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Aig-lmoukhuede Undermining My Natural and Legal Roles As Guardian, Wigwe’s Father, Pastor Shyngle Cries Out

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Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of late Chairman of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, has raised alarm over what he described as Mr. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s plan to undermine his natural and legal roles as guardian over his son’s Estates and children.

The concerns were raised in an affidavit submitted at the High Court of Lagos on his behalf by someone, who identified himself as a cousin of late Wigwe, Christian Wigwe.

The Affidavit is presented below in full AS RECEIVED:

“IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY
HOLDEN AT IKEJA
AFFIDA TIN SUPP RTOF CA EAT
I, Christian Wigwe, Male, Christian, Nigerian of full nge; n eq@ßNenéur, certified mediator with specialization in transformative mcdiatlönö&n respectively, resident at Plot 718, Sentinel Crescent, Durumi District, ‘l”crritory, Abuja do hereby make oath and state as follows:
1. I am a cousin to Herbert Onyewrumbu Wigwe (hereinafter referred to as ‘ ‘the deceased”), who passed away on 9 th of February, 2024 along with his wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, and son, Chizi Wigwe in an aircraft crash.
The deceased owned multiple real and personal assets both in Nigeria and abroad and left behind the following children (in their order of seniority):
a) Otutochi Channel Wigwe 25 years old
b) Chituru David Wigwe 16 years old
c) \Vegu Hannah Wigwc •14 years old
d) C)kachi Great \Vigwe 2 years old.
3. I arn familiar with the circumstances surrounding the deceasedls Will and the appointment of guardianship (ad litem) for his minor children – David, Hannah and Great.
4. FINhe deceased’s Will dated the 9 th of July, 2013 was lodged at the Probate Registry.
5. ‘Ithe purported \Vill was executed in the United States of America (“USA”), and concerns have been raised regarding its applicabilitv to the assets and matters within •s •e,risdiction.
6. I do not know who lodged the \Vill in the •Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court, Oiven that the Will was drawn up in 2013 in the USA and che deceased was accustomed to keeping his affairs separate and Segregated in different countries.
I verily believe that the Will was lodged at the Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court after the death of the deceased to give the impression that the deceased intended its applicability co extend to his assets in Nigeria,
8. The purported Will seems to apply primarily to the assets of the deceased located in the USA, I.l•svflanguage and provisions suggest a focus on matters within the USA.
9. The Will does not clearly statc that it extends beyond the USA to cover assets or matters within Nigeria, This raises concerns about whether the deceasedl s assets in Nigeria are addressed Of governed by the Will at all.
10. The Will does not mention• any beneficiaries, neither docs it make provision for the guardianship of the deceased’s minor children under Nigerian or American law.
11, ‘llhe minor children have since been brought up in Nigeria in accordance with Nigerian values and customs.
12. Since the death of Herbert and Chizoba Wigwe (parents of the minors), it is not clear svho has acted as legal guardian for the minor children, other than the fact that they live at No. 10, Oronmiyan Street, Queen’s Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, which is where their parents lived. The family had moved into the residence just three months prior to their parent’s death.
13. In accordance with African values and good order, it will naturally be the father of the deceased, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe who will act as guardian to the minor children or at the very lc.asc, he will be consulted to ascertain who should act as guardian.
Shynglc Wigwe (grandfather) should ordinarily play a role in determining the welfare of his grandchildren. Given his fatherly role, his involvement in their upbringing would be both natural and beneficial.
Pastor Shyngle Wigwe has suffered an unimaginable loss with the passing of his son, Herbert Wigwe, his daughter-in-law, Doren Chizoba Wigwc, and his grandson, Chizi Wigwe, (his children) all in one day. This traumatic event has deeply affected him and his family.
16. In light of this, appointing Of enabling Pastor Shyngle Wigwe to act as the legal guardian of his grandchildren would not only provide stability for the children but also servc as a significant part of the healing process for him. His role as guardian would help hi t?l cope with this profound loss while ensuring the welfare of his grandchildren is well cared for.
Besides the traumatic circumstance under which Pastor Shyngle Wigwe lost his children, he is well-qualified and accomplished to perform the role of a legal guardian in that:
a) He is a trained Electrical Engineer by profession.
b) He retired as an accomplished civil servant after rising to the height of his career as the Director-G eneral of INJPTf\;
c) He is a devoted Christian;
d) He is the head of the Wigwe family;
e) He is a certified Mediator.
18. Notwithstanding these credentials that equip Pastor Shyngle Wigwe to act in the capacity of guardian or to be consulted as to whom should act in that capacity, the business partner of the deceased, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has assumed indirect guardianship and custody of the deceased’s children.
19. In assuming this indirect role of guardianship, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhucde hid* subtly created a situation that makes it difficult for Pastor Shyngle Wigwe to act as guardian for the children, particularly the minor children.
20. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has also cleverly withheld relevant information regarding the deceased’s Estate from Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and other members of the family disenabling any such member from making informed decision regarding the deceased’s children (his grandchildren).
