barge into the wooden boat.

The identities of the crew members of the illegal bunkering facilities were unknown at press time but officials of TSSNL were sighted ordering the oil thieves to vacate the scenes.

Some stakeholders in the oil industry have expressed dismay about the latest development, especially with the presence of the military personnel at Cawthorne Channel 1 Flowstation.

“The presence of a wooden boat stored with crude oil and its hatches opened speaks volumes. This is obviously crude oil theft syndicate backed and encouraged by the unscrupulous military establishment, officials of oil company and those of the state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“A lot of questions are begging for answers in the unfolding scenario. The germane one is when have we come to the worrisome stage in the oil industry when a wooden boat are being used to lift crude oil on behalf of NNPCL or is it that the operatives of TSSNL sighted on top of the seized oil equipment were also aiding and abetting the illegal act?

“Or is it that Tantita has recorded another feat? If it’s so, it means its efforts should be commended by the government and indeed all Nigerians,” added one of our sources, who craved that his name should not be mentioned.

The management of TSSNL could not be reached to confirm the involvement of its operatives in the discovery of the bunkering site.

The company’s Managing Director, Engineer Keston Pondi and Executive Director, Operations/Technical Services, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, could not be reached for their reaction to the report.

The duo ignored calls and messages sent to them to enable them to react to the report.

Also, when contacted, the company’s Spokesman, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, refused to react to the report.

DOPF Sets November Dates for 2024 Annual Lecture series

**To address security challenges in Delta, find implementable solutions

The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has announced its 2024 Annual Lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, and Thursday, November 21.

The lecture will focus on addressing security challenges in Delta State and across Nigeria with a theme, “Security Challenges: Finding Local Implementable Solutions.”

In a statement signed by DOPF Chairman Emmanuel Enebeli and Secretary Shedrack Onitsha, the forum emphasized the need for practical, community-driven approaches to enhance security. The event aims to ignite discussions on developing sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of local communities.

“The lecture will tackle pressing security issues in Delta State and Nigeria, emphasizing community-based strategies for tackling crime and improving safety,” the statement said.

The two-day event will open with a training session for members on leadership and management, followed by the main lecture on the second day. Security experts, community leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups are expected to participate, contributing to strategies that reflect the existing social and cultural realities. The discussions will focus on practical, sustainable approaches to these challenges.

DOPF expressed optimism that the lecture will strengthen community bonds and foster a safer environment conducive to economic growth and social development in Delta State, and Nigeria.

A key aspect of the discussions will be the impact of security threats, such as herdsmen attacks, on agriculture and food production. Experts will address how insecurity has led to displaced farmers and contributed to food shortages, offering insights into the root causes and broader economic effects of these challenges.

To ensure the smooth execution of the event, a planning committee chaired by Mr. Abel Johngold and 12 other members has been set up.

The 2024 DOPF Annual Lecture is expected to serve as a critical platform for exchanging ideas and formulating actionable solutions to security challenges in Delta State and beyond. The statement concluded.