Showbiz
CAMA: Iginla Blames Church Leaders for Creating Division
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The recently signed Company Acts And Allied Matters (CAMA) law by President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to generate reactions from religious leaders in Nigeria.
The latest to speak on the issue is the General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Abuja, Prophet Joshua Iginla, who described the law as a coup against Christianity in the country.
However, he blamed his colleagues for not coming up with a voice on some critical issues in the nation, saying this has given room to political leaders to toy with Christians in the country without fear.
“One of the reasons the body of Christ in Nigeria is having problems is because we don’t know our capacity. We have lost focus and spent time having a doctrinal argument. We are the light of Nigeria.
“If we want to ensure that a Christian becomes the President of this country, we have the capacity but we are so self-centred and divided that we are running to people that should be running to us.
“Everything doesn’t end in prayer, there are things we don’t need prayer for in Nigeria. We have the capacity to strengthen things but the church has lost her tastes. We are in days when we no longer attack the devil but ourselves.
“The reason people from other religions will continue to do better is that they understand their capacity,” Mr Iginla declared.
“If as a Christian leader, you are corrupt or found wanting, you should be dealt with but I disagree that someone will propound a law into a spiritual entity. It is because the church is asleep. Last year, I prophesied that the church will face persecution because the church is asleep,” he said further.
Business Post reports that in the new CAMA law, religious bodies and charity organisations will be strictly regulated by the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and a supervising minister.
One of the sections religious leaders are crying foul about is Section 839 (1) and (2) of the CAMA law, which provides that the commission may by order, suspend the trustees of an association or a religious body and appoint an interim manager or managers to coordinate its affairs where it reasonably believes that there has been any misconduct or mismanagement, or where the affairs of the association are being run fraudulently or where it is necessary or desirable for the purpose of public interest.
But Prophet Iginla described this as a coup against Christianity, stressing that some pastors are ready to die to prevent the law from being implemented on churches.
He maintained that the church was built by the labour of pastors and appointment of trustees who know nothing about the growth of the church or its affairs is highly condemnable
“Do you know what it took some of us to labour to grow a church up to this level and someone will say he will appoint a trustee over the church. You don’t even know how the church came about. If a pastor is corrupt, let him face the law and go to jail but appointing a trustee? Some of us are ready to die before you do that to us, it is absolutely wrong,” he fumed.
Continuing, the cleric asked, “Do you know why it is happening like this?” “[It is] because the church isn’t feared,” he answered.
How do you make a law for the church? You [want to] change the trustee and put your own trustees? When has some organisation become a spiritual entity? Are you about to preach, do deliverance, in what capacity will you control the church?” he queried further.
“Make laws that prevent men of God from being corrupt and if they are corrupt, take them to court but putting your trustees is a coup against the church,” he advised the government.
Furthermore, he asked the government to divert its attention and energy into fighting corruption in the government, saying, “‘Sometimes I laugh. Thank God for this government and what they are doing, but I must say their energy must be channelled on the right thing. Those who have looted our money and sent our children to live in penury, those governors that have embezzled money should be sent to jail.
“It is only in my country that those who are fighting corruption are even corrupt. Money that was spent on COVID-19, how many got it? Those who are in charge should be sent to jail. Leave the church alone. We are not government. If any pastor is found looting with the government, send him to jail but hunting the church is the last place of priority in the fight against corruption,” he said.
“The government should intensify efforts against those ones. These are people we should use as scapegoats. I am not saying they should not look into the church, look into it but appointing a trustee in the church is wrong. If anyone is appointed to take my sit in my church, except the Lord hasn’t anointed me, he or she will not live to see the next seven days,” he declared.
The fight against content theft intensified on Thursday as MultiChoice Nigeria led stakeholders in a Walk Against Piracy from Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, drawing a powerful mix of Nollywood actors, filmmakers, directors, writers, media personalities, regulators, students, and members of the public.
The walk was part of a broader national advocacy campaign aimed at protecting Nigeria’s creative economy from the escalating damage of piracy. Participants marched through the Ikeja axis, distributing flyers, engaging passers-by, and educating the public on the dangers of piracy and its impact on livelihoods.
Veteran actor, Saidi Balogun, one of the leading voices at the walk, described piracy as “a silent killer draining the lifeblood of the creative industry.”