21. I wras informed by Pastor Shyngle Wigwe on the 6th day of October 2024, at approximately 8pm, at his residence located at 7, Epsom Street, Northern Foreshore Estate, Off Chevron I)rivc., Eti- Osa LGA, Lagos State, that the circumstancc under which Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has caused Pastor Shyngle to be excluded from the affairs of the deceased’s minor children and blocked him from accessing any information regarding the management of the assets of the deceased are as follows:
a) Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede is currently controlling the assets of the Late Herbert Wigwe. While Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, otherwise natural guardian of Herbert’s minor children, would usually not be bothered by this, the way Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede is handling the assets is grossly undermining Pastor Shyngle Wigwe’s role as guardian and the head of the Wigwe family.
b) Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s access to Herbert’s funds gives him a certain level s of influence over decisions that affect the deceased’s children. Although he is not their legal guardian, his control over the estate puts him In 41 position where he indirectly acts as one. This situation has made Pastor Shyngle \X’igwc uneasy,
c) Ordinarily, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe would not have an issue with Aigboje Aig-lmoukhucde managing Herbert’s assets. However, Aigboje .\igImoukhuede’s influence is now extending beyond financial matters and affecting areas where Pastor Shyngle Wigwe should have full authority.
d) Pastor Shyngle Wigwe feels that his natural role as guårdian is being undermined. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s decisions concerning the estate are crossing into the territory that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe should manage for his grandchildren. ‘[his overlap is causing tension.
e) Pastor *hygnlc Wigwe is concerned that if this continues, his legal and natural role as guardian will be further eroded.
f) Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has continued to cover some financial support of the deceased’s dependent parents, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and Mrs, Stella Affiong-Wigwe, as well as the ongoing expenses related to the deceased’s chlldrena
g) Despite his continued financial involvement, he has not provided any formal updates or disclosed how these expenses are being met or their impact on the overall Estate.
h) ‘[his lack of transparency has left the beneficiaries and other stakeholders uninformed about the financial status of the Estate and whether these expenses arc affecting its valuc or liquidity.
i) He has not disclosed any information regarding the general wclPare, care, education or guardianship of the minor children or the administration of the Estate.
j) The absence of critical information or any accounting makes it unclear how much of the deceased’s wealth is being expended for the sustenance of the deceased’s dependents.
k) ‘Ihe deceased cousin, Uchc Wigwe has been named in a suit instituted in the USA against the airline company that owned the helicopter that crashed causing the death of the deceased, his wife and his son.
1) Aigbojc Aig-lmoukhuede appears comfortable with a situation where Uche Wigwe is named as guardian even if it undermines the authority of the family as long as it gives Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede son-xe indirect control over the affairs of -the deceased knowing that he has an over bearing influence over Uche Wig-wc.
m) Despite these concerns, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede seems unconcerned. His main interest appears to be preserving his influence and maintaining control over the assets of the deceased, which Uche Wigwe, under his direction, allows him to achieve.
22. During our conversation on the same day, time and location stated above, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe informed me of the above. stated facts and expressed the following concerns, which I verily bellcve•
a) *Ilv,lt the significant age gap between Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede and both Uche Wigwe and Otucochi Wigwe, along with Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede>s prominent status, raises doubts about the independence of the decisions made by ()tutochi Wigwe and Uche Wigwe, particularly in their roles as guardians of the minor children and in managing the deceased’s estate.
b) ‘I%hat Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s influence over both Otutochi Wigwe and Uche Wigwe is affecting the proper guardianship of the minor children.
c) “I*hat this influence extends to decisions concerning the deceased’s estate, undermining the autonomy of the family in these critical matters.
d) That Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s overbearing influence over Otutochi Wigwe and Uche Wigwe creates tension within the fan-lily, given the delicate nature of the estate and guardianship issues.
e) Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuedc’s overbearing nature, coupled with his unrestricted access to Herbert’s wealth, is leading some family members to gravitate towards him in an effort to secure his favor. This dynamics is creating tension within the family, as it is systematically alienating other members, and this could strain relationships and lead to divisions amonofamily members if not addressed appropriately.
23. The purported Will (against which a Caveat is being filed) which has been deposited with the High Court within the jurisdiction prescribes that:
a) Chizoba Wigwe, the deceased’s wife, is the first choice as personal representative, However, she has passed away.
b) Betty Blanco, the deceased’s solicitor and an American, is named as the second choice to act as the representative in the event of Chizoba’s death.
c) With Chizob’,l \XfigwcPs death, Betty Blanco would ordinarily assume the role of the personal representative of the deceased’s assets.
d) BctLY Blanco, being an American, is unlikely to nyanage the deceased’s assets in Nigeria due to jurisdictional and practical limitations.
e) a result, Uche Wigwe, who was named as the default representative, has now assumed the role of personal representative.
f) A scheme appears to have been orchestrated to position Uche Wigwe as the personal representative, knowing that Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede wields considerable influence over Uchc Wigwe.
g) Through this arrano•ement, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede becomes an indirect controlling agent over thc deceased’s assets, without being formally accountable to the beneficiaries or dependents of the listatc.
h) CJchc Wio•we is now placed in a conflicting role, serving as both the personal representative of the deceased’s list’,lte and the gwardian of the minor children.
1
i) #1his dual role creates a clear conflict of interest and great responsibility, which could affect the proper management of the Estate and the guardianship of the deceased’s minor children.
24. It is considered an abomination within the Wigxve family hierarchy to nominate Uche Wigwe, the cousin of the deceased, as the guardian of the minor children while their grandfather is still alive.
25. Fllhe family believes that Uche Wigwe’s nomination as both the personal representative of the Estate and the guardian of the minor children undermines the authority and role of the family head, Pastor Shyngle Wigsve.
26. The dual roles of Uchc Wigwe as personal rcpresentativc of the Estate and guardian of the children present a significant conflict of interest, which raises concerns about fairness and transparency in the administration of the deceased Estate.
27. rrhis awkward situation is being fuelled by Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, who has a strong and overbearing influence over Uche Wigwe who is unable to confront him.
28. By supporting Uche Wigwe’s appointment, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuedc ensures that he can indirectly control key decisions related to Herbert’s family matters.
29. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede appears to be taking advantage of Uche Wigwe’s respect and reluctance to oppose him, allowing Aigbojc Aig-lmoukhuede to exert undue influence over matters that should be handled by the family.
30. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede also holds sway over I-Ictbert’s eldest daughter, Otutochi Wigwe, further consolidating his influence. This allows him to manage affairs that should ordinarily remain within the control of the family,
31. It is essential that the children’s welfare is prioritized in all decisions relating to the estate. Proper oversight is crucial to prevent any conflicts from impacting their rightful inheritance including the Wigwe family values The estate should serve to support their upbringing and education as well as peculiar values, until they reach the agc of majority.
32. Otutochi Wigwe, the 25-year-old daughter of the deceased, requires assistance from the grandparents to take care of her younger siblings.
33. Otutochi Wigwe, having grown up knowing Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede as her father’s business partner is reluctant to ask relevant questions out of fear of antagonizing him. In addition, being brought up in the African values, she is hesitant to challenge such traditional values by asking pertinent questions in relation to the administration of the deceased’s Estate as well as the guardianship of her minor siblings.
34. avoid such apprehension for confrontation, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe expected that he will be consultecl in the affairs of the deceased particularly as regards the welfare and custody of the minor children. ‘llhat he will stand as an interested party to protect the interest of thc deceased’s children.
35. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has imposed a domineering presence in Otutochi Wigwe’s life, such that there is reason to ascertain whether her decisions are truly independent.
36. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede has deliberately orchestrated the scheme above including relying on the purported Will of which concerns have been raised about its applicability to assets in Nigeria, to give Uche Wigwe undue authority that undermines the deceased’s family hierarchy.
‘l’he ultimate goal, being to give Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuecle a controlling dominance over the deceased’s family and by extension, his assets.
38. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede’s influence over Otutochi Wigwc has tended toward encouraging an unperturbed distance between her and her grandfather as long as this enables him to remain in direct Of indirect control of the deceased’s assets.
39. l\igboje Aig-lmoukhuedc’s actions continue to create tension within the family.
40s Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, who is 90 years old, is deeply distressed by the lack of fcspcct shown to him by Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede in matters concerning the guardianship of his minor grandchildren,
41. rIlhe exclusion of the grandfather, who is an accomplished civil servant and certified nwdiator, from decisions related to the guardianship of his minor grandchildren and management of his deceased son’s Estate continues to cause hiin significant emotional pain.
42. ‘lhe decisions regarding the guardianship of the deceased’s minor children, including the appointment of Uche Wigwe, were made without consulting the grandfather, who holds a key leadership role within the family.
43. *I’he grandfather’s health has deteriorated due to the anxiety and distress caused by improper care and welfare of his grandchildren and the lack of information regarding his deceased son’s Estate.
44. The deceased’s Will lodged in the Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court refers to a Trust having been created. But the Will does not provide any specific details regarding the terms or conditions of the Trust, leaving the family uncertain about its proper administration.
4-5. ‘I the absence of clear instructions• about the Trust raises questions about whether the best interests of the minor children will be safeguarded.
46. I am informed by Pastor Shyngle Wigwe that the deceased’s family requests that a caveat be placed on the grant of letters of administration/probate of the deceased’s Estate to prevent any further action being taken without their involvement.
‘”Ilhis affidavit is made in good faith and in the best interest of the deceased’s minor children and the family as a whole.

to at Lhe I-ligh Court Registry, _l:agos, Nigeria

BEFORE ME COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS”

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How FG Spent N19bn on Presidential Planes in 15 Months – Report

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At least N19.43 billion has reportedly been spent on the maintenance and operations of the Presidential Air Fleet from July 2023 to September 2024.

According to GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal government’s spending, showed that for 2024, the payouts amounted to N13.55billion, representing 66 per cent of the allocations for the fleet in the 2024 fiscal year.

Most disbursements were labeled ‘Forex Transit Funds,’ typically funds allocated for foreign exchange requirements to facilitate international transactions and engagements.

In the context of the Presidential Air Fleet, such funds are used to cover expenses related to operations outside the country, including fuel purchases, maintenance or services in foreign currencies.

“When aircraft on the fleet are abroad, payments are often made in U.S. dollars or another foreign currency to ensure uninterrupted operations,” a government official explained.

In July 2023, N1.52bn was disbursed in two tranches of N846m and N675m for ‘Presidential air fleet forex transit funds.’

The following month, N3.1bn was disbursed in three tranches of N388m, N2bn, and N713m for the same item.

In November of that year, N1.26bn was released to the Presidential Air Fleet Naira transit account.

The first overhead for 2024 came in March, where N1.27bn were disbursed twice, amounting to N2.54bn. The transit account received N6.35bn in April, N4.97bn in May and N210m in July.

August saw the highest frequency of transactions, with N5.60bn released in six separate disbursements.

Although these transactions were not clearly labeled, the monies were paid into the Presidential Air Fleet naira transit account, including the N35m transfer made in September.

In late April, the transit account received N5.08bn; this came around the same time the President was on a two-nation tour to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

Although Tinubu arrived in the Netherlands in a state-owned Gulfstream AeroSpace 550 Jet, the aircraft could not proceed to Saudi Arabia due to unspecified technical problems. He reportedly continued his journey on a chartered private plane.

At the time, the President’s Boeing 737 business jet was undergoing maintenance. It was later replaced with an Airbus A330 purchased for $100m in August through service-wide votes.

The nearly 15-year-old plane, an ACJ330-200, VP-CAC (MSN 1053), is “spacious and furnished with state-of-the-art avionics, customised interior and communications system,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said, adding that it “will save Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.”

The new Airbus A330 is just one of several aircraft currently on the Presidential Air Fleet, arguably one of Africa’s largest, with around 11 aircraft of various makes and models. Until August, it comprised the 19-year-old B737-700 and a 13-year-old Gulfstream Aerospace G550.

The BBJ was acquired during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at $43m but became a money guzzler as it aged.

Onanuga, defending the purchase of Airbus A330, argued that the new Airbus 330 aircraft and the costs of maintaining the air fleet were not for the president but in the interest of Nigerians.

“It’s not President Tinubu’s plane; it belongs to the people of Nigeria, it is our property…the President did not buy a new jet; what he has is a refurbished jet – it has been used by somebody else before he got it, but it is a much newer model than the one President Buhari used.

“The one President Buhari used was bought by President Obasanjo some 20 years ago. There was a time when the President went to Saudi Arabia, and the plane developed some problems. The President had to leave the Netherlands with a chartered jet.

“Nigerians should try to prioritise the safety of the President. I’m not sure anybody wishes our president to go and crash in the air. We want his safety so that he can hand it over to whoever wants to take over from him,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide said he discussed with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on the faulty plane [Boeing 737 jet] and he said the maintenance costs were excessive because of the age of the aircraft, hence the need for another plane.

The presidential fixed-wing fleet includes a Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605.

Three of the seven fixed-wings are reportedly unserviceable. Meanwhile, the rotor-wing fleet includes two Agusta 139s and two Agusta 101s, all operated by the Nigerian Air Force but supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Former President Buhari promised to reduce the number of aircraft in the PAF to the absolute necessary.

In April 2023, three jets were put up for sale, but there were no specifics on which.

However, efforts to sell one of the Dassault Falcon 7x and the Hawker 4000 in October 2016 stalled when a potential buyer reduced their initial offer from $24m to $11m.

Since 2017, budgetary allocations for the fleet have shown a growing trend, with one exception in 2020.

The allocation for the fleet increased from N4.37bn in 2017 to N20.52bn in 2024, showing a 370 per cent rise in running costs.

In 2018, the fleet’s budget rose significantly by 66.13 per cent to N7.26bn, driven by a substantial increase in capital project allocations while maintaining similar levels for recurrent costs. This upward trajectory continued into 2019, slightly increasing the total allocation to N7.30bn.

The exception came in 2020, when the budget dropped by nearly seven per cent to N6.79bn, primarily due to decreased overhead costs, a reflection of the global economic impacts of lockdowns and disruptions in operations.

By 2021, however, the budget surged dramatically to N12.55bn—a record increase of 84.83 per cent from the previous year.

In 2022, maintenance expenses for each aircraft ranged from $1.5m to $4.5m annually.

The 2022, 2023 and 2024 appropriation acts earmarked N12.48bn, N13.07bn and N20.52bn respectively.

On his way to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa, a foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s GulfStream aircraft during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.

According to Lee Aerospace, manufacturers of the Gulfstream, jet windshields consist of thick multilayered structures of varying layers of glass and transparent acrylic built to withstand collision with a 2kg object.

However, damage to the windshield must have affected its inner layers. While specific prices for replacement can vary based on supplier, labour rates and regional costs, estimates suggest that a single windshield replacement for a G550 can range from $50,000 to $70,000 for part and labour costs.

In an interview with our correspondent, the General Secretary of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, blamed the meteoric rise in the allocations for the PAF on the age of some of the aircraft in the fleet and declining value of the naira as well as the “commercial use” of aircraft by the Nigerian Air Force.

Ohunayo said, “The cost will definitely increase over the years because for one, this issue of the naira against the dollar. As the naira keeps falling to the dollar, we will see a rise in cost because most of the costs of training crew and engineers and replacing aircraft parts are all in dollars.

“Also, some of these aircraft are not new. The older the aircraft, the higher the cost of maintenance and operation.

“Lastly, during these past years, terrorism and insecurity have increased in Nigeria, which has also affected the cost of insuring the aircraft.”

For his part, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, argued that the administration’s spending habits were opposite to Nigerians’ expectations of frugality.

“What we are getting from this administration is opposite to our expectation. We thought we would have an administration that would be frugal in spending and very meticulous at implementing its budget.

“But what we are getting is an administration that has fallen in love with profligacy; that doesn’t see anything wrong in living big amid a poverty-stricken nation.

“It is a reenactment of the Shagari administration, whereby they bought the biggest Mercedes Benz and made themselves as comfortable as possible without considering how much the masses are suffering.

“So when you look at a Vice President saying he’s not travelling [to Samoa] again because there was a splinter on the windscreen of his private aircraft. Why should that be the case?

“First and foremost, we need to be represented at such an international meeting, where we should be well represented by the first two citizens of this country.

“He abandoned that, which means we would have lost certain representation that we deserve at that forum. Two, money will have been spent on advance parties that went ahead of the Vice President. But he abandoned the journey altogether.”

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Pastor Tunde Bakare: Celebrating a Visionary Preacher @70

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By Eric Elezuo

He is visionary, blunt, articulate, passionate, fiery, evangelical, fearless, controversial and the newest septugenarian. He is the Founder and Presidng Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), formally known as the Latter Rain Assembly. He is Pastor Tunde Bakare.

A thought provoking preacher, social commentator, legal expert and politician, Tunde Bakare has come of age in the business called Nigeria.

Born on November 11, 1954, Pastor Bakare is regarded as not only a prophetic-apostolic pastor, but a social and economic image maker, whose contributions to the originality, truth and oneness of the nation cannot be overemphasized.

Originally a Muslim, who embraced the Christian faith in 1974 at the age of 20, Bakare has contributed his quota as a nation builder, seeking both the Vice president and president positions of the nation on two different occasions.

Pastor Bakare started his educational life at All Saints Primary School, Kemta, Abeokuta, and subsequently Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, where he obtained both the School Leaving Certificate and the West Africa Examination Council certificate

After his secondary education, he was admitted into the University of Lagos where he studied Law between 1977 and 1980 before attending Law School in 1981, and was subsequently called to the Bar and following his time in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Bakare kickstarted his career when he started practicing law at the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers. His dexterity on the job propelled him to Rotimi Williams & Co., and later to Burke & Co., Solicitors.

In October 1984, he went solo, and established his own law firm, Tunde Bakare & Co. (El-Shaddai Chambers). Within the preceeding periods, he combined his legal duties with pastoral functions working as a legal adviser at the Deeper Life Bible Church, and later moving to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where he became pastor and founded the Model Parish.

Following his time at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bakare left to start the Latter Rain Assembly Church in 1989, known today aa CGCC, where he presently serves as the General Overseer. In addition to his time in the church, he zeroed into part time politics, serving as the running-mate to presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election. Bakare has been critical of Nigeria’s leadership and has sparked controversy with comments considered inflammatory regarding Muslims and other spiritual leaders.

Also in 2019, Bakare announced his intention to run for president of Nigeria following the end of Buhari’s second term with a total conviction that he has a direct mandate to do and will surely become the next president of Nigeria. He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) but, lost at the primaries conducted at Eagle Square, Abuja, in May 2022. He launched his then political trajectory under the New Nigeria Progressive Movement.

While expressing his intentions to run for the 2023 presidential election towards becoming the next president of Nigeria to church members in 2019 when he was quoted as saying, “I will succeed Buhari as President of Nigeria; nothing can change it. I am number 16, and Buhari is number 15. I never said it to you before. I am saying it now, and nothing can change it. In the name of Jesus, he (Buhari) is number 15. I am number 16. To this end, I was born, and for this purpose, I came into the world. I have prepared you for this for more than 30 years.”

Bakare also presides over the Global Apostolic Impact Network (GAIN), a network of churches, ministries, and kingdom businesses committed to advancing the Kingdom of God on earth as well as the President of Latter Rain Ministries, Inc. (Church Development Center) in Atlanta, GA, USA, a ministry committed to restoring today’s church to the scriptural pattern. He was given a Doctor of Ministry degree by Indiana Christian University under the leadership of his mentor, Dr. Lester Sumrall, in 1996.

Bakare has been instrumental to some uprisings in the country that challenge unhealthy administrations. It would be recalled that his Occupied Nigeria Movement led the protest against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2012 after minor increase in fuel price. The protest was a total success, and led to reduction in fuel pump price.

Also a social critic, Bakare is critical of Miyetti Allah, labeling the Fulani herdsmen as a group of terrorists who rape, murder, and kidnap innocent civilians. Several Fulani Islamic scholars criticized Bakare’s comments about Fulani herdsmen as Islamophobic. Bakare had said that Fulani herdsmen were driving Nigeria towards a civil war.

He also holds a yearly state of the nation address to set the stage for the future and review national issues of the year past.

In his 2019 address, he stated, “We can therefore confidently state that, over the past thirty years, we have faithfully executed our God-given mandate to the nation from this platform. Over the past thirty years, we have deployed appropriate tools for appropriate occasions, from prophetic declarations to confrontational advocacy and from political activism to propositional policy advisory. Over the past thirty years, we have done this consistently, sometimes at the risk of being misunderstood by friends and foes alike.

“We have been motivated not by wavering
opinions of men but by our unshakeable faith in our national destiny and an unalloyed commitment to seeing that destiny fulfilled.”

Reports have it that he was arrested in March 2002 after preaching sermons critical of Nigeria’s then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

No matter how it is viewed, and the direction of his controversies, one thing is obvious, Bakare has stood on the side of truth, hope, and justice, and has remained consistent over the years.

The Serving Overseer has been very vocal, his trademark, over the recent hardship in the country, condemning the politicians for preaching what they cannot practice.

He said Nigerian politicians were not living lean or sacrificing like the rest of the citizens whom they asked to sacrifice for the country by enduring economic hardship.

Bakare said this while delivering the keynote address with the theme: “Cultivating a Culture of Dialogue: Nurturing Understanding in a Culturally and Socially Diverse Nation” at Wilson and Yinka Badejo Memorial Lecture 2024.

He is a strong believer in the theory that the pen is mightier than the sword. He write in an essay of same title that:

“The likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, armed with no other weapon, mobilised the Queen’s language in the struggle for independence from the Queen. They fought their battles through such media as West African Pilot, Accra Evening News and The Tribune. Decades after independence, when free, fair and credible elections were annulled, and a tyrannical dictatorship held sway, the Nigerian press took up the baton and contended against the sword of oppression by deploying the armoury of vocabulary. I am so glad that the labours of these pen warriors and all others who fought for the democracy we enjoy today have not been in vain after all.”

For seven decades, Pastor Bakare has remained a voice in Nigeria politics, religion and socio-economic circle, relating with with Nigerians according to where the matter lies.

On this occasion of your 70th Birthday, we celebrate your consistency, focus and leadership acumen that has affected the people positively.

Congratulations sir!

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US Polls: Tinubu, UK PM Starmer Congratulate Trump

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President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

Donald Trump claimed victory on Wednesday and pledged to “heal” the country as results put him on the verge of beating Kamala Harris in a stunning White House comeback.

President Tinubu said: “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”, adding that the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper”.

“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” he said.

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