Month: October 2023

Embattled Pastor of the I Reign Christian Ministry, Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, charged with rape of his assistant and one other lady, closed his defence on Friday in Lagos.

Oluwafeyiropo is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on raping two ladies, at an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court..

The defendant was alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the ladies against their wishes, at his Lekki residence, Lagos, State

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bishop opened defence on Tuesday and denied the charges.

The defendant told the court that the alleged survivors conspired against him to accuse him of the offences.

During cross-examination by state counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, on Friday, the defendant reiterated that he believed that the alleged survivors conspired against him.

He also denied giving N100,000 to one of the alleged survivors for medical treatment.

Boye asked him if his position as a pastor and someone who people approached for counselling made him to manipulate them.

The defendant said: “I am not a manipulator. Three ladies turned against me but one of them later apologised to me.

“I am not a powerful man but I am a pastor, and I do not use power to counsel people.

“You get trained to counsel and you use wisdom and the leading of the spirit.”

The defendant also denied tampering with WhatsApp messages between him and one of the alleged survivors.

Defence counsel, Mr Olukunle Oyewole, thereafter informed the court that the defendant would be closing his case.

Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted some extrajudicial statements from the defence counsel in evidence and marked them Exhibits E1 to E7.

Oshodi adjourned the case until Dec. 20 for adoption of final written address by defence and prosecution counsel.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

OSHAKATI: The Ongwediva Medipark will host its 11th annual breast, cervical and prostate cancer awareness campaign on Saturday to increase awareness on the potential risks associated with these cancers.

Hospital Manager Sakeus Kamati in an interview with Nampa on Thursday said the campaign will commence with a Cancer Run/Walk and a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) presentation.

He explained that cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and its physical, emotional, and financial toll on patients and their families is immense.

“At Ongwediva Medipark, we are committed to improving the lives of cancer patients through various initiatives, including awareness programs, educational resources, patient support services, and fundraising activities,” he said.

He added that this year’s cancer campaign will be a comprehensive effort to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options.

According to Kamati, three state patients with cancer related symptoms have been identified for further management.

Moreover, he said that the campaign will feature a series of events and activities educational seminars (CPD), survivor testimonials, and fundraising drives.

Since the first campaign on 01 November 2013, more than 5000 women and men have been screened , he said, noting that during last year’s campaign, five patients were found to have abnormal cells, and were all treated and their treatments are ongoing.

Former First Lady and their Patron Penehupifo Pohamba will officiate at the event.

Source: NAMPA

KATIMA MULILO: Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Minister, Dr. Albert Kawana inaugurated the Singalamwe Post in the Kongola Constituency of the Zambezi Region on Thursday.

The over N.dollars 34 million facility consists of a charge office with three offices, a record room, radio room, kitchenette, a two-bedroom house, 2×20-room barracks, kitchen/dining, staff entertainment area, sewer, water and electrical reticulation lines, drilling of one borehole and access roads and parking space.

In his remarks, Kawana said the inauguration of the police post is a clear indication of government’s commitment to its resolution of ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to the public and to improving the livelihood of members of the Force, despite economic challenges.

The police post, he said will bring policing services closer to the people of Zambezi region and visitors alike.

“The inauguration of this facility will ensure that policing services such as crime prevention, investigation of any offense or alleged offense and maintenance of law and order are brought closer to the people,” the minister said.

Kawana further warned those who are planning for secessionism, that nobody will have the power to separate the Zambezi region from Namibia and emphasized that the Kamenga area in Singalamwe bears a significant purpose as it served as a battle field for the liberation of the country since August 1968.

“The massacre of Singalamwe will not be forgotten, those who fought at Kamenga included many brave sons across Namibia.” Kawana stated.

Also speaking at the inauguration, Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Inspector-General, Liteunant General Joseph Shikongo noted that the police post will bring policing services closer to the people, making law enforcement more accessible and responsive.

Previously, the inhabitants of Singalamwe had to travel to Kongola police station to access policing services, which is over 20 kilometers away.

The new police post was also allocated a new Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4.

Source: NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO: Whale Rock Cement, trading as Cheetah Cement Factory on Friday announced a wage agreement deal it signed with its employees at the factory situated outside Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region.

The cement factory in a media statement on Friday indicated that during the negotiations the employees were represented by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) and a salary increase of six per cent across the board for the financial years of 2023/2024 as well as for 2025 effective from 01 July 2023, was signed.

“The negotiations between the Whale Rock Cement and MUN started in May 2023 and were reached between the two parties on 17 October 2023 at the cement factory at Otjiwarongo,” said the statement.

The workers also received an increase in their daily food allowance of N.dollars 50 from N.dollars 30, it added.

Workers’ housing allowances were also increased in the new wage deal from N.dollars 1 000 to N.dollars 1 120, and all the benefits are effected from 01 July 2023 with backdated payments to employees starting from July this year, it said.

Cheetah Cement has a total of 150 workers at its factory situated approximately six kilometres north of Otjiwarongo.

Source: NAMPA

WINDHOEK: Letshego Holdings Namibia was named the 2023 Best Locally Listed Company at the renowned Namibia Top Company Awards ceremony, held in the capital on Thursday.

The annual awards ceremony, organised by Cirrus Capital and judged by an independent panel, attempts to acknowledge Namibian firms’ extraordinary achievement.

Ester Kali, the Executive Officer of Letshego Holdings Namibia, in her remarks underlined that the award demonstrates the financial company’s continuous dedication to exceptional corporate governance and sustainable growth in its day-to-day operations, all while providing social and economic benefits to more Namibians.

Letshego produced amazing success, according to Kali, despite economic constraints such as rising interest rates, reduced affordability, and more competition in loan rates during the 2022 Fiscal Year.

Profit after tax increased by 16 per cent, while deposits increased from N.dollars 386 million in 2021 to N.dollars 536 million in 2022, according to her.

She stated that the company distributed a final dividend of 44.89 cents per share on 15 June 2023, establishing a remarkable dividend yield of 18.7 per cent, the highest among NSX local tickers.

‘’Dedicated efforts, innovation, and the diversification of the product portfolio drove this success. Over the last two years, Letshego Namibia has extended its services beyond government employees. The Group broadened its loan offerings and introduced low-cost transactional bank accounts and high-yield savings products, resulting in impressive growth and increased shareholder value,’’ she said.

Kali further noted that The Best Locally Listed Company category spun around three fundamental assessment criteria; return, growth, and investor relations management, noting that the return accounted for 60 per cent of the overall assessment, including share price appreciation, dividend yield, net profit to market capitalisation, and return on equity.

‘’Growth contributed 20 per cent to the overall score, considering revenue and profit growth. Investor relations made up the remaining 20 per cent and was supported by a survey assessing interactions, the quality of information distributed to stakeholders, and integrated reporting, all independently conducted by Cirrus,’’ she said.

These stringent criteria and meticulous evaluation process underscored Letshego Namibia’s exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, said Kali.

Source: NAMPA

WINDHOEK: Civics Football Club (FC) Head Coach, Jeremy Zimmer, emphasised the importance of planning accordingly ahead of their Premier League home match against Blue Waters Sports Club on Saturday at the University of Namibia (UNAM) sports stadium.

Civics FC occupy 13th place in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership log standings with one win and hope to get a victory against Blue Waters FC, who are sixth on the log standings.

Zimmer told Nampa on Friday that preparing is crucial given that Civics is not in a strong position in the log table and will need to improve.

‘We have to win to get out of that position that we are in. It will not be a comfortable nor easy game, but the team needs to build momentum and win to move up the Premier League log standings,’ Zimmer said.

Meanwhile Blue Waters FC Head Coach Lucky Shipanga described the weekend as important for the team since they will be playing to narrow the gap in the top four, saying his team will be aiming for maximum points to improve their log status.

“We are going there with our team spirit and accumulate maximum points,” Shipanga said.

Shipanga further advised his team players to be humble and approach each game one at a time. The players rested well, and Erastus Kulula, who was suspended for receiving a red card, is eager to return.

Blue Waters supporters have full support for the team, and they are the team’s secret and are hoping for Blue Waters to win three points.

Blue Waters FC’s second fixture of the weekend will be against Tigers FC on Sunday at 14h00 at the UNAM stadium.

In addition, Civics will take on Okahandja United FC on Sunday at 16h00 at UNAM stadium.

Source: NAMPA