“People see the glamour but forget the sweat, months of work, and the hundreds of jobs behind a single film,” he said. “When you pirate a movie, you are killing someone’s dream, someone’s job, and the future of an entire industry. It must stop.”
Screenwriter and producer, Obi Emelonye, warned that piracy poses an existential threat to the next generation of creatives.
“Piracy is a menace eating deeply into the industry. If we do nothing, young creatives coming behind us will inherit an economy with no structure, no revenue, and no incentive to create,” he stated. “We cannot allow that future.”
The regulatory perspective came from Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations at the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), who emphasised both the legal and personal risks tied to piracy.
“Piracy is a criminal offence under Nigerian law, punishable by fines and imprisonment,” he said. “Beyond the legal consequences, consumers who download illegal content expose their devices to malware, identity theft, and financial fraud. It is not worth the risk.”
During the outreach, members of the public raised questions about affordability and alternatives to pirated content. The team responded by highlighting accessible, cost-friendly, and legal platforms available to consumers, underscoring that entertainment can be enjoyed responsibly without breaking the law.
Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head, Corporate Affairs at MultiChoice Nigeria, explained that the walk was a continuation of MultiChoice’s long-standing commitments to consumer education. Last month, the company led a school sensitisation programme at Kuramo Senior College in Victoria Island, teaching students how piracy harms creators and how they can unknowingly participate in it.
“We want to catch them young, take this message into communities, and meet Nigerians where they are,” Oghuma said. “Today’s walk is a reminder that protecting intellectual property is everyone’s responsibility. What we are fighting for is the survival of Nigeria’s creative future.”
Other notable participants included members of the Intellectual Property Law Advocacy Network (IPLAN), lawyers, media executives, content creators, and fans of Nigerian entertainment.
MultiChoice Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with regulators, industry bodies, and stakeholders to champion policies, education, and enforcement mechanisms that safeguard creative work and ensure creators receive fair reward for their labour.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has debunked viral news reports that that the chairman of its board of trustees, Mr Olalere Osunpaimo, well known as Lere Paimo, was dead.
In a public notice from the national Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the organisation, Mr Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, it was disclosed that the veteran action is “alive and well.”
Members of the public were advised to disregard the death rumour.
“We would like to inform the public that reports circulating on Facebook about the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are FALSE.
“We have confirmed with Baba Eda Onile Ola’s wife that he is alive and in good health.
“Please disregard these false reports and be aware that they are being spread by unscrupulous individuals.
“Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR), Chairman Board of Trustee Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), is alive and well.
“We urge everyone to verify information before sharing to avoid spreading misinformation,” the notice disclosed.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The duo of Nivea and inDrive has been announced as the title sponsors of TikTok’s 2025 Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, while Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem and PEP Stores are the category sponsors.
As title sponsors, inDrive and NIVEA (Beiersdorf) will play key roles in amplifying creator recognition, supporting event experiences, and on-the ground activations.
NIVEA (Beiersdorf) will sponsor the Creator of the Year award, while inDrive will present the Storyteller of the Year award, both reflecting a shared passion for innovation, inclusivity and celebrating African voices making a global impact.
In addition, Coca-Cola is sponsoring Food Creator of the Year award, Dis-Chem is for the Social Impact Creator of the Year award, and PEP Stores is for the Entertainment Creator of the Year award.
This year’s event is slated for Saturday, December 6. It would be used to celebrate the continent’s most inspiring and innovative creators who are using the platform to educate, entertain, and empower their communities.
“We are delighted to partner with TikTok, as we share a long-standing relationship across the globe, including in the Sub-Saharan region. TikTok is a unique platform that enables us to engage with young audiences in a language and format that truly resonates with them.
“We extend our gratitude to the company for organizing The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa and congratulate all guests and participants on this remarkable event,” the Marketing Lead of inDrive Africa, Mikita Ponarin, stated.
“TikTok is proud to partner with great local and regional brands that support Africa’s creative economy. What excites us about these partnerships is the shared vision.
“These brands are making a conscious choice to invest in African creativity at a pivotal moment. They see what we see: that when we uplift creators, we strengthen entire communities and economies across the continent,” the Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa,” Boniswa Sidwaba, said.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn