June 2022 – Page 14 – Crime Facts

Post Date : June 25, 2022

38 Nigerian Mercenaries Killed In Ukraine- 12 Still Fighting

The Russian Ministry of Defense has published a pdf data summary of the number of foreign mercenaries fighting on behalf of Ukraine, Friday. According to the data 85 Nigerians arrived after heeding the call from Kiev to join a “foreign legion” to defeat Russia. 38 have been killed fighting, while 35 returned to Nigeria with 12 still fighting. “Against the backdrop of the Kiev regime’s mounting military failures and massive daily losses in manpower and equipment, the flow of foreign mercenaries to Ukraine has not only decreased, but is actually turning in the opposite direction,” the RuMOD statement read noting the increase of foreign mercenaries operating in Ukraine. Despite increased payments to fight for Kiev, more foreign mercenaries were returning home. “Despite the Kiev regime’s efforts and increased payments, the process of mercenaries leaving to the ‘other world’ or back to their countries of residence has not been stopped by the Kiev leadership,” the statement added. The statement said that the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU) were monitoring and recording the presence in Ukraine of every representative of this international gathering of “headless horsemen”. The GRU was also monitoring the trainers coming to train, prepare and repair western supplied weapons. From the breakdown of the figures it shows that there were mercenaries from every continent. “Among European countries, Poland is the undisputed leader in terms of the number of mercenaries both arriving and dying. Since the beginning of the special military operation, 1,831 people have arrived in Ukraine, of whom 378 have already been killed and 272 mercenaries have departed for their homeland. It is followed by Romania with 504 arrivals, 102 deaths and 98 departures. The UK is in third place: 422 arrivals, 101 deaths, 95 departures. Among the Americas, Canada leads the way: 601 arrivals, 162 deaths, 169 departures. The USA comes second: 530 arrivals, 214 deaths, 227 departures. From the Middle East, Transcaucasus and Asia the largest number, 355 mercenaries, came from Georgia, of whom 120 died and 90 left Ukraine. Then there are 200 terrorist fighters redeployed from the US-controlled areas of Jazira region in Syria. To date, 80 have been eliminated and 66 have left Ukraine,” Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov the RuMOD spokesman stated. The Russian general then added that as at June 17, 1, 956 foreign fighters have been eliminated from the battlefield while 1,779 returned to their countries. “3,321 mercenaries are alive, not yet captured, or have not yet escaped to the Ukrainian border,” he explained. [Source Russian MOD]

Post Date : June 25, 2022

Community seeks Soludo’s help over harassment by security operatives

The community leaders in Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to save them from the incessant harassment and intimidation of indigenes allegedly by security operatives in the town. They made the call on Friday in Awka at a news conference following the invasion of Nteje by suspected security operatives on Thursday. The spokesman for the community, Mr. Martins Okechukwu, said seven persons, including the acting President-General of Nteje, Chief Benneth Chinweze, were seriously injured by the security operatives. Okechukwu said, “Apart from our president-general, who is now lying critically ill in the hospital, one Oluebube Anukwu, who was among the seven persons that sustained gun shots is now dead, while five others are receiving treatments in different hospitals. “Before now, Nteje has been a peaceful community, but in the past 10 years now, all that we are facing are incessant attacks and arrest of our people, who in some cases, are taken to Abuja where they suffer grievously.” Okechukwu who blamed the ugly development on some natives mentioned one Chief Mike Nwakalor as the person fanning the crisis due to his interest in land grabbing activities. He said that the Nteje community today has about four army checkpoints which some privileged individuals take undue advantage to harass the residents. The acting President General of Nteje, Chief Benneth Chinweze, who spoke from his hospital bed in Awka, when our correspondent visited the hospital, said he had a harrowing experience in the hands of the security men on June 16. “I was driving when, suddenly, some persons who all covered their faces double-crossed my vehicle and ordered me out. “They forced me into their Hilux truck, tie my legs and hands and blindfolded me before they began to give me treatments like a common criminal. “This incident took place on Thursday, June 16, but it was on Friday, June 17, that I regained consciousness in a hospital. “As you can see, I cannot raise my two hands up or use them to eat and bath, I am just helpless here as you can see,” he said. Chinweze who doubles as the regent of Nteje Community, added that he suspected that it was Chief Mike Nwakalor that was behind his ordeal. ”Before I lost consciousness, the people beating me kept saying, you always insult Chief Mike Nwakalor and if you don’t respect yourself, we will teach you bitter lesson,” he added. When contacted, Chief Mike Nwakalor said he was not involved in the problem which occurred in Nteje on June 16 and do not have any hand in land grabbing activities in Nteje. “As a community leader, I heard what happened and upon investigation I was told that Chief Chinweze wrote a petition and when security operatives came for him, he tried to evade arrest. “I further gathered that those who were wounded by gun shots blocked security operatives and in the exchange of gun fire some of them got injured,” he said. Nwakalor, however, explained that he was also not involved in any land dispute with any person in Nteje, saying, ”I have 200 plots of land between Nteje Park and Umunya and the property is not in dispute because I have my certificate of occupancy.” Reacting, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the command was not aware of the matter which occurred in Nteje on June 16. He rather urged people of Nteje who were affected in the matter to come up with information that could help police in nipping the matter in the bud.

Post Date : June 25, 2022

Obi, Kwankwaso yet to agree on presidential candidate, running mate

The joint panel set up by the Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party to work out an alliance between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Mr Peter Obi has submitted its report for consideration, findings by Saturday PUNCH have revealed. Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and presidential candidate of the NNPP, is said to have a strong followership in the North with his Kwankwasiyya movement, while Obi, a former Anambra State governor and LP presidential candidate, is having an increasing support base among youths in the southern part of the country and the social media. While it is no longer possible for political parties to merge, in line with Section 81 (2) of the Electoral Act, both presidential candidates are working on a joint ticket with the hope of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and others in the February 25, 2023 presidential election. The Section 81 (2) reads, “Political parties intending to merge shall each give to the commission nine months’ notice of their intention to do so before a general election.” Already, the 2023 general elections will commence on February 25, which is less than nine months away. Kwankwaso in an interview about a week ago confirmed that a committee was set up to work on the alliance and that conversation was ongoing. He said, “We are in talks with Peter Obi and a committee is working to look into how to form a merger between us. “The merger is important because as you can see, both the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party did not pick their running mates from the South-East.” As the deadline for the substitution of candidates and running mates for the presidential and National Assembly candidates draws near, there is a mounting anxiety among the supporters of the two candidates over the progress made in the alliance talks. Meanwhile, the running mate to Obi and director-general of his campaign organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe, confirmed to Saturday PUNCH that the panel had concluded its sitting and talks were ongoing on the way forward. Okupe said, “A committee was set up before now and the committee has completed its work. There have been informal meetings and third party stakeholders interventions and we have had structured official meetings too. “In all, we came to two agreements; one is that we are going to work together as political parties in order to achieve this change that we all desire. What we did not agree upon is who would be the president and who would be the vice-president. We didn’t agree on that. But we left it open.” Asked if the parties would agree on the issue before the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their final running mates, Okupe said, “We are aware of the deadline, and we are working on it. When we adjourned our last meeting, we adjourned sine die. So, if there is a change, we will reconvene. But we are moving on. There is no problem. We have agreed to work together to create a platform for a national coalition, so that objective is still in place.” Also, the National Chairman, NNPP, Prof Rufai Alkali, told Saturday PUNCH in an interview that the party was engaging with the people and getting support and solidarity from many places. When asked who would become the candidate and running mate between Kwankwaso and Obi, Alkali said, “Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is a seasoned politician and he knows the country very well. Certain decisions have to be taken at the appropriate time in a way and manner that would bring more strength and credibility to this journey.” Asked if a decision had been reached on it, he said, “When we do, you will be among the first to know. No decision yet.” About the panel’s report, he said, “I am not aware of anything and I am not going to comment on that.” On the prospect of the NNPP in 2023, Alkali said, “I have been in other parties before the NNPP, and I must say it is amazing. We keep receiving calls from people that are likely to join us and we are making a lot of progress.” Sources in both the NNPP and LP confirmed to Saturday PUNCH that an influential former President was among those being consulted on the issue. Kwankwaso in Rivers The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday received Kwankwaso in Port Harcourt, the state capital. After losing the PDP presidential primary to Atiku Abubakar and the running mate slot to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Wike, who is said to be aggrieved by the development, has continued to receive high-profile politicians, including Obi who visited him on Thursday. Meanwhile, both of them were seen in front of the Wike’s residence exchanging pleasantries on Friday. This was about 24-hours after a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, as well as the senate minority caucus led by its leader, Philip Aduda. The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, also visited Wike on Wednesday, while Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State visited him earlier in the week. It is believed that the visits have to do with the forthcoming presidential election. All the visits were followed by a closed-door meeting but the outcome had remained unknown. …19 days to go Meanwhile, the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission indicates that political parties have until July 15 to withdraw or replace their candidates and their running mates for the presidential and National Assembly elections. By implication, the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Obi of the Labour Party and other candidates who submitted interim names for running mates have about 19 days away to submit the final names. Item six of the timetable read, “Last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties for the presidential and National Assembly (elections) is July

Post Date : June 25, 2022

𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗢-𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜 𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗡

𝕭𝖞 𝕯𝖗 𝖀𝖌𝖔𝖏𝖎 𝕰𝖌𝖇𝖚𝖏𝖔 Peter Obi may be an old politician, but he is a new phenomenon. Almost 20 years ago, he ran for the Anambra governorship; now, he runs like a sanctimonious newcomer leading an angry horde chasing scapegoats. Those swooning over him remember Obi of the Platform series more than the Obi who lived eight years in Awka. When reminded of some of his ordinary records, his supporters simply say, “Obi is better.” Don’t take them for granted. Obi is the new rave. Perhaps a vintage old wine in a new bottle. Perhaps a vent for a suffocating populace. Perhaps the enticing unknown amidst ugly predictable choices. In some sections of the country, Petermania is the new epidemic. Obi’s emergence as the candidate of the Labour Party was largely fortuitous. But nobody remembers. An overnight defection to beat the INEC deadline for presidential primaries. Obi had sought to represent the PDP which his followers now detest as contemptible. Nevertheless, Obi’s popularity is not flimsy. His supporters are creating an ideology. They call themselves Obidients, but they are irreverent in many ways. Seeking to disrupt the status quo, they have adopted a religious stand. Sometimes confident, sometimes insolent. ‘No shishi’ is chief amongst their philosophy. ‘No shishi’ means ‘no farthing.’ They won’t accept gratification to support or vote for Obi. Obidiency evidently entails praiseworthy political celibacy of some sort. Obi’s acclaimed frugality is the spirit. The no-shishi ideal is spreading. While Peter Obi isn’t yet the dominant candidate, no-shishi could transform the country. For a country that thrives on bribes and gratification, where many judges, police officers and clergy are buyable, no-shishi is a divine node of regeneration. In a country where crowds are rentable and political rallies are rented crowds, no-shishi is a political apostatical wonder. In a country where vote-buying is rife and almost justifiable, where an omission to grease palms is rebuked as stinginess or selfishness, no-shishi must be daredevilry. A new beginning. If no-shishi spreads and finds tap root, it would damage the foundation of the corrupt politics that has bedridden the country. If politicians do not pay for support and votes, they would need and perhaps steal less. If voters can’t be enticed with biscuits and chewing gum, they might vote right. If no-shishi seeps into the country’s DNA, it might re engineer social structures, reach the checkpoints and prevent the naked evil transactions that go between motorists and policemen. If the police authorities expect no-shishi from road users, they will provide adequate logistics and fuel for patrol teams. They would also expect no returns. If the government knows the police will get no-shishi from the public, it will be compelled to fund the police or have no police. Besides the preservative effect on country’s rotting body politic, no-shishi will make partners out of supporters. The no-shishi Obidients have infused the campaigns with volunteerism. If the supporters don’t take shishi, then they are more likely to support with their brain and arm muscles and pockets. A man selling his birthright for a pot of porridge would only bother about the size and quality of the porridge and not the complexion of the buyer. If supporters invest in the candidates, then they are more likely to scrutinize and choose candidates before opening their wallets. More likely to consider eating the money than giving it to a charlatan. Being stakeholders rather than fans would help institute a culture of accountability. Because investors are usually more demanding than cheerleaders. Petermania and the culture of Obidiency have come at the right time. Crowds have besieged registration deadlines. Democracy thrives on mass participation. If sustained, Petermania could rev up mass participation across all parties. Somnolent supporters of other candidates are waking up to the challenge. And they must wake up in numbers and up their moral engagement. These other groups can’t yield the moral high ground to the Obidients without a challenge. To contest in the new game, and to belong to the emerging culture, they must come up with some of their enviable ideas, habits and customs to identify their group. Thank God volunteerism is surging. Apathy is waning. This could be the new beginning. Nigeria, I hail thee.

Post Date : June 24, 2022

Extension Of Voter Registration Is ‘Inevitable’ – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission will extend the deadline for its Continuous Voter Registration exercise, national commissioner Festus Okoye said on Friday. Civil society organisations have called for the deadline of June 30 to be extended to enable more Nigerians register to vote in the 2023 general elections. INEC “is disposed towards extending the date for the CVR,” Mr Okoye said while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today. However, while civil societies such as Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have argued that INEC should stop voter registration 90 days before the general elections, the commission says it is constrained by financial and logistic factors. INEC is disposed towards extending voter registration. An extension is inevitable. But not up to the period that some people are canvassing. – Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner#PoliticsToday#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/YtSvbmnvHO — Channels Television (@channelstv) June 24, 2022 A Federal High Court is set to rule on a suit brought by SERAP against INEC on June 29. “We are convinced that after we make our arguments, the court will be convinced on why we cannot extend the CVR beyond a certain period,” Mr Okoye said. “But we are convinced, given the enthusiasm of Nigerians, given the new resolve of Nigerians to register, that an extension is inevitable. “The Commission is disposed towards extending the period for the CVR but not up to the period that some people are canvassing.”

Post Date : June 24, 2022

FAKE NEWS ALERT: Muslims didn’t stop Christians from registering for PVC in Abuja community

A short video clip suggesting that some Muslims are stopping Christians from registering for the permanent voter card (PVC) in Abuja has been making the rounds on social media. In the footage circulated mostly on WhatsApp on Thursday, a female voice in the background alleged that the exercise was going on smoothly at a registration centre in Lugbe area of the federal capital territory (FCT) until a bearded man dressed in kaftan, alongside his cohorts, arrived at the venue. According to the voice, the bearded man was on the telephone, telling someone to show up at the venue and disrupt the exercise. “We have been registering and having a peaceful registration since morning until these Muslims came in, they called that ‘Arne’, meaning Christians, are here gathering and doing PVC they should come and disrupt it,” the woman said. The alleger said the man wanted to disrupt the gathering because he knew they were for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. “So, as you can see them, we have to quickly leave so that they do not endanger our lives. See them, the one with the moustache and the rest of them. They are making calls to cause a crisis here in Lugbe federal housing and the people are upset.” she added. “But for our safety, we had to leave. So they don’t want Peter Obi. They know that everybody is out for Peter Obi. They want to disrupt it and stop everything.” The female voice in the video did not state where the incident happened in Lugbe. However, TheCable traced the video frames to L.E.A Primary School, FHA Lugbe, Abuja. TheCable visited the venue on Thursday and met a gathering of people who intended to register for their PVC. A young man at the venue, who identified himself as Bisi, told TheCable that the video was made on Wednesday. He said the bearded man was only asking people in the queue to be orderly. He said the man in question was telling them to allow pregnant women and old people to be attended to first before others. Bisi, who referred to the man as ‘Alhaji’, said the man, while on the phone, was speaking to an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to send more officials to help with the registration. “I was shocked when I got here this morning watching the video. See (referring to this reporter), there was nothing like that here yesterday. The Alhaji is influential in this FHA. I doubt if he know he’s trending already. He was only trying to tell us to be orderly and give room for the aged ones to get registered first,” Bisi told TheCable. “When he was on the call, I was close to where he was standing, the man was not even a Hausa man. He asked one INEC boss to send more personnel and that the ones here are overwhelmed already. “At a point, the INEC officials wanted to leave, Alhaji called their office again and the staff were asked to stay back. It was in everyone’s presence. Nothing is true about the video. “As you can see us here now, we penned down our names yesterday, and we have been here since morning. This is past 1pm, the INEC officials are not here. If Alhaji was here, I am very sure he would have helped make calls again, but see everyone calling him bad names already in his presence.” The FCT police command described the allegation that some Muslims were stopping Christians from registering for PVC in Lugbe as “erroneous information”. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, also confirmed to TheCable that the event described in the video is not true. Yakubu added that Muslims were not stopping Christians from participating in the registration exercise.

Post Date : June 24, 2022

Hisbah Moves To Regulate Social Media In Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Board is currently making moves to regulate social media. To this end, the board is in collaboration with Kano State Censorship Board (KSCB). Ismail Na’abba Afakallah, Executive Director of KSCB, disclosed this in an interview. He said although his board is primarily for the film industry, social media, especially Tik Tok, has enabled influencers to engage in immoral and indecent act. “Our board and Hisbah have set up a Committee that will provide a system that will tackle this menace. It is not only Kannywood stars that are engaged in most of the immoral acts on Tik Tok, most of the people abusing it aren’t in the industry. “It is a global challenge. People see it as a free world where they can do whatever they like. And we cannot allow that because it would spoil the moral upbringing of our children. “We are concerned with influential Tik Tokers too who aren’t filmmakers because they spoil our children’s character and moral upbringing. We can’t accept you to go wayward. The platform has become a harbinger of marriage failures, waywardness among other factors.” He expressed concern that the social media platforms are primarily meant for entertainment and disseminating useful information but many people are misusing the opportunity. “They’re now misusing the privilege and disseminating negative information. You will see mature girls every now and then dancing irresponsibly and exhibiting all forms of indecency on the social media, especially Tik Tok and Instagram.” He called on parents to be observant of their children’s activities on social media so that they can not allow them go astray.

Post Date : June 24, 2022

Kwankwaso Visits Wike In Port Harcourt

Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso on Friday paid a visit to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt. While the meeting’s purpose is yet unclear, it may not be unconnected to the 2023 general elections. Also present at the meeting was former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. Other political players such as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have visited Mr Wike in the past few days. Mr Wike on Thursday received Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda and other PDP politicians, also in Port Harcourt.

Post Date : June 24, 2022

CVR: DSS arrests three over fake registration centre, extortion

The Department of State Service has arrested three persons for allegedly operating a fake Continuous Voter Registration centre and for extorting eligible voters by promising to enroll them in the ongoing registration exercise in Nasarawa state. The INEC acting Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Ibrahim Onawo, disclosed this while speaking to our correspondent in Lafia on Friday. Onawo explained that the three suspects were arrested by the DSS operatives while they were distributing registration forms to eligible voters at the Government Science Secondary School, Lafia. He said the arrest of the suspects followed a tip-off by the committee set up recently to investigate alleged extortion of eligible voters in the state. Onawo said that the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigations. “The suspects claimed that their non-governmental organization, Middle Belt Youth Development Organization had collaborated with INEC in Nasarawa state which was why they went ahead to register the eligible voters. “We actually received a letter from the NGO but we are yet to approve their request, so I wonder why they went ahead to collect money from residents of the state, claiming that we were working in partnership. “Each of the eligible voters paid N1,000 for registration, so you can imagine how much money they have made from the public. “These are the people giving the commission a bad image and we will not tolerate it. The DSS will transfer the case to the police for onward investigation,” Onawo said.

Post Date : June 24, 2022

Fani-Kayode rejoices over return of ex-wife, Precious Chikwendu

After two years of intense hostility, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and his ex-beauty queen wife Precious Chikwendu have finally settled their rift. The controversial couples resumed a renewed marital relationship on Saturday after a long-running marital crisis which broke out in 2020 and followed by legal battles. In the heat of the crisis, Precious was docked in a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja for the attempted murder of her then former husband, Fani-Kayode following charges of attempted culpable homicide, before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Precious and three others, were charged for alleged attempt to stab Fani-Kayode with a kitchen knife on Nov. 24, 2018, at Asokoro, within the court jurisdiction. Others arraigned alongside Precious include Emmanuel Anakan, Prisca Chikwendu and Osakwe Azubuike as 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, while others are said to be at large. In a 13-count charge dated and filed on Jan. 7, the defendants were also alleged to have committed offenses bordering on cybercrime, intimidation to kill Fani-Kayode by use of the Internet, threat to kill one Lauretta in order to cause her to leave her relationship with Fani-Kayode. But surprisingly, on Thursday Fani-Kayode issued a statement, describing their reunion as a truly surreal and historical moment. Fani-Kayode said: “For the first time in two years, totally unexpectedly and out of the blue, and after she took our sons Aragorn, Ragnar, Aiden, and Liam out for yet another beautiful outing, Mama Aragorn came to the house to visit with us. “For two years she and I had not seen or spoken to one another but on Saturday afternoon we spent no less than four hours together in which we talked, laughed, and shared some beautiful moments. “It was touching to see members of my household and staff receive her and, led by our first son Aragorn who held her tightly by the hand, usher her through the gates and into the compound as I watched in utter disbelief and surprise from the balcony.” He said, “Moments earlier I had seen them walking down from the top of the road through the CCTV cameras and from the same balcony. “It was a small crowd, led by Aragorn and his mother. They walked slowly with radiant smiles and laughter whilst a convoy of cars followed them from behind. “It was the dramatic return of a great and beautiful queen who was simply resplendent and who shone as brightly as the morning star. “There are some moments that words cannot capture or express and this was one of them. After two long years of contentious silence and acrimonious separation, she graced us with her presence and came home,” he said. The All Progressives Congress chieftain further said, “It was joy all around to see the return of this great lioness. Every single one of the 60 people that live and work in our home was happy to see her and some even shed a few secret tears of joy. “Mama Aragorn displayed such courage, grace, dignity, and class. This was a moment that I shall cherish for many years. This was a triumph for all lovers of peace and sons and daughters of righteousness. “This was the day that the power of God was made manifest, that joy came to Zuma close, and that the Lion of Aso Drive roared in glory, victory, power, and strength. “This was a moment that proved beyond all reasonable doubt that patience, restraint, understanding and peace bring nothing but joy and blessings. “This was a moment when light overcame darkness and when the secret prayers of four handsome little Princes were answered. “This was a moment when love, mutual respect, truth, and mutual forgiveness triumphed and Satan was put to shame.” He said, “Thanks for coming, Mama Aragorn. We love and appreciate you. Always did, always will. And though we have gone our separate ways the bond and cord that exists between us through our four beautiful boys can never be broken. “I also offer my thanks to my loyal and faithful wife and a true Daughter of Zion, Mama Remi, and to Mama Folake, Mama Arwen, my beautiful daughters Folake and Remi, my son Nicholas and my entire family and household for their collective and unconditional love, understanding, resilience, loyalty, support, and patience. “You stood firm, strong, and bold and you kept encouraging me even through the raging storm and darkest moments. Love conquered all and saw us through and so it shall continue to be. “From generation to generation our circle of love, our fellowship, our family, our children, and our loved ones shall rise and go from strength to strength. “In every situation and circumstance, we shall prevail and the God that we serve shall never forsake us. So it is and so it shall be. God bless you all.” he said.